Sydney man charged after allegedly exploiting young actors and children by posing as Disney casting agent
At around 9am yesterday (January 31), tactical police raided Gerard Vamadevan’s Lewisham home and seized documents and electronic devices.
According to the 2021-22 Personal Safety Survey published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), an estimated 2.7 million Australians aged 18 and over, or approximately 14 per cent, or one in seven people, experienced childhood abuse.
Detectives launched the investigation in November last year following allegations a man posed as a casting agent for an international company using forged documents and offered fake TV and film roles in exchange for sexual activity, according to the 9News website.
The alleged victims include a 17-year-old girl, who said: “I was lonely and looking for some companionship.”
While representing himself in court, he told the magistrate that he believed his actions were legal.
The man was sentenced to two years of good behavior after being charged with similar offenses in 2022. Vamadevan, who faces 11 charges, is accused of crimes that carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, including stalking and procuring a child for prostitution. He is scheduled to appear at Downing Center Local Court next week.
Founded by Walt and Roy Disney, Disney is a global entertainment company known for its films, theme parks, and iconic characters such as Mickey Mouse. The company, which owns major franchises such as Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, also manages divisions such as Disney Studios and Disney +.
