Writers are used to strange emails.
Readers write to say thank you.
Publishers write about rights and translations.
Journalists write asking questions.
But sometimes the email is something else entirely.
A scam.
Recently I received an email from alihazelauthor@gmail.com, claiming to be bestselling romance author Ali Hazelwood.
The message was flattering. Very flattering.
It praised my book I Was A Skip Tracer and described it in detail. It talked about crooked cops, busted deals, and the strange world of finding people who do not want to be found.
Then it shifted.
The writer introduced herself as Ali Hazelwood and explained her work in contemporary romance, especially stories about ambitious people in STEM and academia. She spoke about the craft of storytelling and how writers search for hidden motivations and truths.
Finally, she asked a question.
What inspired me to write the book?
On the surface, the message looked thoughtful and intelligent. It sounded like the kind of email one author might send to another.
Except for one problem.
It was a scam.
Why This Email Is Suspicious
Real authors do not usually contact other writers through random Gmail accounts.
Ali Hazelwood is a major publishing name. If she were contacting another author professionally, the email would almost certainly come from a publisher domain, a literary agent, or a verified account connected to her brand.
Scammers know this, but they also know something else.
Flattery lowers defenses.
The email carefully praised the book, referenced specific themes, and mirrored the language writers like to hear about their work.
This is classic manipulation.
The goal is simple: start a friendly conversation.
Once the target replies, the scam evolves. It might turn into a fake collaboration request, a fake promotional opportunity, or even a financial request disguised as a publishing or marketing project.
The opening message is just the hook.
Why Authors Are Targets
Most people think scams target older people or people unfamiliar with technology.
That is not true.
Authors are increasingly targeted because:
- Their email addresses are public.
- Their books are easy to research.
- They are often open to networking with other writers.
Scammers can quickly study an author’s work on Amazon, copy the tone of literary discussion, and create a believable message.
The result feels personal.
But it is not.
The Real Lesson
The irony of this situation is not lost on me.
I spent years as a skip tracer tracking people who did not want to be found.
Now scammers are trying to track authors.
The tactics are similar: gather information, build a story, and make contact.
Only the goal is different.
A Simple Rule
If you receive an unexpected message from a famous author using a free Gmail account, slow down.
Check the sender.
Check the domain.
And remember that scammers often begin with something that sounds intelligent, friendly, and genuine.
That is exactly how manipulation works.
About Frank M. Ahearn
Frank M. Ahearn is a privacy expert and the New York Times bestselling author of How to Disappear. He is also the author of I Was A Skip Tracer, a memoir about his years tracking deadbeats and missing people. Today he helps individuals facing blackmail, exposure threats, and extreme privacy crises.