Forums > Newbie Forum > Paid Shoots or Paid Scams?

Model

Patrick J Clarke

Posts: 1

Los Angeles, California, US

Hey everyone, I'm new to Model Mayhem and my inbox has been overflowing with messages and paid shoots. However when I further discuss the shoot with the photographer or creative director, they say that the payment would be hand delivered and then I would have to deposit, deduct my share, and then forward the rest of the money to either a stylist or a designer.

Is this normal for modeling in large cities?

Has anyone experienced this as well and followed through with it?

Sep 24 18 10:08 am Link

Photographer

PHP-Photography

Posts: 1390

Vaasa, Ostrobothnia, Finland

Would you be interested in buying a bridge in San Francisco ?

Sep 24 18 10:19 am Link

Photographer

Risen Phoenix Photo

Posts: 3779

Minneapolis, Minnesota, US

Scam scam scam scam SCAM!

Sep 24 18 10:33 am Link

Photographer

Leonard Gee Photography

Posts: 18096

Sacramento, California, US

Patrickjclarke wrote:
when I further discuss the shoot with the photographer or creative director, they say that the payment would be hand delivered and then I would have to deposit, deduct my share, and then forward the rest of the money to either a stylist or a designer.

what business do you know who would pay you, a person they don't know and have never met, in advance?

why would they trust you with extra money instead of sending a second check themselves to the stylist or designer?

kindly please report the profiles and flag the messages if they come from a mm member
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod

Sep 24 18 11:39 am Link

Photographer

Philip R

Posts: 698

Agoura Hills, California, US

Just in case you or any other newbie doesn't see how this scam can harm you is that the check that comes to you with the extra money will be bounced by your bank in a couple of days.  You will be on the hook for the entire amount.
And if they ask for your bank account number, so that they can deposit it directly, they will completely drain your account instead.

Look up "Nigerian Scam" for more details.

Sep 24 18 11:54 am Link

Photographer

Joe Tomasone

Posts: 12592

Spring Hill, Florida, US

Moderator Note!
Please see this video and read the article about Avoiding Scams:
http://bitly.com/MMavoidscams

Also, please flag any scam PMs for a moderator to review.  You can do that by scrolling to the bottom of the PM and clicking "Flag this PM/sender" and then checking the box to share the contents with the moderators. 
https://www.modelmayhem.com/education/u … w-to-guide

Thanks!

Sep 24 18 08:58 pm Link

Photographer

Brooklyn Bridge Images

Posts: 13200

Brooklyn, New York, US

Yes these are scams
No they are not normal
More info on scams here
https://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/575330

Sep 24 18 10:06 pm Link

Photographer

Michael DBA Expressions

Posts: 3730

Lynchburg, Virginia, US

Patrickjclarke wrote:
Is this normal for modeling in large cities?

Has anyone experienced this as well and followed through with it?

It is NOT normal in large cities or anywhere else in meat space, but is perfectly normal for online scams.

Many, many people have experienced this, and evidently enough have fallen for it that they keep doing it. Don’t be one of those fools.

Sep 25 18 04:16 am Link

Photographer

Jason McKendricks

Posts: 6024

Chico, California, US

How many companies do you know that would forward sizable amounts of money to people they found on the internet with only a minimal amount of contact?

Sep 25 18 10:43 am Link

Photographer

Jarrett Porst

Posts: 131

Los Angeles, California, US

I've been through a few of these.  Here's the scam.  The defect looks for potential victims that will respond to photoshoot casting calls.  The photoshoot scope of work looks detailed enough.  Once they get your approval, they really sell this shoot like it's the real thing.  They get your address and send you a check for,,,, mistakenly, the entire cost of the shoot.  Could be $2k-12k.  Their check is bad.  The bank and account are real, they're trying to use another persons account to right a bad check.  Your expected to put this check in your bank then immediately, write a check to return the mistaken amount to the shoot coordinator.  They won't call you, however hound your ass on emails until you write them the return check.  The check you tried to put in your bank is bad, your check is going to be cashed as soon as they get possession of it. 

Here's the tragedy.  I've been approached three times in the last 12 months.  I've seen this often on this site and a few others.  Nobody, the FBI, local authorities, USPS, nobody is doing anything about this.  There is most likely, a small group of diseases working to get your money like this.  It's easy enough to send out a few thousand emails a day in hopes to find 1-2 weaknesses a month.

Sep 25 18 06:00 pm Link

Photographer

M Clark photography

Posts: 169

Lawrenceville, Illinois, US

If I offer to pay you for a shoot, you get exactly the pay I offer.
Anything else is a scam.

Sep 25 18 07:40 pm Link

Photographer

RAY JOHN PILA

Posts: 141

West Hollywood, California, US

so many scams like these-- please be aware this is a scam, scam alert!!!!! google search scams!!!
no one gonna email you out of the blue, unless your totally amazing, and if they do, they will not ask you to send money to someone else,or to pay anything.




scam, scam alert, model scam...........
email
[email protected]

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out in regards to the upcoming shoot notice, it would be an honor to work with you.

About Annie Leibovitz Photography
We are one of the leaders in professional photography, specializing in portraiture and commercial photography. We have built a distinguished reputation for providing quality service while producing a superior product with highly trained staff of professionals, we have both the knowledge and expertise to create and capture the perfect image of you. And here we are again, calling for an upcoming commercial to market collective first Quarter year sales catalog for , Bags, Shoes and Purses for our reputable Russian based client (ADIDAS) who believes in fashionable life style.

About ADIDAS

A Multi brand company, ADIDAS, and the ADIDAS Group embodies the concept of modern, upmarket shopping. A hot spot for worldwide design talents and a much-talked about shopping place, ADIDAS is the creation of Reebok and is in collaboration with other designers such as the Porsche Design ,Y-3 ,FIVE-TEN  Unsurprisingly, ADIDAS stores stock the aforementioned brands and offer an enviable selection of such renowned designer sport wear and other apparels.
ADIDAS has also collaborated with established Russian brands Viva Vox, A La Russe, Walk of Shame and LUBLU Kira Plastinina, amongst others. and have decided to collaborate with Annie Leibovitz Photography for their Commercial advert work nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.adidas.com

   The Commercial Photos
This project is aimed at featuring a large collection of designer Bags, shoes, apparel and accessories and other items from various designers and manufacturers, to be displayed in an online Media ad and Electronic billboards nationwide. Our obligation in respect to this project is to generate some marketable commercial advertisement to feature these items, where all models will pose with the various items and exhibit a commercial character to attract consumer's attention. It's very simple and works the same as any typical promotional or commercial advert shoot. The end product from the commercial shoot is an online Media ad, Electronic Billboards and Network Medias that would convince the public to make this collection a top choice among others.

* The event Date:Event Date 1 : Dec 22nd 2018 and Dec 23rd 2018
               Event Date 2 : Dec 28th 2018 and Dec 29th 2018   
* Time : 10 A.M. - 3 P.M
* Nudity: No
* No level of experience is required. (Free Model Coach available upon request).

*Compensation : The Total money pay for the job is USD 8000 (Tax deductable) and you will get $500 as your advance/upfront booking fee and balance of USD 7,500 will be paid immediately after the completion of the commercial shoot and this $7500 also covers for the right of ADIDAS and Annie Leibovitz to use all your Commercial videos/Commercial Shoots made for our own commercial interest for the period of 3 months. That means ADIDAS and Annie Leibovitz are entitled to use the produced shoot for advert work for the period of 3 months only and this will be backed up by a contract. (Advance/Booking ($500) + Usage rights and Services ($7,500) = $8000

*Location/Venue of event: The shooting will hold at a rented studio in your location - (we shall arrange a suitable Studio and convey its detail to you unanimously.)

  We'll be responsible for your hair do, Make Up artist and transportation, except for your wardrobe/costume that will be shipped to you directly from a contracted fashion stylist in charge. Also, note that the payment for your wardrobe will be made available by us and your clothing measurements has to be forwarded to the fashion stylist, REASON being that, the payment for your wardrobe has to be made or billed to your Name/info as requested and acceptable business terms by the Fashion stylist, to ENSURE a tallied customization
collection a top choice among others.

* The event Date:Event Date 1 : Dec 22nd 2018 and Dec 23rd 2018
               Event Date 2 : Dec 28th 2018 and Dec 29th 2018   
* Time : 10 A.M. - 3 P.M
* Nudity: No
* No level of experience is required. (Free Model Coach available upon request).

*Compensation : The Total money pay for the job is USD 8000 (Tax deductable) and you will get $500 as your advance/upfront booking fee and balance of USD 7,500 will be paid immediately after the completion of the commercial shoot and this $7500 also covers for the right of ADIDAS and Annie Leibovitz to use all your Commercial videos/Commercial Shoots made for our own commercial interest for the period of 3 months. That means ADIDAS and Annie Leibovitz are entitled to use the produced shoot for advert work for the period of 3 months only and this will be backed up by a contract. (Advance/Booking ($500) + Usage rights and Services ($7,500) = $8000

*Location/Venue of event: The shooting will hold at a rented studio in your location - (we shall arrange a suitable Studio and convey its detail to you unanimously.)

  We'll be responsible for your hair do, Make Up artist and transportation, except for your wardrobe/costume that will be shipped to you directly from a contracted fashion stylist in charge. Also, note that the payment for your wardrobe will be made available by us and your clothing measurements has to be forwarded to the fashion stylist, REASON being that, the payment for your wardrobe has to be made or billed to your Name/info as requested and acceptable business terms by the Fashion stylist, to ENSURE a tallied customization and label to be printed on your costumes. (Read this Paragraph again)

In addition, an advanced deposit/upfront pay of $500 shall be mailed to you to ensure your engagement on the upcoming cast with us in line with our business ethics. However, you will NOT only receive a paycheck of $500 but also an EXTRA amount that you will use to pay for your wardrobe/Costume bills which you will forward to the Fashion stylist in charge of your Wardrobe/Costume along with your measurements.

    Actors/Models may attend the shoot with their choice of Friends/Parents/Manager/Spouse/Guardian (maximum of two) and should not arrive audition later than 9:30 a.m. to commence make-ups and attend a brief introductory class about the proposed project and shoot starts by 10:15 a.m. This shoot is going to be fun as different acting characters may be involved, which is the real sense of this project. Take the courage to participate in this paid and legitimate offer as we look forward to working with you.

Final Note : we recommend that you read the content above OVER AGAIN and do not hesitate to ask questions if any. Actors/Models are selected based on their willingness to participate and their agreement to the content of this Paid event and readiness to work hard with us. Below are the required Payment and Sign-up details you are to forward to us for filling and to mail you the aforementioned Paycheck for your Upfront and Wardrobe bills:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nov 28 18 05:22 pm Link

Photographer

Flex Photography

Posts: 6471

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

Same decades-old Nigerian Scam! http://www.newmodels.com/Nigeria.html

First clue is "hello" with no name! Too lazy to bother adding your name.
Next clue is...everything after that!
Nobody legit offers payment up-front, and certainly would never have you supposedly handle paying someone else for them!

Cease all contact! Do not give them your contact info.
If you already have, anything they send you is fake!
Never post private info on Mayhem...it is visible to every scammer in the world!
If you were first contacted by someone within Mayhem, report them to the Moderators.
If by email determine where they got it from. Is it listed in you Instagram? Wherever you have it showing online, remove it. Expect more of them.

Dec 04 18 05:47 pm Link

Model

MsShayexo

Posts: 1

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ugh I just received one of these and so disturbed because I got to the point where I gave them my address and name but no bank info..? Am I still okay or am I at risk of anything.. Super worried now.

Dec 10 18 10:23 pm Link

Photographer

Mark Salo

Posts: 11727

Olney, Maryland, US

Msshayexo wrote:
Ugh I just received one of these and so disturbed because I got to the point where I gave them my address and name but no bank info..? Am I still okay or am I at risk of anything.. Super worried now.

Do not have any further contact with them.
If they send you a check, do not deposit it.

Dec 11 18 07:31 am Link