A LOCAL resident, who was promised a job as an ‘international model’, said she was scammed by an agency allegedly based in uMhlanga. The model’s sister-in-law, who spoke to Northglen News on the condition of remaining anonymous, said her family was devastated by the news. Not only was the resident promised a job, she was told to leave her current job.

The aspiring model left her current employment after being promised a job and has now been left high and dry. “She responded to an advert circulating on Facebook for a modelling job. She was offered a full-time modelling position by the agency and was offered a high-paying salary and given promises to send her to Europe to model for international brands.

“Their website says that they have offices on Lighthouse Road. She submitted her portfolio via Facebook and then moved to correspondence over to WhatsApp. They then asked her to send photos of herself in lingerie and swimwear. They would only communicate with her via Facebook and WhatsApp. After she sent more photos, they requested semi-nude and nude shots, at which point we grew highly suspicious,” the uMhlanga resident said.

“We would just like to warn other young aspiring models that this is a scam and not a legitimate offer. They also claimed they were aligned to an international modelling agency, which we now know is a lie,” she said.

The business, which allegedly operates out of Beacon Rock on Lighthouse Road does not exist, confirmed building manager, Gerhard Tolmay.

“There is no business by that name operating here and I’m now circulating an email to other tenants to be wary of this possible scam.”