s u n l i t decemberk a t e i s m y n a m e .

I know. MIA again. Happy Holidays :]! Blogging a post always takes a good half day. Time that I rarely have. Hopefully I’ll pump out a few before the break ends.. Cross your fingers. On a serious note..

I wanted to start with this post. As it’s the most urgent, and is a recent scam going around that I was invited to participate in. So if you see anything of the like with “Crystal Photo” “Diana Reed” + “bebe clothing” It’s a scam! Through some of my research. Online there’s a lot of information about how to protect models from agency scams. But not much about specific jobs. One of the sites I read that well known companies won’t contact individuals directly with a large dollar sum for the job. I’m not all too sure though. So be careful when it comes to offers. Yes it may be your dream, but protect yourself first.

So sadly, I’m not your next face for Bebe.  But here’s the story of this recent scam:

A week or so back I was contacted via lexposure.net by someone named Crystal Photo (Great networking site for people in the fashion industry. Add me if you join!). The message stated:

Modeling Job Offer!!!

Between: You and Crystal Photos

From:

Crystal PhotosFri Dec 18 23:20:04 UTC 2009

Hello Mate, We are currently looking to hire a Model for a Fashion Catalog Shoot,I’ve a client who wants to update her Catalog with her new year Fashion outfits release and I’m interested in you for the shooting after reading through your profile and i guess you must have the below requirements…Very Attractive..Classy..Well spoken..Must be Reliable..All photo shoots for the event would include, shoot with the cars, shoot with motorcycles and with music artist which would all be about 12 different Fashion outfits put-together…Also, we intend to use most of the pictures in our first catalog launch and our calendar for year 2010…Regarding the Wage aspect, you will be paid the sum of $1500 and I hope you will make this photo shoot a great one through commitment and diligence…For more information please contact Crystal by email only. (crystalphotoservice@gmail.com) and not here please….. Thanks.

First emotions in my head - excited! But red flags pop up everywhere. To good to be true. Not to mention he was a new user to the site, and I’m listed as a graphic designer, not a model on that site (regardless that I have a modeling portfolio on my profile). I did a little research online about modeling scams - there’s a lot on agency scams, but not much about specific jobs. I decided to followup with one of my junk mail emails and asked for more info.

Read on if you want the exact emails and details of the scam.

I got this:

Hello Kate,

It’s really nice reading back from you and here are more information about the assignment is a $1500 pay Fashion job (Assignment) for you, My client wants to update her Catalog with her new year release Fashion outfits and to host one of the 2010 model event with her new fashion from Malaysia.this assignment is to encourage the upcoming models in the industry she is affiliated with the Academy Art,you don’t have to be worried about your experience or present look because we have specialist stylist and make Up artist who will bring the real beauty out of you,I’m a professional photographer/Manager with 8 years experience and this is 100% legit:). Find all details for the job below..

Job Location
The shooting will be hold at a rented photographers studio in your location,so you don’t have to worry about traveling,the name and address of the studio will be forwarded to you a week before the date of the shooting,all make up will be taken care of in the studio.You can come along with any body of your choice on the day of the shooting,your mum,dad,friend,body-guard anybody you wish to come with just for you to feel more comfortable.

Job details
You have 12 different Fashion outfits to cover,which would be provided by our client on the day of the shooting.

Types of cloths
Jeans and Jackets

Name of client
Diana Reed

Company Name
Bebe Clothing Store

Job percentage
The total pay for the jobs is $1500 but you will get $400 as upfront part payment before the shoot and the remaining balance of $1100 will be paid to you in cash at the shooting venue immediately after the shoot.

Shooting Date.
the date for the shooting is not fix,i will have to make arrangement for that ahead from now,I will email you the exact date for the shooting a week before the shoot as soon as the arrangement is completed with our client.

Requirements..Very Attractive,Classy,In Great Shape,Extremely Outgoing & Personable,out spoken,Must be Reliable.

Payment Policy. As part of my working policy and ethics,i receive part payment from any client before I proceed with any job and balance immediately after the shooting,this is to identify a serious client and ascertain the job,I hope you comprehend this fact.

I will keep you updated as to when our client wants to make upfront payments

Please I’d like you to check your email on a regular bases, I might have updates for you.

Regards.

Crystal Photos

I have to admit. I got pretty excited when I read the client was Bebe. In the back of my head I still thought it was all too good to be true, but I emailed back saying I’d love to take the job. The next email stated:

Hello Kate,

I appreciate your interest on this assignment, I just want you to know that our client has assured me that part payment will be mailed to you, until you receive and confirm payment we will not shoot, your total pay for the job is $1500 has i said earlier and upfront part payment of $400 will be mailed to you first and the balance of $1100 in cash immediately after the shoot. regards your poses just practice the one you know for now as time goes on before the shooting date there will be someone to practice with you and teach you more pose and styles because this catalog will publish world wide this may be your open way opportunity.

If you agree to take this job and will obey all rules and regulation guiding this assignment get back to me with the following informations below:

1. Name in full :

2. Date of Birth:

3. Address and apartment #:(Full Address only)

4. City:

5. State:

6. Zip code:

7. Country:

8. Phone number :

9.  Height:

10. Weight:

11. Waist size:

12. Clothing Size:

13. Three photograph of your self:

14. Email address:

15. Scan copy of any identity card(driver’s licence or international passport)

Also she said after we confirm the part payment, we will all have a fixed date and location for the shooting that best fits. Make-up, hair etc would be taken cared of at the Studio as we are presently deliberating with some studio agents over location, remember you can come along with anyone of your choice.

You have 12 different fashion outfits to cover as i already mentioned which would be provided by our client on the day of the shooting.most type of clothing will be Jeans and Jackets.

I hope all is well stated, make sure you get back in touch with the above required details at once thank you.

Regards.

Crystal Photos

In my head again - Alright! It’s really happening! As I start gathering the materials requested - I ponder. I had stated in a previous email that I was currently in two locations. But in this email there was no response to that. Next warning, was I was giving away a lot of information. Specially my passport/license. So I hope back onto google and do some more research. Jack pot was when I plugged in the Clients name and company: “Diane Reed + Bebe Clothing” And wahla, first entry was a photographer’s blog in which these scammers had been using their name in the scam - I found the exact email - different photography name. Course I researched “Crystal Photos” in the beginning - but can you imagine how common that name is? Yea.. got me no where.

So well sad, I’m not going to be a bebe model. Glad I have some brains. But I hope this post will prevent other girls from falling into the scam.