The craigslist modeling scam rears its ugly head
One of the more disturbing scams that can usually be found on craigslist is the modeling job scam. The scammer places an ad on craigslist for a modeling job that is guaranteed to be easy money. The reality is that most of these ads are designed to do one of many things. They can lead from everything to you being bilked out of thousands of dollars for portfolios and modeling classes, to extortion, and human trafficking. Unsurprisingly, since craigslist refuses to moderate their own site, these dangerous scams continue to proliferate.
In Colorado Springs, one such ad popped up on craigslist promising $500 to $1000 for a photoshoot. The ad requested that potential models submit headshots and pictures of the applicants in bikinis. The supposed shoot wasn’t even taking place in any kind of studio but rather in some guy’s house. I can almost guarantee that if anyone has sent in pictures to this so-called photographer that the conversation quickly turned towards requests for more explicit photos as this was probably someone allegedly looking for women to be in adult videos.
Not everyone can be a model but these scammers, predators, and traffickers target victims who believe they have a shot in the modeling industry and take advantage of their dreams. If someone is advertising for models on craigslist or social media, they probably don’t have the best intentions in mind. The Federal Trade Commission website has some tips on how not to get scammed by modeling ads.
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Armando, 
O.W are discussing.
O.W 1:19 pm on April 1, 2019 Permalink
This is bullsh*t. Yes SOMETIMES you will come across a jackass. I have been shooting for OVER 7 YEARS NOW and I have booked so many shoots off craigslist ads and other similar websites. Booking a shoot through social media is so extremely common! Who ever wrote this article is misinformed, they have all the wrong information, none of this is fact. Disregard this nonsense because that’s all this article is, pure nonsense lol
You can come across a jerk on ANY website that involves modeling jobs. Just be careful. If you notice a red flag, big or small, don’t ignore it.
Again, this article is a bunch of trash, none of it is fact. I’m a female model. I know firsthand from seven years of experience! I’m also a business consultant/coach, as well as a life coach(5 years experience with this) and my advice has NEVER steered anyone in the wrong direction. My advice has only made so many models, so many people, more successful in their careers and their lives.
Just be careful and be smart when booking shoots! Pay attention to any and all red flags. If you see a red flag(big or small) then stop all communication with that person. Otherwise have fun at your shoot!!
Geebo 2:23 pm on April 1, 2019 Permalink
Thank you for your comment, however, we stand by what we have stated as we have documented multiple instances of where craigslist modeling ads have led to unsavory circumstances for their victims.
Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t note the similarity between your comment and those who are in the business of sex trafficking when they say they don’t know any pimps or have a pimp.
O 6:38 pm on April 1, 2019 Permalink
Smh..my comment is similar to a sex traffickers comment? No it’s not. That’s just ridiculous to even say. You’re only saying something so ridiculous as that because you’re being called out for not checking your facts. To say something so moronic like that, is because you know I’m right and rather then checking your facts you wrote down a bunch of exaggerated crap, followed by a moronic comment.
Like I said in my first comment, yes, SOMETIMES you come across a jack ass on these websites but as long as you’re smart and you pay attention to any and all red flags, you will be fine. If you notice a red flag, even a tiny one, you stop all communication!
You see, unlike you, I know all of this from actual experience.
Check your facts next time you write a blog.
Sincerely,
A survivor of sex trafficking
Geebo 10:13 pm on April 1, 2019 Permalink
Just because someone swims in shark-infested waters and doesn’t get bit doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. We’d rather have our readers err on the side of caution than taking any chances on a site rife with criminality like craigslist.
Armando 3:00 pm on August 24, 2022 Permalink
I do believe craiglist has a lot of fake people. I could say more than half are not real jobs. I found a lot red flags more than oportunities but you do find some work here and there. The majority of this so called “photographers” wants very thin girls very young and very native if it’s possible. Most of them wants their phone numbers to date them oh who knows what else. I hardly have any jobs from here only once in a blue moon.
Armando 3:02 pm on August 24, 2022 Permalink
Oh and by the way. We all qualify for modeling. Not fashion modeling since that one have a very specific requirements.