May 09, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dear OneModelPlace.com members,
Recently we have had a number of fake profiles on OneModelPlace opened by a criminal enterprise in the UK. This document explains the scam and details of how it is being presented to models on OneModelPlace.

The scammer:
The perpetrator of this scam is using the stolen identities and credit cards of non-OMP members to start "photographer" profiles under various names. The following names are falsified, and you should not answer emails from them:

Gerrad Curtis middlesex models middlesexmodels@yahoo.co.uk
middlesexmodels_inc@02.co.uk
middlesexmodels1@yahoo.co.uk
 
Justin Pratt Beauty Queens Models beautyqueensmodels_inc@yahoo.co.uk
info@beautyqueensmodels.com
justin@beautyqueensmodels.com
 
Scott Sherwood Urban Models Inc urbanmodels_inc@yahoo.co.uk

please note: these are the names of victims of identity and credit card theft. Please do not try to find or contact these people by name, they are not the scammer, they are victims as well. The email accounts are disposable, and the domain names used have been created with stolen credit cards.

The scam email:
Emails sent via the OMP Email/Referral system that state:
...One of my clients has requested for about 12 beauty models for a modelling show that will be hosted in London by next month, and the nature of the job will include: Lingerie, swimwear, fashion, beauty, tradeshow, fitness, commercial print and runway.

My Agency is contacting you to be part of this modelling show based on the statistics in your profile. Our client has proposed to pay the sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand US dollars only) to each of the participating models for the modelling show which has a 5 (five) days durations. Also, an additional Up-front payment will be made to you, which will cover your flight tickets and other miscelleanous expenses. If you are interested, we are expecting your immediate response. Also, you are to forward 10 (ten) recent photographs of yours.
I Look forward to your urgent response.
Best Regards
Justin Pratt
Project Director
Beauty Queen Models Inc.
49 Atalanta Street
London SW6 6TU
UK


All of the emails sent via the OMP system have been a variation on the above.

How the scam works:

This is a variation of an old ruse known as the "cashier's check scam".

In this variation (specially tailored towards models), the model is made an offer to travel for a very lucrative offer (on OMP, the $30,000 or $50,000 project).

To "prove" to the model that this offer is "on the level", the scammer tells the model that the client is going to send them a cashier's check to cover the cost of airfare, etc. in advance and has the model research airfares.

If the airfare is $1500.00, the "client" sends a check for $5500, instructs you to deposit the check in your account, then wire the additional $4000 of it to the person who is making hotel and security arrangements for you on your trip - this needs to be sent right away to hold your spot, so they have you send the money via Western Union - this seems reasonable since the money isn't yours anyway.

However: The check is a fake. You have now just sent $4000 of your own money to someone who you don't know, and possibly spent $1500 on a plane ticket to get to an assignment that doesn't exist.

The checks are fake but they look real. In fact, they look so real that even bank tellers may be fooled. Some are phony cashiers checks, others look like they're from legitimate business accounts. The companies whose names appear may be real, but someone has dummied up the checks without their knowledge.

You don't have to wait long to use the money, but that doesn't mean the check is good. Under federal law, banks have to make the funds you deposit available quickly – usually within one to five days, depending on the type of check. But just because you can withdraw the money doesn't mean the check is good, even if it's a cashier's check. It can take weeks for the forgery to be discovered and the check to bounce.

You are responsible for the checks you deposit. That's because you're in the best position to determine the risk – you're the one dealing directly with the person who is arranging for the check to be sent to you. When a check bounces, the bank deducts the amount that was originally credited to your account. If there isn't enough to cover it, the bank may be able to take money from other accounts you have at that institution, or sue you to recover the funds. In some cases, law enforcement authorities could bring charges against the victims because it may look like they were involved in the scam and knew the check was counterfeit.

There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire money back. If a stranger wants to pay you for something, insist on a cashiers check for the exact amount, preferably from a local bank or a bank that has a branch in your area.

DO NOT DEPOSIT ONE OF THESE CHECKS IF YOU RECIEVE THEM, THEY ARE FAKE.


Please do not attempt to take matters into your own hands, we are working directly with law-enforcement on this matter.

Thank you!