I was contacted on ModelMayhem from a now disabled profile telling me to email a "Martin Green" about a editorial/magazine photoshoot. He responded with a lengthy email with details about the photoshoot. Stated that LifeTime Photography Inc; is a professional photographer, and freelance personnel from the Richardson, TX.
The photoshoot was a Catalog Photo Shoot assignment to showcase or features different brands of Hand Bags, Purses, Wallets and Gift items.
I was given two dates (December 6th and 7th) to choose from and was told that a venue location was going to be selected for me and would be confirmed soon. Transportation would be taken care of and the compensation was $190/hour.
The email told me that my wardrobe/costume that will be shipped to you directly from a contracted Designer in charge. An advanced deposit of $450 would be mailed to me to insure engagment and an extra amount I would receive would be needed to pay for my wardrobe bills.
I was instructed to deposit the check and forward the payment to the designer to take care of the wardrobe bills. I started recieiving multiple emails about how the check needed to be deposited as soon as possible. After I deposited the check, I was told to use Moneygram and send two separate payments to a Robert Williams in Colony, Texas.
When I asked about more details about the shoot, it always went back to the topic on what to do with the check. The status on the venue was never talked about and it was never confirmed.
I sent one payment and Moneygram declined the transcation and the payment did not go through. I looked on the packaging from the check and it was sent from GBD Inc. which seems to be an inactive paint company. This did not seem legit and I called my bank for instructions on what to do.
Martin Green was texting me instructions and when I did not reply quickly he became very rude and pushy. He kept asking me what was going on and asked why it was taking an eternity. I blocked his number.
I understand now that this seems to be a very typical scam used often on new models. The check will most likely bounce and if the payment had gone through I would have sent my own money from my account and be liable for the fake check.
Martin Green did not answer his phone and the email address became deactivated. However, the next morning I recieved an email from the same address saying "You think you can play us? You can't run with our money!" I feel very harrassed and scared about the situation.
The phone number and photography website at the end of his emails are based in New York and do not contain the names Martin Green or Robert Williams.