Models Direct Concerned Over Scam Modelling Agencies
By Suzy O’Connor @ 2nd Feb 2011 11:22:48
Fashion Feeds

Last week modelling employment agency, Models Direct, echoed warnings from the police regarding scam agencies that have recently appeared on Facebook. This frightening discovery involved fake profiles created by suspected paedophiles who have been using the networking site to groom children. They are reported to have been using the logos of Leicester based modelling agencies in order to appear genuine, and then targeting children and encouraging them to send on inappropriate photographs of themselves.

Facebook is used by children worldwide who could be vulnerable to approaches by scam modelling agencies such as these and Models Direct are repeating their warning to treat any agencies that approach you, or your child, with suspicion – http://www.prlog.org/11247393-models-direct-echoes-warnings-to-children-over-facebook-modelling-scams.html.

Reputable and genuine modelling employment agencies do not approach potential models in this way and are regulated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Models Direct are one such agency. They never approach potential models and only consider applications that come to them.

MD Damian OConnor says of the scams, We are deeply concerned about these stories and urge parents to be vigilant at all times. If you or your child have ambitions to be a model please research any potential representation and confirm that they are regulated by the BIS. More importantly, children in particular must avoid responding to approaches from strangers on networking sites altogether.

A Facebook spokesman said, “Unfortunately there will always be malicious people who try to fool people, both online and offline. Just as you should check if someone ‘scouting’ you in a shopping centre really is a legitimate model agent, you should also use the same caution on Facebook.”We encourage people using Facebook to think carefully before they add a new friend and check that the person is who they claim to be and not to add or accept friend requests from people they don’t know.
“We provide our users with the tools to report anyone they think is doing this via report links on every page of our site and we strongly recommend their use.”
The scam is currently under investigation but has highlighted the dangers of responding to any source that approaches children in this way.

If you have any concerns please report them to the police or visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre website -http://www.ceop.police.uk.