Ranjith Kankanala

Renter cold emailed asking for a 2 camera Sony FX6 Package to shoot the GP NextFest LA County Fair event (which is real). Cited budget of $850-$1200, which is well above a one day weekend rate for two cameras. We assumed he also needed accessories but didn't know to explicitly ask for them. Accepted substituting an fx3 for his b cam immediately. Then asked for a 70-200 and 28-70 lenses, and accepted substitutes again immediately. All quotes were accepted very quickly. Collected Rental Agreement, card saved on file via Stripe, and received a COI from Verifly DBA Thimble without issue. Annual policy that had a start date on the day it was provided to us. Insurance was verified. As this was a new client and initially suspicious of his quick replys and high budget, we researched his online presence and were satisfied. The name used is a wedding photographer from San Jose, CA, which is close enough to Los Angeles that it could've made sense. Website and social accounts appeared to be very real and comprehensive. Seemed like a client who got a bigger job than he was used to in a different city and was just in a little over his head. He notified us that his PA Rolando would pick up the equipment. His card was charged without issue. The person who picked up confirmed his name was Rolando verbally and seemed to be in a hurry, but nothing out of the ordinary for a PA at the time stood out. Renter than did not respond to texts emails or calls, and the number listed now says disconnected.