M0del are still practising their scamming techniques on unsuspecting people. What they offer is a photography service, usually at centres dotted around the UK. The current London location is 4 Spital Square and the photography company is under the name "YOUNIQUE."
If you are one of the unfortunate people to have been scammed I apologise, but to ensure there are no future victims, I have written this comment to help all those out there who are wondering if that promised contract does really exist.
Let me walk you through M0del's work ethic:
- You apply through some website i.e. Gumtree or are randomly emailed/ approached. If you apply through Gumtree or other such websites, you are given an email address to respond to in which you are asked for some photos, measurements and an answer to a "why you want to model?" like question.
- If "successful" you are given a phone call stating you have won a competition and now must attend a studio to see if you are photogenic.
- You attend the studio with your 3-4 outfit changes and are baffled as you enter. Employees will usher you to a seating area and ask you to fill out a form, all the while you are getting more and more unsure of this whole fiasco.
- Your make up is done and you head downstairs where you carry out an abundance of poses in the hope you take some jaw dropping photos to win a modelling contract.
-An hour or so later you find yourself in a room with your photos on show and a representative talking you through them.
- You are told that the modelling company "M0del" works with this photography studio and that you have passed your initial assessment. However to be offered a contract you will need to provide your own portfolio. This contract will be emailed to you after having purchased the photos. (Now Younique offer photos for all people, families etc and its fine if you would like to purchase these photos for yourself or others after having had a fun shoot... but the modelling contract is a scam)
So lets just clear a few things up. Any agency worth working for will ask you for the cost of your portfolio of course, however it is deducted from your first paycheck as you work for them. The initial cost is usually taken care off by the agency as they know you are worth the investment. The photos you should take for your portfolio should consist of at least one portrait which is signed on the back. In addition, your hair and make-up should be done up to a professional standard if they quote themselves as professional photographers.
Any agency asking for money upfront should alert to the fact that they are incapable of funding you which poses the question, do they have a lack of models/ work on offer?.
This one agency M0del often gives you a leaflet if you are unsure about paying for your photos, and its very convincing [states how agencies can't guarantee you work, what union they are apart of EUMA (also fake)]. However go home and do your research and you will soon find all the information given in regards to contacting them is forged.
You may also receive an email from an "independent rep" offering you a job but needs to see your photos. You've guessed it, this independent rep is again working for the company. Don't be fooled by the monetary incentive this rep may offer as it usually isn't true. In addition you may be contacted by a worker from the studio... now if it was a model agency worth working for would they be calling you?
At last I conclude this ever enlightening comment. You all know the cliché term "if its sounds too good to be true, it probably is," so do yourselves a favour and do not get coaxed into forking out a lot of your hard earned cash. There are many websites that report similar scams, and there are many fake agencies. The best thing is to get it checked out by people who can expose these fraudsters. Anyway I wish all of those aspiring models the best of luck and don't let this one bad experience throw you off, just be more weary.