Description

The correspondence began on Instagram. Panamafut507 direct messaged me saying "Good morning from Liberal Images. I went through your portfolio on Backstage.com and Instagram. I would like to employ your services as a Crew Member, Actor, Model for an upcoming photo/video shoot. Do send your email address for more information. Thanks." The website for liberal images looked rather legit, so I sent my email. I received this: Liberal Images 245 North Highland Avenue, North East No.100, Atlanta, Georgia 30307. (347)537-1139 https://liberalimages.com/ Congratulations, We came across your Portfolio on BACKSTAGE.COM. The Following set of Crew members are needed for a Video/Photo shoot to be held in Long Beach, CA: Actors/ Models Camera Operator Assistant Director Makeup Artist Costume Designer Set Decorator DOP Crew Members are needed for a Commercial/Photo shoot for SLG International Inc, New Clothing Line. The Commercial/Photo shoot will be held on the 10th and 11th of August, 2024. The pay is $2500 for the 2 days shoot and a Per Diem of $500, which is a total of $3000. SLG International Inc will be responsible for all expenses including Flight and Hotel reservation. SLG International Inc will book a two way ticket on your behalf to Long Beach, CA. and also back to your state. Accommodation will also be made available on your arrival. Also, an Agent will be assigned to you. He/She will handle your Flight and Hotel Reservations. Costumes and Clothing will also be made available on your arrival to Long Beach, CA. Instruction: Please respond back with the following information Full Name: Phone number: Position Applying for: Hope to hear from you soon. Best Regards, Steven George. I responded with the information asked. I got a second email less than 24 hours later: Congratulations you've been selected for the shoot. Position: Actor/Model, About SILVER LINE GROUP Inc. (Commercial/Photo Shoot Organizers) SILVER LINE GROUP Inc is the largest conglomerate in textile and apparel sector in Bangladesh, a country of apparels and textile manufacturing has been progressively growing in capacities for meeting the global requirements of textile and apparels at a considerable rate. The idea of excelling in becoming a preferred supplier for yarns for the ever-increasing knitting industry globally came to the mind of our Honorable Managing Director, Mr. M.A.H. Salim in the year 2002 when the quality yarn suppliers were not many in Bangladesh. Our services offer a complete solution to prepare Men’s, Women’s and Children’s garments for custom large-scale manufacturing and production. All garments are fitted and sampled in our N.Y.C studio, with domestic and international production available. This Commercial/Photo Shoot is basically for promotional benefit in order to create awareness for its new clothing line in the United State and Canada. This is a highly professional, creative and collaborative project and this position could lead to long-term opportunity and continuous working relationship based on your performance. Pay: $1250/day which will amount to $2500 for the 2 days and a Per Diem of $500, which will be a total of $3,000. Project Details: The shoot will be held in Long Beach, CA (which is just about 37 min- 1 hour from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by Uber) from 08/10/2024 to 08/11/2024. Itinerary/shoot schedule: Day 1 - Arrive in Long Beach, CA (which is just about 37 min- 1 hour from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by Uber) and check into your Hotel which will be reserved by the Agent. There will be a 2 hours seminar which will start from 4pm. to 6pm. The seminar is to provide more information on duties/tasks that will be required from all talents, models and crew members in attendance and a hard copy of the shoot call sheet will be provided to all. There will be a short shoot from 7pm to 10pm. N.B: This seminar will be held at the Auditorium of the Reserved Hotel. Day 2 - Production 9am - 5pm (break from 1pm to 2pm) Photo shoot will take place across 2 outdoor locations: 1: East Village Arts District 2: Naples Island. Travel Plan: A check for $3900 will be issued to you to cover for travel/hotel expenses which will be handled via a designated travel agent. $500 is allocated Per Diem while the balance ($3400) is the budget for your Transportation, Accommodation, Feeding and other Logistics. The designated travel agent will make all the necessary reservations and arrangements on your behalf to Long Beach, CA. Salary: ($2500) will be issued immediately after the shoot. I will provide you with all necessary information about your travel agent, but for now we only seek that you reconfirm your availability for you to be a member of the Commercial/Photo Shoot with us and also your utmost commitment regarding this project. Attached to this email is your Contract/Deal memo. Have it signed and returned back as soon as possible. Instruction: Please respond with the following information below: Full Name: Name that should be on the check: Address including Apartment Number where Applicable: Phone Number: N.B: It is important you respond to this email confirming your commitment before we send the check and also before we proceed to make the necessary arrangement. You are free to bring someone along with you and the Organizers will handle the expenses. Best Regards, Steven George. I asked to speak with him directly - over the phone or Zoom - since our communication had only been through email. I never got a call. Instead, Steven George texted me. At the same number listed in his emails and on Liberal Images website: (347) 537-1139. Two days later, I got a check in the mail for $9,000. It didn't have a name or company on it; it was from Frost Bank in San Antonio, TX. However, the return label on the package was: Axon Enterprise 17800 N 85th St Scottsdale, AZ 85255-6311. I was asked to deposit the check into my checking account and take screenshots of the deposit slip. I was to also notify him - Jonathan Clifford, CPA - by email that I received the check, [email protected]. All of this sounded extremely sketchy, so I started Googling their names, emails, and phone numbers. I found similar scams reported on the BBB site and Reddit. Some even used the same name and email address. Then, I called Frost Bank to have them see if the check was fraudulent. I was told that the check "would not be paid out". That could mean that there is not enough money in the account to pay the $9,000 or that there was an immediate "stop payment" placed on that check number. Either way, I am not depositing or cashing this check! Watch out for: Jonathan Clifford, CPA; [email protected]; Steven George; (347)537-1139; [email protected]