HONG KONG: Hong Kong model-actress Lynn Hung's modelling agency Style International Management fell victim to hackers, who then tried to scam aspiring models into sending them photos of themselves in the nude or in lingerie, reported Hong Kong media.
"Our preliminary findings are that hackers have broken into an e-mail account for the (Style Model Hunt 2011@Harbour City) modelling contest and retrieved messages that contained the details of the contestants.
"They then opened a fake e-mail account (stylemodellhunt2011@gmail.com) adding an 'L' to the legitimate e-mail address," said agency director Kim Chou in a press conference on Tuesday.
She explained that the hackers went on to pose as agency staff and solicited photographs from contestants, requesting for photos of themselves in the nude or in lingerie.
Chou revealed that the company found out about the incident after two contestants who failed to qualify for the modelling contest, called on Tuesday to verify if the company required such photos of them.
"These two girls expressed that they received e-mails from the organisers of the modelling contest at about 10pm the night before (Monday night), asking them for salacious photos.
"One of them got 'half-duped' and e-mailed a photo of her [torso] clad in lingerie, but did not show her face," said Chou, adding that the hackers even attached earlier correspondences with the girls to their e-mails, in order to make the request look more authentic.
"I am worried there are other contestants who have received the e-mail so I am keeping a close eye on things."
The modelling agency has since made a police report.
During a press conference, Chou also advised young girls who wanted a career in modelling to first gain a better understanding of the industry and set a limit regarding what they would and would not do.
She said that aspiring models can choose to immediately reject unreasonable demands, and have the right to request not to wear lingerie or swimsuits during modelling auditions.
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