Model Scam Back in Business

Graham Cluley, IT Consultant at Sophos, reported that recently his brother-in-law, John Bacon, has been struck by a scammed e-mail that purportedly came from Creative Talent Agency - a modeling agency, as reported by Sophos.com on June 12, 2009.

The e-mail stated that the modeling profile of John had been examined on www.modeltaget.com and if he was interested in undertaking a modeling assignment, he could confirm the same by sending an e-mail at the address given in that fake mail.

In fact, this e-mail was not the only e-mail received by John. Another scammed e-mail verified that the modeling firm was offering one week photo-shoot assignment to six international models/talents.

The agency also stated that besides a handsome sum of £40,000 for the week long contract, John would be paid a decent travelling allowance and a paid-stay at a luxurious hotel suite.

However, what raised suspicion in the mind of John was that the e-mail stated it as a direct offer for job, not requiring any sort of audition. He was assured that £20,000 would be paid to him immediately as he begins working with the agency. John was just required to have a passport, a UK model license and a work permit.

Reportedly, the scammers/phishers offered to assist model in completing the legal formalities by forwarding him to fake solicitors, who would have dodged the model of his money or probably his identity would have been stolen.

Everything became crystal clear on carrying out Google search which revealed an incident wherein a model had already been scammed in the similar fashion in 2008. That model stated that he got a scammed mail from "Micheal Brown, Agent with ITGO LIVE MODELING AGENCY". The e-mail said that the model's profile had been viewed by the person and he offered the model a ten-day photo-shoot contract in Britain.

Thus, it is extremely important for the upcoming models to remain wary of such unsolicited e-mails offering them direct modeling assignments. It will be better for them to avoid responding to these e-mails, or they should be ready to bear worse consequences like identity theft or loss of their hard earned money.

Related article: Model Sues Google for Her Blog’s Manipulation for Scareware

» SPAMfighter News - 6/22/2009