Under Investigation: The inside story of the Florida Attorney General’s investigation of Wilhelmina Scouting Network, the largest model and talent scam in America.

ISBN-0968713335 Paperback 512 pages $29.95

Easy Background Check

Impact 210 (www.impact210.com) by Michael Fomkin, Brian Wilson, Cortney Sells, Jessica Koslow, Gaetano "Guy" Pugliese aka Impact Worldwide (impactww.com)

September 1, 2005

[Last Updated: March 01, 2006 ]

   Michael Fomkin and Brian Wilson at
   Wilhelmina Scouting Network scam in New Jersey

brianwilsontctjobadmonster.pdf

Impact 210 is the brainchild of Michael Fomkin, whose background includes leadership at the infamous Wilhelmina Scouting Network scam. He owned a franchise which scammed thousands of young people. Impact 210 is another scouting operation. One of Fomkin's four "executives" is Gaetano "Guy" Pugliese, "Director of Scouting Division." "As Director of Scouting Division, Guy is responsible for interviewing and hiring the Impact 210 Scouts. He runs scout orientation." (http://www.impact210.com/AboutUs/executives.cfm) [Sept. 1, 2005].

Fomkin calls himself the "CEO/Visionary" of 210. WSN used to claim it was visionary and revolutionary before it went bankrupt in a cloud of controversy. Fomkin's name is attached to this fluffy comment: "With his latest business venture, IMPACT 210, Mr. Fomkin is setting new standards for the industry. Providing a broad range of services, from event planning and sponsorship consulting to industry related workshops and media exposure at corporate and individual levels, IMPACT 210 is a comprehensive resource center catering to a wide variety of professional talent across the globe."

Fomkin has never set any standards for the modeling industry except bad ones. He's been part of the worst exploitation of young talent the industry has ever seen. After WSN collapsed, following extensive exposure by the media, including a Dateline NBC report, Fomkin started Type 1 Model Management, an illegal business, which morphed into One Source Talent, which he created with his WSN business associate Anthony Toma.

These companies are/were running a photo mill. Impact 210 has a "photo and casting studio." (http://www.impact210.com/Industry/) [Sept. 1, 2005]. "At Impact210, we know the fashion, beauty and entertainment worlds judge you by the pictures in your portfolio. Our goal is to help you build the most professional portfolio possible. "Our one-of-a-kind color session packages help you develop a more professional portfolio," says Brian Wilson, Director of Operations, Impact210." Could this be yet another photo mill scam, the oldest modeling scam in the book, like Fomkin's earlier last photo mill scam.

Impact 210 talks they are industry experts, and that they provide something so original and so important to the modeling industry, yet their executive profiles didn't provide a single piece of information about their industry background, starting with Fomkin. Yet they still say in one of their press releases, "IMPACT210 values openness and honesty."

If they want to be open and honest, they should post the following supermodel statement on their home page:

"One big mistake that many aspiring models make is spending tons of money on photos, portfolios, and composites before they get an agent. This is a total waste of money and time, and people who tell you otherwise either don't know what they're talking about or are scamming you." — Roshumba Williams

This 210 company or website is made in the mold of the Wilhelmina Scouting Network scam, which also ran an employment scam using HotJobs and Monster.com. (It was banned by both, as Newsweek reported.) Impact 210 is also advertising on HotJobs. (See Brian Wilson's bogus model scout job ad on Monster.com)

According to impact210.com, it offers "seasonal showcases to promote and expose top-notch talent to numerous talent scouts, casting agents and industry movers and shakers." (http://www.impact210.com/showcase/fashion.cfm) [Sept. 1, 2005]. WSN also offered this overhyped, overpriced service which was virtually useless for almost everyone who paid.

Comments

Model Comments

Hi my name is [. . .] and I am on a website called myspace.com. Someone from impact210, for modeling, emailed me saying they wanted me to come in for an interview and if I liked it then there may be a small service fee lower then what agents charge and lower what modeling agencies charge. I want to know is it worth going in there? I am interested in modeling but I easily can be manipulated because I don't know anything about the industry. Please write back.

Anon

Documents

brianwilsontctjobadmonster.pdf (Michael Fomkin associate Brian Wilson's bogus job ad on Monster.com)

newsweektct.pdf (Newsweek article showing Monster.com banned the job ads)

datelinetctp1.pdf (Dateline NBC report transcript on Mike Fomkin's previous scam, p. 1 of 18)

datelinetctp18.pdf (Dateline NBC report, p. 18 of 18)*

nycpbwsn1.pdf (New York State Consumer Protection Board warning about photo mill modeling scam)

nycpbwsn2.pdf (another NYCBP warning)

nbcmichaelfomkin.pdf (NBC10 report shows Michael Fomkin started a photo mill right after his model scam company shut down)

roshumbawilliamsp86.pdf (Supermodel Roshumba Williams's advice about Professional Photography Before Agency Representation, p. 86)

roshumbawilliamsp87.pdf (Williams's advice on pro photos from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model, p. 87)

* Email for full 18-page Dateline transcript

Excerpt from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Being a Model.

Consumer Comments

      Subject: Impact worldwide/impactww.com

            This company claims to be an online talent agency for musicians,
models, or actors.  However, they solicited me for an Administrative
Assistant position.  I checked out their website and they SEEM legitimate;
boasting a virtual who's who of clients.  They don't charge talent to
register, but they do charge $3.95 for accepted booking referrals.  They
haven't asked me for money either.  I'm only skeptical because 1) THEY
solicited ME for the job, 2) The e-mail address they used is not the contact
e-mail listed on my resume, and 3)  While the job is not quite "too good to
be true"  it offers excellent pay and benefits, with the very desirable
option of working from the home or office.  I can usually spot the "earn $$$
by working at home" scams, and if this is one they've got a whole new angle
I've never seen!



            Below is (in part) the email I was sent.  I've omitted my name &
the name of the person who contacted me. just in case it IS legit. I don't
want offend anyone and blow my chances.  Please let me know if this IS a
scam and if anyone else has encountered this.  Thank you.



            C.C.



            E-MAIL RECEIVED:

            Recently my assistant saw your resume online and forwarded it to
me as a possible candidate for a position with our company. Based on your
credentials, it appears you may be qualified for the Administrative
Assistant position we currently have available in your local area.

            Impact Worldwide is the fastest growing talent company in the
United States. Our talent have worked with such companies as Tommy Hilfiger,
Universal Studios, Pepsi, MTV, HBO, Reebok, and hundreds of others.

            The Administrative Assistant is responsible for re-formatting
information received daily about nationwide castings and entering it into
our database system. The position can be performed either from one of our
offices, or from your home.

            We offer the following:

            ·                                 $22.50 per hour ($900 per
week) starting pay. After 90 days, compensation may increase by 10 percent.

            ·                                 Full medical, dental, and
vision insurance benefits.

            ·                                 Flexibility - you can work
your own hours, just so long as you put in at least 40 hours each week.

            ·                                 Opportunity for rapid
advancement.

            ·                                 Tuition re-imbursements.

            The person we are looking for is reliable, consistent, hard
working, has solid writing skills, and pays attention to details.

            To be formally considered for the AA, please visit our website
at:

            www.impactww.com

            Then click on the "careers" tab and select "administrative
assistant."

            Once you have completed the online application, I will review it
and contact you shortly to schedule an interview.

            Best regards,

XXXXXXXXXXXX

After further research I've found there seems to be NO difference between Impact WorldWide & Impact 210.  The websites are identical except for the fact that one logo has incorporated the words "World Wide".  I do not know who runs the company I received an e-mail from liz.morgan@impactww.com which solicited my resume (see below).

I do not know what kind of scam she was running - I only know it was NOT for a model for talent agent.  I can't see where she could have gained anything at all except to sell my phone number and/or e-mail... some type of phishing scheme perhaps.  I received a follow-up e-mail which informed me I was being considered for the position, but they needed more information.  She told me to go back to imapctww.com and LOG IN this time, using my e-mail address as the user ID and my last name for a password.

Doing this directed me to a page which asked me would I be interested in obtaining insurance information, would I be interested in furthering my education (did I want information on that), and why do I think I would be suited to work for the company.  I figured it was just a weakly veiled attempt to sell me insurance or education services (the last question being thrown in for appearances).

I noted that the e-mail was routed through an internet company called American Business Company (url:  206.225.93.25) which appears to be an internet spam/mass-mailing service that among other things solicits potential insurance and higher education clients.  So I don't know WHAT the deal was... seems like a lot of trouble to go through to solicit someone who will just tell them to get lost... and has since registered for the national "No call list".

I reported the whole episode to Internet Fraud Complaint Center at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp.   I doubt that they can or will do anything about it, but at least it's on record.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Worker Comments

I SAW ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT SOMEONELSE HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME EMAIL  I  HAD GOTTEN THREE WEEKS AGO.   I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT.  I REPLIED THAT I HAD INTEREST.  THEN THEY REPLIED BACK STATING THAT THEY FOUND A JOB BETTER SUITING MY EXPERIENCE AND HAD ME APPLY FOR MORE OF AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION.  A SCOUNTING MANAGER.  I FILLED OUT THE FORM ON THE WEB SIGHT AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW IS THAT I AM HIRED.  I THINK IT IS WEIRD THAT I GOT HIRED RIGHT A WAY AND WITH A FORMAL INTERVIEW.  I DON'T THINK THIS IS A LEGIT OFFER.  I QUESTION THEIR MOTIVES.  FORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING, THAT I'M AWARE OF, BUT IF THEY REALLY ARE A SCAM, I COULD BE SCREWED.  CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION AND HELP?   THANKS.

Inside Information

Michael Fomkin, current CEO of Impact 210, is also the owner of the Northern New Jersey Industry Magazine Franchise. Also, I called the Miami office for Impact 210 and asked for Alec Defrawy. The receptionist said he was there but busy and asked me to leave a message.

Complaints

I received the following e-mail from this company, Impact 210 (they also say they are called Impact Worldwide.  I almost applied for the position through their website but didn't because after looking through their website, I felt like something was missing.  So I went in search of websites to find information.  I stumbled on your by doing a Google search for websites where I can look up background checks of companies.  Before finding your site, I went the the Better Business Bureau website - Impact 210 or Impact Worldwide is NOT listed with the Better Business Bureau.  That sent up a HUGE RED FLAG for me!  Anyway, this e-mail looks strikingly similar to one posted on your sited by another consumer who received an e-mail from them soliciting her for an Administrative Assistant position.  I just wanted to add to your dossier of information about this company to help warn others.   Thanks for having this site.  I may have sent a scam company my personal and work information without knowing who they really were.  Thank You!    Here is the e-mail I received:

Recently my assistant saw your resume online and forwarded it to me as a possible candidate for a position with our company. Based on your credentials, it appears you may be qualified for the Casting Manager position we currently have available in your local area. Impact Worldwide is the fastest growing talent company in the United States. Our talent have worked with such companies as Tommy Hilfiger, Universal Studios, Pepsi, MTV, HBO, Reebok, and hundreds of others. Unlike other websites, there is no charge for talent to post their information. The position we are seeking to fill is a Casting Manager. As a Casting Manager you would be working with Industry Professionals in your local area. Industry Professionals include advertising agencies, talent agencies, photographers, event planners, directors, and producers - in short anyone who may hire and actor, model, and musician. Your role would be to register them on the site and help them find talent for their bookings. Industry Professionals are not charged in any way for use of the website.

• First year base salary of $78,000
• Incentive plan that can add 40% - 60% or more to base salary
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plan
• Expense Account
• Paid Vacation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Rapid Fast Track advancement program

The person we are looking for is good with people; detail oriented, very organized and possesses excellent communication skills. A college degree or equivalent experience is required. To be formally considered for the Casting Manager position, please visit our website at:

www.impactww.com

Then click on the "careers" tab and select "casting manager."

Once you have completed the online application, I will review it and contact you shortly to schedule an interview. Best regards, Liz Morgan

Consumer Comments

Subject: Impact worldwide/impactww.Com  

I was researching a job that sounded to good to be true with an offer I recvd from impact world wide and came across this............I recvd an email very simular - My offer was for Scout Manager not admin assit...... Please let me know if this IS a Scam and if anyone else has encountered this.  Thank you.

This company claims to be an online talent agency for musicians,
Models, or actors.  However, they solicited me for an Administrative
Assistant position.  I checked out their website and they SEEM legitimate;
Boasting a virtual who's who of clients.  They don't charge talent to
Register, but they do charge $3.95 for accepted booking referrals.  They
Haven't asked me for money either.  I'm only skeptical because 1) THEY
Solicited ME for the job, 2) The e-mail address they used is not the contact
E-mail listed on my resume, and 3)  While the job is not quite "too good to
Be true"  it offers excellent pay and benefits, with the very desirable
Option of working from the home or office.  I can usually spot the "earn $$$
By working at home" scams, and if this is one they've got a whole new angle
I've never seen!                   Below is (in part) the email I was sent.  I've omitted my name &
The name of the person who contacted me. Just in case it IS legit. I don't
Want offend anyone and blow my chances.  Please let me know if this IS a
Scam and if anyone else has encountered this.  Thank you.                   C.C.                   E-MAIL RECEIVED:               Recently my assistant saw your resume online and forwarded it to
Me as a possible candidate for a position with our company. Based on your
Credentials, it appears you may be qualified for the Administrative
Assistant position we currently have available in your local area.               Impact Worldwide is the fastest growing talent company in the
United States. Our talent have worked with such companies as Tommy Hilfiger,
Universal Studios, Pepsi, MTV, HBO, Reebok, and hundreds of others.               The Administrative Assistant is responsible for re-formatting
Information received daily about nationwide castings and entering it into
Our database system. The position can be performed either from one of our
Offices, or from your home.               We offer the following:               ·                                 $22.50 per hour ($900 per
Week) starting pay. After 90 days, compensation may increase by 10 percent.               ·                                 Full medical, dental, and
Vision insurance benefits.               ·                                 Flexibility - you can work
Your own hours, just so long as you put in at least 40 hours each week.               ·                                 Opportunity for rapid
Advancement.               ·                                 Tuition re-imbursements.               The person we are looking for is reliable, consistent, hard
Working, has solid writing skills, and pays attention to details.               To be formally considered for the AA, please visit our website
At:               WWW.impactww.Com               Then click on the "careers" tab and select "administrative
Assistant."               Once you have completed the online application, I will review it
And contact you shortly to schedule an interview.