Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

Hi, my name is Hyun. Recently I have applied for this modeling job that was posted on Craigst list (by sending them body stats and pictures) after few days this man named Tyler Cooper (email: [email protected]) emailed me "Our client wants to start his Fashion Catalogue with his newly released fashion outfits magazine. if you're interested to seize the opportunity for this unprecedented opening. It's actually a pay shoot assignment because we are having a print job for a newly relaeas Fashion Magazine in November. We have other pernding projects of Fashion/Model Billboard, Calendar Promo Advert & Catalogs. I want you to share in this great opportunity, these could be your time to be known all over the globe....(and so on)" // then he emailed me three days later saying I was chosen with other few models to be in the photoshoot and he just asked for my name,address, and contact information. About a week later he emailed me about how he sent a "security advance payment check" along with the studio fee. He instructed me that I was to keep 400 dollars out of the check and send the rest of the money to the Studio Agent (for a studio fee of the photoshoot). I got a priority mail (from WM- wyoming?) the next day with a check from (LVC & Associates, Inc. - 4428 Buckingham Pl Duluth, GA 30096- what was written on the check). It was total of 1950.00 dollars and he asked me to send the rest of the money 1550.00 to the studio agent in GA through moneygram. He says it is a step by step process so I shouldn't worry but I don't know if this is an okay thing to do when I have not even signed any kind of paper with him or anyone else. Is it okay to send the money off? Would i be responsible for any charges later on? (I deposited the money yesterday and it was approved).


Asked on 10/08/10, 6:07 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Nima Taradji Taradji Law Offices

What I suggest is you contact your bank and ask them how long you should wait to make sure the check completely clears you bank. Chances are it won't...

Generally this sort of things are scams and you should look at it with a lot of suspicions and if in the back of your mind something smells fishy, something is probably fishy. Who would send a stranger a check for almost $2000 hoping that they would simply pass along the money... Would you do that? It makes no sense.

Check out some of these links:

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=323379

http://www.modelingscams.org/afts.html

http://www.independentmodeling.com/modelingscams/modelingjobscams.html

There are many more places to look as well. Do a google search...

Read more
Answered on 10/13/10, 7:11 am
Burton Padove Indiana and Illinois Lawyer, Burton A. Padove

I agree with Nima. Assuming that he is correct and this is a scam, I would not do anything other than report this agency to the Illinoius Attorney General.

Read more
Answered on 10/14/10, 4:32 am


Related Questions & Answers

More General Civil Litigation questions and answers in Illinois