I got ripped off! Please help?

I'm 17and I really want to be a model so I particapated in this mall fashion show and after it this lady came up to me and asked me if I was willing to talk to her about signing a contract since this is what I want to do I said yes. Anyway, I had been talking to this woman for a couple of weeks about my contract and she said I had to come up with $500 for photos for my portfolio and that i would get the money back when I made a profit from modeling. I emptied out my savings plus borrowed money from my boyfriend to do the pictures. And she told me to meet this photographer at this studio somewhere downtown so I can get them done but when I went there they acted like they didn't know what I was talking about and didn't even know who the woman was! I tried calling her but I always get her voice mail and I also tried looking the agency up on the web but it's unheard of! Is there a way I can get my money back or at least press charges with out my parents knowing? what I did?

You need to definately go to the police. I also think your parents should know what's going on. This definately was a con and she took advantage of you because you are young. Please go to the police and report this, don't let her get away with it. I'm not sure if you'll ever get your money back.

I don't think there is any way to get your money back. Never pay to have pictures taken; they should pay you.