Literary agents are increasingly being impersonated by scammers as AI makes it easier to create convincing fake identities, websites, emails, and publishing credentials.
Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group says artificial intelligence has not simply accelerated publishing fraud but has “industrialised it”. Scammers can now quickly create realistic agency websites, correspondence, and professional profiles.
The scams exploit the fact that many aspiring authors have limited experience working with literary agents and often communicate remotely. Fraudsters can therefore pose as legitimate agents and offer representation or publishing opportunities.
The threat is also evolving beyond upfront fees. Stolen manuscripts can be turned into counterfeit ebooks, fake audiobooks, unauthorised translations, or AI-generated derivative works.
Businesses and individuals should verify identities through official channels, check websites and email domains carefully, and be cautious of unexpected approaches. As AI makes impersonation more convincing, confirming who you are dealing with is becoming an increasingly important security measure.