CLEVELAND -- In the star-crazed days of high-profile talent searches, more people have stars in their eyes and more schemers are seeing dollar signs in theirs.

Live On Five Investigator Jodi Brooks reported on what makes people willing victims now more than ever.

Modeling agencies take people's pictures, take people's money and all too often leave behind broken promises.

"I couldn't believe that I let myself be duped like that," said Joe Ayers, a modeling agency victim.

Ayers has a small stack of slides that cost him $1,000. The pictures are all that's left after signing up for a modeling agency that shut down.

"I was mad," he said.

For Judy Van Der Linden, the dream of fame began with a newspaper ad for hair models.

"It was $600 to have the photo shoot," she said.

Now she has slides, but not one modeling job.

Once again, the agency shut its doors, but not before taking Van Der Linden's cash.

Victims of modeling scams are filling up files at Better Business Bureaus nationwide. In fact, inquires jumped 130 percent last year.

In 2000, consumers filed 425 modeling scam complaints with the BBB.

By 2002, that number doubled, and that just includes complaints filed online.

"(The No. 1 complaint is that) they didn't get any work, even though they were promised there would be work," said Ron Berry, of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Why are there so many willing victims?

Experts believe it has something to do with reality television shows.

Sociologist Judith Blau also believes tough economic times feed the need to be "rich and famous."

"People feel their jobs are quite insecure," she said. "So, it's this insecurity that needs an outlet."

The Better Business Bureau is issuing an alert, cautioning modeling wannabes to ask for references.

"Ask them for the names and number of clients of theirs," Berry said. "I'm talking about advertisers who use their models."

The Federal Trade Commission's Phyllis Marcus said there are red flags.

People should watch out if a talent scout approaches them in a public place like a shopping mall or if a modeling agency steers them to "their" photographer.

"It could be in that instance that the agency has a referral relationship with the photographer and is receiving kickbacks from that photographer," Marcus said.

Also, no agency should ever guarantee work.

Those lured by scams said they wish they would have been warned before going too far to be a star.

A couple of calls can save people money before signing on with a modeling agency.

The first should be to the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints on file against the company in question.

A person should also check with the Ohio attorney general's office.

The BBB said that fewer than half of the victims who are ripped off get their money back.