LITERARY LIARS: Not even my crime exposé book shielded me from these scamsters
Your book is published. It sees a flurry of international interest – except the interest is from scammers pretending to be literary agents, joining the multitude of other online cons harnessing the power of AI. Take it from me, not even books exposing organised crime deter these cybercrooks.
Not even my crime exposé book, "The Untouchables: Drug Lords, Dirty Cops, and South Africa's Darkest Secrets," published on August 17, 2026, protected me from scams targeting authors, especially those fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). While my previous four books did not face the same issue, scammers began contacting me shortly after the release of my latest work. This surge in online cons exploiting AI makes it crucial for writers to be vigilant.
Scammers often impersonate legitimate publishers or agents, using email addresses with minor discrepancies to trick authors into believing they're genuine. They offer seemingly legitimate services, requesting payment or personal details, a tactic reminiscent of phishing attempts. I, too, have been targeted multiple times, beginning shortly after my book's publication.
To spot these scammers, double-check the legitimacy of the contact by conducting an online search to see if any red flags appear. Be wary of unsolicited approaches, especially if the language seems overly polished or AI-generated. Pay attention to email addresses, as scammers may use addresses that mimic legitimate ones with slight alterations.
When in doubt, report suspicious emails as spam or phishing. If you've fallen victim to a scam, inform your bank and report the incident to the police. While I didn't face a request for payment, I did receive multiple AI-style offers to promote my book, which raised my suspicions. On September 7, I received two particularly red flag emails, both sent from Gmail and Yahoo addresses, both displaying the hallmarks of AI-generated content.
The rise of AI in scamming tactics is a cause for concern among authors and literary platforms worldwide. Cheryl Davis, general counsel for The Authors Guild, highlighted how generative AI has supercharged traditional scams, enabling fraudsters to create realistic materials at a larger scale and faster rate. These scams often involve book club and review offers, as well as impersonation schemes aiming to steer writers into paid editing or marketing arrangements.
The communications from scammers now appear more believable, laden with praise for the authors' work.
Despite these threats, vigilance and caution can help protect authors from falling victim to such scams. By staying informed and being cautious of unsolicited offers, writers can navigate the complex world of publishing and avoid becoming victims of these cybercrooks.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
