Former Brookside actor sentenced to jail over sham modelling agencies | Crime

A former TV soap actor has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after masterminding a £13.6m fraud that targeted aspiring models.

Former Brookside actor Philip Foster, 49, ran an operation involving a network of sham modelling agencies for more than eight years.

Foster, who lives in Marbella, Spain, was sentenced in his absence at Sheffield crown court on Friday for conspiracy to defraud, along with eight of his associates.

More than 6,000 victims parted with large sums of money on the false promise of securing paid modelling work in the fraud Foster ran from his base in Spain, where he lived a luxurious lifestyle.

He used a network of associates in England to operate a string of sham modelling agencies and photography studios in cities including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry and Nottingham.

The scam was uncovered in a six-year investigation by National Trading Standards (NTS).

After the sentencing, Lord Michael Bichard, the NTS chair, said Foster’s “cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures”.

The victims were duped into thinking that a model agency was interested in them after they responded to a local photographic studio and social media advertising campaign.

An invite to get a “free” test shoot at the photographic studio was used to try to extort money. They were told they had to buy their portfolio photographs from the studio in order to join an agency and become a model.

Some of them used credit deals arranged by the fraudsters, or expensive payday loans to make the upfront payment.

In return, the victims got poor quality digital photographs that stood no real chance of landing them professional jobs and most did not get paid modelling work.

Foster bought high-end watches and cars with his share of the proceeds, while many victims said they had been left financially and emotionally devastated and felt humiliated and betrayed.

The sham agencies, which paid no tax, existed for short periods before being dissolved and repeatedly rebranded.

Money from the scam was laundered through UK bank accounts before being transferred to Spain or carried in cash on commercial flights by co-conspirators, the NTS said.

North Yorkshire councillor Greg White said: “Foster and his fellow scammers cruelly exploited young hopefuls trying to break into one of the most competitive industries. In some cases, parents borrowed money or sacrificed savings, believing they were investing in their children’s futures.

“I urge anyone searching online for modelling opportunities to remember that legitimate agencies don’t ask for money upfront, it’s often only scam agencies who push expensive photoshoots as a prerequisite to getting work.”

Foster’s associates were also convicted of conspiracy to defraud and sentenced. Michael Foster, 27, of Liverpool, was jailed for three and a half years, while Jamie Peters, 52, of Warrington, received a suspended 24-month prison sentence.

Lisa Foster, 42, of Astley, Greater Manchester, was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence, Emily Newall, 29, of Kearsley, Greater Manchester, was given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, while Atif Qadar, 44, of Crowthorne, Berkshire, got a suspended 12-month prison sentence. Paul Fleury, 57, of Swinton, Manchester, received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Meanwhile, Aslihan Foster, 39, of Coventry, received a suspended 18-month prison sentence, and Paul Evans, 39, of no known address, got a three-and-a-half year suspended prison sentence after they were both convicted of offences related to money laundering.

Jenny Kent, of City of York council, said: “Mr Foster and his associates made millions by exploiting the hopes of young people, leaving a trail of broken dreams and financial hardship.”