eModel.com Fraud Investigation Report

The aspiring models were evidently misled, because emodel did not explain they owned ModelsOnly. If they had explained this, and been up front, would all the aspiring models have paid $500 to enter the "fake" contest? Was the modelsonly company created by emodel.com to rake in 750 new members?

The spokesmodel contest had 750 participants, all of whom had to pay the membership fees ($500), which would give emodel a total of $375,000. Is that number a large enough incentive to create a new business like modelsonly? Could emodel.com not hold regular spokesmodel contests and generate $375,000 more from them each year?

There was a modeling competition turned into a multiple-episode TV program in Canada called "Supermodels." The winner of the beauty contest won a position to represent a prestigious cosmetics brand with international appeal and recognition. "Thousands of hopefuls... Eight episodes... One dream," read the slogan.

"Supermodels" was a Ford Models competition in association with L'Oreal Paris broadcast on GlobalTV. Ford Models chose the winner and the winner landed a modeling contract to represent the cosmetics line of L'Oreal Paris. This is very different from emodel.com holding a contest with the winner representing emodel.com, I mean, Models Only.

Suzanne Ellis reported the story for Canada.com on November 19, 2001:

In an emotional final episode, Raquel Aloisio was named Canada's next Supermodel by the judges. Aloisio was a quiet force throughout Fashion Camp, and surprised judges with her confidence on the catwalk, her poise in photo shoots, and her grace in interviews. She possessed the all-around package Ford Models was looking for, and now Aloisio has what could be a promising modeling career ahead of her.

After she won the competition, Raquel was flown to Paris. There she toured the city with a L'Oreal makeup artist; visited L'Oreal headquarters; and was styled by a L'Oreal photographer for a professional photo shoot. The pictures will appear in a Canadian ad campaign.

That is a real modeling competition. Ford Models is a legitimate company. L'Oreal Paris is a prestigious brand.

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