HAMPSHIRE police are warning about a swathe of scam adverts targeting youngsters with false promises of a career in modelling.

Fraudsters are targeting aspiring models though social media, before tricking them into sending money for a test shoot.

Once the money is paid, the scammers either never respond again or demand they pay for a 'portfolio package' or threaten to end the modelling process.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) say it receives an average of 28 reports a month of this kind since September 2015.

And in August, aspiring models paid over £71,000 to these types of scams.

According to NFIB officers, the adverts are appearing on Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, as well as job browsing websites.

Once people show interest in the job, the fraudsters contact potential victims on the false promise of a modelling career and subsequently advise the victims to come in for a test shoot.

Fraudsters can pressurise the victims in sending an upfront fee to book a slot for the test shoot.

Once they have received the upfront fee, the victim will never hear from the fraudsters again.

Another possible method is that fraudsters will take the advance fee that the victim sends for a photo shoot and arrange a photo shoot with the victim.

After the photo shoot, the fraudsters will contact the victim after a few days and convince them that their shoot was successful and offer them a job as a model.

The victim will then be asked to sign a contract and pay another upfront fee, usually to secure the modelling contract.

According to NFIB, fraudsters are also creating fake adverts for supposed modelling opportunities for children.

Fraudsters will inform parents or guardians that a potential career in modelling awaits their child, in an attempt to convince the parent or guardian to sign up their child and send an advance fee.

The suspects will also convince the victim that in order to become a model, they will need to have a portfolio.

Fraudsters will recommend a number of packages and stress that if a package is not paid for in advance, the process of becoming a model cannot continue.

Hampshire Constabulary has now offered advice to parents and aspiring models.

It urges people to carry out their own research prior to paying any type of advance or upfront fee and be wary if you are asked to pay for a portfolio, as many legitimate agencies will cover that cost.

Police have advised people not to give bank account details or sensitive information to anyone without carrying out your own research on the relevant agency.

Anyone who has been involved in this type of incident should contact Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.