On 1/16/2014, Anand Amin, age 24, of Catherine Street, Rocky Hill, CT. was arrested by Fairfield Police Detectives for Larceny in the First Degree by Extortion and Criminal Attempt to Commit Larceny in the First Degree. The arrest was the culmination of a 5 month investigation by Detectives Rilling and Caruso into a fake modeling agency scheme devised by Amin.

As part of the scheme, Amin would pose online as a female talent scout for the fictitious “Gucci Top Modeling” company. Applicants were promised large sums of money for modeling work, however, as part of the application process, they were required to submit their biographical information, pay a fee and submit nude and/or semi nude photos of themselves. Numerous applicants who did so were then coerced into paying additional sums of money, and/or perform sexual acts with Amin to prevent the public release of the photos. His taunts included threats to forward the photos/videos to friends, parents, university officials and law enforcement.

There was no legitimate modeling aspect to this scheme. Victims never received modeling work, nor was the money they deposited with Amin ever refunded.    

Detective Rilling first learned of the scheme when he was contacted by a victim, a former Sacred Heart University student. The initial information ultimately lead to the execution of search warrants at Amin’s Rocky Hill home which not only corroborated the victim’s account, but lead to the identification of additional victims.  

Amin was held in lieu of $100,000 bond and is due to appear in court on 1/30/14.

Victims of the scheme who have not already been contacted by detectives are encouraged to contact the Detective Bureau at 203-254-4840.