American authorities arrested Michael Cris Traya Sordilla, the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Innocentrix Philippines, and Bryan Navales Tarosa, the vice president of operations, in San Diego, California, on December 9, 2024.
(Image from Facebook Page FBI Jobs)
Their accomplice, Gemma Traya Austin, 58 years old, an organizer and agent for PageTurner, Press and Media LLC, was arrested in Chula Vista, California, on December 12, 2024.
Sordilla, 32 years old, and Tarosa, 34 years old, are also behind the Hiyas ng Pilipinas beauty pageant in the Philippines, where Sordilla is the CEO and chairman of the beauty contest, and Tarosa is the communications director.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), over 800 elderly authors fell victim to their scam.
The suspects reportedly deceived their victims by pretending to know literary agents, major film studios, and streaming services, promising that the works of the elderly writers would be adapted into films or television series.
They allegedly asked for money from the elderly authors to facilitate the sale of their books to Hollywood producers.
The scam took place from September 2017 to December 2024, where the authors were reportedly contacted by Innocentrix Philippines through PageTurner.
According to Tara McGrath, US attorney for the Southern District of California, "What started with the promise of a Hollywood dream turned into a devastating nightmare for victims. Authors should stay vigilant, do their research, and think twice before giving money to anyone promising a blockbuster deal. If you or anyone you know has been targeted in a similar scheme, please report it to the FBI immediately."
The two Filipinos and one American are now accused of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.
If found guilty, the three could face 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the scam, and up to $500,000 or double the amount of money used in the money laundering case.
