Victim Location 91105
Total money lost $90
Type of a scam Online Purchase
Nico posted in the Occidental College Class of 2019 group on Facebook advertising his graduation photography services. I messaged him on Facebook, and we then spoke on the phone to schedule a photography session. I signed a digital contract and sent him a deposit on Google Pay ($90, a 50% retainer). We were in contact by text fairly regularly until the shoot on April 21. He was late to the shoot, but he was friendly and professional throughout. At the end of the session, he told me he’d have the photos edited and sent to me within one to two weeks. He also posted a Boomerang on his Instagram story of my friend and me to advertise his grad photo services (without our consent). After two weeks had passed, I texted him to ask for an update. I didn’t receive a response, so I texted him again — and it appeared that I had been blocked. I messaged him on Facebook and, again, received no response. Finally, I sent him a Facebook message threatening to report him and file a dispute with my bank to get my money back. He responded and told me he’d get my photos to me in a couple of days. I never received my photos or heard from him again, despite repeatedly reaching out via Facebook and email. I see that he’s still working with models and posting on Instagram (@heynico), so I want to make sure that he doesn’t defraud anyone else.