Philip Foster defrauded models for profit. Atif Qadar received suspended sentence in scam.
A team exposed Foster’s fraud, a national e-commerce group located in York and Northallerton. He ran fake modeling agencies. Foster is now in Spain, evading jail. His sentence is eight and a half years.
Foster lived in Marbella, Spain. He was sentenced without being there at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday. He conspired to defraud people and eight others were sentenced too, facing the same charge. Some faced money laundering charges.
Judge David Dixon commented on the case, saying their business was based on greed. They took what they could from victims. Some victims even took out payday loans, so the deception was manipulative and cynical.
The judge felt they all deserved prison and praised the officers’ work. They brought the defendants to justice. The investigation was not easy to conduct, and he commended their skill.
Jenny Kent, a York City Councillor, said Foster made millions, using the hopes of young people. He left broken dreams and hardship behind.
Trading standards officers uncovered the details. Over 6,000 victims lost money, falsely promised paid modeling work. Foster ran the fraud from Spain and lived a luxurious lifestyle.
He used associates in England, who ran fake agencies and studios. These were in cities across England, including London, Manchester, and Leeds. The investigation took six years.
Victims got a “free” test shoot. They saw glossy brochures and heard success stories like theirs. They needed to buy a portfolio to help them get agency work. They were then pushed to buy photos that would supposedly land them jobs.
Some used credit deals arranged by the fraudsters, while others took payday loans. This covered the upfront photo costs. The victims got poor photos in return, which rarely led to real work, and most never got paid modeling jobs.
Foster spent his money on luxury items, including watches and cars. Victims felt devastated and betrayed, with many left financially hurt. Some experienced lasting distress, hurting their trust and confidence.
The fake agencies did not pay taxes. They existed briefly, dissolved, and rebranded often. The money went through UK banks, then to Spain. Some co-conspirators took cash on flights.
Greg White, from North Yorkshire Council, said the scammers exploited young hopefuls wanting to break into modeling. Sometimes, families borrowed money, investing in their children’s futures.
He urges caution online. Legitimate agencies don’t ask for money. Scams push for expensive photoshoots first.
Michael Foster, 27, from Liverpool, was jailed for three and a half years. Jamie Peters, 52, from Warrington, got a suspended 24-month sentence.
Lisa Foster, 42, from Astley, got an 18-month suspended sentence. Emily Newall, 29, from Kearsley, got a 10-month suspended sentence. Atif Qadar, 44, from Crowthorne, got a suspended 12-month sentence. All these sentences were for conspiracy to defraud.
Paul Fleury, 57, from Swinton, got an 18-month suspended sentence. Aslihan Foster, 39, from Coventry, got an 18-month suspended sentence. Paul Evans, 39, has no address and got a suspended three-and-a-half year term. These three faced money laundering charges.