Introduction

Self-publishing is increasingly becoming a breeding ground for scams, with fraudulent individuals and companies preying on authors by stealing their money and intellectual property. My own experience as an author illustrates just how easily one can fall victim to these schemes.

The Betrayal of Trust

Shortly after my husband died two years ago, I attempted to publish SAGA ONE, Story of Terrorism, in TREE OF KNOWLEDGE. Unfortunately, Mr. Lopez, the publisher I engaged, not only stole the money but also made off with the four volumes I sent him. Subsequent research revealed that Lopez was operating out of Turkey, and he proceeded to put my stolen work up for sale on the Internet.

Another Encounter with Fraud

Two years after this incident, Mark Haller contacted me, claiming to be impressed by my work and seeing great potential for a book series and even a movie adaptation. He praised my approach to writing about the Faith, particularly the way I shed light on the environment in which John the Baptist and Jesus ministered. Mark asserted that my writing had deepened his understanding of their teachings, thanks to the multi-layered messages embedded in my text.

Following this, I received encouraging news from Mark—he had identified a film company for production and offered to act as my agent. Contracts from Writers Crown, Anthony Guilianti (an award-winning scriptwriter), and Voyager TV soon arrived. I was assured ownership of the script, with the only requirement being payment for the work. Mark was to receive a 15% commission on the film contract. I diligently researched all the associated names and found nothing suspicious. The contracts appeared professionally written, and nothing seemed out of place.

Lessons Learned

With my background in Police Science, Criminal Justice, and a Master of Theological Studies, I believed I was adept at reading people and situations. As a spiritual director, I have helped many individuals navigate personal crises, which gave me confidence in my judgment. However, after making the script payment, Mark disappeared without a trace.

This time, I reported the incident to the local police, initiating a fraud case. My motivation was not solely financial; as a senior citizen whose husband died, leaving behind significant debt, I have survived by selling everything possible. The sense of community and familiarity has been a source of strength, and I am determined to hold onto it.

Emotional Toll and Advocacy

Despite financial hardship, my primary concern was not recovering the lost money but addressing the harm done to authors who seek to share their stories. The theft of intellectual property is not just a financial crime—it is a violation of one’s very self. No one has the right to steal another person’s ideas and creative work.

After reaching out to various authorities, including the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the National Elder Fraud Hotline, I realized that the real issue is the vulnerability of authors in the self-publishing world. It is not only about stolen money but also about the loss of intellectual property, which represents a theft of identity and creativity.

Challenges to Justice

Authors face significant obstacles in seeking justice. Copyrights offer protection primarily within the United States, and ISBNs are controlled by publishing houses rather than the authors themselves. The Library of Congress merely houses titles, and while the Supreme Court upholds intellectual property rights, most authors struggle to find legal representation due to the complexity and financial impracticality of such cases.

Moreover, many scammers operate from non-extradition countries, such as the Philippines, making them difficult to trace and prosecute. These individuals obtain contact information from the Internet, use fake names and addresses, and remain beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement.

Seeking Solidarity and Solutions

After speaking with Andrew Hutcheson, founder of Voyager TV, I learned that fake contracts had also misled other authors. Andrew’s company only produces documentaries and did not know of these purported movie deals. He encouraged me to reach out to other victims and consider a class-action lawsuit, but the untraceable nature of the scammers poses a significant barrier.

The question remains: where is the enforcement needed to pursue, prosecute, and imprison these criminals? Is the work of self-publishing authors not necessary enough, important enough to protect?

A Call to Action

History teaches us the power of collective action, as seen in the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements. Self-publishing authors must unite, for change and protection will not come from government agencies, banks, or elected officials alone. Authors must advocate for stronger laws and better safeguards for their intellectual property.

Steps for Authors When Scammed

1. Contact the Police: Reach out to your local non-emergency police department and ask for the Department Responsible for Fraud Investigations. Provide the scammer’s name, transaction dates, phone numbers, email addresses, bank payment proof, and any other relevant information that may assist in locating the perpetrator and recovering your manuscript or book.
2. Be Aware of Non-Extradition Countries: Scammers operating from countries like the Philippines exploit untraceable phone numbers, fake names, and addresses. They operate freely, believing themselves to be beyond reach.
3. Avoid PayPal Payments: Do not send payments through PayPal. First, because its logo is easily duplicated and your money ends up in the hands of scammers. Second, if it is fraud, PayPal sends you a notice stating that they only transfer funds; you must contact the merchant. Good luck in finding the scammer who used PayPal for protection.
4. Watch for Known Scammers: Be wary of individuals such as Mark Haller, Kyla Garcia, Mickey Alvarez, and T. Rome (all from Writers Crown); Emily Carter (from Gatekeeper Press); Devon Kale; and Monica Ruiz. These names are less than 1% of scammers operating freely in our country.
5. Report Financial Fraud: If you are a victim, contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
6. National Elder Fraud Hotline: If you are 60 or older and have experienced financial fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

Some of the information presented here was provided by Andrew Hutcheson, founder and owner of Voyager TV, with whom I mistakenly believed I had a contract to produce a movie based on my book, TREE OF KNOWLEDGE, Saga One, STORY OF TERRORISM.