Woman targeted by modeling scam

Police are looking into another scam. A Columbia woman was tricked into sending cash from her bank account via money gram.

She lost about $2,700.

Kristina Morrone, a student at Mizzou, subscribed for a job opening for a commercial photo soot. Soon after, she got an email from a man named David Robinson with Epic Talents Photography.

He said he saw her portfolio, offered her the job and said he would fly out to Kansas City for the shoot. Morrone exchanged about 10-15 emails and several phone calls with the man to work out all of the details.

Kristina Morrone, Columbia Resident:”I did look it up online. I didn’t really see much so that should’ve been a red flag for me. But I was just so excited to have this be my first photo shoot.”

The man sent her a check under an account with Grand Sierra Resort and Casino from a bank in Reno, Nevada. He told her to forward the money to a designer in Paris for clothing and other costs.

Morrone: “It took me a couple days to actually send the money and I was just like I just feel weird about this and sending money to you guys and he was like, ‘No everything’s okay I really love all of his clothes and everything and that’s why I’m going to use him.’ So he tried to reassure me.”

Morrone went to Walmart and sent a money gram to the specified address. About a day later, her bank called her saying the original check from Reno had bounced.

She called the man and he apologized saying he would talk to the sponsors and get back to her. Since then, he has not answered any of her emails or calls.

In the future, Morrone said she will be more careful when it comes to job offers. She has since unsubscribed with the modeling service.

Officials from the Better Business Bureau said they see similar scams to this one often targeted at people looking for work online.

If you are affected by a scam, you can contact the BBB or the Attorney General’s Office.