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Robert Latte of REM Studios recruited us in October of 2008 and signed a contract with us to get us prepared and signed up for the IMTA convention, in New York. He was supposed to be there as well to represent us as our director. While contestants/students had paid him thousands of dollars in advance to participate in this weeklong convention, he did not show up at all, had not made any reservations nor paid a dime for our hotel, which was part of the contract we signed, nor did he pay for the IMTA convention, also included in our contract. He was unreachable, and there was no explanation provided for his absence or delinquency in payments to the third parties mentioned. If it was not for the kindness of the Hilton Hotel and IMTA staff, we would have had to return home, without anything.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I was also a victim of this awful scam. If anyone knows about whereabouts of the case and situation where Robert Owczarek (a.k.a Mr. Latte) is in court please let me know so I can testify and get what he deserves! He ruined a lot for me, and gives a bad name for Polish people. He even isn't a US Citizen! Please give me an email contact at czarnywilk23@interia.pl Thank you.
I went and fell for REM scam. My mom and dad spent a thousand dollars on me and they told me to shove cotton balls down my throat and they told me that I was never going to be good enough. I was just a check to cash from them.
I worked for REM studios & for Mr. Latte for approximately 2 1/2 months. I was hired to help with IMTA since I was an IMTA instructor in my hometown for another independent agency. When working for Mr. Latte & Mr. Daily they seemed to not only be completely uninterested in modeling and acting, but to really have no experience. Or connections or staff to have any experience either. Being a model myself & remembering the "rip-off" agencies, I definitely recognized what I was walking into.
My attempts to try and make REM a more honest, reputable company were immediately shot down so I quit because I did not want my name or reputation associated with such a horrible business. And after going to the agency 5 times to pick up my check, numerous phone calls and e-mails, I still never received a cent.
REM studios is what gives most independent agencies a bad name and discourages many people from pursuing their dreams.
I feel completely horrible because I didn't report them to IMTA when I knew I should have and reading this only makes me fell full of regret. I've been to IMTA 4 times & have competed myself and it is an amazing experience. IMTA is reputable and honest.
I am so sorry for everyone who has been a victim of Mr. Latte's selfishness and lack of integrity. He is a horrible man whose bad karma will catch up with him soon. I now promise to call Nina and the central office of IMTA to make sure Robert Latte & Mr. Daily will never step foot there again.
JR Models & Talent is NOT apart of teh IMTA or REM Studios however JR Models & Talent of Chicago would like to offer a hand to REM Studios Models & Talent that attended the last IMTA NYC-09 in there follow up's with the agents / Managers that they saw over there week at the IMTA NYC. If you or someone you know attended the REM Studios IMTA fill free to pass my FACEBOOK over to them.
or E-Mail JR.Models.Talent @gmail.com
08/06/2009
My 12-year-old daughter was presented with the same "one life-time unique opportunity" to go to NY for the IMTA convension by Mr. Robert. In fact, we've been contacted on multiple occasions and were even offered one of the three available "scolarships" toward the trip when "one parent goes for free".
Apparently, we were lucky we declined. But it did not stop there. My daughter was offered to take some additional classes for a one-time fee of $995. The contract included the clause that my kid would automatically be included in the "Chicago's Top Models Company".
After the class completion, however, we found out our credit card was double-charged on two consecutive months. When we approached Mr. Latte stated "it was an honest mistake but it would take him a few days to refund our thousand dollars back on our credit card".
It sounded quite strange because it took him a few seconds to charge the credit card. I'm pretty sure it takes as much time to do a reverse transaction. We did, however, give him a benefit of the doubt.
It all took place longer than two months ago and we still don't have our money back. We tried to contact him via phone and e-mails on multiple occasions but they all gone unanswered. What a surprise!
July 27, 2009
To Whom It May Concern,
On February 8, 2009 my daughter had an interview with REM Studios and was signed up to attend the IMTA (International Talent and Modeling Association) convention in New York City in July 2009.
The interviewers were Robert Owczarek-Latte, Derrick Daily and Kiki Wellman.
We signed a contractual agreement with REM Studios, 3511 West Belmont Ave, Chicago Il, 60618. The agreement stipulated 5 months of bi-monthly training sessions and preparatory work in both modeling and acting. The culmination of this contract was a week at the IMTA convention in New York City, 5 competition classes, photography, hotel room for the week, roundtrip airfare, transportation to the hotel and baggage handling. Additional classes could be added at an additional fee.
The monies were required to be paid in advance. All fees were payable to REM Studios.
Monies were accepted in cash, check or credit card.
Training was substandard. Many sessions were cancelled after arrival time. Instructors were substituted last minute or were absent altogether.
Robert Owczarek-Latte, director, was to register at the conference 24 hours in advance of the group and arrange all of the registration, room assignments, transportation and incidentals.
Three days prior to departure Mr. Latte stopped answering his email, cell phone and office phone.
Mr. Latte did not arrive at the conference. No monies were paid to the IMTA on behalf of any of the REM Studios participants. Crucial registration materials, photography discs, music sound tracks, and competition data were not sent to the IMTA as stipulated in the contract.
The group had to arrange their own transportation from La Guardia Airport to the hotel. This group included 2 minors traveling alone that Mr. Latte agreed to supervise.
Mr. Daily was contacted and he stated that he would fly out immediately to represent our group at the conference. Mr. Daily then stopped answering his cell phone, office phone and email. Mr. Daily did not arrive at the conference.
Each participant’s fee was $5, 295 and each parent/ guest fee was $ 2, 995.
Currently no one associated with the group is aware of the whereabouts of Robert Owczarek-Latte or Derrick Daily. No contact with Kiki Wellman took place after the initial interview.
This letter has been filed with the Chicago Police, the Illinois Attorney General's office, the Cook County States Attorney's office and the Chicago Better Business Bureau