LOS ANGELES — The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is warning the industry that an individual fraudulently claiming to be Greg Lansky of Vixen Media Group has reached out to performers via WhatsApp.
The trade organization’s statement follows:
A person fraudulently implying to be entrepreneur Greg Lansky has been approaching potential models in the U.S. over WhatsApp, offering to transfer money. In one case, a performer found her email hacked after corresponding with the impersonator.
Lansky, the founder of adult brands Tushy, Vixen and Blacked, is not associated with the number or account, and has offered a $5000 reward to help identify the person behind the communication.
In the meantime, we urge that all performers use caution when approached by anyone claiming to be an agent, producer or director using an unfamiliar number or email. Do not provide anyone with banking information, passwords or other sensitive information.
If you have a licensed agent, have them reach out directly and make contact with any alleged producers or directors.
If you do not have a licensed agent:
- Only communicate with companies through official company email accounts or established channels.
- Vet any newly offered contact information by reaching out to the person with their original contact info, or through email or through established company contacts.
- Avoid sending any sensitive information that could be used to access your banking, social media or email accounts.
- When in doubt, contact FSC.
We ask all existing performers, as well as those seeking to work in the adult industry, to always confirm the identity of any suspicious director, agent or other contact by calling or emailing the company they claim to represent. If you are unable to reach the company, or are otherwise hesitant to do so, please contact Free Speech Coalition, and we can help confirm.
The Free Speech Coalition is currently working to investigate this possible scam. We encourage anyone who has been approached, or has any knowledge of this scam or others, to report potential incidents to us so that we may alert the community.
Find the FSC online and follow the org on Twitter.
??RT I’m giving a $5000 cash reward to anyone who can reveal the full identity of the scammer who has been stealing the money & identity of many adult models by pretending to be me on WhatsApp.
— Greg Lansky (@GregLansky) August 20, 2019
Email: WhatsAppScam@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/DYGuwYlTGK