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Official Fraud and Scam Warning: Industry Target Targeting Creators

Posted by Kim Welch Thu at 5:44 PM

Filed in Announcements 7 views

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST ADVANCED FINANCIAL SCAM OPERATIONS
Criminal networks are actively targeting filmmakers, directors, writers, and digital creators through sophisticated deception tactics. These fraudsters exploit the collaborative nature of the entertainment industry by posing as producers, production companies, talent scouts, or private investors offering lucrative project funding, distribution deals, or employment.
You are hereby urged to exercise extreme caution and conduct rigorous due diligence before engaging in any financial or contractual transactions. To safeguard your intellectual property, finances, and legal liability, strictly adhere to the following directives:
  • NEVER pitch, share, or submit scripts, treatments, or series bibles without a fully verified submission agreement or a confirmed, legitimate industry contact. Fraudsters frequently use fake pitch requests and artificial talent searches to steal intellectual property, plagiarize creative concepts, or resell stolen scripts under different names.
  • NEVER sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or option agreements without independently verifying the corporate identity of the issuing party. Fraudsters use restrictive NDAs to silence victims, prevent them from seeking external legal advice, and legally isolate them before executing an IP or financial scam.
  • NEVER accept, deposit, or negotiate checks, wire transfers, or upfront production funds from any individual or entity whose identity has not been thoroughly vetted and authenticated through verified, official entertainment channels.
  • NEVER rely on contact information provided within unsolicited pitch requests, casting calls, or unverified hiring documents. Always independently verify corporate entities via official government registries or established industry databases.
Failure to verify the authenticity of a counterparty before signing legal documents, handing over scripts, or processing financial instruments can result in the total theft of your intellectual property, severe financial loss, and potential civil or criminal legal liability.

Critical Disclaimer
This statement is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute formal legal advice. Organizations or creators using this text should have it reviewed by their own legal counsel to ensure it aligns with specific jurisdictional requirements and organizational policies.
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