Cebu BPO executives, U.S. associate arrested in alleged $44Mn publishing scam
SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES — U.S. authorities recently arrested three individuals, including two executives from a Cebu-based business process outsourcing (BPO) company, for allegedly defrauding elderly authors in a $44 million book publishing scam.
The scheme, which ran from 2017 to 2024, targeted over 800 victims across the United States, promising to turn their books into Hollywood films or television series in exchange for upfront fees.
Michael Cris Traya Sordilla, 32, founder and CEO of Innocentrix Philippines, and Bryan Navales Tarosa, 34, vice president of operations, were apprehended in San Diego on December 9, 2024.
Their U.S.-based associate, Gemma Traya Austin, 58, identified as the organizer of PageTurner Press and Media LLC, was arrested in Chula Vista on December 12.
How the $44Mn book publishing scam operated
According to the indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, Innocentrix employees contacted aspiring authors through unsolicited calls and emails.
They falsely claimed that PageTurner had connections with major publishers, film studios, and streaming platforms. Victims were led to believe their books were being considered for adaptation but were required to pay fees for services such as taxes and transaction costs.
The defendants allegedly used PageTurner as a front to collect these payments while offering no real publishing or production services. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has since seized the PageTurner website as part of its investigation.
FBI identifies hundreds of victims nationwide
The FBI has identified more than 800 victims who collectively lost over $44 million to the fraudulent scheme. Many victims were elderly individuals who had invested their savings in hopes of seeing their literary works come to life on screen.
“What started with the promise of a Hollywood dream turned into a devastating nightmare for victims,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. She urged authors to “stay vigilant, do their research, and think twice before giving money to anyone promising a blockbuster deal.”
Charges and penalties for the defendants
The defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as well as money laundering conspiracy.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Additionally, fines could reach $500,000 or twice the amount laundered under U.S. federal law.
Authorities urge vigilance against similar schemes
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are continuing their investigation and have urged potential victims to come forward. Resources are available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline for those aged 60 or older who may have been defrauded.
Outsource Accelerator has reached out to Innocentrix Philippines for comment but has not received a response as of this writing. We will update this article once we get a statement.
