A wave of AI‑generated email scams traced to Nigeria is targeting self‑published and traditionally published authors alike. Scammers pose as marketing consultants or PR experts, using Gmail accounts and hyper‑personalized messages that cite specific books. They pitch low‑cost services, then steer writers to pay a “spotlight” or “participation” fee through freelancers on Upwork.

Victims receive invitations from fake or impersonated book clubs, some of which exist on Meetup.com, while others have no online footprint. Fees range from $55 to $350, bundled into “basic,” “essential,” or “premium” packages. Payment methods include PayPal Friends & Family, Zelle, Cash App, Wise, and direct bank transfers, often to Wells Fargo accounts that are hard to reverse.

Authors who respond often receive a fabricated Upwork contract or invoice, followed by a request for access to their KDP account. Some scammers claim to organize “reading challenges” or private review groups, demanding tips for hundreds of reviewers. Community organizers like Mocha Girls Read have publicly warned members, and Reddit threads are cataloguing fake testimonials. The pattern shows AI‑driven personalization can quickly scale fraud, forcing writers to verify any unsolicited promotion request.