A federal grand jury has indicted three individuals for allegedly defrauding elderly authors across the United States of nearly $44 million. The accused reportedly convinced victims that publishers and filmmakers were interested in turning their books into major productions, but only if certain fees were paid upfront.
Gemma Traya Austin from Chula Vista is identified as the organizer and registered agent for PageTurner, Press and Media LLC, a company purported to be involved in book publishing. Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa from the Philippines served as executives at Innocentrix Philippines, a business process outsourcing firm.
The indictment claims that between September 2017 and December 2024, PageTurner operated a scam by contacting authors through unsolicited communications. The conspirators allegedly misrepresented PageTurner as collaborating with literary agents and film studios, persuading victims to pay for services such as pre-payment of taxes before their works could be published or optioned.
Prosecutors revealed that the FBI identified over 800 victims who collectively lost more than $44 million due to this scheme. Arrests took place in December 2024: Sordilla and Tarosa in San Diego on December 9th, and Austin in Chula Vista on December 12th. All three face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud along with money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, the FBI seized the website pageturner.us.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath warned potential victims stating, "Authors should stay vigilant, do their research, and think twice before giving money to anyone promising a blockbuster deal." Stacey Moy from the FBI emphasized that fraud undermines industry integrity while exploiting professionals' finances.
Matt Shields from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service highlighted ongoing efforts against foreign-based schemes targeting older Americans: "We will continue to work side by side with our law enforcement partners."
The case is under investigation by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Victims are encouraged to report incidents via AuthorFraud@fbi.gov or other designated channels.
Charges include conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1349 with maximum penalties of twenty years imprisonment plus fines up to $250,000; also included is conspiracy to launder monetary instruments under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1956(h) carrying similar prison terms alongside fines potentially reaching $500,000 or double any laundered amount.