Modeling Agency News: American Modeling Industry Headlines

"It's happy trails to Lou Pearlman and his sham scouting network," said Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board ("CPB"). Chairperson Santiago said the Florida music promoter, his partners and franchise owners have closed their offices throughout New York State and have taken other steps to dissolve the former Wilhelmina Scouting Network."¹

"But there still many other misleading and outright fraudulent modeling offers still out there," said Chairperson Santiago said. "Young people and their parents have to be wary when talent scouts or companies seek them out, offering them the dream of becoming a model while charging them exorbitant upfront fees."²

"The CPB is currently investigating other modeling offers, including modeling conventions; agencies that solicit business from the parents of young children and modeling agencies that overcharge for photographs and other services. Modeling experts say upfront fees and expensive photo packages are not necessary and are often the sign of a modeling scam. Along with State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. (8th Senate District) the chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, the CPB conducted a public forum today to continue the CPB's ongoing investigation of all types of modeling scams. The CPB is exploring whether new state laws can be enacted to protect consumers from modeling scams."³

"By targeting the young, hopeful and innocent of our state, these 'agencies' try to make a quick, dishonest dollar and that is unacceptable," said Senator Fuschillo. "My hope is that this forum will not just close down the companies we expose but will also alert some youngsters and their parents to these deceitful practices. We will make sure that all the power of New York State is at work to protect them but the public must continually be on guard as well."⁴

1. "Happy Trails to Lou!," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Nov. 17, 2003.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

NYS Consumer Protection Board Gives Amherst Modeling Scam ‘One Week to Get Out of Town’

"We want this scam out of New York State and we want their Western New York office closed by the time we get to Buffalo next week," said CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Teresa A. Santiago. "Our investigation has already led to the closing of their New York City office. Now we're focused on their Amherst operation and our message is simple--you have one week to get out of town."¹

"The Consumer Protection Board will be conducting a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Mahoney State Office Building, 65 Court St., Buffalo. Victims of this and other modeling scams are invited to attend and tell their stories to the CPB. The state consumer agency is examining whether new state laws can help protect the public against modeling scams such as the Wilhelmina Scouting Network."²

1. "NYS Consumer Protection Board Gives Amherst Modeling Scam ‘One Week to Get Out of Town’," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Oct. 14, 2003.
2. Ibid.

New name for modeling scam is not so new

"The CPB issued its warning today because the modeling scam formerly known as the "Wilhelmina Scouting Network" continues to use the initials 'WSN' on its Internet web pages. As a result, consumers may continue to be fooled by this modeling scam, the CPB warned. A state judge earlier this month issued a preliminary injunction barring WSN from using the 'Wilhelmina' name. But an analysis of Internet sites by the CPB found that hundreds of web pages still contain the Wilhelmina name in connecting to the WSN modeling scam. "This false impression has allowed the WSN modeling scam to fool consumers into thinking they were being hired in some manner by Wilhelmina Models, the famous modeling agency, instead of this sham modeling enterprise now calling itself Web Style Network," said CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Teresa A. Santiago. The Wilhelmina Scouting Network changed its name to "Web Style Network" two days before the judge ruled. Despite Justice Ira Gammerman's ruling, the Wilhelmina name is still found on WSN web pages and this is potentially misleading more consumers into thinking WSN and Wilhelmina are the same company, Chairperson Santiago said. "The WSN brand name leads Internet users to hundreds of Internet websites and web pages that contain the name 'Wilhelmina'--a name long associated with the fashion world. It's because of that connection that thousands of unsuspecting victims have been lured by WSN into spending nearly $2,000 on an expensive website and photography package," said Chairperson Santiago."¹

1. "New name for modeling scam is not so new," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Oct. 27, 2003.

CPB Announces 'Scout Spotter' to Foil Amherst Modeling Scam

"The New York State Consumer Protection Board today announced a new initiative--the "Scout Spotter"--to help shopping malls and other private-property owners locate and remove scouts employed by a nationwide modeling scam. "These are not Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. These scouts are part of a nationwide consumer scam that preys upon young people; taking thousands of dollars from them or their parents and exploiting their dreams of one day becoming a fashion model," said Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board ("CPB.") Chairperson Santiago announced the new initiative as part of the CPB's fight to close a nationwide modeling scam, formerly known as the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (“WSN”). WSN has an office in Amherst, N.Y. and is now calling itself, "Web Style Network." Starting today, anyone who spots a modeling scout on private property--a shopping mall, for example--can call the Consumer Protection Board at 1-800-697-1220 to report that sighting, Chairperson Santiago said. The CPB will immediately notify the mall management office or property owner of the scout's location and description. "Today, we're telling the Web Style Network to get out of town," said Chairperson Santiago. "Our new 'Scout Spotter' program will let the people of Western New York join in this fight and chase this racket out of Amherst, out of Western New York and, finally, out of business."¹

1. "CPB Announces 'Scout Spotter' to Foil Amherst Modeling Scam," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Oct. 21, 2003.

Young people need protection from modeling scams

"Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson and Executive Director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board ("CPB"), said, "One of the biggest scams operating today is the Wilhelmina Scouting Network. It takes thousands of dollars from young people or their parents through high-pressure, misleading sales. All it gives in return are empty promises of a career in modeling." At a news conference today at "Fashion Week" in Manhattan's Bryant Park, the CPB issued a warning to consumers to avoid the Wilhelmina Scouting Network ("WSN") and similar modeling scams. The CPB was joined at the news conference by several current and former clients of WSN. Today's news conference also featured remarks by Joel Wilkenfeld, President of Next Model Management Company, one of the world's leading modeling agencies. Wilkenfeld said aspiring models do not have to spend a lot of money up-front in order to begin a modeling career.... In its warning against the Wilhelmina Scouting Network ("WSN"), the CPB cited high cost of WSN's photography and website "service," its misleading sales representations, its high-pressure tactics and serious billing irregularities. For many young people, these costs can add up to nearly $2,000 or more per person."¹

1. "Young people need protection from modeling scams," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Sept. 17, 2003.

CPB congratulates Wilhelmina Models for lawsuit to remove Wilhelmina's name from modeling scam

"Trans Continental Talent and its Wilhelmina Scouting Network have pressured young people and their parents into spending upwards of $2,000 on a high-priced website and photography package--all on the promise that this will lead to modeling jobs," said Chairperson Santiago. "But those jobs never appear and yet the money continues to disappear with a monthly fee of $19.95 and high-pressure sales for trips to so-called modeling conventions in Florida. These aspiring models soon learn that while they're looking up at the stars--the Wilhelmina Scouting Network is picking their pocket."¹

1. "CPB congratulates Wilhelmina Models for lawsuit to remove Wilhelmina's name from modeling scam," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Oct. 9, 2003.

Lou Pearlman Admits Deception in Modeling Scam

"Today's announcement and apparent action by Louis J. Pearlman of Trans Continental Talent represent some good news in our agency's fight against modeling scams. The modeling scam now called "Web Style Network" (currently operating in Amherst, N.Y. and elsewhere in the country) will no longer be able to advertise any connection to Pearlman and his music-production company, Trans Continental Talent. Mr. Pearlman announced today that he is rescinding the agreement that gave him control of Web Style Network. This modeling scam was able to deceive thousands of young people and parents by advertising its connection to Pearlman. It was also aided by its former association with the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency."¹

"It's now time for Mr. Pearlman, Trans Continental Talent and the remaining franchise owners of Web Style Network to reimburse the victims of this modeling scam. In a lawsuit filed by Mr. Pearlman, he now concedes that the Wilhelmina Scouting Network operated in a deceptive manner and, as a result, has harmed consumers. The lawsuit states that this company and its employees made "false and misleading statements of fact and misleading representations...(that) actually did deceive a segment of the public."²

"If Mr. Pearlman wants to restore his reputation, he should work with our office and any other consumer agencies to formulate an agreement to reimburse the victims of this scouting network. We await his response."³

1. "Lou Pearlman Admits Deception in Modeling Scam," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Oct. 31, 2003.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.

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