Rip-off Report Investigation & Commentary: Trans Continental Talent a/k/a Wilhelmina Scouting Network employment scam explosion Name changes to Web Style Network, SOS Employment, TalentNetworks, Inc, Webmodel Network, Inc. and what else? New York New York

Like containment policy, when dealing with radio-active material, this situation has reached critical mass and something must be done about this out-of-control company before it affects the entire nation. This report is in direct response to Tim Barker's piece in the Orlando Sentinel posted October 15, 2003, "Pearlman company changes name to Web Style Network." First, I would like to say that it is heartening to see that the Orlando Sentinel has finally met the Rip-off Report challenge we issued to them earlier this year to report the news about Pearlman.

Next, we had received similar information from our confidential sources and what they added is alarming. Apparently, the announcement from Pearlman's camp that Ayman El-Difrawi a/k/a Alec Defrawy and several of his cohorts had been fired, left on good terms, stole computer equipment and databases and the police had to be called, (depending on which day you speak to them) is also a fabrication.

According to multiple confidential sources, both inside the company and former employees, who maintain contact with those inside the company, confirm that Alec Defrawy maintains direction of the franchises around the country. Additionally, there are several other names and affiliations that are being forged to expand their spheres of influence and just complicate matters generally.

Rip-off Report was the first to report the inclusion of the Wilhelmina name as part of the Trans Continental Talent family and that Dieter Esch had filed a Cease and Desist Order against Lou Pearlman, requiring that they no longer use the Wilhelmina name because Pearlman had failed to expand the scam to include the selling of photo packages, among other issues, and to pay him $50,000 per week, as agreed. Despite this recent announcement, those who work at these franchises are more confused than ever because the offices bear the logos of Trans Continental Talent, Wilhelmina Scouting Network, and now Web Style Network. Some locations have tried to organize the confusion by identifying a different room for each company.

Furthermore, Web Style Network is not the complete extent of this Octopus. It is also going to be known as TalentNetworks, Inc., which will be a consortium of websites either directly subordinated or affiliated with this company. TalentNetworks, Inc. includes: Model Network, Inc., Actors Network, Inc., and their websites; actorsnetwork.com, cosmoworlds.com, talentnetworks.com., and soon others.

Rip-off Report has been contacted by Rick Troost of TalentNetworks, Inc. and by unidentified individuals from Model 411 Management. Rich Troost is reportedly the Webmaster of TalentNetworks.com, which is the mother company for Model 411 Management, and which has been reported on Rip-off Report as one of the many heirs-apparent to the TCT scam. Rick denies involvement other than that he once worked for Studio 58 Models.

It is of considerable interest to us that those who have complained about Model 411 Management have been contacted and threatened. They have told us about their concerns and we have reported these incidents to the respective State investigative agencies.

Some other inside information about others who have worked on these websites: Joe Pelosi of Illgraphs Studios is identified as one involved in helping develop some of the websites mentioned in this report.

Here's the zinger - in addition to the apparent continued disabuse of the Wilhelmina name, the Website, wilhelmina.com, still remains affiliated with this web network. This could mean that Dieter's C&D is just to make a "show" in an effort to preserve the Wilhelmina name, while the arrangement with Pearlman still remains, much as the relationship with Ayman El-Difrawi, Ralph Edward Bell, Jason Hoffman, Armand Kulpa, Joe Gomez, Mark Magnacca and others remain. The name that continually comes up short in the investigation is David B. Elliott.

In an interesting twist, Cort Randell, smelling the south-going business, gave Elliott the opportunity to continue scamming on his dime. True to form, like a dog returning to its vomit, Elliott got to reincarnate the employment scam for which he had gone to prison. Following their modus operandi, not wanting to be initially fingered for the scam, they got Joe Gomez to register the scam; SOS Employment Group, Inc, 1701 Park Center Drive, Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32835, (321) 229 7353. The Website, SOSEmployment.com is not operational yet, but e-mail inquiries can be referred to jgomez@tctalent.com.

Another name for this affiliation is Webmodel Network, modelnetwork.com. This web of websites will be unwoven later, however, some of the companies, which sources have identified as part of this web, are as follows:

pulsemanagement.com
thepowdergroup.com
womenmanagement.com
dnamodels.com
louisa-models.com
viewmanagement.com
Mega Models Miami
Action Management
Model Network, Inc.
TalentNetworks, Inc.
actorsnetwork.com
cosmoworlds.com
Talentviewer.com
myentertainmentworld.com
mymodelingagency.com/links/KidsModelingAgency
cosmopolitanagency.com
Why Scouts Scoutcareers.com
whynotmodels.com
ModelsOnly
ModelsOnlyCosmetics
WHY Models - whymodels.com
my.models.com
models.com
modelnetwork.com
qmodels.com
madisonmodels.com
action-management.com
flemingmodels.com
laagenciabcn.com
time-model.com
trafficmodels.com
maxmodels.com
62models.co.za
cosmopolitanagency.com
eyefori.com
model-management-hk.com
modelshk.com
Whytalent.com
eModeltalent.com
nextmodels.com
karinmodels.com
elitemodels.com
paolotomeimodels.com
riccardogay.com
modell.de/fashion
fashionworld.it
whynotmodels.com

As this chapter closes in the history of scam, written by these key figures in US criminal behavior, it is important that we acknowledge all the assistance, which Rip-off Report has received from insiders, confidential sources and whistleblowers.

As long as there is corruption, there will be always be those of character willing to leak their company's scam secrets. Confidentiality Agreements never protect fraudsters, to the dismay of Options Talent. They are not a legitimate means of ensuring silence and in our informed opinion will not stand up as a cause of action to cover up fraud. Loyalty, which is purchased at a price, is always devalued when the relationship dissolves.

If anyone has information they would like to share with Rip-off Report please contact me at

ftorelli@ripoffreport.com

We are almost there, but the stories of sexual harrassment, intimidation, extortion, greed, avarice and general stupidity must be told. We are going to tell it!

We always welcome information from anyone who wants to help fight fraud and corruption, not only in business but also in government.

Frank Torelli - Investigative Reporter
Toronto, Ontario
Canada

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Trans Continental Talent AKA Options Talent

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Emodel

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Options Talent Emodel.com

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Model Search America

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Wilhelmina