LONDON: Cindy Crawford and her husband rande gerber have been caught up in an international extortion scandal over a controversial photo of their young daughter.

The model reportedly paid the acquaintance of a former nanny $1,000 (£625) to keep the snap of her daughter bound to a chair in revealing clothing away from the media and Internet, but when Edis Kayalar was deported to his native Germany he blamed the celebrity couple for his troubles and demanded more cash.

At that point Crawford and Gerber informed the FBI, who are now investigating the case, according to TMZ.com.

The model's representatives insist the controversial photo at the centre of the extortion plot was taken by the nanny during a game of cops and robbers, without Crawford's knowledge.

A statement released on behalf on the couple reads, "A criminal complaint was filed today in federal court in Los Angeles by the U.S. Attorney's office and the FBI stating that RandeGerber and Cindy Crawford have been the victims of an on-going extortion scheme. This crime has been committed by Edis Kayalar, an acquaintance of a former nanny employed by the family.

"Mr. Kayalar threatened to sell an image taken of the couple's then-seven-year-old daughter. There was no previous awareness by Mr.Gerber and Ms. Crawford of the existence of the photograph when they were contacted by Mr. Kayalar. The photo was taken by the former nanny as part of a purported game without the knowledge of the parents.

"The couple reported the extortion threat to the police and the FBI began a criminal investigation in the matter. Rande Gerber and Cindy Crawford intend to pursue any and all available legal action against anyone who aids the perpetrator in the distribution or sale of the photograph of their daughter."