Written by internationally known writer and sociologist Gini Graham Scott, PhD, who has become an expert on scams, The Big Con is based on her experience in unwittingly writing for one of these companies. Then, she met the victims and discovered the scam based on turning one’s book into a film.  As a successful writer of dozens of award-winning scripts and producer of 14 films, she wrote materials of interest to real film producers and agents -- such as scripts, treatments, and show bibles.  But the scammers used imposters posing as executives for real companies to get money from innocent victims, who hoped to realize their dream of turning their book into a film.

After speaking to the victims, Dr. Scott began researching scams and writing The Big Con to tell the stories of the ten victims she met and to help others know how to avoid becoming a victim of a scam.  To this end, the book features the stories of the victims and their books, which genuinely have big screen potential when presented to real producers and agents. The book also features a guide for recognizing scams of all types to avoid being victimized.  And for those who have been conned, the book describes how to possibly get back lost funds or report the scammers to law enforcement, payment platforms, better business bureaus, and the media. They may be able to help the victims and shut down these scams, once they get a number of reports about scam companies.

Some key insights you’ll gain from The Big Con:

•    How the scam snared its victims.
•    Why the scammers could convince authors to continue to believe and pay more, despite their growing suspicions.
•    How the scammers created an elaborate ruse with imposer executives and phony emails from real companies so victims would believe they could get a film deal.
•    How being scammed changed the lives of the victims.
•    What led the author to discover the scam after speaking to a victim who had trouble paying the scammers since numerous payment platforms accused them of fraudulent activity.
•    How the discovery of the scam led to uncovering other victims.
•    The development of a film The Big Con based on interviews with a half-dozen victims.
•    The many other scams targeting book authors and independent publishers.
•    The key signs that something is a fraud, hoax, or scam.
•    Strategies to use to protect yourself from all types of scammers.
•    Steps to take to seek compensation or justice if you have been scammed.
•    And more!