Man Accused of Swindling Would-Be Movie Extras
A New York man was arrested Thursday for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from people who thought they were being hired as movie extras, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said.
Rubin Malaret, 26, who was arrested in Manhattan, is awaiting an extradition hearing. He was charged with one count of grand theft and three counts of forgery.
Prosecutors allege that Malaret swindled hundreds of people, including seven in California, by posing as a representative of a movie production company looking for extras.
Interested people were told to wire money for Screen Actors Guild dues through Western Union. The fees, ranging from $200 to $385, allegedly went straight to Malaret, according to prosecutors. Victims realized they had been defrauded when they never received follow-up calls.
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