Icon Model Management Preys on Model Wannabes, Makes money off of portfolio fees, Dishonest Sales Practices Toronto, Ontario

I answered an ad in the local newspaper about a modelling agency that was looking for models with or without experience of all races and shapes for work in movies, music videos, print media, etc. in May 2005.  I cannot believe that it took me this long to file this complaint, but I guess it was out of embarassment of falling for such a scam, but I still remember everything as if it happened yesterday.

Since I had just finished university at the time and was looking for a new career, I decided to take the plunge and made an appointment to see them.  Right away, the owner, Riz Paradiso (real name being Rizwan Bhatti) was quite nice and told me that I had the look and wanted to sign me right away, but I had to pay for the portfolio photos myself.  I asked about why I had to pay such upfront fees for photos if they were signing me, but Riz told me that the fee was to cover administrative costs as well as for booking the makeup artist and photographer for me. 

So I ended up paying close to $1000 CAD for a few photos that weren't that great anyway.  I cannot believe that I fell for such an excuse because according to the following link, "the Cardinal rule is that you, the model, never pay money to an agency.  Genuine model agencies find you work and make their money by taking a cut, not by charging you for a portfolio, registration or other "services"":

http://www.wolfkettler.co.uk/models/modelsguide/sellyourbody/spotterscams.html

I also found out that this "golden rule" is reiterated on many modelling information websites such as http://www.NewModels.com, so I honestly wonder if Cindy Crawford had to pay for her portfolio photos upon being signed by Elite Models before hitting the big time? Anyhow, after the photo shoot as well as picking up the photos a few weeks later, I heard NOTHING back from Icon Models...no contact at all, let alone calls about auditions or jobs afterwards and in the years since then.  I should have listened to my instincts about them from the start because I noticed that after I paid for the photos, Riz seemed like a different person because he told me that I should lose some weight if I wanted to make it in the modelling business.  Well, if I don't fit the bill, why even bother wasting both of our time with a photo shoot (especially one I had to pay for myself)?!  This obviously makes them a scam artist masquerading as a modelling agency only after the money of vulnerable model wannabes.

I know my situation took place a few years ago but I recently thought about them and did a Google search, and ended up finding numerous complaints and negative comments about Icon Models, namely their practice of asking money upfront for portfolio fees from aspiring models.  The following are a few examples of such links:

http://www.ModelMayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=148795

http://www.RipOffReport.com/modeling-talent-agencies/icon-models-in-toron/icon-model-management-icon-mod-253e5.htm

At this point, I would very much like to have my hard-earned money refunded from them.  I have also escalated this grievance by filing a complaint with the local BBB in my area.  Hopefully, these measures will help to stop Icon Models from preying on other vulnerable victims dreaming about fame and fortune in the modelling business.