Instagram Modeling Fraud Suspect Arrested, Cops Seek More Victims

SEAL BEACH, CA — A Long Beach area photographer claiming to work for a music record label was arrested on suspicion of defrauding a woman of money in exchange for a bogus modeling contract, Seal Beach police reported.

Ricklynn Tyler Parnell, 24, of Long Beach, California, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of identity theft, four counts of defrauding by false pretense, and seven counts of check fraud, according to police.

In early February, a young adult woman, whose name was not released by authorities, was contacted by the suspect via Instagram.

Parnell claimed to be an intern for a record label and was recruiting models for an upcoming photoshoot and music video, Seal Beach Police Dept. Sgt. Nick Nicholas reported.

He offered to pay the victim up to $175 an hour for the photo shoot, according to Nicholas. The woman, believing the offer was legitimate, agreed to meet the suspect in Seal Beach near the pier.

After taking several photographs, Parnell "sweet-talked" the victim, she told authorities, and gave her two checks written for over $1,000 each, according to Nicholas said.

"He claimed that he was paying the victim upfront for future photoshoots and instructed her to sign what she was led to believe was a business contract," Nicholas said.

At Parnell's suggestion, the young woman deposited the two checks at two different banks and obtain the maximum amount of cash from the deposits, according to police.

"Both banks gave the victim $200 in cash, which she then returned to the suspect," Nicholas said. Later, detectives asked the woman why she would give the suspect back the money she had “earned” for the photoshoot.

"The victim said that she fell for the suspect’s sweet talk and promises of future modeling work," Nicholas said.

A short time after they parted, the bank reported to the victim that the checks she had deposited were fraudulent, Nicholas said. She immediately drove to the Seal Beach Police Department to report the incident, realizing that she was a fraud victim.

Seal Beach detectives immediately began to investigate.

While the woman was at the police station, Parnell called her again, Nicholas says, asking her to meet at the pier again for a booking with an upcoming music video shoot.

"The victim agreed to meet with the suspect again," Nicholas said. Officers were not far behind.

The victim briefly met with the suspect, with officers and detectives not far away. After it became clear he was attempting to fraud her again, Parnell was quickly detained by police officers without incident, according to Nicholas.

He was later booked at the Orange County Jail and is currently in custody in Los Angeles County on unrelated charges, according to Nicholas.

Based on statements and additional evidence located in the vehicle, detectives identified several other young women whom they believe had been victimized by the suspect using similar scams.

“As a father of young women, I find it extremely unsettling that this suspect would target unsuspecting victims, promise them a modeling career, and then defraud them of their own money,” said Chief of Police Philip L. Gonshak. “There is no way of knowing how many other young women have fallen victim to this fraud, but we are hopeful that by releasing this information and the suspect’s image, other victims will come forward.”

The Seal Beach Police Department is seeking additional information about this incident.

If you have information or believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact Detective Bruno Balderrama at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1109 or bbalderrama@sealbeachca.gov.