www.m0del.co.uk

[na5ima]

Hello All,
I applied for my son to join the modelling agency m0del (the O isn't a letter it's number zero) and he got selected. He his 5 month and 3 weeks.

I know I should of done the research beforehand however I can't find much info on the agency now and to find info is from the website only. Has anyone come across this website. I applied through Facebook.

Let me know
Thanks
Nas

[Laylay100]

Thank you! Wheeze65, something had to be done! Awful awful people!

[wheeze65]

Since my daughter was scammed, I've found out that two people I know have also been scammed, despite me plastering all over Facebook about this company's tricks. I'm so fed up of hearing about yet another person that's been conned. If I lived near the photographry studios in Manchester where we went, I think I'd follow your example and I'd be down there every day of the week, warning people before they went in.

Laylay, I think you are brilliant x

[WetDogLovesHubert]

Word is that someone has been arrested in connection with running the scam Blackberry / M0del Agency companies. Steer clear, folks.

[CliveHurst]

Here is a fact... NYC Studios Ltd, changed their name to Pix Photography Ltd, on 17 August, the sole director remains the same, a Paul Steven Evans.

Here is another fact. BBC West Midlands were made aware of this scam on 11 August 2015. Over one year ago and have been following this issue since then. In January BBC Radio 4 'You & Yours', highlighted 'Blackberry Models'. They too followed this issue since then. They were due to do a follow up, on 'M0del', but decided not to, for their own reasons.

I understand that various BBC productions have looked into the issue since then. Had we got more than a Radio 4 programme, I am sure that there would have been fewer victims of this scam. I understand that the scam has been going on for over three years. Despite victims blogs etc, nothing happened.

It seems that the BBC can only deal with the symptoms and not the cause of these horrible scams. There is a government department called 'Employment Agency Standards' (EAS). It is responsible for the conduct of employment agencies. Yet, they have done absolutely nothing over the last 20 years. Not a single prosecution, in all that time, against those charging fees prior to getting any paid work.

Ten years ago I was mentioned in the House of Commons, in 2006, but despite the valiant efforts of MP Henry Bellingham, nothing changed. Click/copy and paste:

All the BBC wanted to do previously, is highlight a victim. Nothing wrong in that, but, they should be turning their main attention to the government department, that for twenty years has stood by and done... nothing!

The only single reason why you have been caught by this scam, is that we have a government department - that does nothing to protect you. Crooks take advantage of this, can you blame them? If you put a bag of money on the back seat of your car for all to see and leave the car unlocked, then do not be surprised - if you are robbed!

The BBC has a lot to answer for, they have failed miserably over the last 20 years to highlight a government department, operating just like these bogus agencies - that does not actually exist, in the real world. Only on paper do they exist...

I have been involved in over 60 broadcasts, mainly with the BBC. I have investigated more than one hundred scam agencies over the last 20 years. Yet despite everything... I have never seen anyone prosecuted.

I think this is about to change...

[Mum1221]

I am so glad something is happening to this scammers. Shame we can't get our £s back. I did contact citizens advice bureau n made a complaint of fraud about them but nothing has happened with makes me think don't they care? Can't the government do anything? Also thought about going to the studio door like you Lay lay ( well done for that btw) but was advised by a friend that is a policeman that it would not be a good idea bc he knows I am still angry with the situation n that if anything happened with the fraud squad I might have done something silly n lost my reason. So I didn't but regret it now as the fraud squad done nothing, I'm still out of pocket n did not let my anger out. I'm fuming n this experience makes m question everything I do regarding offers n opportunities.
Government get a grip :(

[CliveHurst]

20 years, not a single prosecution. Well done to Andrew Penman investigative journalist, yet another scam exposed! www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/wannabe-model-actor-beware-picture-8933316

[CliveHurst]

Wow...!!! M0del agency is getting free advertising from the BBC X-ray programme this week. What an honour for them... Click/copy and paste: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b083c3lv/xray-series-16-episode-8

[WetDogLovesHubert]

@Mum1221 there is an ongoing investigation into this fraud, with the hopes of a court case this year. One of the people responsible was arrested last year - so there is hope of a conviction, even if no-one gets any money back. But every bit of evidence that can be handed to the police and Trading Standards will help with that (and any other) cases, so please do get in touch with your local authority (Council's) trading standards department and give them everything you have. You should keep any and all information you have on the scam as this will help form the case.

If everyone affected by these people presents their evidence then the case will be that much stronger. I'm happy to talk with anyone who has questions about this.

[Mum1221]

Hi wetdogloveshubert thank you very much for letting me know. For sure I will get in touch as I think I still got the paper receipt and all the emails sent to me. What do I mention just the m0de.co.uk? And do I ask to speak with fraud department or just trading standards?

[WetDogLovesHubert]

@Mum1221 With your local authority you need to speak with Trading Standards. If your local TS team hasn't previously dealt with this particular fraud and seem iffy then please prod them to investigate as there is a BIG investigation ongoing. You'll need to tell them about every step - give someone a call in the first instance and let them direct you from there. Good luck.

[CliveHurst]

According to a journalist, I understand that those behind 'M0del' are now trading as 'Models Universal', //www.modelsuniversal.com which was registered by 'James Wilson' on 26 May 2015. Sound familiar? The new firm of photographers is UK Studio Photography Ltd registered on 12 December 2016. The frontman (director) for this company is a 'Atif Qadar'... This just runs.... and runs...

Guess what... The receipt is exactly the same wording as 'Limitless Photography, NYC and Aspire...!

[Norland]

They're still going Clive; I've been having a little fun with them this last week :

From: Model Agency [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 11 February 2017 08:xx
To: [email protected]
Subject: Test shoot not booked





Hi,
We invited you for a test shoot and it has come to our attention that you have not yet booked the shoot.
Please call back asap to book in to avoid losing your place.
The booking line number is 0207 175 4039.
Kind regards,

Chrissy Peters - London office manager & Head of new faces
//www.modelagency.uk.com
Request a callback

You have received this email because you are registered with Model Agency. To stop receiving emails, please click here

[CliveHurst]

My journalist suggests you make the booking... to see which photographers they send you to... **(:^))

[CliveHurst]

Well on 10 November 2016, three months ago, these tricksters set up yet another scam called //www.angelmodels.uk.com Guess who they recommend... Yes Models Universal...

[Norland]

I did try phoning - with a recorder set up on the phone - but I got a message saying the number '..wasn't taking calls at this time' tried the next day to get a ring-no-reply.

So maybe they're changing their IP Phone set-up and/or changing their numbers due to them being well-known as a scam now. I might add their numbers to whocallsme/who-called uk etc. but given there's so much discussion about their methods to a fairly wide, web-audience now, it's quite possible they'll change their MO.

[Ghkejsidj]

I went to uk studio photography limited yesterday after applying to models universal website. Went there with my son and brother and boyfriend but only my 1 year old son and my 18 year old brother were modelling. We met a Hungarian photographer that was really nice and took the pictures and then we had to wait for little while. 2 Asian (Indian) one of them said his name was Adam probably fake, came in and took us to a another room and said how they were both accepted and kept on saying congratulations this doesn't happen often. Now we have to pay this money to be able to join and that we would get pictures as bonus because I insisted that it sounds weird that it cost when the email said clearly that it was free. Plus I happen to know that model agencies don't take money upfront but they were good and convinced My boyfriend and he paid even though I told him no 400 pounds for my son and 400 pounds for my brother. I went home and researched them and found out the same day that there were scammers and not real agency. (didn't sleep all night). I called them and told them the next day that I know they are scammers and that I want my money back under the law of 30 days cooling off. He insisted that they were legit and that my contract states once I leave the premises I can't cancel the deal. Very smart I didn't sign it but my trusting boyfriend did without reading. I was so angry we don't have that kind of money just happens that we got salary that day. we went there so that we could make money and instead I lost a lot of money. It's not fair and I want to catch them so that they don't do this to more people. There must be a way....ps is there any way I can get my money back this happened yesterday..

[CliveHurst]

My 20 year campaign has now ended today, 2nd June 2017. My website and email address have been closed down too... Too many crooks and no one is listening...