Scam Watch: Beware Of Erick Kent & The Pembroke Recruitment Agency

Scams can cost aspiring models a fortune! Whether it’s a modeling school that requires you to take pricey modeling classes or illegitimate agency that sends you a fake check to cash, modeling scams in all forms can cost you both your hard earned money as well as your dignity.

One of the latest scams that has come to our attention involves phone numbers that can drive your phone bill through the roof. If you get any emails with the phone prefix +4470 – do not call the number. Phone calls to these numbers will transfer you to an unpublished phone number and can cost you up to £2 per minute, which is almost four American dollars.

A scammer using the name Erick Kent has been identified as one of the individuals using these high-priced phone numbers to lure unsuspecting models. See below for an example of the messages he’s been sending:

"Dear **********

Thank you very much for your quick reply.

Pembroke Recruitment Agency is a free lance model recruiting agency.

You were contracted for a part time or full time position depending on your options. Your photo was considered attractive enough so we decided to contact you. At the moment we are under obligation from DR modeling firm and we would like to hire you on their behalf.

At the moment your area of content will be trade shows, Print, runway music videos. Location will be London, England.

It will be necessary you send resumes , photos and any documentation that will properly describe you and explain better what you do.

Thanks,

Erick Kent

Pembroke Recruitment Agency

14d Blvd Westminster London UK.

+447031899189"

If you receive an email from Erick Kent or the Pembroke Recruitment Agency, do not respond. If you receive suspicious correspondence from any other individuals and you’re not sure what to do, post the email to the community forum for feedback and advice from the Elite Casting Network staff and other members.

For more information on Internet scams targeting aspiring models, actors, dancers and singers, visit http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and log in daily to read our Scam Watch.

Scam Watch: Avoiding Nigerian Scams

Recently, we discovered a scammer claiming to be from the United Kingdom, but according to his IP address, he was actually located in Nigeria.

This was the message he sent:

My name is Phillips Dave, you're one of the few people chosen out of the screening exercise performed by our moderator. You have got the physical features we need for our catalog update, I have a pay job for you. Email me at ModelingAgent@futuresfab.com if you are interested. Hope to hear from you soon.

Nigerian scams first became prevalent in 2001, and have since taken many different forms and victimized thousands of people. Experts offer the following tips to avoid becoming the victim of a Nigerian scammer:

• If you’ve received a suspicious email, use Google or another popular search engine to search terms used in the email that you’ve received. If it’s a scam, often you will come across complaints from other internet users who have received the same email and posted the information online.

• Don’t rely on email communication. Advise the sender that you would like to further discuss the opportunity via telephone. Scammers are very reluctant to engage in phone conversations, therefore if the person you’re corresponding with is hesitant to communicate over the phone, that’s an immediate red flag.

• If the sender makes mention of a bank in their correspondence, use the FDIC’s Institution Directory found on their website to verify that it’s a legitimate establishment.

• If you are required to make a payment for a service or product on the web, use a credit card because they offer more protection.

For more information on entertainment industry related scams, or tips on avoiding them, log in each day at http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and check out our Scam Alert.

Nigerian Scams Reach Epidemic Proportions!

Online schemes operating out of Nigeria that have defrauded victims out of tens of millions of dollars have become so pervasive that the U.S. government has given the West African country until November to take steps to decrease such crimes or face sanctions.

Financial fraud is now reportedly one of the three largest industries in Nigeria, where the anonymity of the Internet is being used to give crime syndicates a windfall.

In 1980 the US Secret Service took a proactive approach to combating Nigerian organized crime by establishing and maintaining task forces throughout the United States whose main focus was the investigation of financial fraud committed by Nigerian nationals and their accomplices.

Membership in these task forces included representatives from the United States Customs Service, Nigerian Crime Initiative (NCI), the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Nigerian Organized Crime Task Force (INOCTF), the United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Nigerian National Police (NNP), the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security, bank investigators from the private sector, as well as numerous state and local law enforcement agencies and other Nigerian federal law enforcement agencies. This diverse membership is indicative of the multitude of crimes being perpetrated by Nigerian criminals.

There are so many scams coming out of Nigeria that in June 2000 the US Secret Service established a permanent office in Lagos!

Here are some links and quotes that go into greater detail:

1. FBI - http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/orgcrime/africancrim.htm
Nigerian criminal enterprises are the most significant of these groups and operate in more than 80 other countries of the world. They are among the most aggressive and expansionist international criminal groups and are primarily engaged in drug trafficking and financial frauds.

Nigerian groups are famous globally for their financial frauds, which cost the U.S. alone an estimated $1 billion to $2 billion each year. Schemes are diverse, targeting individuals, businesses, and government offices."

2. Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website - http://home.rica.net/alphae/419coal/
"A Five Billion US$ (as of 1996, much more now) worldwide Scam which has run since the early 1980's under Successive Governments of Nigeria. It is also referred to as "Advance Fee Fraud", "419 Fraud" (Four-One-Nine) after a formerly relevant section of the Criminal Code of Nigeria..."

3. Interpol - http://www.interpol.int/Public/FinancialCr...erianLetter.asp
"For more than 16 years, private individuals, as well as organizations and commercial companies, have been receiving unexpected communication through letters and faxes but mainly through e-mails from senders claiming to be Nigerian or African citizens and promising high profitable business. According to the relevant section of the Criminal Code of Nigeria it is referred to as 4-1-9 Fraud."

4. Crimes of Persuasion - http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Nigeri...erian_busts.htm
"One investigation resulted in the seizure of 11,460 Nigerian advanced fee fraud letters mailed via the Hong Kong Post Office, which represented 95% of the incoming mail from Nigeria. The addresses had been sourced from local and international telephone directories and various business publications.

In May of 1996, pursuant to PDD-42, a federal law enforcement interagency working group was created to develop a domestic law enforcement strategy regarding Nigerian organized crime. The proposed enforcement effort of the strategy became known as the Nigerian Crime Initiative (NCI).

DEC 1997 - Douglas Arthur Cole a.k.a. Peter McGrath a.k.a. William H. Miles whose ring may have been responsible for up to $20 million in fraud worldwide was convicted of 22 counts of 419 related charges in the US District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In 1998, then-Attorney General Reno approved the recommendation of the working group to establish the Interagency Nigerian Organized Crime Task Force (INOCTF).

On January 12, 1999, the Secret Service began a cooperative effort with the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, and the Nigerian National Police (NNP). The purpose of this effort was to provide operational, investigative and training assistance to the NNP and other Nigerian federal law enforcement agencies.

SEP 2000 - The United States Secret Service is said to have carried out 150 investigations into financial crimes in Nigeria leading to no fewer than 220 arrests since January, last year.

On January 5th, 2001 the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. M. R. Rasheed was charged in a US Federal District Court with lying under oath and providing false testimony regarding his direct involvement in setting up secret offshore accounts and trusts."

5. Nigeria Police Internet Resource Unit - http://www.nigeriapolice.org/419.htm
"Advanced Fee Fraud is a criminal offence defined and punishable under section 419 of the Nigeria criminal code."

6. Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/fraud.shtml
"The publicity campaigns by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have proved successful in sensitizing the public about the menace of advance fee fraud and the falsehood of claims that easy money could be made in Nigeria."

7. US Postal Inspector - http://www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect/pressrel.htm
"Inspectors announced they have seized and destroyed over two million Nigerian advance-fee fraud letters at the JFK Airport Mail Center since March 30, 1998. The letters, often referred to as "419" letters after the Nigerian statute that makes them illegal, were found to have counterfeit Nigerian postage, and they promoted fraudulent business proposals.

Lee Heath, Postal Inspector in Charge of the New York Division, warns that American consumers are being scammed to the tune of $100 million annually by international con artists, who send the letters primarily from Nigeria and other West African countries."

8. Florida Computer Crime Center - http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Fc3/nigerian.html
"There are several variations of the Nigerian Scam that criminals may use to exploit their victims. Here are some examples: Fake lottery winnings, Beneficiary of a Will, Bogus Cashiers Checks, Donation Solicitations, Fake Web Site, Modeling opportunities, American Soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq, fake items sold on auction sites, credit card fraud, bank fraud, check kiting, various types of insurance fraud, entitlement fraud, false identification, passport & visa fraud, marriage fraud to obtain U.S. citizenship, vehicle thefts, the counterfeiting of U.S. currency, and the counterfeiting of corporate checks and other obligations."

9. Attorney General - http://www.ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2001/042701.htm
"Nigerian scam bust uncovers new victims — including one $3 million victim — and money trail to Cayman Islands."

10. Department of Consumer Affairs - http://www.scconsumer.gov/press_releases/m...gerian_scam.htm
"...many businesses are getting some very curious mail from the country of Nigeria. There is an organization of con men from this country operating numerous swindles throughout the United States..."

11. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command - http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/09...am_09-22-06.htm
"...released an advisory warning Soldiers and family members of a so-called Nigerian Fraud Scam or advanced fee fraud, using unsolicited faxes, electronic-mail or letters. The advisory also warns of the criminal implications for Army personnel who actively facilitate the scheme.

The Nigerian Scam starts with someone from Nigeria, or another country, making unsolicited contact with unsuspecting victims requesting their help in disposing of gold or money recovered in Iraq, or oil revenues from Nigeria or Russia, or lottery winnings from some oversees location."

12. State Department - http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/nigerian.htm
"The Nigerian Advance Fee Scam continues to draw in victims even though it's been around for a long time. View the U.S. Secret Services' website for tactics Nigerian scam artists use to lure victims."

13. US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria - http://www.state.gov/www/regions/africa/naffpub.pdf
"According to the Metropolitan Police Company fraud department in London, some 3000 AFF letters are mailed or faxed worldwide; primarily form Nigeria."

14. Snopes.com - http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/nigeria.asp
"Nigerian fraud costs its victim anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to hundreds of thousands."

15. Fraud.org - http://www.fraud.org/scamsagainstbusinesse...ps/nigerian.htm
"you will be asked to pay a never-ending series of fees or expenses before the funds can be transferred to your account. Unfortunately, the millions never materialize."

16. FTC - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/nigeralrt.shtm
"Nigerian advance-fee fraud has been around for decades, but now seems to have reached epidemic proportions..."

17. The Dallas Morning News - http://metrocolumnistsblog.dallasnews.com/...rian-fraud.html
"Release Feb. 27, 2008 - Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Casey Jr. issues warning to the public of a new tactic on the Nigerian Fraud Letters."

18. MSNBC - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3078489
"Hundreds of victims have recently fallen..."

19. Fox News - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,232500,00.html
"Victims still falling prey to Nigerian email scams"

20. Internet Crime Complain Center - http://www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx#item-3
"In most instances, the money is sent to locations in West Africa (Nigeria)."

21. Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud
"The 419 scam originated in the early 1980s as the oil-based economy of Nigeria declined. Several unemployed university students first used this scam as a means of manipulating business visitors interested in shady deals in the Nigerian oil sector before targeting businessmen in the west..."

22. Bestfrauds.com - http://www.bestfrauds.com/money-swindle3.html
"Online schemes operating out of Nigeria that have defrauded victims out of tens of millions of dollars have become so pervasive that the U.S. government has given the West African country until November to take steps to decrease such crimes or face sanctions. Financial fraud is now reportedly one of the three largest industries in Nigeria, where the anonymity of the Internet is being used to give crime syndicates a windfall."

23. This is a link to the US Department of Justice site showing another 36 links discussing Nigerian scams.

24. Here is a link to the US Secret Service site showing another 91 links to Nigerian scams.

The United States Secret Service (USSS) and the United States Postal Service are primary U.S. law enforcement agencies in dealing with these types of scams. U.S. citizens or residents who have suffered a financial loss and want to report a scam may forward unsolicited e-mails to the USSS at 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov. U.S. citizens and residents who have suffered a financial loss are instructed to contact the nearest field office of the Secret Service by telephone.

Scam Alert: The Byron Sanders Advertising Agency

Recently a Star Search Casting member posted an email they received to the community forum because they had concerns that the email was a part of a scam. The email was from the Byron Sanders Advertising Agency, a company that sells advertising, marketing and public relations services and claims to help rising stars get media exposure through major television networks, the Internet and print advertising.

The company is listed as the Byron Sanders Marketing Media Management Agency with the Better Business Bureau. The company is based in Dallas, Texas and is not a BBB accredited company. The company has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB due to failure to respond to a complaint. In the last 36 months, two complaints have been filed against the company - one of which has been closed.

This information doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is involved in a scam. Most companies that have been involved in scams have a far greater number of complaints within that span of time. However, there are several red flags. The first is that due to the nature of the industry that the company is in – advertising, marketing and public relations – it’s somewhat suspicious that there is limited information about the company on the web. If a company claims to be able to promote you, then you’d definitely want to go with a company that is able to promote themselves. For example, Ken Sunshine has worked to promote actors such as Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Leonardo DiCaprio. A Google search for Ken Sunshine’s name returns over 20,000 records, while a search for the Byron Sanders Advertising Agency returns only six results.

Secondly, the company claims to be the “greatest advertising agency in the world…” however the company is not a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Lastly, in the email that was sent to one of our members, the representative asked them to email them back and state how much money they were willing to invest in promoting themselves. Reputable advertising and public relations agencies are not “name your price” businesses. These companies work for specific fees, on a project-by-project basis, or on a monthly retainer.

For aspiring actors, singers, dancers and models, there will be a time where you will need the assistance of public relations and marketing professionals to help you boost your career. However this point generally comes once you’ve found an agent and have booked one or more significant jobs. Additionally, your agent or manager at that time can pair you with a marketing and public relations agency with a great reputation and a strong track record.

For more information on entertainment-related Internet scams, log in to http://www.StarSearchCasting.com each day and check out our Scam Alert.

Scam Alert: The Name Game

When we’re investigating recent scam activity, we often find that new scams are really just revised emails that are being circulated by the same scammers over and over, simply using a different name. Many parents are discovering that this same tactic is used by agencies offline as well. More and more parents are learning that companies who have been investigated for fraudulent activity are now changing the names of their companies to avoid detection. This tactic now requires parents who are researching reputable opportunities for their child actors, models, dancers and singers to dig even deeper to make sure that the agencies and industry professionals that they work with truly have their children’s best interest at heart.

StudioKidz was an agency in California that recruited children for acting jobs, often in stores such as Wal-Mart and Target. The agency was accused of charging exorbitant fees for classes and training. Later it was discovered that the agency didn’t have a license and therefore was never able to legally book acting jobs for any of their clients. When parents began to report the agency to consumer action agencies, the owners decided to change their name to TVKidz so that parents who looked them up online wouldn’t come across the large number of complaints that had been filed against them.

However, it wasn’t long before parents begin to discover that TVKidz was the same agency as StudioKidz, which prompted the owner to change the name of the company again to CommercialKidz. Additionally, she even changed her own name. A watchdog group who has been following the agency’s activities has now found information that suggests the owner may even have a previous criminal record.

So you see, you can never be too careful when it comes to researching agencies or industry professionals who have expressed an interest in you or your children. It’s unfortunate that there are so many individuals out there that lay in wait to take advantage of those new to the industry. However it’s important that instead of being discouraged, that we simply do our homework each and every time and stay focused on our goals.

Be sure to log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com each day to review our Scam Alert. We will continue to keep you posted on the latest scam information affecting the entertainment industry, as well as strategies you can use to make sure you don’t become a victim.

Scam Watch: Trusting Your Instincts

Recently we discovered a scammer who claimed to be from an agency called the 29^th Ave W Group. He said that he was recruiting models for an upcoming modeling competition. When we used Google to research the modeling competition and the agency, there were no websites to confirm the legitimacy of the agency or the competition. When we called the phone number he provided, it was an answering service that doubled as a fax, and made no mention of the agency or the competition. Lastly, while the scammer claimed to be from Washington D.C., we later learned that he was actually in Nigeria based on his IP address.

While we often use the Internet or other sources to investigate possible scams, sometimes we’re simply able to detect a scam based on our instincts. Perhaps the wording in the email seems suspicious. Or maybe the tone causes us to question the validity of the offer. But for many of us, our instincts can be our best defense in protecting us from both online and offline scams. That being said, it’s very important that we trust them.

Last year, the Better Business Bureau received 46 complaints from aspiring models and their parents who had been targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre. While many of the victims later said that their instincts told them not to sign with the agency, they still allowed themselves to be pressured into the scam. Some of the allegations against the agency included:

• Charging models more than $2000 for headshots they never received
• High-pressure sales tactics
• Asking models to sign contracts and not providing them with copies of what they had signed
• Though the agency promised them work, the models didn’t receive any calls, auditions or jobs after investing thousands of dollars in the scam.

If you come across an email, newspaper ad, or even a talent scout in the mall and you get a “funny feeling” that something’s not right – don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Had many of the aspiring models targeted by A New Concept Modeling and Acting Centre relied on their instincts, they would have saved themselves a lot of money and a lot of heartache.

For more information about the latest scams and how to avoid them, log in to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com today and check out our Scam Watch.

Scam Watch - Agency Ghost Inc.

We recently posted an email from a scammer who claimed to be a representative of a modeling agency called Agency Ghost Inc. Here are a few excepts from the email he's been distributing:

"I am Frederick N Dawson a representative of a modeling company situated in Bristol, United Kingdom. Your picture hads been selected for a billboard advertisment/and local advert here at heathrow airport.Your pictures had been accepted by the Agency Ghost Inc

You will receive a check payment for the contract.You will deduct 15% of the check payment for using your gorgeous pictures for billboard advert; and proceed to sending the balance over to your appointed Agent via western union Money Tranfer for Legal Documentation of the deal and "Comp card".This payment will also be used as "Sign up fee" with the agent

We awaiting to receive four picture of you.The photos required is basically for a Coca cola advertisment bill board at Heathrow airport in london..Let us know your decision ASAP."

There are several elements in this email that alerted members that this was a scam:

- It is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that an agency would use one of your personal photos for an advertising campaign - no matter how great you look in it.

- A reputable agency would not appoint you to send funds to a third party from your earnings.

- Reputable agents do not require sign up fees.

I bet you're really excited to get your career underway in 2008. Maybe you're determined to get an agent this year, or maybe you want to book your first gig. But whatever your goals are, be sure that you don't sacrifice good judgment in an effort to seize an opportunity that may not be authentic.

If you have questions this year about the validity of any of the emails that you receive, be sure to post them to the community forum so that you can get feedback from the Elite Casting Network staff and other members. Also be sure to log in everyday to your ECN account at http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and check out our Scam Watch to stay informed about the latest entertainment industry scams.

Modeling Scam Alert – Beware of Multiple Identities

Did you know that this year the Internet Crime Complaint Center logged its 1 millionth consumer complaint related to online fraud and cyber crimes? You might also be interested to know that as a result of these complaints, the organization has calculated that Americans have lost an estimated $647 million to Internet scammers. While we all know how serious Internet scams are, and we're becoming increasingly aware of the dangers, sometimes it's the actual statistics that make the greatest impact.

While we are doing our best to make you aware of common Internet scams, the scammers are also working hard to develop new ways to target aspiring actors, singers, models and dancers. They are ruthless and will stop at nothing to pull the wool over your eyes; even if it means pretending to be someone they're not - over and over again.

When we uncover a scam, we are diligent about posting the information on our website. Well guess what? Unfortunately scammers have access to that information too. And often when a scammer realizes that they've been identified, they will assume a new identity in order to target new victims.

We recently discovered one scammer who's been using multiple names to target models and makeup artists. The same scammer used the names Sarah Natalia, Morgan Jones, and Pedro Soto. If you've received any correspondence from any of these identities, do not respond. Also, be sure to report any suspicious activity to us.

This scammer says he is located in the United Kingdom but he is actually located in Caracas Venezuela using these IP addresses: 200.71.188.210 and 200.71.188.209.

To read more about the Pedro Soto Agency & Diego Verona Fashion Photo Shoot Scam go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=119449

For more information about the Beauty & Fashion Modeling Scam run by Sarah Natalia go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=123825

This is one of the modeling scam messages Morgan Jones is sending:

"Hello,
Are an upspring model? Or do you aspire to be a super model? Here comes a big oppurtunity for you to be a super star, Christian-Julliano clothing company a new fashion designer company in the uk requires talents for the lunching ceremony that will take place in the various places listed below.
1.The label, Christian-Julliano,will be unveiled in London on the 22nd November,2007.this Program will include runway.

2.The label will be launched in Paris on the 29th November, 2007 with runway showcase.

3.The Label will be launched in Rome on the 5th, December, 2007.

Note:sucessful talent will not only participate in this in this lunching ceremony but will be awarded a contract with Christian-Julliano clothing as a company model.

Interest talents should contact
Morgan jones talent agency for application
Email:info_mj_tagency@yaho.co.uk

Regards,
Public relation officer,
Morgan jones talent. "

To read more about that scam you can go here: http://www.elitecastingnetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=111376

For more information on the latest scams & fraudsters targeting actors, dancers, models and singers, login to http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com and check out our Scam Alert. We'll continue to help make you aware of new scams and the individuals behind them.

Modeling Scam/Fraud Alert

If you receive an email from the Good Venture Modeling Agency of Canada, beware. Many models have received emails from representatives of this fictitious agency offering $2500 for modeling jobs. Within the email, the scammer offers potential victims an opportunity to bring someone along with them to make them feel more comfortable. This is a clever trick by the scammer to try to win the trust of potential victims. But don’t be fooled. These individuals cannot be trusted!

One model admitted to responding to the fake modeling agency. Once she sent them her contact information, she was sent several cashiers checks by mail. The instructions were to cash the check and then send a portion of the money to pay the makeup artist, photographer and stylist who would be participating on the photo shoot. Luckily she learned that it was scam before she had an opportunity to take the checks to the bank. Had she cashed the checks, she would have later discovered that they were fraudulent.

Many other models who received this email did some investigating on their own to find out if the company and the representatives were legitimate. One model called the number that was provided only to learn that the number actually belonged to someone else. Another model noticed that the area code of the phone number and the city in the address provided were approximately 300km away, which was an instant red flag for her. Another model compared the email to other email scams and noticed that they were almost identical. Other models were suspicious because the emails came from Yahoo and Netzero accounts rather than a company email address.

It’s important to carefully examine any emails that you get from agencies offering you large sums of money to avoid being victimized. As you become more resourceful and diligent about investigating possible entertainment scams, the scammers will more than likely go to greater lengths to pull the wool over your eyes. But the good news is that you can continue to count on us to post current information on modeling scams plaguing the Internet.

If you’d like to read the entire email sent by the Good Venture Modeling Agency of Canada, visit www.StarSearchCasting.com and check out our Scam Alert section. You’ll also learn about several other recent scams that we’ve uncovered. Be careful out there!

Entertainment Scams, Cons, & Frauds

Many scammers claim to be agents in order to lure potential victims. Because they know that many aspiring actors, singers, dancers and models are eager for representation, they know that it’s likely to work. Here’s an example of a message that’s been sent by a scammer, pretending to be an agent:

"Hello,

I just went through your profile it was cool. We are in search of models from your nationality which will participate in a 5days photo shoot that will be held in the UK.

If you are interested please contact Pedro Soto agency for more information

Email pedro_soto_agency@yahoo.com

TEL +447045766866 "

If you receive a message from someone claiming to be an agent, there are several questions you should ask:

1. Do you have a website?
2. How long have you been in business?
3. Do you have client references?
4. How many people do you represent?
5. What types of jobs have you booked for actors, singers, dancers or actors through your agency?
6. Are you registered with the Better Business Bureau or any other consumer protection agencies?

An agency that’s legitimate, and really interested in working with you will be accommodating and work to gain your trust. If the agency is not willing to answer the above questions, then it’s not the agency for you.

When you find an agent, it’s important that they are reputable, responsible and trustworthy. They will be responsible for developing your career, helping you decide what jobs are best for you and negotiating the financial aspects of your career. You want to feel comfortable placing all of that responsibility in their hands.

For more information on common Internet entertainment scams targeting aspiring singers, dancers, actors and models, log on to Elite Casting Network ( http://www.EliteCastingNetwork.com) daily and read the Scam & Fraud Watch section for current, up-to-date information.

Entertainment Scam Watch

At Star Search Casting ( http://www.StarSearchCasting.com) we are taking every precaution to really stay on top of the latest internet scams that are targeting aspiring dancers, actors, singers and models. We’ve been posting information about these scams in our forums and we’ve developed Scam Watch, a new alert system that informs our members of the latest scams as soon as they login to their account. If you encounter a scam, or suspicious activity, be sure to post the information in our forums or let us know so that we can share the information with other members and make them aware so that they don’t fall victim to these schemes.

You may have heard of money order scams on the news, or maybe on the web. The scammer mails the victim a fake money order and asks the victim to deposit it into their bank account, withdraw some of the money and then send it back via Western Union or bank wire. However, what the victim doesn’t know is that the money order is fake. Often the banks don’t discover this until the victim has already completed the transaction. Here’s how one scammer is luring victims on the web:

I represent Phantom Inc a modelling agency in london, and we have selected your portfolio for a Coca-Cola billboard advertisment.All we need is your approval,to enable us process your payment, no commision , no overhead costs , you just get paid for your pictures right away.Email your approval to (cole_phantominc12@yahoo.com)....
Cheers, Waiting For Your Reply.....

Phillip

You can go here to read discussion about this scam in our forums: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=116553

If you receive a message like this, DO NOT RESPOND. Unfortunately, even though you’re the victim, you will still be required by your bank to repay the money that you’ve withdrawn after you’ve deposited the bogus money order.

As these scams become more common, it’s important that you remain aware of the trends in internet fraud, and read the forums and the Scam Watch alerts on the website for examples of scams and tips on how to avoid them.

Have You Done Your Research

If you’re new to using the web to book auditions or showcase your talent to secure an agent, manger or appointment with a casting director, you might be a little unsure of how it all works. Or if it’s even legitimate. With all of the entertainment websites on the internet, it can be a huge task to review all of them and determine which one is the best for you.

In addition to helping thousands of aspiring singers, actors, dancers and models land great jobs, we also try to help people make sound decisions when it comes purchasing entertainment-related services over the internet. That’s one of the reasons why we started our Scam Watch section.

It’s also the reason that we’ve posted a series of questions that you should ask before signing up for a casting website. While the number of casting sites is growing, not all of them are best equipped to get you the exposure you’re looking for – or to make sure that your online experience is a safe and successful one.

Here are a few questions we advise that you ask before signing up for a casting website:

• How long has the company been in business?
• Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau?
• How large is the company’s online database of members?
• Does the site’s search technology really work all that well?
• How much traffic does the site receive?
• Do Casting Directors & Agents use the site to find talent?
• Does the site have testimonials with real success stories?
• Does the company protect your privacy and is it child safe?

Your career is very important so you want to take every decision seriously. And we understand that 100%. You can read our answers to these questions on our website, by clicking here.

We look forward to having you joining the thousands of members on Star Search Casting ( www.StarSearchCasting.com ) that have embarked on successful careers through the services provided on our website.

How To Avoid Casting Scams

Whether you're a singer, dancer, actor or model, landing your dream job is the moment you live for. So of course any opportunity that comes your way that might get you closer to your dreams is exciting. But it's important not to let your excitement fuel your decisions. Unfortunately there are many individuals and companies who are waiting to capitalize on your excitement and vulnerability. Casting scams are on the rise in record numbers, which means you have to be even more careful when making decisions that will affect your career.

We list recent scams in the forums section of the Star Search Casting website ( www.StarSearchCasting.com ) to alert our members of fraudulent activities on the web affecting singers, dancers, actors and models. In addition to providing you updated information on scams on our website, I also wanted to provide a few tips on how to avoid casting scams:

1. Go with your instincts. If you feel pressured or uncomfortable, seek advice or assistance from a parent or peer.

2. Beware of emails or other correspondence that does not appear to be professionally written, ex. filled with grammatical errors and misspellings.

3. Never sign anything without reading it and making sure you fully understand it.

4. Beware of companies who only take cash or money orders.

5. Claims of unusually high compensation are often a huge red flag. Carefully consider these opportunities.

6. Watch out for people telling you that you will be paid money before you have performed the job.

7. If you're unsure about an agency or individual that has contacted you, ask them to provide several references that you can follow up with.

8. Thoroughly research any company that contacts you before signing anything or paying any money. Check the company's reputation by doing a Google search, check with the Better Business Bureau and look in our forums to see if other people have had problems with the company.

9. Watch for companies that have temporary websites or sites hosted for free at places like Tripod, WebSpawner, Bravenet, Freewebs, GeoCities, etc.

10. If a company claims to be largest, number one, biggest, or most popular be sure to check their website traffic at Alexa.com, & Netcraft.com and the history of their domain at WayBackMachine.

11. If you are contacted by a company that you know is real like Elite Models or Ford Models but the person who says they work there uses an email address like ford_models@hotmail.com it is a scam! Anyone who really worked for the company would contact you through a corporate email account like info@fordmodels.com.

12. If you are contacted by someone from another country telling you to travel there and they will pay your travel expenses this almost always is a scam.

I'll continue to post all of the new scams that I'm aware of in the entertainment scam watch area of our forums. I don't want this trend to discourage you in your search for your dream Hollywood job. I just want to help you make sure that your pursuit is a safe one.

Be sure to log on to the site to stay on top of the latest scams and how to spot them.