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Beware of the New Voiceover Scam Targeting the Community

Writer's picture: Red Cat StudiosRed Cat Studios

Voice Actors and artists in general! Be aware of this new scam scheme!
Voice Actors and artists in general! Be aware of this new scam scheme!

The voiceover community is currently facing a sophisticated scam that has been making rounds, targeting unsuspecting voice actors. This scam involves a series of deceptive tactics designed to exploit the trust and eagerness of voice actors to secure high-paying jobs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how this scam operates and how you can protect yourself.


The Initial Contact

The scam begins with an email that appears to come from a well-known voiceover marketplace, such as "Direct Voices." The email invites recipients to audition for a lucrative voiceover job—an audiobook of 100 pages in English, which translates to about 4 hours of work, paid at a top rate. The email requests that all communication be conducted via WhatsApp or Telegram, which is the first sign of something amiss, as legitimate job offers typically do not require such informal communication channels.


The Audition Process

Interested voice actors are asked to record the first page of the audiobook as a free demo. The scammer will likely "hire" as many talents as possible and send them a Contract Agreement to fill in. The contract will bear the name and logo of a reputed global translation company, such as "Transperfect," on the first page. However, inside, the "Client" is listed as "GLOBAL TRANSLATION COMPANY," a very generic name with no physical address or contact information—this is the first red flag.


The Tight Deadline

The deadline for the project is set to be very tight, but given the high pay, many voice actors might be willing to put in the extra effort. Once the audio is ready, the person on WhatsApp will pressure the talent to deliver quickly, promising to refer them to the "Payment Manager" upon completion.


The Payment Process

At this point, most voice actors will start to think about securing payment for their hard work. They might ask for a physical address to raise their invoice and an email address to send it to. The scammer will claim that the company’s new payment system does not require all the paperwork, which is the second red flag. The scammer will insist that the process has been simplified to get people paid faster.


The Watermark Issue

Smarter talents will send their audio with a watermark. The scammer on WhatsApp will assure them that their "professional sound engineers" can remove the watermark—this is the third red flag. By now, anyone should start doubting the legitimacy of this "client."


The Payment Manager

Despite the doubts, the scammer on WhatsApp will provide a link to the "Payment Manager" on Telegram. The "Payment Manager" will then give them a link to register on the payment platform to get paid. The link opens to what appears to be an online banking website, such as "https://trustpathunion.com"


The Registration Form

The registration form will ask for a lot of sensitive information, such as full name, date of birth, full address, and bank account number where the voice actor wants to receive their money. To top it off, to have your account validated, you need to "purchase" a "membership card" which costs $100. The scammer will claim that this amount cannot be deducted from the $9,000 they owe you, but the voice actor needs to pay it upfront from their real bank account. If by now the talent still hasn't realised who they are dealing with, they will fall into the trap for good, they will pay the $100 to the fraudsters and they - with all the sensitive information provided in the Registration Form - will be able to quietly empty the victim's real bank account of whatever was left there... If that account is hosted by a reputed bank, there are still a few chances their Security Department would halt this transaction in time and hold it until they checked with the account holder if they really agreed on it.


Conclusion and Advice

This scam is highly sophisticated and preys on the eagerness of voice actors to secure high-paying jobs. Here are some key points to remember to protect yourself:


  • Be Skeptical of Informal Communication: Legitimate job offers will not ask you to communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram.

  • Verify the Client: Always verify the identity of the client and the company. Check their physical address and contact information.

  • Avoid Upfront Payments: Never pay any fees upfront for a job. Legitimate employers will not ask for money from their employees.

  • Protect Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing sensitive information online. Ensure the website is secure and legitimate before providing any details.

  • Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore red flags.


    Stay vigilant and spread the word within the voiceover community to help others avoid falling victim to this scam!

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