Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chair and CEO Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, warned aspiring performers and the general public in the Philippines about an online fake audition scheme that uses his name and prominent talent agencies and asks applicants to undress during Zoom calls.
Reyes said in a phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment that he learned of the scheme when his nephew, film director and screenwriter Mark Reyes, informed him that scammers first used Mark’s name in messages sent to potential victims.
He stated that the scammers now send formal-looking audition invitations through messaging applications such as Viber and Facebook Messenger and falsely claim to represent Reyes and legitimate talent agencies.
Reyes explained that the fraudulent messages invite recipients to an “online audition” and then instruct them to appear nude or partially nude during a supposed Zoom-based casting session.
He said the scammers design the letters to resemble official casting calls, including letterheads, project titles, and references to well-known production outfits, to convince recipients that the offers are legitimate.
Reyes clarified that neither he nor the FDCP conducts auditions that require nudity during initial online meetings and that legitimate projects follow clear protocols, including contracts, consent forms, and in-person coordination with recognized producers or casting directors.
He emphasized that official FDCP communications do not originate from random personal accounts on Viber or Facebook Messenger and instead come from verified email addresses or official council channels.
Reyes said victims or targets of the scam may document the messages, screenshots, and caller details and report them to law enforcement authorities and relevant cybercrime units for investigation.
He noted that the FDCP will coordinate with law enforcement agencies to provide information about the scheme and help identify individuals or groups behind the fraudulent auditions.
Reyes added that he plans to issue formal public advisories through FDCP platforms and industry networks to alert artists, talent agencies, and training schools about the scam’s methods and language.
