A Scam a Minute

Models at all stages of their careers, from beginners to supermodels, are targeted by con artists hoping to profit form their hopes, dreams, and naivete. Although you may be complimented by their attention, don't fall for their scams.

Aspiring models are generally very young, and their desire to model may occasionally cloud their judgment. There are many horror stories about disreputable people who offer drugs to young models, who coerce them into modeling nude, who demand sex in exchange for a modeling job, or who want the model to pay them to get the job.

Another big source of frauds and swindles is photographers who try to get young models who are just starting out to pay hundreds (or thousands) of dollars for photos, portfolios (an album of specially selected pictures models take with them on job interviews), and composites (a card with several photo's on it that's sent out to potential clients). They will insist these material are necessary in order to find a modeling agency that will represent a beginning model, or that they're needed to get started in the modeling business. These con artists will insist that agencies wont accept them if they don't have a portfolio full of pictures. Don't fall for this common scam; professional photos are definently not necessary to get started as a model; in fact, they can actually hurt your chances of making it.

Many established models have also been victims of scams. Successful models often find themselves in the middl of a swarm of men who are dying to meet them. As exciting as that may seem, it also exposes model's to shady people who want to take advantage of them emotionally and financially. Many of these con artists date models, hoping to convince the models to give them money to set up investment companies, where they buy risky stocks. Other con artists want to open their own businesses, such as health clubs, nightclubs, restaurants, and resorts. Many models, inexperienced in business or head over heels in love, fall fo the hype and give them money. More models than I can count have lost their peace of mind, their careers, and all their savings to unscrupulous guys.