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FRAUD ALERT! Beware of modelling jobs on social media

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Social media Lead AV

Often we come across fake modelling agencies posting advertisements on social networking sites mentioning the requirement of models for shooting and magazine portfolio. They ask men and women to forward their photographs, height, weight and vital statistics, current city, and experience on Whatsapp. With an objective to earn quick money, youth often fall prey to such advertisements.

When AV spoke to a model from Delhi, on the condition of anonymity she said, “It’s been almost three years that I am into the modelling industry. But when I was struggling to get into the glamour world, these Facebook posts attracted me too. I can’t say that all of them are frauds or involved in questionable activities but few of my experiences were very scary. A few years back, I received a call from one such number and they asked me to send body-exposing photos as my portfolio since the ad is required for some Lingerie brand.”

“When I asked for details of the brand, they denied and never received my calls thereafter. Such ‘model/actress required’ posts are quite common in today’s time and the risks are higher. Facebook must introduce some regulations for allowing somebody to post such requirements with valid proof. Awareness amongst the freshers is also a must,” she added.

Most of these agencies lure youth on the pretext of offering modelling assignments but often they are pushed into flesh trading activities. Women are also asked to wear a bikini and do nude photo shoots. There is a surge in such advertisements on the occasion of the festive season. Many fake modelling agencies have mushroomed across India since last few years with an intention to cheat modelling aspirants and earn quick bucks.

Drishti Agarwal, a teacher from Lucknow said, “Although I agree that these days such fraud employers are getting a free and easy space through Facebook but I believe it’s also our responsibility to check the authenticity of such advertisements rather than easily falling into that trap. Being so desperate about your career through any means possible is not what the responsible youth of the country should do. Hope that both the Facebook and our government take this into notice and work accordingly to make it more secure.”

Some other fake agencies promise youth to offer a break in television serials and films. Unemployed youth hailing from small towns often approach these sites as they are keen to make a career in the modelling industry which is seen as a gateway to Bollywood. They are asked to pay a lumpsum money for availing the services. Subsequently, youth feel cheated as they are not offered any modelling assignment as they lose the money paid to these fraudsters. Since people are glued to social networking sites nowadays, it has become an easier way for the fraudsters to post such advertisements and cheat people. Once a person is cheated, it becomes difficult for him to trace these miscreants. When they try to contact them on the number mentioned on the social networking site, it remains unreachable.

Cyber Security and Cyber Law Expert Adv. Prashant Mali said, “Yes, we get to see a lot of such posts nowadays but the need of the hour is that Facebook must carefully scrutinise all these profiles to stop such frauds. The aspiring models or actors/actresses should also verify these ads properly before sharing their portfolios or accepting the proposal.”

Even if people file a complaint against these fraudsters, police seldom take action against them. How do you identify if the business is genuine or fake? Today it is easier for any individual to post such advertisements on Facebook and there are no checks undertaken to ascertain the authenticity of such advertisements. Since most of these agencies operate through social media, it becomes difficult to take action against them.

Due to the absence of a regulatory body for modelling agencies, it becomes easier for the racketeers to cheat modelling aspirants. It is necessary for citizens to create awareness among youth to not fall prey to such advertisements. Social networking sites too should monitor the content of these advertisements and alert users about the disadvantages of associating with them. The onus also lies on citizens to check the genuineness of these advertising posted by fraudsters.

 

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