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Scam test

How model scammers operate

The details change; the sequence rarely does. Almost every model scam follows the same four moves. Knowing the script is half the defence.

The approach

A message on a modelling site, Instagram or a forum. A fake name, borrowed or poor photos, and a title that sounds right: photographer, scout, casting director, trainer, editor. Sometimes they answer a post of yours; more often they write out of nowhere, and they write to many people at once.

The credibility

They talk like the real thing. Industry words, a website made last week, a logo, screenshots of "clients" and "contracts", the name of a real brand or a real professional. Everything is designed to survive a glance and nothing is designed to survive a phone call.

The offer

A great job, a juicy contract, a well-known magazine, easy money, a career. Exciting enough to hope, vague enough not to check. Often bigger than anything a beginner would realistically be offered, which is precisely the point.

The pressure

Urgency, flattery, secrecy. Photos "to see how you photograph", a private meeting, a fee "to activate" you. Then, if you hesitate or ask questions, insults: you are "not serious", "not professional", "wasting their time". Insults after questions are the surest sign of all.

Break the script at any move: verify at move two, refuse to be rushed at move four. A scammer who cannot get you past the checks moves on.

Scammers read pages like this one too, and some adjust their approach to avoid the most obvious signs. Treat this guide as a way of sharpening your judgement; the list will never be complete. If something feels wrong even though nothing here matches, trust that feeling and check anyway.

How it sounds, move by move

Simulated conversations that show how scammers actually write. Hover the flags to see the tell; scroll to the end of each one for the verdict.

Verify an offer

Hi! I'm a casting director for a big fashion magazine. We loved your profile. We have a paid editorial next week, very well paid. Interested? Red flag · Nothing you can check
Thanks! Which magazine, and where is the shoot? Is there a phone number I can call?
Let's move to WhatsApp, it's easier. The client is confidential until you're booked. Send me a couple of photos in underwear so I can see your body. Red flag · Off the platform
I'd rather keep talking here. My polaroids are on my profile.
The client decides tonight, I need them now. If you're not serious about your career, don't waste my time. Red flag · Pressure
No, thank you. I'll pass.
Verdict: scam

Two red flags in the first three messages. Right answer: keep it on the platform, ask for verifiable details, walk away when they refuse.

Congratulations! You have been selected from hundreds of applicants. To activate your profile and access our exclusive castings we need the registration fee for your professional book. Red flag · Pay to be represented
Do you have clients I could ask about? And an office where I could come by?
Our clients are confidential. Places are limited and the offer expires on Friday. Payment by transfer to the account below. Red flag · Pressure
Real agencies earn a commission when I work. I won't pay to be represented.
Then we cannot help you. Good luck without us.
Verdict: scam

Agencies earn when you earn. Fees for books, courses or "activation" are the whole business, and the modelling work never comes.

Hello, I'm a fine-art photographer working on a book about the female body. Very tasteful, very artistic. Your face is exactly what I'm looking for. Red flag · Undressing to assess
Thanks. Can I see your portfolio and previous publications?
My work is not online, galleries only. We'd shoot at my home studio, it's more intimate. No need to bring anyone, it would spoil the mood. Red flag · Alone, or in private
I always bring a friend to a first shoot. If that's a problem, we can't work together.
You're clearly not a real artist. Forget it.
Verdict: scam

Legitimate photographers have work you can see and never object to a companion or a proper studio.

We're scouting for a swimwear campaign. Casting tomorrow at 9 pm, hotel near the airport, room number by text. Come alone, it's a closed casting. Red flag · Alone, or in private
Which brand is it, and which agency are you with? I'd like to call their office first.
The brand is under NDA. There's no time for calls, the client flies out on Thursday. Are you in or not? Red flag · Nothing you can check
Then I'm out. A real casting happens in an office or a studio, and I can always bring someone.
Verdict: scam

Real castings happen in offices and studios during working hours, and nobody minds your friend in the waiting room.

Hi, this is the booking team of a well-known agency, you may know our name. We're expanding our new faces board and you caught our eye. Red flag · Nothing you can check
Thank you! I'll call the agency tomorrow to confirm. Who should I ask for?
Please don't call the office, this is a private search and they are not involved yet. Write to my personal email and we'll take it from there. Red flag · Off the platform
If it's your agency's search, the office will know about it. I'll check with them first.
You're overthinking it. Other girls have already said yes. Last chance. Red flag · Pressure
Then it's a no from me.
Verdict: scam

The agency is real; the account is not. Contact the real agency through the details on its own website, never through the ones you were given.

Hey, thanks for the test shoot yesterday, the photos came out great. Send me a few more from home, something more intimate, so I can finish the series. Red flag · Undressing to assess
No, I'm not comfortable with that. Please delete the ones you took.
Careful. I have your photos and I know your family's names. Send the rest tonight or they go online. Red flag · Pressure
I'm not sending anything, and I'm keeping these messages.
Last chance. One more set tonight and I delete everything. Tell anyone and I publish. Red flag · Pressure
I'm not sending anything. I'm reporting this to the police and to the platform.
Verdict: scam

Blackmail with images is a crime. Do not send more, do not pay, keep everything, report it, and use StopNCII.org to keep the images off the main platforms.

The model scam test

Eight quick questions about the offer you received. The verdict follows the six warning signs of a model scam. Nothing is stored; nobody but you sees your answers.

  1. 1 Did they ask for photos in underwear or nude, "to see your body" or "to assess you"?

    Agencies assess new faces with polaroids: plain clothes, natural light, no make-up.

  2. 2 Did they give you details you can check yourself: the client, an agency name, a landline, an office address, a website?

    Facts you can confirm on your own, not screenshots or logos.

  3. 3 Are you being asked to pay anything before working: a registration fee, a book, a course, travel or visa costs?

    Agencies earn when you earn.

  4. 4 Are you being pressured: decide today, keep it confidential, or annoyance and bad manners the moment you ask questions?

    Real professionals expect to be checked and never mind the questions.

  5. 5 Can you bring a friend or a parent to the first meeting, in an office, a studio or a public place?

    Real castings happen in offices and studios, and nobody minds your friend in the waiting room.

  6. 6 Did they ask to move the conversation to WhatsApp, Telegram or a personal email right away?

    Off the platform, nothing can be reported.

  7. 7 Have they threatened to publish or send photos of you if you don't send more, do another shoot or meet them (or pay)?

    That is blackmail, a crime. Do not send more, keep everything, report it.

  8. 8 Have you found the agency or photographer yourself (their own website, their own phone number) and confirmed the offer with them?

    The one step that defeats almost every scam.