Former Brookside actor who orchestrated £13.6million modelling rip-off from his Spanish house is jailed for eight-and-a-half years
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A ‘cruel’ fraudster and former Brookside actor who exploited thousands of child models and their parents as part of a £13.6million fraud has been jailed for eight years.
Philip Foster, who also went by the stage name Philip Dowd, played jealous thug Christian Wright in the popular Liverpool-based soap during the mid-1990s.
Now the 49-year-old conman, who lived a luxury lifestyle from the proceeds of his fraud, has been handed a prison term in his absence having orchestrated the con from his home in Spain.
Using a network of associates based in England, ringleader Foster operated a string of sham modelling agencies and photography studios across the UK, including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry, and Nottingham.
Foster’s activities are said to have left families in financial ruin as they handed over thousands of pounds to the scammers, while youngsters dreaming of becoming models were left emotionally shattered.
Eight of his accomplices were also jailed today at Sheffield Crown Court following a six-year investigation by National Trading Standards (NTS), whose work uncovered the astonishing extent of the fraudulent operation.
Over the course of eight years, more than 6,000 victims were deceived by the group – mainly young people and mothers – who ended up parting with substantial amounts of money under the false promise of securing paid modelling work.
Foster and his team would set up a photographic studio in the area and run a social media advertising campaign calling for models.
Those who responded were given the false impression a model agency was interested in them, with emails telling them they had potential.
Former Brookside actor Philip Foster – who also went by Philip Dowd – has been jailed for exploiting thousands of child models and their parents as part of a £13.6million fraud
The former actor in his soap days as Christian Wright in Brookside, alongside his on-screen ex-wife Rachel Wright (Tiffany Chapman
Victims were then invited to a ‘free’ test shoot, which turned out to be a ruse to try to extort money out of them.
Once there, they would be handed glossy brochures and told how successful other people had been.
They would be informed that they had passed their studio test and that modelling agencies were interested, but they needed to purchase their portfolio photographs from the studio in order to join an agency and become an agency model.
Victims were duped by the group who, between them, gave a good impression of running successful model businesses and lied to them about their potential.
Millions of pounds were taken from aspiring models, with some coerced into financing the upfront payment through credit deals arranged by the fraudsters or taking out expensive payday loans.
But instead of a usable portfolio, victims received poor quality digital photographs that stood no real chance of landing them professional jobs.
Virtually none of the victims received any paid modelling work.
The sham agencies were often dissolved after short periods, rebranded repeatedly to avoid detection, and paid no tax.
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.
Michael Foster, 27, of Liverpool, was handed three-and-a-half years for conspiracy to defraud, while Paul Evans, 39, of no known address, was given the same term for offences related to money laundering
Jamie Peters, 52, of Warrington and Lisa Foster, 42, of Astley, were given suspended sentences for conspiracy to defraud
Foster operated under a number of different business names, including Models Inc, North West Model Management, Model Instincts and UK Model Management, Liverpool Echo previously reported.
The investigation traced substantial sums to Foster, who lived in luxury abroad and purchased high-end watches and cars with the proceeds of the fraud.
Meanwhile his victims were left financially and emotionally devastated, and described feeling humiliated and betrayed.
Some experienced lasting distress that affected their confidence, wellbeing and their ability to trust others.
Foster, currently living in Marbella, Spain, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years for conspiracies to defraud.
Michael Foster, 27, of Liverpool, was handed three-and-a-half years for conspiracy to defraud, while Paul Evans, 39, of no known address, was given the same term for offences related to money laundering.
Jamie Peters, 52, of Warrington, was sentenced to 24 months, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to defraud, while Lisa Foster, 42, of Astley, was given 18 months, suspended for 12 months, for the same charge.
Emily Newall, 29, of Kearsley, Greater Manchester, was sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 12 months, while Atif Qadar, 44, of Crowthorne, was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 12 months. Both were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud.
Emily Newall, 29, of Kearsley, Greater Manchester and Atif Qadar, 44, of Crowthorne were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud
Paul Fleury, 57, of Swinton, Manchester was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud while Aslihan Foster, 39, of Coventry, was convicted of money launderin
Paul Fleury, 57, of Swinton, Manchester, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 12 months, also for conspiracy to defraud.
Finally Aslihan Foster, 39, of Coventry, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 12 months, for an offence related to money laundering.
Today’s sentencing follows more than six years of investigative work by the NTS eCrime Team, hosted by North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council.
Investigators undertook a forensic analysis of financial transactions, as well as compiling thousands of consumer complaints and witness testimony from victims.
The team was supported by the NTS South West Regional Investigations Team, hosted by Bristol City Council.
Lord Bichard, Chair of the National Trading Standards, said: ‘Foster’s cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures
‘Today’s sentences are an important reminder to would-be criminals that Trading Standards officers across the country are determined to clamp down on fraud, protecting victims and bringing criminals to justice.’
Cllr Greg White of North Yorkshire Council said: ‘Foster and his fellow scammers cruelly exploited young hopefuls trying to break in to 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 pre-requisite to getting work.’
Cllr Jenny Kent of York Council said: ‘Today’s sentencing follows years of highly effective trading standards investigative work.
‘Mr Foster and his associates made millions by exploiting the hopes of young people, leaving a trail of broken dreams and financial hardship.
‘I urge everyone to question any modelling contract which demands money up front, and hope that the young people and families affected can now move on to a brighter future, whichever path they choose.’
