Model agency scam warning

Youngsters lured by online creeps

POLICE have issued a warning after fraudsters posing as a modelling agency contacted young people online.

The alert comes after two girls were contacted on social media and invited to send photos of themselves and money which they refused.

Officers in East Belfast contacted a well-known agency in the city that said it had no knowledge of another firm acting on its behalf.

A PSNI spokesman told people to be wary of the “bogus site”.

He said: “Fraudsters have many ways of trying to convince young people to spend large sums of money on photographic portfolios that are worthless.

“Others seek to gather intimate photographs of young people for a more sinister purpose.

“No matter how convincing they are, do not engage on a social media forum with anyone claiming to be from a modelling agency.

“Genuine agencies have their own means of recruiting models.

“Never agree to meet anyone from a ‘modelling agency’ unless it is at the agency’s registered office.

“Genuine agencies will never ask inexperienced young people to provide intimate photographs of themselves.

“For under 18s, such photographs may in any case be illegal. “If you are interested in a modelling career, then you should contact a reputable agency and talk to them in person.”