Fake model scout arrested for sex abuse, child porn, fraud

Last week the police arrested an 18-year-old man from the Rotterdam region who is suspected of posing as a scout for a modeling agency and convincing underage girls to send him nude pictures. He was arrested on suspicion of fraud, inciting sexual abuse, and collecting child pornography. So far four victims and the modeling agency filed declarations against him, the police said in a statement on Tuesday.

The police started investigating this case after receiving a report from a girl in the Rotterdam area in September. So far three other victims also came forward, all from the Rotterdam region.

The suspect approached underage girls through social media. He told them he was a model scout and sent them a registration form. They had to send him photos for their portfolio, first dressed but ultimately also nude photos, according to the police. When the victims got suspicious and wanted to stop, the suspect threatened to put the nude photos online. In one case he actually did so.

The suspect was arraigned and remanded into custody for 14 days. According to the police, the young man was previously suspected of similar crimes.