Hi, Ive seen a company mentioned on this thread a few times now. Models Inc!!!!
I think you should read this:
Greed and shame of model boss Aug 10 2005
By IAN LEONARD & MARY MURTAGH, Liverpool Echo
A MODELLING agency boss is bankrolling a celebrity lifestyle with money from budding models.
Ex-Brookside actor Phil Foster, exposed by the ECHO two years ago after complaints about his agency, is back to his old tricks.
He shatters the dreams of would-be models by promising fame and fortune on the catwalk, taking their money and failing to find them work.
He spends the takings on luxury cars and Botox injections for his wife.
The ECHO has been contacted by customers left out of pocket by Foster, who promised them modelling work.
Shola Lawal, 17, from Dovecot, had modelling work on a national newspaper thanks to Foster, but she has never been paid for it and ended up losing her portfolio.
She said: "I never got any money, and when my mum telephoned him he told her to f* off. She went to his office to pick up my portfolio but was told he had moved to Spain.
"I believed he was a legitimate agent but I just felt used and cheated."
Foster's methods include:
. Encouraging people into joining his agency by offering "free" photoshoots and promising to put their details on websites. They hand over their money but their photographs never appear, or the website disappears after a few weeks, and Foster simply pockets the money.
. Arranging paid work for young models but never paying their cut of the fee.
. Other hopefuls are told to pay for photographs after being invited to attend a free shoot, although normal modelling agency practice is to take the money after finding models work.
. Using child models without applying for special licences.
Katie Froud, who runs Alba, an advice service and watchdog set up to monitor modelling agencies, has received dozens of complaints about Foster, who is also a wellknown face on the Liverpool beauty contest scene.
They say legitimate agencies never ask for money up-front and take only a percentage of models' fees after finding them work.
Foster often changes his business addresses and has operated under the names Models Inc, North West Model Management, Model Instincts and UK Model Management over the past three years.
Foster, who played jealous thug Christian Wright in Brookside, claims to have businesses in Liverpool, Manchester and Lancashire, but many are empty, rented offices. He is now using the name Model Management, based in the Corn Exchange Building in Drury Lane, off Water Street, Liverpool.
He does not have an office there, although post can be left for him at reception.
The firm is advertised in the Yellow Pages, but when you call the landline or mobile number you receive an answerphone message that does not allow you to leave a message. We have given Mr Foster a list of questions about his business but are still waiting to receive his answers.