Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted three individuals in connection with a scheme that defrauded elderly authors across the United States of nearly $44 million. The defendants allegedly convinced victims that their books were being considered for major film adaptations, but required upfront fees.
Gemma Traya Austin from Chula Vista is accused of organizing the scam through PageTurner, Press and Media LLC, purportedly a book publishing company. Michael Cris Traya Sordilla and Bryan Navales Tarosa, both from the Philippines, are charged as executives at Innocentrix Philippines, which assisted in executing the fraudulent activities.
The indictment outlines how between September 2017 and December 2024, conspirators contacted authors via unsolicited communications. They falsely claimed that PageTurner was affiliated with prominent literary agents and studios, promising publication or adaptation opportunities in exchange for payments covering various fees.
Prosecutors revealed that over 800 victims collectively lost more than $44 million due to this scam. Arrests were made 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 as well as money laundering conspiracy. The FBI has also seized the website pageturner.us.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated: “What started with the promise of a Hollywood dream turned into a devastating nightmare for victims.” She urged caution among authors when approached with such offers.
FBI San Diego Special Agent Stacey Moy commented on the impact of fraud schemes: “Fraud remains one of the most devastating violations... We will continue our efforts to disrupt fraud schemes.”
Matt Shields from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized their commitment to combating foreign-based fraud targeting older Americans: “We will continue to work side by side with our law enforcement partners.”
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Those who believe they are victims can contact authorities via provided channels.
Charges against defendants are accusations until proven guilty.
