A TOP London party planning company says it was scammed to the tune of $1 million by two New Jersey men who claimed they could book Lady Gaga for a private concert.
The firm, Banana Split, wired the seven-figure deposit to Carlos Fernandez — who also goes by Carlos Keyes — and Sylvester Carroll after being assured they were tight with the singer’s team, a federal suit charges.
The evidence was thin: During the Grammy Awards, Fernandez allegedly called Banana Split’s owner and told him his “contact,” record label founder Vincent Herbert, was sitting next to Gaga.
As soon as the money was sent, the party planner was met with radio silence until finally being told in early March by Gaga’s agent that she would not be doing a show in Cancun, Mexico, the suit alleges.
Banana Split claims that Fernandez’s Red Entertainment and Carroll’s Nevada Style stonewalled him about a refund.
The suit says Carroll had pulled a similar scam in 2010, collecting $825,000 for a phantom Rihanna booking.
Banana Split’s attorney said they have been in touch with prosecutors. A spokeswoman for Lady Gaga could not be immediately reached for comment.
rgearty@nydailynews.com
