Suspicious Text About Film Project Sent to High School Girls

By COLlive reporter

Staff at Bais Rivkah School in Crown Heights are warning parents about a strange text message received by at least two young high school girls inviting them to be part of a supposed video filmed by comedian and film producer Mendy Pellin.

The suspicious message received by the teenage girls claimed to be from a “Sara Goldberg” from Mendy Pellin’s office.

“We would like to know if you would be interested in taking part in our next video. Here is some more information: our video will take place in New Jersey in two months from now. We will be filming in a few different stores in Lakewood. Our office is currently in Crown Heights. We will arrange for you to be brought to us by train or bus and we will cover the cost. If you do not feel comfortable coming alone, you may bring a friend and we will cover her traveling expenses as well. Please let us know if you are interested and we will get back to you with more information at our earliest convenience,” the message read.

The girl’s parent reached out to Mendy Pellin, who said the message is a hoax, and he is not planning any video shoot at this time. Pellin confirmed to COLlive.com that the message is fake, He also told COLlive he knows of at least two girls who have received the fake message, the other a student of a school in Connecticut.

The parent of one of the girls said that when her daughter asked where the person had got her number, one of the replies were sent after Shabbos began, another sign that the message did not come from Mendy Pellin.

Faculty at Bais Rivkah are warning parents to beware of such messages, and suggest that they should inform their children to be on the lookout for similar messages or invitations which may be a hoax.

“I think it’s important that parents be aware,” they said.