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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Entertainment
Kelly Burke

Lost in the plot: how would-be authors were fooled by AI staff and virtual offices in suspected global publishing scam

Screenshot of since removed AI images that appeared on Melbourne Book Publisher website
Screenshot of since removed AI images that appeared on the Melbourne Book Publisher website Photograph: Screenshot

An aspiring Australian writer met an apparent scammer face-to-face before realising she may have become a victim of a suspicious international publishing venture.

Australia’s National Anti-Scam Centre is now investigating the case of a website luring people seeking a foothold in the increasingly crowded space of vanity and self-publishing. The Guardian has uncovered similar suspicious websites operating in the UK and New Zealand, as well as two others operating within Australia.

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