Kantana Films? Scam?

[Bob K]

The only company called Kantana is in Thailand.  The phone area code is Nevada.  First time any new client has texted me about a shoot.
 

From the text message chain:
 

"Hi goodmorning?  I believe this is Bob King, do you still A1 or boom operate on production sets?  We're currently in need of the position for a series of Ad-shoot for Nestle Plc.  Available?"
 

"Yes, location sound mixer, $950/10, available."
 

"I'm Jordan Webley from Kantana films.  Payrate is $750/10hrs."
 

"How many days?  What camera?"
 

"It would be great if you send me references/work information to (a gmail address) so I can forward you shoot details."

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Probably just an individual with no website.  There's lots of sole proprietors flying solo out there.  But it's fair to just ask them directly for your own references.  What do Bob King / Jordan Webley turn up?  If you can find a legitimate connection between the two of them, that might tell you something.

[Bob K]

Documentary Sound Guy,

Your response is confusing.  I'm Bob King, and I have no relationship with anyone named Jordan Webley. 

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood what you quoted.

Can you independently confirm who Jordan is?

[Bob K]

No I can't.  I thought someone here might have some knowledge of him or the company.  It seems like a scam to me.

[Paul F]

Ignoring your questions and moving on to get information about you is a flag. He could be a bad communicator, which also is a flag, but it wouldn't hurt to ask him another question to see how he responds. 

[Bob K]

Paul F,  I agree about the flags.  Not knowing the difference between an A1 and a boom operator is another flag.  I've been doing this for a long time, and no one has ever called me about a job and then asked me to (essentially) make an application before sharing the specifics.  I think I'll let it lie. 

[absound]

I’m based in the SF Bay Area and got the exact message yesterday. After sending my rate card and asking about the gear rate, I got a reply with lots of unusual wording which could be a translation issue saying they want to use their audio equipment. 

I only work with my gear and will pass but it does seem a bit sketchy to me. 

Here’s part of a much longer message:

“I'm thrilled to extend to you a pivotal role as our sound mixer for this project. Furthermore, we'd appreciate your assistance in managing essential sound equipment, with funds allocated to you beforehand for any necessary arrangements on the location set. Given your track record in coordinating sound equipment in previous productions, I'm confident you'll excel in this capacity. While we understand the need to use your equipment, we'd prefer you to utilize ours for the project duration.

Regrettably, we've encountered a setback as our main mixer is unavailable due to personal reasons, he just lost someone in the family. Our replacement hire from the previous shoot hasn't met our expectations either. Consequently, we're seeking an individual who can execute instructions seamlessly, demonstrate resourcefulness, proactively tackle challenges, and ultimately outperform our current hire.“

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

Now that sounds sketchy to me.  Yes sound is pivotal, but calling it that as part of the hiring process screams fake to me.

Come to think of it, the whole thing looks like it's written by ChatGPT to me.  Lots of words that say nothing.

[Bob K]

absound,

 

You got the same message in San Francisco that I got in Minneapolis.  That pretty much identifies it as a scam.  And, wanting someone to "execute instructions seamlessly?"  That's a big red flag to me.  In the real world, no one is instructing the sound mixer in any scenario.  Who would that be?  The producer?  God help us all. 

[absound]

Agreed. 

[Jim Feeley]

In the US, there are a bunch of job/gig/employment scams these days. Here are a couple of articles about some of these from the US government's Federal Trade Commission website (while this current situation appears to be all/partly happening in the US, I think the basic approach is being used in lots of countries). Basically, the ones I'm hearing about from friends who've been approached are variations on the fake-check scam and the give-us-personal-info identity-theft scam. 

 

Scammers impersonate well-known companies, recruit for fake jobs on LinkedIn and other job platforms 

 

How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams

 

Sigh. Another thing to be careful about.

[ElanorR]

I got this same text yesterday. I believe its a scam.

[osa]

Wow I got this text yesterday as well  and glad i ignored it

[Nosborne]

Got the same text and followed up, ended up getting the guy on the phone to suss out if it was real. The dude was kind of convincing, describing very vaguely the shoot…saying “I agree, it’s better for you to use your own gear and you would be more efficient with your own setup, but the production needs you to use ours. Do you know the CL8 or CL16?”

 

Then later he said once they choose their audio equipment rental vendor the gear would need to be sent to my apartment. When I said “well if it comes to that, of course I would need to be hired for that day.” At that point he got really frustrated and said “you think I’d be on the phone with you this long and not hire you???”

 

I’m guessing it would have been something where I front the money to some fake rental house? Or something,

 

Fortunately I found this thread and then found a Reddit thread from 3 years ago with almost the same text email about “the esteemed position of production assistant.” Felt scammy from the beginning but I had to be sure before letting it go…

[karlw]

Kind of smells like a "419" scam, but very targeted and very specific. Likely the only money that will really move is the "overage" they send you in advance along with pre-payment, and ask you to then send that overage to a 3rd party (fake rental house? Lawyer? Fixer?). Later you find that their payment bounces, and you're out the overage. 

[osa]

Wow they are getting so sophisticated at scamming. I really wish someone would ride out the wave and see how far they could take it “reverse prank” style and share the details for our amusement. Nosborne you seemed to get close to creating real agitation on the part of the scammer

[Favio]

I received this text this morning, definitely some sort of scam. 

[devin golub]

Yes! They reached out to me too. And sent me a very long email that seemed very shady. 

[Johnny Karlsson]

Scammers putting so much time and energy into these elaborate schemes… seems like their lives would be much easier simply getting a job. Literally any job, especially now when minimum wage has gone up, and unemployment is still below 4%….

[Sean Madden]

This is the number I got my inquiry from, on April 3rd:

+1 (775) 447-8310

 

I asked Jordan how they found me, and that question was ignored. 

[boomsound]

Got mine Wednesday.  

 

"Hi good morning?  I believe this is Jeff, do you still A1 or boom operate on production sets?  We're currently in need of the position for a series of Ad-shoot for Nestle Plc.  Available?"

 

725-209-0776. Called it and it did not go through.

[edward chick]

They have reached out to me twice in the last month. 

}

[A2DiamondDog]

Also just got the same exact text from "Jordan" asking me to PA or AC on the job. I made up camera models and they said they were familiar with them and had used them before.

[Taylor SD]

Got the same text and have moved forward cautiously. Here’s the email they sent me.

 

 

Thank you for working with us 

KANTANA GROUP.

We will respond to all inquiries and correspondence within 2 business days.

KANTANA GROUP CO. LTD.

www.kantana.com

 

Hello Taylor,

I trust this message finds you in good spirits. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your swift response. Having had the opportunity to review some of your work, I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed. Apologies for the slight delay in my reply.

My name is Jordan Webley, and I serve as the production coordinator at Kantana Films. We've recently undertaken the responsibility of managing an advertisement series segment for Nestlé Plc.

I'm delighted to inform you that we believe your skills align seamlessly with our ongoing and upcoming projects. Presently, we're orchestrating a production spanning two states simultaneously. I find myself on a film set in Nevada, where we're currently engaged in shooting a documentary. We've already spent two weeks on set and anticipate another two weeks before wrapping up. This timeline provides us with ample preparation time for our upcoming project scheduled between the 1st and 12th of July. Although the original shoot extends beyond these dates, we'll be operating weekly with breaks over the weekends for the following weeks.

Our location manager will be reaching out to furnish you with all the pertinent details regarding the set once they are finalized. The bulk of the filming will occur on a specially constructed set tailored for these shooting days. While there won't be a traditional script, you can expect an outline and scene breakdown in the call sheet once it's prepared. In my subsequent correspondence, I'll include the deal memo for your review and signature to formalize your engagement for the specified time frame.

I'm thrilled to extend to you a pivotal role as our Assistant Camera for this project. Furthermore, we'd appreciate your assistance in managing essential production equipment, with funds allocated to you beforehand for any necessary arrangements on the location set. Given your track record in coordinating equipment in previous productions, I'm confident you'll excel in this capacity. 

Regrettably, we've encountered a setback as our main AC is unavailable due to personal reasons, he just lost someone in the family. Our replacement hire from the previous shoot hasn't met our expectations either. Consequently, we're seeking an individual who can execute instructions seamlessly, demonstrate resourcefulness, proactively tackle challenges, and ultimately outperform our current hire.

The project will kick off with a two-day group meeting on the 24th and 25th of June, just before the shoot itself. These meetings are critical for ensuring alignment and preparedness among the team. The production set will be established in the week leading up to these meetings. Please make every effort to be available for at least one of these days to facilitate a smooth process. As compensation for your participation, you'll receive a per diem of $1050, covering transportation, meals, and other incidentals before and during this period.

Your daily wage for the shoot days will amount to $750/10hrs, payable at the end of each day. To streamline this process, please complete the PDF contact document attached to the email. Additionally, we require a clear copy of your ID (both sides) for verification purposes and a copy of your W9. These documents are essential for your profile documentation and payroll listing.

As the project progresses, you'll receive further updates. I'll send you the Deal Memo in my next email for your review and signature to formalize our agreement. The project budget falls within the range of $800,000 to $950,000, contingent on the nature of expenses incurred during the shoot.

I appreciate your understanding as I navigate through limited reception on location. Rest assured, I'm committed to maintaining seamless communication and will be in touch via phone regardless.

Thank you for considering this opportunity. I eagerly await your response and the prospect of collaborating. Should you have any queries or require additional clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your response email with the contact form so we can proceed smoothly.

Best regards

________________________________________