This individual is threatening the safety of us models who travel full time for photo shoots.
There is an individual who goes by the names of JAY HAYNES, JIM HAINES/HINES, FOKUSFOTO, FOTOVISIONS, LATENTIMAGEFOTO, PEEKTURE TAKER (ALSO POSES AS A FEMALE: JAMI OR CAROL) and the email addresses: fokusfoto@gmail.com, fotovizions@gmail.com, peekture.taker@gmail.com, cgarbiano@verizon.net, female.photographer@gmail.com. I'm sure there are many more!
Models - BEWARE of this individual. He's a serial scammer!
*WARNING*
"Photographer" scammer, who police are still trying to catch. For the last 4 years he's been making his way around professional models. He goes by the name of Jim, Jay, Focus Foto and Peekture Taker. He creates profiles on various modeling websites and makes up fake model profiles to use as his “references”, in order to scam models into coming to the DC, Maryland or Virginia area to shoot with him. He offers large sums of money to these models, or things such as paying for their hotel bills/traveling funds.. What he has been known to do is either completely stand these models up or shoot with them for hours, then pack up and leave without a word or payment to the model.. Apparently he has been doing this for years and is still continuing to do so.
* He assaulted a model physically and stole money from her wallet (she believed when she went to use the bathroom).* He asked a model to put her bags in his car, and said that he would take her out for dinner. She did that, then he got in the car and took off with her bags, containing all of her expensive fetish outfits. He then sold the outfits.
* A model declined a second shoot with him, so he behaved unprofessionally. He searched for her boyfriend's work address. He then emailed her boyfriend at work with nude images of her, stating she was an "adultress"
There are many more models with bad experiences. He just won't stop!
I'm helping to raise awareness of this scam artist, who is threatening the safety of the modeling community. He is difficult to catch, since he uses various fake portfolios, some of which he poses as a woman. He covers his tracks well. It's scary. His description...
"Mid 50′s, maybe a bit haggard looking in the face, dresses ok though, head of grayish hair, skinny, maybe about 5’11, he speaks in a heavy southern drawl. What’s MOST distinguishable about him is his left eye, the lid of which droops"
I've posted images of him at the bottom of this entry. Somehow a model was able to get pictures of him. Well done! For more info, just google the email address he uses: FOKUSFOTO@GMAIL.COM
I almost got involved with this individual. He emailed me privately to my gmail account with images that he claimed were his. When I asked for a link to his website or work, he gave me the link to an online portfolio which, I found out today, is not his. Since our communication was done outside of that website, I continued correspondence that way by private email, and never had the need to email him through that website.
I checked references for the port he gave me and all came up ok. (Obviously the references were being given for the genuine photographer of that account, not him).
He flaked on me. I emailed the portfolio he said was his, with hope of using that "message read/unread" feature that the site has, and the portfolio in question emailed me back stating that I had the wrong person and that his portfolio was being given out to various models by another "photographer".
I was annoyed about him flaking but on learning of the recent incidents I'm very relieved the shoot didn't go ahead. NB: I would suggest to all models that if someone emails you privately, do a follow up by checking the person's portfolio and emailing them there on that portfolio account, to confirm it's them. Also, email the models linked from his portfolio to check he's who he says he is - don't ask for an email address to check references. Photographers can so easily set up a fake email address and give themselves a glowing reference that way. Always check links to models and email them yourself privately.
It's only a matter of time before he's caught. Criminals get caught because they get greedy. When you commit a crime more than once, you get caught. Always. It's only a matter of time. The individual was also seen bragging on a website about getting away with doing this to so many people. Sick guy. Sounds like a sociopath. The police have been trying to catch him for a long time now.
If you are a model who has had a bad experience with this individual, you are encouraged to file a report with the FBI to this website: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Please lets try to catch this guy! Please post on facebook, if possible, so everyone can see his face!
46 comments:
I'll keep om keeping my eye out for this creep! ..... Sucks that this had to happen in the DC area where their are some great standup Photographers. Real professionals and phenominal artists. I have been hearig about this guy for a while and at least now I can put a face to him.
Thanks Katy
Yes, please do!
It's scary that it only takes one person to threaten the safety of us models.
How do we know who he is? He seems to be covering his tracks pretty well!
Please post this on facebook, along with photos of him. Facebook is a good resource. Someone must know him! I remember seeing a video of a woman putting a cat in a bin/trash can. It was posted up on facebook and she was identified within 48 hours!
Hi Katy,
First of all, How are you?... long time hun ;)
Thanks for bringing this forward, what a creep. I hope all the other models are okay.
My question is; since I do not have facebook, am I able to post a general warning in a MM bulletin board with a link to this page?
Without naming names and just posting an external link to the story which you smartly included links to verify, I think that would be under the guidelines of MM. I hope I'm correct on that ;)
~Art
Other then him flaking on you, a good thing in this case, you didn't get caught up in his sick game. I've heard on another model who got ripped off and had to book last minute, extra jobs to get home.
I am working later today with another well known travelling model who is an active blogger and on Facebook. I'll see if I can get her to link this there. It might be better coming from her.
This has not been the best trip for you and I'm sorry. I do hope some of the work made up for the problems.
Get home safe.
-Mark
Thanks for posting this and it's great you have a picture of the dude.
Thank you Kate. It's tough enough for us photographers out there that are professional and respectful without this guy putting Models in danger. Thanks for the heads up. Glad your ok. and for all models out there, Stay sharp and question any new photographer. Talk to you soon Kate. Thanks again
I understand why you wish to warn other models about this guy BUT at the same time, it might be wise to limit your warnings those which you've personally experienced yourself or those limited to the public record (like a police report).
I'm only saying this because you are hearing (whatever) from another person. Even if its a friend you don't really know what went on. It may very well be legit but lord knows over half the "bum references" are simply 1-party thinking one thing, while another party is thinking another. Neither bothers verify what they're thinking. You see where this is going.
Now talking behind closed doors or not listing specific information is another story. ;o)
Hey Art - I know, has been ages. What's your excuse? ;o
There is a forum on this already on MM, under 'off topic' - I was referred to it after almost working with this guy myself. If you google his email addresses you'll read all the history with this guy. I'm just showing support by posting the info up also, since I have been in contact with the individuals. Feel free to post my blog link if you wish. So long as you don't name him in the forums, you are not breaking rules ;)
Mark - absolutely! This was almost my third strike of bad luck. Yes, I know the model you mention. She emailed me and has been increasing awareness online.
Let models know about this if you like. Just tell them to google the email address I've provided and you'll see a lot of blogs and websites on him.
Things happen. It's life. It certainly is a warning at best..
Urban - the model was lucky to get that, I think. I read somewhere that he's lost a bit of weight since the picture was taken. Hope someone spots him..
Allen - it had to be mentioned here, especially after I almost dealt with him myself, so I know of the experiences these other models speak of. It's definitely a lesson learnt, to be more cautious when taking bookings.
Semi - I understand your thoughts and concerns. This has been happening for years and I only just found out about it a day after I was due to work with this individual. I rarely read forums, so I was in the dark and knew nothing about this, eventhough I'm a full time professional traveler.
Since posting this blog, many have come forward and admitted to not knowing either. I suspected this.
If you google his email addresses, he's all over the internet on various blogs and websites. I know a couple of the individuals/victims, so I'm not writing to gossip. This is actually a serious situation. According to a victim, there is a warrant out for his arrest in NC, and police are trying to find him in DC as well as Richmond. A photographer who is very active on the east coast is collecting all information, so he can help to find this guy.
I get traffic on this blog (god knows why with all my drivvle, lol), so the more models that are aware, the better. And the more photographers who know, the more chance they will warn a model. If anything, it's a lesson for us to be cautious when taking bookings.
I've been hearing about this guy for at least 2 years. You're not the first model I've known who has been contacted by this guy who didn't suspect anything was up until something fishy happened.
I keep expecting this to be an urban legend. Apparently, it's not. Someone needs to get this guy.
It's definitely not.
He goes through identities like we go through lingerie, lol. ;)
I was told he must be buying prepaid cell phones, so he can get new numbers. Noone seems to be able to stop him. If everyone is aware and turns up to a shoot with him, they can call the police and he will be arrested.
A victim told me today that there is a warrant out for his arrest in NC, and the police in 2 different states are trying to find him.
Oh dear, he does sound like a piece of work :(
We have a very similar individual who is terrorising, blackmailing and threatening hundreds of young models/girls. You can read about him here: http://ausmodelreference.myfreeforum.org/Corellian_Digital_Photography_about6.html
Thanks for sharing. It's creepy. I believe these people will get caught eventually.
wow some one needs to cut this duche-nozzels head off he is whats wrong and why it is hard for a photographer starting out to get tracktion. i hope they bust him and well in prison he has the worst possible things done to him for a very long time.
Something tells me he's a computer geek/works in computers.
Since he goes through virtual identities like water, what's to say he's not pulling a "talented Mr Ripley" and taking on various identities in life also? This could be why he's not traceable. He's hardly Osama Bin Laden though!
I agree that unfortunately these individuals ruin it for the good guys. Security is getting tougher, just like airports. I'm certainly re-evaluating how I do things.
That's just creepy. Welcome to the new world I guess.
Be safe.
Yup.. and I don't like creepy :(
Thank you for posting this.
It's odd. I'm on the opposite coast, and yet this fellow seems strangely familiar. It's most likely that I just know someone who resembles him a bit, though.
At any rate, I'll be posting a link to the blog post (Crimes Against Models) in my FB and in my own journal here. Thanks again for making us all aware of this person.
It's interesting that you say that. I sense I've seen him before also. A photographer I worked with today also said the same thing - where have we seen him before??!!
If you can do that, would be great. Facebook is a large network now. In the UK a woman put a cat in a bin/trash can. It was caught on video by the cat owners. The owners put it up on facebook and the woman was identified within 48 hours. That's how great facebook is!
Maybe you should sting him. Set up a shoot but have the cops in tow behind the scenes. You're a model so make him an offer he can't refuse.
Great idea. The only problem is noone knows which identity he takes on, since he goes through identities like water. It's kind of like the serial killers that target prostitutes. It could be anyone. You never know who.
How sad. Guys like this give this industry a bad reputation and makes it more difficult for legitimate photographers and models to develop the trust needed to create beautiful art. I hope they catch this guy soon before he hurts or robs anyone else.
He strikes me as someone that hates women. Women are his target. We're vulnerable. He's trying to make us feel unsafe in our online community. This is why awareness is important. We all need to ensure he's caught, and make sure that every model is prepared if she turns up to a shoot with him. Be sure to call the police asap.
It is a shame that people do things like this. I hope they catch him soon.
You and me both.
Those that get greedy and continue usually get caught.
This has been posted to Facebook!
Super stuff, Mark!
If everyone keeps passing his face around, someone will recognize him. If models know what to look for, if they turn up to a shoot with him, they can alert police when there.
I hope so, if you look in my journal right now you will find a link to a site that I was told about and I am trying to let everyone know about. There are a lot of picture on there that belong to people. :( You might want to check and make sure none of them are yours. I have told a few people I know that I saw there pictures there. I feel so bad for them. :( (http://my.desktopnexus.com/HeartStrings/uploads/1/)
I looked through some of your pictures they are very nice. Just not my cup of tea if you know what I mean. :)
Publishing this here, so that others can see the link (a website that has stolen art work) - NB: not related to this blog entry of mine....
http://my.desktopnexus.com/HeartStrings/uploads/1/
I know not everyone likes nudes. That's fine. Everyone is different. ;)
Thank you for making me aware of this I live in NC and as a model and a photographer I glad to know who to steer myself and others clear from.
No problem. Just doing my bit in life to warn others and see that this guy is exposed.
If you or anyone you know ends up in a shoot with him, call police. One of the victims told me there is a warrant out for his arrest in NC.
Katy... I'm glad you didn't work with this guy, and I think it's great that you're putting the word out about him. I hope he's caught soon.
Also, I really, really hate seeing his picture next to yours on this site!!!
Take care.
Hi,
That email is used with a, "Girlieshow Fotography" and http://www.myspace.com/fokusfoto but he calls himself, "Peekture Taker". I think he might be in Virginia. I hope that helps.
Thanks for the info. I checked out the myspace page. The profile picture he's using is that of a young photographer, not himself. He also steals photographers' images, so any images you see are unlikely to even belong to him.
Are those real photos of the scumbag? How did you get his photos? Anyway, I'll be linking this post to the website that I administer.
These photos were taken by a model who had a shoot with him. She was fortunate to capture him on her phone. You can read more here: http://slyhorsestudio.com/blog/archives/266#more-266
Thanks for linking. I think that the more people are aware of him, the more chance we'll catch him. It's believed he's been using Craigslist also. There was a suspicious post regarding trading a laptop in exchange for an erotic shoot, in the Richmond area. I would not be surprised if it were him. Keep an eye out!
Hi Katy. I just put up the link to this post on this url: http://wp.me/p1eHjh-2d
Thanks!
Dude needs to have his ass beat. There's a scammer photog here in Kansas City we're trying to shut down, as well, named Mario Antoine. He was allegedly involved in secretly videotaping underage girls a couple years ago, and now he scams newly wed couples... sets up engagement shoots and repeatedly flakes and won't answer his phone, and contracts weddings and takes the prepaid deposit and then doesn't show up at all, or doesn't give them their photos or video, etc. He's just recently been sued and the bride won her case against him, but he's a sociopath and is still trying to scam people. Also goes by the name ImaginPhotoKC. Don't ever work with him!!!
Thanks for the heads up. It's great to hear about people like this. You should post this on some forums, so that others are aware of this guy. There is a blog called: crimesagainstmodels.blogspot.com - maybe you should list the info there...
Wow that really sucks for everyone in the industry, models and photographers alike. Hopefully karma will catch up to him and he'll get what's coming to him!
Jim Hines of Richmond VA has been scamming at least since 1998, and perhaps earlier than that.
I thought this might be the case. I had someone tell me he had been around for a while. I travel a lot and this is the first I had heard of him, so the awareness could not have been that great, unless I was just blind to the info..
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