Warning after fake model agency scam on Facebook targets children
Police are alerting parents and children to a scam that appears to be circulating on Facebook surrounding fake modelling agencies.
Officers are issuing a warning to prevent anyone potentially falling victim to this scam which involves a number of social network sites posing as genuine modelling agencies and inciting children to pose in their underwear.
It appears a number of false Facebook profiles have been set up posing as modelling agencies; the profiles even use an agency logo to try to appear genuine. They then contact children through their email accounts asking them if they are interested in modelling. Follows is a series of emails which ends with the child being pressured into sending photographs of themselves in their underwear.
Police have received reports from concerned parents and these are currently under investigation. The modelling agencies appear to be Leicester based and the most recent agency used is the Pat Keeling Modelling Agency. Police are working with Facebook for this particular site to be removed but new sites may continue to be set up.
Pat Keeling Modelling Agency does not have a Facebook site and have pointed this out on their own genuine website. Pat Keeling said: “We would never approach people we do not know, people approach us. We do not use social networking sites to contact people. If someone is interested in modelling then they should visit a reputable modelling agency and have a face to face chat.”
Detective Sergeant Ed Jones, the Paedophile and Online Investigation team, said: “Do not be fooled by these emails, a reputable modelling agency would never approach you in this way. Do not post pictures online of yourself posing in your underwear and if you are under 18 these photographs may be indecent under UK Law. You have no control when posting photos on the internet where they may end up and they could appear on the internet forever.
“If you do find yourself in a situation of this nature online you can use the CEOP Report Abuse Button which in now available as an app on Facebook or contact police. The website www.thinkuknow.co.uk also has more information and advice for anyone concerned by these sites.”
Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on Leicester (0116) 222 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is free* and anonymously on 0800 555 111.
 |
A Cool and Shady Haven |
 |
Crimestoppers
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
by Monsy » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:38 pm
I was telling the wee one about this. She wouldn't have fallen for it, (probably sent them a picture of my avatar) but there are a lot of children who are gullible.
-
Monsy - Silly B
- Posts: 5529
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 12:44 pm
- Location: headquarters of the mobility scooter ankle bashing training centre
by Victors Mate » Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:09 pm
It's all trading on this current "I want to be famous" culture. 
- Victors Mate
- Posts: 5221
- Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 11:23 pm
- Location: Norfolk
by dejavou » Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:43 pm
Monsy wrote:I was telling the wee one about this. She wouldn't have fallen for it, (probably sent them a picture of my avatar) but there are a lot of children who are gullible.
Takes after gran then Mons ......
-
dejavou - Bumble Bee
- Posts: 7044
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2005 7:42 pm
by Old-n » Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:19 pm
Nottinghamshire NHW have informed us that that cold callers are targeting elderly residents promising either to fit free burglar alarms or to "go 50:50" on the cost of fitting alarms to reduce the cost to older people.
In one of these cases the caller claimed to be from "Leicestershire Police Security" but was calling from an 0203 (London) telephone number. This is not a company that we are awrea of.
A Google search on the full telephone number has revealed complaints from many parts of the UK in relation to this number. Other complaints allege that the caller seemed particularly to be trying to discover times when no-one would be at home.
Police advice is never to put your security in the hands of someone who has either turned up out of the blue at your door or has called you by telephone without your invitation. We would always suggest that you get at least two competitive quotes from NSI or SSAIB recognised companies (of which there are many in the Yellow Pages). Offers to carry out work free of charge should always be checked most carefully - think "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) exists to help to reduce the number of unwanted sales calls. Colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council's Trading Standards Department have given the following advice:-
The TPS only applies to companies who call in the UK so there is nothing that can be done to stop marketing calls from other countries (unless they are calling on behalf of a UK company).
This means that it will significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls, but will not completely eradicate them. It is in my experience it is certainly a service that is worthwhile signing up to.
If consumers keep getting unwanted marketing calls then all I can suggest is trying to identify who the callers are either by making a note of their telephone number if they have a telephone that displays caller ID or by dialling 1471.
The alternative is to try speaking to them to enquire what it is they are selling or who they are representing. I am afraid that without this information there really isn't anything that can be done.
Other than that, 'Which?' has produced a 'top ten tips' guide to reduce cold calls which is a pretty good summary: http://www.which.co.uk/technology/phone ... old-calls/
Sent on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch Association
In one of these cases the caller claimed to be from "Leicestershire Police Security" but was calling from an 0203 (London) telephone number. This is not a company that we are awrea of.
A Google search on the full telephone number has revealed complaints from many parts of the UK in relation to this number. Other complaints allege that the caller seemed particularly to be trying to discover times when no-one would be at home.
Police advice is never to put your security in the hands of someone who has either turned up out of the blue at your door or has called you by telephone without your invitation. We would always suggest that you get at least two competitive quotes from NSI or SSAIB recognised companies (of which there are many in the Yellow Pages). Offers to carry out work free of charge should always be checked most carefully - think "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) exists to help to reduce the number of unwanted sales calls. Colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council's Trading Standards Department have given the following advice:-
The TPS only applies to companies who call in the UK so there is nothing that can be done to stop marketing calls from other countries (unless they are calling on behalf of a UK company).
This means that it will significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls, but will not completely eradicate them. It is in my experience it is certainly a service that is worthwhile signing up to.
If consumers keep getting unwanted marketing calls then all I can suggest is trying to identify who the callers are either by making a note of their telephone number if they have a telephone that displays caller ID or by dialling 1471.
The alternative is to try speaking to them to enquire what it is they are selling or who they are representing. I am afraid that without this information there really isn't anything that can be done.
Other than that, 'Which?' has produced a 'top ten tips' guide to reduce cold calls which is a pretty good summary: http://www.which.co.uk/technology/phone ... old-calls/
Sent on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch Association
-
Old-n - Posts: 111
- Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:37 pm
7 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 28 guests