CoverModels Management Inc. Viresh Pujara Scam!! Be Aware! Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I used to be a model at CoverModels Management Inc. in Ottawa, which is owned by Viresh Pujara. First time meeting with Viresh was at the BridgeHead coffee shop on Bank Street in Ottawa. He talked about how this industry works, and convinced me to become a model. Then a week later, he texted me and said he was going to Toronto for a week to work with the photographers and agencies there, and asked me to go with him and other 2 female models. He convinced me that this was a very good opportunity to network with agencies and build my portfolios.

When I was in Toronto, I didn't pay for my photo shoots, which is good, however, I did pay over $1000 for my prints afterwards. According to Viresh, I needed to pay for my prints as soon as possible so that the photographers could start working on my photographs. He also promised that he would give me my prints once he receive them from the photographers.

It has been over 8 months now, I haven't received anything from Viresh. I have tried to get in touch with him to get my prints back since January 2012. At first, he texted me back and said he would meet with me, but he always bailed last minute. Then, he said he was sick and would ask Coranne (I don't know who she is) to pick it up at his place and bring them to me, which never happened. Now he is ignoring all my calls, emails and text messages. According to what I know, this happens to most of the models at CoverModels Management Inc.. I have contacted the photographers who I worked with, so far one of them has responded to my message. The photographer was very shocked as well.

I do have evidence showing that I paid for my prints to Viresh last summer and also emails, and text and facebook messages of Viresh asking for prints money and making promises that he would meet with me to give my prints back. If you are considering signing a modelling agency in Ottawa, please be careful with Viresh Pujara at CoverModels Management Inc..