Scam Email: Linda Monreal

Kathleen,

You are a life saver. Below is my correspondence with one of your known scam artists. I felt like it was going to turn into a legit sale until the last exchange. That's when I googled her name and your site popped up. Now, looking back over the whole exchange I can see all the little signs you mention on your site. I thought she might have been ESL -- I feel like a dope for letting it get this far -- I even fell for her ploy that she wanted to here more about my painting process -- oy! I can't thank you enough!

Sincerely,

David
---

Hi David,
It is nice to hear back from you.  I will like to proceed with the
purchase of the two pieces. I think they are lovely works and I hope
to give them a good home.

I am presently traveling for my Sister's wedding even though it comes
at a time when I am preparing for a big move to Miami Beach, FL but it
means so much to her and I should be back in few days.

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Meanwhile, can you pls get back with your mailing address and phone
number so I  can inform my husband on where to forward the payment. He
can have one of his PA handle the payment asap.  About shipping , you
can handle it from your side to my new address above or I can forward
your contact info to the local cartage  company handling the shipment
of all our house decors. They can arrange FedEx or UPS pick up of the
artworks from your studio.

I will look forward to hearing from you so i can know how best to
proceed. Cheers.

Linda.


> On May 20, 2014, at 10:40 PM, Linda Monreal wrote:
>
>> Hi David,
>> Thanks so much for your response to my query about those creative
>> works. I will like to  proceed with the purchase of both pieces (
>> unframed) . Can you pls get back with what inspire you to make the
>> pieces.
>>
>> I will look forward to hearing from you soon.
>>
>> Best Regards,
>> Linda.
>>
\


>>> On May 17, 2014, at 11:35 PM, Linda Monreal wrote:
>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Hope this message finds you well. I saw these lovely pieces on your
>>>> website and I will like you to get back with more details if they are
>>>> still available for purchase.
>>>>
>>>> Still life with vase and shells,  and  Monarch Butterfly
>>>>
>>>> I will appreciate an urgent reply.
>>>>
>>>> Best Regards,
>>>> Linda Monreal.
>>>
>>>
>

Scam Email: Tim Patty

Hi Kathleen, Thanks for your blog.   Below is an email I received today.  I was skeptical but pretty convinced once I got the response.


From: Tim Patty [timmypatty@yahoo.com]
Date: Wed, May 21, 2014 at 8:55 AM
Subject: PAinter Needed
To: timmypatty@yahoo.com


Morning,
                      I need your services as a decorative painter for my
wife birthday in August.
Are you a faux,canvas or colored pencil painter.
Check your the attach images to this email and let me know if you can make
exact paint for me,awaits your mail.

Regards,
Tim.


* My response:*
Hi Tim,

Yes I am able to paint this for you.  I would nee to know sizes.  Do you want 2 paintings or the eagle and the landscape combined.
-
Thanks,
Erin


*His Response*
tim patty
12:30 PM (1 hour ago)

to Erin
Thanks for your swift response and her birthday is on August 2 so i want
you to to make a replica of the 2 image the landscape and the eagle
separately but my wife loves nature,presently am in Philippines doing
social work to the victim of typhoon  haiyan also its a surprise for her
and i want it ready before her birthday.

How many weeks will its takes you to finish the 2 painting and size is 24
by 30 and what is the total cost?


I want canvas painting and i want  to present it to her on her birthday as
gift,awaits your  mail.

Scam Email: Alvin Folkman

Hi Kathleen

I unfortunately got my hopes up for a few minutes in these dry and difficult times that this was a genuine enquiry but noŠ its a scammer. Its hard to believe they will actually spend the time looking up obscure specific individual works. Here's another name for your scammers list with email thread:

Geoffrey



From: Alvin Folkman [alvin.folkman@gmail.com]
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:00 PM
To: Geoffrey
Subject: WORK DESCRIPTION

Hello,
Thanks for taking your time to reply back! Here are the list of works
needed:
DESCRIPTION:

' name of piece ' (charcoal study )
48" X 60"      CHARCOAL ON PAPER   ..............:QTY:1

Meanwhile, don't worry about the shipping cost actually i have my personal
shipping agent in USA that will come for the pick up of the package in your
destination and i have inform them about this and they told me the best way
to come for the pick up is for you to email me with the information needed
below,

* Your Name and Address ?
* Time the package will be ready for pick up with your convenience
time and date?
* Contact Person for the pickup arrangement ?
* Telephone Number ?
* Weight of the package and how many boxes are they ?
* Total cost?

So, please kindly get back to me with this details along with the
total of my order.So I can instruct my p.a to  process a cashiers
check/personal check to you  for the payment of the work so that my mover
can have it picked up along with my properties that are to be moved to
Sweden.

Best Regards


> From: Geoffrey
> Date: Friday, May 2, 2014 6:01 AM
> 02/05/14
> 07:01:06 AM
> first_name : Alvin
> last_name : Folkman
> email : alvin.folkman@gmail.com
> phone : 6789234567
> message :
>
>
> Hello,
>
> My name is Alvin Folkman.  I found your profile on the internet. I
> am interested in purchasing your work for the decoration of my
> guest room at my new residence in Sweden. Would appreciate if you
> can send me few pictures of the works you have available for sale
> so that I can make an easy choice of mine. Better still, send me a
> web link where I can have a view of your recent works.
>
> I look forward to read back from you.
> Thanks.
> Alvin
>
>

Scam Email: Corbett Bonilla

Below is an example of how scammers are using skype. Skype doesn't make them any more legitimate. In fact, you will discover scammers always some some made-up reason for why their camera on skype is NOT working but okay to text back and forth - keeping them anonymous and as slimey shadey as hiding behind disposable email address and fake names.

Do not use skype to sell things. It's usually scammers.

Email message attached from "Corbett Bonilla"

Dear Bill,

I have received your email and the information concerning the cost and
the method of payment that you choose.

Concerning the shipping and delivery I will handle the delivery and
pay the delivery fees by adding it on the same Cashier's Cheque which
am going to issue.

My concern about appointing a good secure shipping company for the
delivery is because I want the delivery to be save to my destination
here in Glasgow England without any damages or lost of art which has
already happen in the past by using FedEx and UPS.

We will need to discuss the sending of the cheque directly to you for
the payment of the painting in order for the pickup to take place. We
need to appoint a time and date for Skype communication. My Skype id
is corbettbonilla add me on your Skype list or send me your Skype id
and I will add you.

Please email me back with the below information for the Cashier's
Cheque to be issue..

Name on Check:
Full Address:
Phone Number:

If you don't have Skype id kindly go to www.skype.com and register
with them and download Skype. I will be available on Skype tonight
night from 8:30 pm England time.

Note: I will handle and appoint a good secure shipping company that
will come for the pickup and the shipping fees will be added.

Best Regards
Corbett Bonilla

Scam Email: Thanh Nguyen

hello

i wish i had come across your site earlier! ive been working on an art sale with  a "thanh nguyen" with the email "mrknumb@gmail.com" . i researched him, his company, the bank the check was sent from, etc. i didnt know to look up art specific check fraud, so i wasnt aware this was an ongoing problem. anyways, i stopped the process before anything could happen. heres the original message:
"--
Hi there,my name is Thanh im an art collector from Hawaii ,was
browsing through the internet and my eyes caught this particular work
on the subject,will like to have it for my new apartment probably this
month.please let me know if the piece is available and if yes let me
have the detailed price and more information about it.kindly reply me
with your phone#.
Regards."

and a few  later to discuss shipping arrangements:

"Hello,Thanks for the details which Ive noted down and have also
forwarded it to my shipper.He's due in the US sometime next week and
will definitely be getting in touch with you for the pickup.The truth
is,i would have handled this much differently if i would be at home
but Im a bit pressed for time myself. Im moving to Cairo this month as
im being transferred.As it is, I'm sending you an overdraft which will
include my shippers fees as well.He has asked for an upfront before
coming and since I have no access to a lot of cash, Im trying to kill
two birds with a stone.So, once you've received and cashed the
check,deduct your funds and PLEASE help me send the remaining funds to
him(shipper).I'll forward his contact details to you once you've
received the payment.Now I'm concluding you are a responsible person
and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement.Ill let you know
Immediately the check is sent out
to you so you should be looking out for it.P.S:I`ll require that a
reconfirmation of your address is done for me now. I await your reply."

then this after receiving a check

"Yes you got it Rebecca,Im so glad you finally received the payment,the
payment should clear to your account within 24hours.
Below is the shipper's information in sending the remaining fund via
Western union;

Curtis  A Westbrook
6232 Greenwood Pl
Huntsville Al 35702

Once you have the money sent, do email me all the necessary
information which will be needed for the collection of the money I.e;

Sender's name
Amount sent after Western union charges
MTCN#

Once he receives the money, he will get in touch with you and set up
the best time and date with you for pick up this week.

Thanks for your help and understanding and I await your quick response."



yikes! another to add to your list! thanks!