Legitimate modelling employment agency Models Direct is repeating previous warnings to potential models about online modelling scams following the conviction of a man who has used advertisements on the StarNow website to gain indecent images of young girls. The man pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation and attempting to possess an indecent photo of a child at South Western Magistrates’ Court last week.

This upsetting case is the latest in a run of modelling scams aimed at teenage girls and women with the ambition to be a model. In each case the girls have been targeted online and persuaded to send inappropriate images of themselves in return for money or supposed modelling opportunities.

Thomas Kennedy, of Ross Road, Twickenham, posed as a modelling agent advertising on the StarNow website between December 2010 and May last year under the name Tim Kenny. He claimed to be working for an agency named Genesis Models and had communications with several hopeful models, including teenage girls. One of the girls became suspicious once she had sent a set of images to him and, shortly afterwards, received an email requesting more explicit pictures. The girl’s prosecution lawyer – Jackie Franks – said: “When she asked what was to happen next, the defendant didn’t respond.”

The girl contacted Genesis Models and was told that no one by the name Tim Kenny was known to them. Shortly afterwards computer equipment was seized from Mr Kennedy and a number of email communications between he and other young victims of his deception – including 15 and 16 year-olds – were discovered. Franks said: “On each occasion the girls told him how old they were. In the emails he was encouraging them to send topless photos to him and in fact one of the girls sent topless photos to him.”

This case is disturbingly similar to one that Models Direct reported on just two months ago, where an 18-year-old was approached and asked if she would like to appear in Marie Claire magazine by a man pretending to by a female modelling agent. The girl was left emotionally scarred by the incident and told reporters of her horror when she realised that she had been tricked: “I broke down. I didn’t really know what to think. I just started screaming and crying, I didn’t know what to do. All I could think was my family …it was really horrible.”

Managing Director of Models Direct Damian O’Connor warns: “If you or your child have ambitions to become a model please be very careful about how you approach this career option. Sadly the internet creates opportunities for some sickening individuals who wish to take advantage of potential models, so it is essential that you are vigilant at all times when online.

“Reputable and genuine modelling employment agencies simply will not communicate in this way so please do not respond to this kind of email request. Stick with agencies whose credentials can be checked, and those that are regulated by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. If you have any concerns please report them to the police and/or visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre website.”

A date is yet to be set for Mr Kennedy’s sentencing at Kingston Crown Court. Meanwhile he is on conditional bail.