Scammers use AI to deceive actors starting their careers in Hollywood

Criminals have been posing as well-known Hollywood casting directors to attract actors with promises of participation in series and films.

Contact usually occurs via email or social networks, which are signed using the names of large agencies or casting companies, with invitations to test projects supposedly linked to large studios and streaming platforms.

To give credibility to the approach, scammers ask for common materials in selection processes, such as photos, resumes and audition videos. In some cases, they even analyze the recordings sent and provide comments on the candidates’ performance.

After a few steps, the victim is informed that they have been approved for a role. Fraudsters mention confidentiality agreements, future meetings with the production team and other typical entertainment industry requirements.

Then, a bureaucratic obstacle arises. The supposed recruiters claim that the actor needs to regularize his professional situation or join the actors union, SAG-AFTRA, to be able to participate in the production.

This is when criminals request payments, presented as membership, registration or document processing fees. The amounts must be transferred to private accounts or sent via digital platforms, without any connection with the institutions mentioned.
Experts classify the practice as a case of social engineering, in which the authors exploit the expectation of obtaining a professional opportunity.

The dissemination of artificial intelligence tools has increased the potential for this type of fraud. With access to programs capable of generating texts, reproducing voices and simulating professional communications, scammers are able to create more sophisticated and credible approaches.

In one case reported by the American magazine The Hollywood Reporter, an actress received an audio message that imitated the voice of a real casting director. Experts say that the wide availability of images, videos and recordings of entertainment professionals on the internet facilitates this type of forgery and tends to make impersonation scams more frequent and difficult to detect.