People beware of modeling scams online!
Everything that was mentioned in the first complaint is
totally true! I payed a security deposit of $187.50 for a photoshoot and was asked to set an ideal date for it. I was also told that I would have a conference call with Laurence (the culprit) and the photographer.
At first, Laurence sent me a "ready to publish" file containing modeling poses and also sent me a "photographer's sample work", which was all a part of his scam. Prior to this occurence, Laurence mentioned that he, himself, has been a photographer for many years. Now that i think about it, the supposed photographer's "sample work" that he sent to me was probably his, or even a poor model's stolen portfolio pictures. Just because he reponds a little to you after your payment and sends you some files DO NOT THINK FOR ONE SECOND THIS IS REAL!!!
Dates leading up to my photoshoot, I actually had to call/e-mail Laurence Fontaine numerous times to ask about the conference call. I never received an answer and the date of my set photoshoot passed. Even from there I called/e-mailed Laurence Fontaine many many times and was not able to reach him for weeks until I called from another number and tricked him into answering the phone.
I then told him I wanted my money back. He said to send him the transaction details through e-mail on Thursday, July 23. Guess what? It's now Wednesday, July 29, and the money still isn't back on my account.
I've been calling Laurence everyday and still, "no reply". Actually, he has blocked me from his myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/mymodelexperiencegetmoney) because I was calling his office phone consecutively. He still doesn't answer my calls or e-mails. He only does when he thinks it's a new client.
I wouldn't be surprised if Laurence wasn't even his real name. I found some threads linked to someone named "Omari Moon" and a website called "theprofessionalstalent.com" when looking up MYMODELEXPERIENCE.com scams. If I'm not mistaken, he has been running this online scam since 2005 and changes his name and the company's to have newer clients. So, don't hesitate to assume if he's the infamous "Omari Moon" or someone else. I'm not completely sure but wouldn't be surprised being that everything linked back to his current website.
Is there anything we can do about this? Can we notify the authorities? I feel like I'm never going to get my hard earned money back.
Additional info:
my payment went through google check-out & was to:
Mme
333 s. Grand ave
los angeles, ca 90071
us
(
He also called me from another phone number once (cell (678) 558-0142)
M., D.
NY, New York
U.S.A.
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