🚨 Scam Alert: Fake “Archewell Productions” Film Adaptation Offer Targeting Authors
Scammers are once again impersonating well‑known entertainment companies to prey on independent authors, and the latest example is a message circulating on Twitter claiming to come from “Archewell Productions In Partnership with Netflix.” The scammer flatters the author’s writing, announces that their book—The Covenants Price—has been “selected for consideration for film adaptation,” and then instructs the recipient to reply to a non‑official email address. This tactic is designed to build excitement, lower skepticism, and funnel victims into a private channel where the real exploitation begins. Messages like this are not legitimate, and authors should treat them as red flags.
Message from Danny Simon on Twitter: Hello Rae Stonehouse
Your writing voice is both engaging and approachable, capturing readers with its authenticity and depth.
We are pleased to inform you that your book ” THE COVENANTS PRICE ” has been selected for consideration for film adaptation by Archewell Productions | In Partnership with Netflix. Congratulations on this exciting achievement and the recognition of your outstanding work.
Kindly confirm receipt of this message by emailing us at
archewell@execs.com
so we may provide you with the next steps in the review and adaptation process.
Note: I didn’t write the book THE COVENANTS PRICE.
~~~
Scam Assessment: High Likelihood of Scam
This message is almost certainly a scam targeting authors with a fake “film adaptation” offer. Here’s a breakdown of the key red flags, supported by evidence:
- Impersonation of Legitimate Entities
- Archewell Productions: Founded by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their official contact is via archewell.org or verified social channels. They do not use generic emails like archewell@execs.com for outreach. Legitimate film deals start with agents, lawyers, or established production channels—not unsolicited Twitter DMs.
- Netflix Partnership: Netflix doesn’t scout books via random Twitter messages. Official adaptations (e.g., via Netflix’s book-to-screen deals) involve literary agents, publishers, or platforms like IMDbPro. No public record exists of Archewell/Netflix selecting a book called “The Covenants Price” by “Rae Stonehouse” (a quick search on Amazon, Google Books, or publisher databases shows no such title).
- Urgency and Vague “Next Steps”
- Phrases like “kindly confirm receipt” and “next steps in the review” are classic scam tactics to elicit a quick response. Real Hollywood deals involve NDAs, contracts, and weeks/months of due diligence—not an immediate email reply to a throwaway domain.
- Suspicious Email Domain
- archewell@execs.com is not affiliated with Archewell (their domain is archewell.com or archewell.org). A WHOIS lookup on execs.com reveals it’s a generic domain registered for executive email services, often abused by scammers. Legit companies use branded domains (e.g., archewellproductions.com).
- Source and Personalization Issues
- Sent from “Danny Simon on Twitter”: No verified film exec by this name linked to Archewell/Netflix. Twitter scams like this prey on indie authors by scraping public profiles (e.g., your writing mentions).
- Overly flattering language (“engaging and approachable”) is boilerplate scam copy-paste, not tailored feedback.
- Common Scam Pattern
- This matches the “Hollywood scam” archetype: Fake offers from Netflix/Amazon Studios/HBO to lure victims into sharing personal info, paying “processing fees,” or wiring money for “rights.” The FTC and BBB report thousands of similar cases yearly, with losses in the millions (e.g., FTC alert on celebrity impersonation scams).
Recommended Actions
- Do not reply or click links: Block and report the Twitter account.
- Verify independently: Contact Archewell via their official site or Netflix’s production inquiries. Search for your book + “film adaptation” yields zero legit hits.
- Protect yourself: Use tools like Have I Been Pwned? for email checks and enable 2FA. If you’ve engaged, monitor accounts for phishing.
Confidence: 99% scam. Real opportunities come through verified agents (e.g., QueryTracker, Publishers Marketplace), not cold DMs. If it’s legit (extremely unlikely), they’d follow up officially. Stay safe!
Rae Stonehouse is a Canadian author, publisher, and advocate committed to exposing publishing scams and supporting writers through education and community. As the creator of Authors Against Scammers, Rae provides clear, practical guidance to help writers protect their work, their money, and their peace of mind. His books and resources reflect a lifelong dedication to empowering others through knowledge, clarity, and real‑world experience.
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