[Jonathan Parker]

For the last couple of years, the scammers have branched out, targeting people based on known affiliations with the modeling world. Various versions have been sent to models, photographers, makeup artists and other professionals in the industry. The latest versions promise work somewhere that the scammer isn't, and the victim isn't. At this writing, the claims seem to mostly involve alleged fashion shows or commercial modeling jobs in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. The scammer says they have found the victim on one of the Internet listing sites, and they would like to hire them for the upcoming show or event. Huge modeling fees are promised.

If they get a positive response, the scammer sets the hook. It could be based on the Nigerian scam: they say they will send a portion of the promised fees and expenses by certified check. The victim is then asked to deposit the check in his account, and use the money for various purposes (booking airline tickets to the event, for instance). But the amount sent is much larger than what is needed for the tickets, so the victim is asked to return some of the money to the sender.

When the scam works, the victim sends off a refund of the "excess" payment, only to find later that the "certified check" they got from the scammer was a forgery. When it bounces, the victim is out the "refund" he sent to the scammer.

Another version is simpler: they ask for lots of information about the victim, and then use identity theft to charge the victim's accounts.

So how to avoid getting taken? You need to understand some painful facts:

• Never withdraw money from a deposited "certified check" until your bank confirms that they have collected the funds. Normally that takes a week or so. Ask your banker, and they will be happy to tell you the status of the deposit. Then wait another two weeks - banks have been known to say bogus checks have been cleared when they have not.

• If you aren't with a major agency, nobody is going to fly you thousands of miles and pay you thousands of dollars for a mainstream modeling job. Doesn't happen. For the kinds of money they offer, there are plenty of agencies with qualified models, right near where the job is – or willing to send their models to where the job is. Clients with big bucks aren't going to take a chance on an unknown when they can get the guarantees of working with an agency.

• Nobody will send you large amounts of money up front for a modeling job. If a miracle strikes and you do get hired for a job you have to fly to, they will make the reservations and buy tickets for you. Same for the hotel. They certainly aren't going to send you the money and then cross their fingers and hope you show up.

• Nobody overpays up front, and then asks for a refund up front. Again, if in some Alice in Wonderland world someone were to send you money up front for a trip, they would just collect the overage when you arrived for the job, or take it out of your modeling fees after the job was over. They certainly wouldn't ask you to send it to them before the trip ever began.

• Nobody will ask you to pay them for a service as part of getting the job. If they want you, for instance, to purchase a "modeling license" that they claim is necessary, and happen to know an attorney who can get it for you, it's a scam.

• If they can't spell, it isn't real. These scammers aren't unemployed grammar teachers. They almost always write offering letters that are full of obvious errors. Real international companies with the kinds of money they claim to be able to throw around can hire someone who speaks your language well to communicate with you.

If you get an offer from someone far from you who wants you to travel for a high fee, and somehow none of the above red flags seem to apply, you have a source of help: the best modeling agency near you. With that kind of money at stake, if it's real you just got qualified to be an agency model. Yes, they will take a commission – but they will also do the research, understand what is real and what is not, and stand behind you if you do end up thousands of miles away where you don't know anyone. So take that offer, or that check, down to your local agency, tell them you want to give them a piece of it, and see what happens. If the job is fake, 20% of nothing is nothing, so that's what it cost you to find out. And if it happens, against all odds, to be real, the money to find that out will be well spent.

[whiskeygurl88]

i recieved an email from this casting for Christian Julliano.. It seemed to good to be true.. neary 100,000 contract for 3 months..? for an amatuer model.. and they were willing to fly me there to just pay 30% of it..
Heres the email I recieved.. I Did pursue to email them back, with my info.. they asked for my SSN but Im not that stupid to give that way.. the application as they called it.. was ur name and #.. what an application.. they sent me a "contract" which was filled with spelling errors.. i decided to "research" this julliano.. cuz the name seemed different.. i thought there was one L.. Found out this email thing is probably a scam.. since I havent been throough this before.. maybe i can get some input..?
Is this the scam you are talking about?

Heres the Congrats Email I recieved:

We have recieved a application, submitted on your behalf from But-u-castings inc for the modelling contract we have on offer for Launching of our new rebranding and expansion campaign.

I Mrs Angela williams entire management and staff of Christian Julliano Clothing Company in the UK, wish to congratulate you formally for your selection as one of the 7 models approved to be our official models for the next three months.

Please find attached, an offer letter of provisional employment for the said job, sign it and send back to me together with a letter of acceptance from you.

By winning this selection and as part of the encouragement of this open search program for amateur/semi amateur models,we have offered to pay 70 percent of the total cost of travelling and accomodation you will incure during the duration of the shoot. You should contact the agency that has been commissioned to handle all traveling/logistics arrangements for this exercise
Sarah Travels & Tour Agency
Email: Sarah4rapidtravels@hotmail.com

They will let you know what to do to take advantage of this provision.
Once again, I say congratulations

Mrs Angela williams
Promotions director,
Christian Julliano Clothing Company

[Miss L]

How are you doing today? It is with great pleasure to have received your email clearly declaring your positive intent of being a part of this Photo-Shoot session.

Like I already informed you in my previous email I sent you, the duration for this Job is 7 days as you will be required to work with the Photographer in charge. You will be working with other Local based Models here in London and also with other Foreign Talents who will also be contracted. You will work with the photographers in Photo-Studios, beaches and so on and there will not be any form of NUDITY.
We at this agency AJUMA MODELS INC has been appointed by the client offering this contract DYNAST HOLLIS DESIGNS to get the Foreign Models and we contacted you after going through your full profile and stats on the internet. You are also free to provide us with your latest pictures if any is available. You have to also note that this is not a casting or an Audition process as the Local based Models have already undergone the casting process.

You must also note that the idea to include International Talents was conceived rather late which is the reason why this is a direct booking. If you have an agent and if you wish to, you can put him/her in contact with us but if you do not have it is not a problem because this is a very straight forward booking.

The Client offering this Job DYNAST HOLLIS DESIGNS is a soon to be Launched Fashion Design that will dwell in all Women and Men apparels. They will be paying you 49,000 Pounds (56.0191 EUR) as contract sum, a daily allowance upkeep of 120 Pounds (137.235 EUR) and a travel allowance of 1,800 Pounds (2,058.57 EUR).

All you are required to possess before you are eligible for this Job are a VALID PASSPORT and A UK WORK PERMIT (from the British Home Office here in London), that is if you have never had a paid Job in the UK but if you possess a valid EU Passport, it means you will not be needing the Work Permit but will need Just the UK Model License/Certificate.

You will receive half payment of the contract sum 24,500 Pounds plus the travel allowance after you must have gotten all the needed documents or started the necessary process of getting them as the Client requires that before they can release the part payment plus travel allowance. You also note that all image Rights/usage will be agreed between and the Client when you eventually arrive in London.

A review contract will be sent to you so you can have a better understanding and you will physically sign the hard copy when you arrive in London. This Job is billed to kick start on 5th October so you have to confirm if you will be available or not.
Regards,

Thomas White.
+44-7024083572.
http://ajuma-models.co.cc
http://dynasthollis.com


A UK Model License is issued to Talents and employees picking up Modeling Jobs in the UK for them and moreso UK Model License acts as a Model Certificate for Models coming from abroad.

Below is the process of obtaining the license: Procuring a Regular UK license takes about 16 days and such time we do not have so you will have to get an expediated one.

It is originally the duty of the employer to get the documents for the employee there by footing all the charges but in this case, you will be footing the charges as a sign of commitment on your part to honor the Job because we have had cases in the recently when Client pay for all that is required and employees end up not showing up after giving some flimsy excuses and lack of commitment so as a measure to curb such excesses it was agreed that employees cover the cost of of obtaining the needed documents and they will be fully reimbursed for the total amount spent on acquiring the documents on their arrival in the UK.That way they will be obliged not to breach the contract since they have invested their money so they will be sure to attend.

The document could be gotten be gotten in 2-3 days in an expedited fashion. All that you need to do is to employ the Services of A UK Based Solicitor(LAWYER) who will apply for an Expedited Permit and License on your behalf with a letter of Recommendation from the company offering the Job and the Application will be done. The license will be gotten from the office of the British Fashion Council .

And also note that once you have procured the above document, they become your SOLE PROPERTY which means in a case where you are to pick up any Job in the UK in future you will not have to go through this process again which is also part of the reason you are paying the charges.

You have the right to use any UK Based Solicitor you want as all we require from you is just the license and the receipt of the total amount you paid so as to enable easy reimbursement.

So if you are down with this you can do well to contact any UK Based Solicitor of your choice but if that will be much trouble, we will recommend a Solicitor for you who will handle the Job for you within the short time available. I have attached a review copy of the contract you will be signing on your arrival so you are advised to go through the contractual terms properly and have a better understanding.

You can call me at anytime you deem fit, I will be available to answer.

Regards,
Thomas.
[b]
And no other Lawyer knows anything about this sh*t....