They run in some cities fairly regularly. Never before have I seen the ad requesting a "crises actor" by name. Usually the ads are worded to make people believe they will be working as a "seat filler" or acting as part of a celeb's entourage.

Did you ever hear the story of when the Beatles 1st came to the US to perform on "The Ed Sullivan Show?" There were teen girls screaming hysterically at the airport to greet them. Some sat in the front rows of the variety show when they performed. Since the Beatles weren't yet famous in the US they hired girls that would follow very specific directions, and follow a certain dress code to represent Middle America.

As a "seatfiller" I enjoyed sitting in the front section at the Country Music Awards, The Miss America Pageant, the American Music Awards, all before they had Satanic imagery. Always I had to sign a release with a lot of requirements listed.

I've also seen ads, some more direct than others, to be a faux date for a special event. The "buyer" wants to make sure his date shows up and follows his direction. It is not in the least bit sexual. A man might want a faux child or a faux romantic date as his family and/or friends can't accept the fact he's dating out of his race and religion. Or that he doesn't have the time to date so doesn't have a girlfriend to bring who can actually handle the embarrassing questions his family might ask. Lots of different reasons for the request. Usually the temporary employer hopes they'll get along well enough to remain friends too.

In other words it could be a relatively harmless gig, say to make someone at an event jealous. Or it could be for a shill, so that the man can fulfill an undercover assignment to check out if a married woman is dating her son's father. The event the hired actor would be attending might be a family based activity. One never knows.