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Original poster

Model Agency Scam?

35 replies

staceyflack · 26/03/2019 20:48

Hi does anyone have experience of 'Nexgen' talent? My 13 year old daughter has unfortunately sent her picture to them, they say she has been shortlisted & want to meet her for a models makeover! Apparently 50quid up front would secure an appointment. I'm sure its dodgey - but she thinks i'm being overprotective. Bless her. Have others come across what seems like an obvious scam to me? Thanks.

OP posts:
Redtartanshoes · 26/03/2019 20:50

Didgy. Reputable agencies never take a feee as they bake money on jobs the person gets

19lottie82 · 26/03/2019 20:51

As far as I understand no reputable agency will ask for money up front, but I’m not 100% sure.

Proudirishnotpaddy · 26/03/2019 20:52

Money up front equals dodgy

MrsDrudge · 26/03/2019 20:54

I have a friend who did this with her daughter. Paid for an appointment and told she could make it as a model, lots of photographs taken - then she was charged an extortionate amount to compile a portfolio, as well as a huge fee to the agency to put her name/portfolio forward for work. She got none.
It wasn’t Nexgen agency, but I would be very wary. They might be genuine, but this one was very very convincing and persuasive. HTH

Expressedways · 26/03/2019 20:54

In addition to the £50 they’ll probably try and hard sell her a load of photographs from the ‘makeover’. Anywhere legit wouldn’t be charge.

Thankssomuch · 26/03/2019 20:55

It is dodgy. My son has been a professiinal model for several years, he has been signed to three agencies during that time and none of them have required a fee up front or even professional photos/a portfolio.

icelollycraving · 26/03/2019 20:55

I’m assuming they just want to sell her the pictures. I’ve been a makeup artist for similar companies. A good agency want to see you fresh, unstyled etc.
Do a google search and see what others say..

SweetAsSpice · 26/03/2019 20:56

Bless her. Proper modelling agency will never ask for money. These scammers want money for appointment, then money for photos for her 'portfolio' then money for subscription to keep you on their 'books.' No to the no no. There are a wealth of reputable agencies out there. None of which will ask her for a penny, if she is serious about modelling.

icelollycraving · 26/03/2019 20:58

Also at 13, she could have been sending her picture to anyone. She needs to understand that there are a lot of people very very happy to deal with a young girl going behind her parent’s backs. Not the reputable agencies obviously but the seedy people that linger at the sidelines.

LikeYouSaid · 26/03/2019 20:59

Sounds very dodgy. As a PP said a legit company wouldn’t ask for money upfront - especially not for an appointment! The next thing they’ll ask for is money for their photographers to make her portfolio etc etc.

ShatnersWigIsActuallyAMammoth · 26/03/2019 20:59

Dodgy. Reputable don't charge an upfront fee etc

GinUnicorn · 26/03/2019 20:59

I used to do modelling. An agency just takes a percentage of your work. They would never ask for a fee like this. If she wants to model look into storm or select. Good agencies.

I will say it is a horrible industry though

IchWill · 26/03/2019 21:00

Never heard of them. But a quick Google shows the company was only incorporated last year and has just one director, who is sole director for another company. If that helps in any way.

le42 · 26/03/2019 21:04

Sounds dodgy. My mum was scammed loads of money by an agency like this for my brother it took 8 months to get the money back from an ombudsman/ very stressful. Please be careful! I don't think agencies ask for any money.

slashlover · 26/03/2019 21:25

www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0071-look-out-modeling-scams (American site)

Can't see much about them on google or twitter.

Historydweeb · 26/03/2019 21:27

Dodgy sorry. I used to model and no reputable agency asks you for fees or payment for shoots.
Under ANY circumstances.

tinyme77 · 26/03/2019 21:35

They used to be this company according to Companies House:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2DJ6GCxl7JWHd08jZMb4kSG/kube-studios

tinyme77 · 26/03/2019 21:37

beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08043958

This is the Companies House link for the company number on their website. Please don't give them any money.

adulthumanwolf · 26/03/2019 21:44

It's a scam. Don't do it.

Original poster
staceyflack · 26/03/2019 21:49

Thank you so much fellow mums... i knew i could rely on you lot! Smile

OP posts:
MorganKitten · 26/03/2019 21:53

Real agencies never ask for an upfront fee.
A girl I worked with got caught out with a scam like this, £2000 later she has costers with her child on and loads of other random things as she felt she couldn’t say no. They used a if you love your kid... tactic.

Aquamarine1029 · 26/03/2019 21:55

I was a commercial model for several years back in my late teens/early twenties. A legitimate agency NEVER requires money up front. This is a scam.

IvanaPee · 26/03/2019 21:56

Yes, dodgy. Legitimate agencies don’t charge fees.

Another concern I think is that your 13 year old dd is sending her picture to people without your knowledge! Maybe chat about the dangers of that?

Streamside · 26/03/2019 22:54

I think a conversation about not sending her photo to strangers would be necessary.There's disappointment looming anyway so wasting your money won't help. I know a 14 yr old who models for fashion shows locally as a way of gaining experience and modelling photos.

ShatnersWigIsActuallyAMammoth · 27/03/2019 07:42

Thank you so much fellow mums

@stackeyflack We're not all mums. We're not even all women.

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