‘Disgusted’ Singapore TikTokker exposes sexual photo shoot recruitment scheme

The man said he was scouting for models for a paid project, described as a “clothed” indoor photo shoot with a “unique concept”. In return for taking part, she would be paid S$8,000 (US$5,900).

Wondering if it was too good to be true, Lai said that she asked the man for more details to ascertain if he was a legitimate photographer.

The man responded that the model would have to be dressed in a crop top and a tennis skirt and that the shoot would involve 50 other men performing a sexual act.

He then said that the remuneration would be raised to S$12,000 (US$8,900). Lai said in the video that she did not take up the offer.

“I’m just raising awareness on this. If you ever receive an email, be it named Gavin Choo or whoever else, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” she said. “I would do anything for money, just not this.”

The video had amassed more than 174,000 views and over 250 comments as of Monday.

In the comments section, TikTok users expressed shock at the nature of the man’s offer, with some asking Lai to report the man to the authorities.

Many who commented on the video stated that they had been propositioned by the photographer for a similar photo shoot as well, either through email or a direct message on social media.

One user wrote: “One time this photographer asked me to do a shoot in a hotel room alone but it was too sketchy [so] I turned [it] down.”

Another said: “I received this as well but the terms of the outfit and poses [were] different.”

However, several users said that offers for such “photo shoots” have been around for some time.

One comment read: “I remember this exact thing happened years ago, I can’t believe it’s being a thing again.”

Another wrote: “This was a scam when I was 18 … almost 18 years