May 8, 2026 – SAN DIEGO, CA – Michael Cris Traya Sordilla, a 34-year-old citizen of the 
Philippines, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday, admitting that he conspired to perpetrate a book publishing scam that caused losses of over $48 million to more than 800 victims throughout the United States.
Sordilla is the first of four defendants to admit his role in a scheme that targeted authors — most of them seniors — by promising to elevate their work to major publishing deals and Hollywood film adaptations, all in exchange for millions of dollars in fraudulent fees.
According to his plea agreement, Sordilla was the founder and CEO of Innocentrix Philippines, which purported to be a “business process outsourcing” company in the Philippines. Sordilla admitted that he and his co-conspirators created and registered phony business entities in the United States, including:
- PageTurner Press and Media LLC (“PageTurner”), which was incorporated in California in September 2017 and claimed to be a book publishing business located in Chula Vista, California
- The Metro Films LLC (“Metro Films”), which was incorporated in California in April 2022 and claimed to be a motion picture and sound recording business located in Los Angeles, California
- WP Lighthouse LLC (“WP Lighthouse”) was registered in Indiana in July 2024 and claimed to be a book publishing business in Indianapolis, Indiana.
From 2017 until 2024, under the guise of these fictitious businesses, Sordilla and co-conspirators operated a fraudulent network of scammers in the Philippines to enrich themselves by selling false hopes of tremendous professional success to writers in the United States.
According to his plea agreement, Sordilla’s role in the conspiracy was using Innocentrix Philippines to manage a call center in the Philippines where dozens of sales representatives contacted victims in the United States pretending to be literary agents from PageTurner or WP Lighthouse. As part of the conspiracy, the scammers falsely told victims their works had been selected for acquisition by publishers or movie studios, and fraudulently convinced victims to send payments for various services including pre-payment of taxes and transaction fees, before the victim-author’s work could be published or optioned to studios. According to court documents, the conspirators made false representations regarding PageTurner and WP Lighthouse to the victims, including by falsely representing the location of operations, their contacts and communications with literary agents, major traditional publishers, motion picture studios, and popular video streaming services.
As part of the conspiracy, the conspirators impersonated literary agents and executives from major publishers, motion picture studios, and popular video streaming services, or pretended to be representatives from the fake motion picture business Metro Films. In reality, PageTurner, WP Lighthouse, and Metro Films were fictitious businesses with no relationship to either traditional publishers or Hollywood entertainment companies.
Sordilla directed co-conspirators to open and manage bank accounts in the name of PageTurner and WP Lighthouse LLC at various financial institutions, his plea agreement said. After victim funds were received in bank accounts established on behalf of PageTurner and WP Lighthouse, in order to conceal the location and control of proceeds of the book publishing scam, Sordilla directed co-conspirators to withdraw and transfer victim funds to domestic and international bank accounts in the Philippines controlled by Sordilla and co-conspirators. As part of the conspiracy, Sordilla directed co-conspirators to launder at least $42 million, and received approximately $2,725,951.
As part of the guilty plea, Sordilla agreed to forfeit $2,725,951 in proceeds from the offense. Sordilla will also be subject to an order of restitution to the victims of the offense in the amount of at least $48,719,156.38.
“The defendants didn’t just steal money — they stole dreams, leaving victims with empty promises and devastating losses,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Today’s guilty plea delivers justice for victims and serves as a warning that legitimate publishers and filmmakers do not demand upfront fees.”
“Michael Sordilla and his co-conspirators callously preyed on the hopes and dreams of authors to have their stories come to life, costing hundreds of victims more than $48 million in losses,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Today’s guilty plea is the beginning of holding all those involved in this Hollywood dream scheme accountable for their crimes. FBI San Diego, along with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our pursuit of justice of any scammers attempting to steal Americans’ hard-earned money.”
“The defendant knowingly used the mail to execute a fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims for financial gain,” said Matt Shields, Inspector in Charge of the Los Angeles Division. “This guilty plea represents a significant step in holding the defendant accountable and seeking justice for all of those impacted.”
If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at: www.ic3.gov.
As of today, three of the four defendants charged in the case are awaiting trial. Law enforcement previously seized the PageTurner domain and over $6 million from bank accounts linked to PageTurner and WP Lighthouse.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Oleksandra “Sasha” Johnson.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 24CR2712-JLS
Gemma Traya Austin Age: 60 Chula Vista, CA
In custody. Arrested in Chula Vista on December 12, 2024
Michael Cris Traya Sordilla Age: 34 Philippines
In custody. Sentencing set for July 24, 2026
Bryan Navales Tarosa Age: 35 Philippines
In custody. Arrested in San Diego on December 9, 2024
Micheal Glenn Austin Age: 35 Chula Vista, CA
Released on bond
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; $250,000 fine
Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison; maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the amount laundered
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Postal Inspection Service
Source: DOJ Release
