Dear Kathleen,
This is the first email from a series from this person.
It is definitely a scam.
Please post his name on your site.
Any further advice for how I can report this, etc… would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Max Gardner [maxgardner402@yahoo.com]
> Subject: artwork
> Date: September 3, 2013 4:13:18 AM EDT
> Reply-To: Max Gardner [maxgardner402@yahoo.com]>
> Hello,
>
> My name is Max Gardner. I found your profile on the internet. I am interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the decoration of my guest room at my new residence in Munich, Germany. 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.
> Max.
Wow, I just answered an e-mail telling "Mr. Gardner" that my work is represented by Saatchi online. Let them deal with him, that's what it's there for.
ReplyDeleteJust got the same email from Frank Evra.
DeleteI received the very same email yesterday. Definitely a scam.
ReplyDeleteI received the same email. You can file a complaint with the IC3 here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
You guys are awesome! I received exactly the same email, but from "George Porter "
ReplyDeleteI didn't want to be impolite, but it was certainly suspicious. Thanks for publishing this and confirming my bad feelings.
Thank you for the post and discussion. I just received one from George Porter. Confirmed my suspicion.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reporting this. I got one from George Porter as well.
ReplyDeleteI could have written the note above that was sent October 7, 2013 at 5:39 PM. It was also from George Porter. I am relieved to have checked this out to find out my suspicions were correct.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your work.
I just received this from "Greg Hall"
ReplyDeleteHi,
I'm Greg Hall from North Lima, Ohio. I was going through your works and my eyes caught this particular piece,I want to purchase it as I am moving to a new apartment next month. Kindly let me know if you still have the piece available and also let me know it's final price and more information about it. I will be waiting to read from you.
Regards,
Greg.
Looks like a scam to me. I found your site while I was researching scams. Thank you for your efforts. I really appreciate your blog.
I just received one from a Greg hall. Thank you for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteJust received one from Greg Hall emailed back said that I only deal with PayPal on international sales
ReplyDeleteGreat info, thank you. Don't forget stolen credit card-that is what I think I was just dealing with. I insisted on going through PayPal, by invoicing him, and he vanished.
ReplyDeleteGreg wants to send me a check for more than the cost of the painting and I am to send the difference to his 'shipper' to cover the cost of the painting being picked up in SC and delivered to Ohio. He's counting on my sending him money before his check bounces. Cute.
ReplyDeleteMr. Greg Hall of Lima Ohio just contacted me.I am so grateful I googled his name. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am skeptical of people who email me about buying my art. Greg Hall contacted me as well same B.S. lines.
ReplyDeleteHi,
I'm Greg Hall from North Lima, Ohio. I was going through your works and my eyes caught this particular piece,I want to purchase it as I am moving to a new apartment next month. Kindly let me know if you still have the piece available and also let me know it's final price and more information about it. I will be waiting to read from you.
Regards,
Greg.
Thank you for this page. I just got the same email from Greg Hall. Glad I checked him out,
ReplyDeleteI just received a very similar probable scam art purchase request. The individual wanted to buy ten of my paintings to be shipped to Al Ma'ather Street,Al Wazarat District, 11464 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. That address turns out to be the address of a Marriott hotel.
ReplyDeleteI got the same situation, but the difference is I get money from the check sent by scammer.... He asked me to western union money to his "shipper" immediately. He never call me even I wanted to speak with him over phone. What should I do now after I got "money"?
ReplyDeleteHere's another of the same flavor just received from "Micheal Burrow":
ReplyDeleteHello,
My name is Micheal Burrow. I found your profile on the internet. I am interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the decoration of my guest room at my new residence in Munich, Germany. I want something simple, big in size, framed. The work can be of any category (painting, mixed media, photographs or drawing). Would appreciate if you can send me few pictures of the works you have available for purchase so that I can make easy choice of mine.
I look forward to read back from you.
I just received the email as well. Thank you for the info!
ReplyDeleteI also received an email from Greg Hall. Similar content. How should I respond to him? I knew I needed to google him! Thank God for google!
ReplyDeleteThis is not the first time I have been approached by a scammer. Wow! My email from him is the same, word for word. Thanks so much for "being there" for us.
ReplyDeleteI just received the same messages from On Dec 2, 2013, at 1:21 AM, stanford caldwell
ReplyDeleteThanks for your timely response,its great to know the piece is still available, I'm a civil 'marine' engineer, but at the moment I'm on my way out of the States for a training voyage with new hires, fresh from graduate school, the purchase would have been made personally but i might not be back in US for another couple of weeks,
If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to Johannesburg so I'm gathering some good arts for my new home. I'm buying yours quickly! before someone else grabs it, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.
However, you need not to worry about shipment,I'll instruct my shipping agent who is moving my valuables and some personal effect to come over for the pickup of the artwork at your place so she can ship along with my other valuables.
PS:In the meantime, you could forward me your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address so I can mail a check to. as I might be delayed depending on how things goes.
BEWARE Our gallery also received a letter with same language. His name is Steven Brogen, and ocean engineer.
DeleteHe seeks you to pay the shipper with advance money included in check sent to you.
I got an email today from stanford caldwell.]below] March 11, 2014
DeleteHi,
I'm Stan, I recently visited your website and found this Work of arts to be unique and appealing. I am very impressed with its uniqueness and would be interested in purchasing it for my new apartment am moving into soon. Please do reconfirm the availability and price to me.
Regards.
Thanks for letting me know it is a scam. Cathy
Yep, I just got one from Greg Hall too. I spot these scams right away. Waiting to "read" from you? A tell tale sign.
ReplyDeleteI received a $15,800 check from Greg Hall, sent from Utah with a Texas address on the envelope, the check was written with CA address on a Florida bank that upon checking with the bank was a closed account. The whole thing is pretty wacko and the feds do not seem concerned with dealing with it at all.
ReplyDeleteI've been playing him along, he's pretty stupid, trying to think up ways to find out more information about who and where, how many people involved. Eventually I'll tell him that he's being investigated for fraud and I've been asked to testify against him.
Commendable, but scammers are so successful because they know it is hard to trace them down and they fly under the radar of what officials have the time and resources to deal with. Wasting a scammer's time and never telling them you are on to them is time they are not spending on setting up another potential victim.
ReplyDeleteI managed to get Greg Hall to send me the bank tracking number and account number of where the money was to be wired, so there is a real trail now. I've continued to put him off, today I sent this one.
ReplyDeleteDear Greg,
I just got back and went to the bank this morning and deposited your check. There was some problem wiring the money so I got a bank money order. If you send me your shippers address I can overnight the check and he can have a nice Christmas present tomorrow.
Still waiting for him to reply.
Yes as soon as you say Pay pal or visa, he stops writing. I head from two similiar requests in the last few years. Don't know if it is the same person. Remember you probably will be charged a fee by your bank if the check is not good.
DeleteSame story from Greg Hall. He will send me a check for my painting and include money for his shipper, which he expects me to pay. This is not going to happen. I told him to send me the exact amount for my painting via Pay Pal. Waiting top see what he does next.
ReplyDeletejust received an email from stanford caldwell. he's obviously a scammer. his email had the same language as above
ReplyDeleteHi - I just received the same weird email request from Greg Hall being transferred to South Africa and wanting to send me a cheque that would need to include funds I would forward to his shipper. I am so glad I found these postings online and confirmed it was fraud
ReplyDeleteI got Greg hall email with the same story about moving to south Africa and having to notify his shipper and requesting more information for me than I was willing to give to a complete stranger. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI received this email yesterday from this "person." Greg Hall
ReplyDelete"Hi,
I'm Greg Hall from North Lima, Ohio. I was going through your works and my eyes caught this particular piece,I want to purchase it as I am moving to a new apartment next month. Kindly let me know if you still have the piece available and also let me know it's final price and more information about it. I will be waiting to read from you."
After I replied, here is the email I received: "Thanks for your prompt reply.
Unfortunately, I'm on my way to France on an official trip(I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks.
If you would like to know, I'm relocating to South Africa soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode.
However, I'll have to notify my shipper who is helping me move my stuff to get set for the pick up of the piece from your place as I might be delayed depending on how things goes.
PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address and phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it mailed out to you right away."
My guess is it the same scam.
Got the exact same thing from "Greg Hall." How else might I report this?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this website! I'm an "emerging artist" and was so excited to receive this e-mail from George Porter - the first request from my website. Oh well - such is life these days, but I am soooo thankful for the internet! I simply googled his name and your site came up :)
ReplyDeleteHere it is from Richard Brown:
ReplyDeleteHi,
My name is Richard Brown. I lived in Dallas for twenty years before I had a recent move back to Germany. I found your profile on Google and I'm interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the beautification of my guest room. May I have a few images of your available works. You could send me your website so that I can go through them online.
Till I read back from you.
Thanks.
I felt this was suspicious, my husband wasn't convinced so I sent a cautious reply with just a website. This was his reply:
Thanks for the email. I went through your website and found the attached work interesting. Can I have a detailed information about the work, its availability and pricing? As soon as we reach a concrete agreement on pricing, I can instruct my personal assistant to process a 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 Munich.
I await your email soonest.
Regards,
Richard.
At which point I was convinced. I had tried googling the first email and nothing came up immediately. After the second email I looked just a little harder and found this site. Thanks!
1/28/14 This scam is still active. I'm the Assistant Director of a gallery in Upstate NY and one of the artists we represent was just approached by "Greg Hall". Same original email - verbatim.
ReplyDeleteI've been leading Greg on for several weeks now. So far I've received two identical checks for $6800, both bogus but real-looking. And today I got handwritten checks from an actual law office in NJ, but sent from a bogus CA address.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I received a similar letter from George Porter. Thank you for confirming my suspicions.
ReplyDeleteGot the same from George Porter from Dallas and moved to Germany. ... Aside from coming out of the blue.... tip off: Googled to find me... not by reference... and an art collector who want to pay $30,000 for a picture is not buying it for the "beautification of his guestroom." ...
ReplyDeleteKey here, get references of said collector... if the language feels weird its probably because it is weird. Never send a penny or a anything out without having the money...Don't waste your time. You need a gaurantee from a reputable dealer you have met personally or who knows your works, before you should bother thinking about it.
It nasty to prey on starving hopeful artists who are flattered by such offers, and want to get their work out. ... At least the scammer knew to select one of my best pictures on my website. ...
"Richard Brown" is alive and well on the internet. Received this on 1/28. Beware.
ReplyDeleteHi,
My name is Richard Brown. I lived in Dallas for twenty years before I had a recent move back to Germany. I found your profile on Google and I'm interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the beautification of my guest room. May I have a few images of your available works. You could send me your website so that I can go through them online.
Till I read back from you.
Thanks.
Richard.
Stanford Caldwell is back expressing interest in art work for his home in Johannesburg. Feb, 16, 2014. Same letter, same set up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie for your informative site.
Greg Hall from Lima, Ohio, is still moving, and still trying to purchase artworks! Mine.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to post on Facebook along with the infamous Beulah French!
I just received an email from Mr. Greg Hall from Lima, Ohio. So glad that this website is alive and kicking so that I don't get taken in a scam.
ReplyDeleteI have had the same emails from "Greg Hall." Told him I would have to wait until the check clears before doing anything further. No check as yet and have emailed him that the proposed sale is off.
ReplyDeleteReceived the same email from Greg Hall. So glad I checked him out. Thank you everybody!
ReplyDeletethanks guys , i received a e mail from Greg Hall, start my day, anwer the guy, google it...and sadly time ...it is a fake!!...thank you again, waste of time.
ReplyDeleteI got an email from PAUL LEWIS stating the following:
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy,
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I am very much interested in the immediate purchase of the print piece to surprise my wife. If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and our anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise one. I am buying yours as part of gifts to her (quickly before someone else grabs it). I'm okay with the price, I think it's worth it anyway, so I'll be sending a check.
As regarding shipping, you don't have to worry about that in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the surprise. as soon as you receive and cash the check, my shipping agent (who is also moving my personal effect) will contact you to arrange pick-up.
I would have handled this much differently but, at the moment, am on training voyage (on the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school. I would have come to purchase the piece myself but won't be back for another couple of weeks.
Regards,
Paul
PS: In the meantime, kindly forward your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address (preferably for fedEx not P.O box) where a check can be mailed to, so I can get the check prepared and have it mailed out to you asap
I did send him my name and address.[i'm sorry for that] When I told him it had to be a cashier's check on a US bank. I told him I have a friend that is a C.F.O. of my bank and I was going to show him first before I gave him the painting...he never returned my email
Just received an email from Gregg Hall from North Lima, Ohio, interested in a particular piece. Waiting to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog re: scams. I'm a gallery owner that just got an email
from Stanford Caldwell. I knew it was a scam as soon as I saw it. I
googled the name and turns out he has sent the SAME email to one of your
readers on Dec. 3rd. Thanks for listing these for unsuspecting artists!
Lisa
Email from this scamer:
ReplyDeletestanford caldwell stancaldwell.llc@gmail.com
4:46 PM (21 hours ago)
Hi,
I'm Stan, I recently visited your website and found this Work of arts to be unique and appealing. I am very impressed with its uniqueness and would be interested in purchasing it for my new apartment am moving into soon. kindly reconfirm the availability and price to me.
Regards.
Dear ,
I appreciate your timely response and also glad the piece is still available, just a little about me, I'm a civil 'marine' engineer, I am based in New York, but unfortunately I'm presently out of the States for a training voyage with new hires from graduate school, I would have personally come for the purchase of the piece but due to my unpredictable schedule, I might not be back in US for the next couple of weeks,
Am relocating to Johannesburg so am gathering some good arts for my new home, am buying the piece quickly! before someone else grabs it, I'll expedite the sending of the funds.
However, you don't have to worry about shipping, I'll instruct my shipping agent who is moving my valuables and some personal effect to come over for the pickup of the artwork at your place.
PS:In the meantime, kindly forward me your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no and contact address so I can mail a check out to you as I might be delayed on my trip depending on how things goes.
Regards
Got the Stanford Caldwell email two days ago.
ReplyDeleteJust got a Greg Hall email. So glad to find this site.
ReplyDeleteI'm providing a new scam name: KEN ADAM (received today April 22):
ReplyDeletekenadam0312@gmail.com
Hello,
My name is Ken Adam. 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.
Ken
I just sent "Greg Hall" a photo of a mangled dead body culled from the internet and told him it was his immediate future. I photoshopped his name over it along with an arbitrary date in May of 2014 over it. No sense mincing around it. He is hiding and anonymous, so I will simply threaten him with death. He may be stupid enough to believe it. I usually play these scammers for as long as I can, and just before they get really angry I say ok, I will send you a check to "cover the shipping overages" and then I send them a photo of the "painting" he is interested in just to confirm. It is always a disgusting porn image from the internet usually with their fake name "tattooed" on the buttocks using photoshop. Half the time they disappear but half of them get very, VERY angry. After that on occassion I send the scammers email address a rude email over and over again (like 40 or 50 in a row) at random times, just to stir their anger again. It's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the work the people on this site have done. I was contacted by Ken Adam very recently. The initial email looked fraudulent enough but If you drag Ken Adam along this is how he wants to pay (typical scam operation):
Delete***********************************************************************
Thanks very much for your email, I now understand the period time it will take you to have the work done and once again i will like to confirm the final cost which is ($1861.50 ) and also to let you know that payment will be by cashier check. In view of this I need you to email me any information that may be required to send the check. Regarding the shipping, I have a company that takes care of the pick up of my consignments for me and ship to my destination as i stated in my previous email .Do not worry about shipping, the company will send down a representative to arrange the documentation and the pick up from your end for onward transfer to my destination. I also want to alert you on the fact that you will be receiving an overdraft check, which will cover the money for the pickup (pickup and shipping to the final destination) as well as the money to be paid
to the company that will take care of the pickup and the Items with you. So please, as soon as you receive the check, go and cash them
immediately, deduct the money that accrues to you, and send the balance to the company that handles the shipment via the
nearest Western Union or money gram agent in your area. Deduct the Western Union charges from the balance and send the remaining immediately . cashier check will be in your name, please reconfirm your details one more time.I will give you the details of the Agent that you will send the balance of the money to once I get a reply and agreement that you will send the money via Western Union money transfer immediately you have the check . Once the money is received by the agent, the shipping agent will contact you immediately to arrange the documentation as well as the pick up immediately. So in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for final issuance of the cashier check to you.
(1) Full Name.................
(2) Mailing address, no p.o.box please...................
(3) your direct telephone number ..................
(4) acceptance of my offer .....................
Once you get back to me with all the above, the Money Order will be issued out immediately and it will be sent to you . Hope to hear from you immediately
Thanks
****************************************************************************
Here's a good one I got from Aurelio Fernandez,
ReplyDeleteHi,
My name is Aurelio Fernandez. I lived and worked in Dallas for twenty years. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting some artworks for some spaces within my house to make it unique and beautiful. Can I have a few images of your recent works? I won't mind having your website so as to explore more into your works.
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Regards,
Aurelio.
Hi, I just got one from Ken Adam too..... fantastic that you have this site for us to swap notes.... Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI also just received an email from Ken Adam - kenadam0312@gmail.com. So great this site is available to confirm my suspicions with a quick google search. Thanks to everyone who adds to the list.
ReplyDeleteHere's a scam...at first I was fooled. Then came the obvious scam mail reply:
ReplyDeleteHello,
I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website (piece in subject field above) on my laptop and i guess she likes that piece, I must also say you are doing a great job. I would like to know what inspired that work.
I am very much interested in the purchase to surprise my wife.Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
God bless
Fred
---
I told him to send a check to my PO Box and I'd send him the painting out right way. THEN this reply...now the painting to him is a 'print.' So many red flags...I checked the IP address: Nigeria.
Always check IP addresses!
---
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I am very much interested in the immediate purchase of the print piece to surprise my wife. If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and our anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise one. I am buying yours as part of gifts to her (quickly before someone else grabs it). I'm okay with the price, I think it's worth it anyway, so I'll be sending a check.
As regarding shipping, you don't have to worry about that in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the surprise. as soon as you receive and cash the check, my shipping agent (who is also moving my personal effect) will contact you to arrange pick-up.
I would have handled this much differently but, at the moment, am on training voyage (on the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school. I would have come to purchase the piece myself but won't be back for another couple of weeks.
Regards,
Fred
PS: In the meantime, kindly forward your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address (preferably for fedEx not P.O box) where a check can be mailed to, so I can get the check prepared and have it mailed out to you asap.
-----
Arrrrgh!
Got the Greg Hall email today. Knew it was a scam. My reporting package on my website can track hits. "Greg" lives in Gautang, South Africa. Am not responding. Same old - same old.
ReplyDeleteSame scammer, new name:
ReplyDeleteHi,My name is Barry Dominican. I lived and worked in Ontario for
21years.I'm in the process of moving to Germany to expand my business
field. I just bought a house there and I'm interested in collecting
some artworks for some spaces within my house to make it unique and
beautiful. Can I have a few images of your recent works? I won't mind
having your website so as to explore more into your works.I look
forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Regards,
Richard Brown his email is rb324119@gmail.com. He sends out emails looking for a personal assistant for his art gallery. It doesn't matter where u live. He will pay u $500 a week. For u to work 15-20 hours a month. All you have to do is check ur mail daily and check ur email 3 times a day. If there is any mail for him or a customer I need to send it where it needs to go. I thought that was strange cause if he has the time to mail it to me, why don't he just mail it to the person it needed to go to in the first place. I told him up front I would not have any check put in my name or use my personal checking account. Well he sent me a email with a tracking number of my first mail to me tracked by the post office. Well the day came of my first mail. It was a cashiers check in my name for $6,950. So I went and opened a new checking account. Well the bank put a hold on the money for 10 days. I was to take my $500 out of that. Well my bank put a hold on the check to make sure everything was real. I sent him all paper work by pics he ask for. He sent me an email wanting me to go take the money out if the bank the next day and go to cvs and walmart and buy vanilla prepaid cards. After u got home with the card I was to email him the numbers off the cards. When I told him I couldn't do that because our walmart's here don't carry them cards and we don't have cvs stores in Arkansas. I also reminded him I couldn't get the money for 10 days. He got mad the bank was holding the money and started telling me his lawyer was going to call my bank. So I have him the bank number. I also called the bank who told me he can't do anything because the check was made out to me. So then he tells me he needs my cell number. I had already given it to him 3 times. So I told him to give me his lawyers name and number and I would be glad to call him. He hasn't responded to the email.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Stacey
Don't give this scammer anymore money. That check is going to turn out to be fraudulent and if you send this scammer ANY money, it will be your money that is lost. SOOO glaad you didn't send him any money!
ReplyDeleteAlso, pretty fraudulent business to be getting you to get prepaid cards and have you read the numbers off them, so they can also buy stolen goods from those numbers. And in the end, you were not going to get paid. He would dump you right before that and get another "mule" for his illegal business.
He's not responding because the first part of his scam is not working - you sending him your hard earned cash against his counterfeit check.
It's hard - but do not reply any more. Do not give him any more information. Do not even tell him you are on to him and have reported him (these guys are good at knowing how to not be tracked down). Just leave him flapping in the wind to guess, until he moves on to his next potential victim. Leave him to waste his time guessing if you are still on the hook as a potential victim or not - it's time he is not using to work a new victim.
Glad you caught this in time and will not lose money to this cockroach scammer.
This one is a newish version I think, i had a to and fro with this one, its hard when you smell a rat but can't say incase it is a genuine enquiry! Luckily the shipping for this turned out to be way more than the artwork was worth, so I insisted on paypal which got rid of the enquiry swiftly. I think thats all you can do really.
ReplyDeleteDear Artist,
My name is Chloe Sullivani. I lived and worked in Sacramento, CA for
twenty years. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my
business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm
interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to
make it unique and beautiful.
Can I have a few images of your recent works?
You could refer me to your online portfolio to explore your hand works.
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Chloe Sullivani
I just received the exact same letter for "Chloe" today.
ReplyDeleteI had the same- the scam seems to involve shipping, using an apparently legit company, but with a fake email. When I said I would call the company on the number I found on their website, she quit emailing me
DeleteHas anyone been contacted by "Gregg Bromcktonn" -- long story short- he claims he found my craigslist ad where I seek position as personal assistant. he claims he and his wife "katy" will be coming to Miami to mobe into their new apt. permanently along with their "one month old babygirl" -- and that they would love some extra help around the house and that he will send me a check for $2500 -- I am supposed to deduct $450 for my first weeks pay, 100 for my groceries, and 30 for my gas. the remainder I am to take to buy his grocery list and stock his apt (of which I was never notified of address to) - a week later he writes that they decided they will bring their groceries from THE UK TO THE US (HAHA) AND at this point the remainder of the check will be sent to the art gallery from whom he wants to buy a piece and decorate his apt with. subsequently, no address and no name for alleged "art dealer" -- additionally, I will be "receiving my check" through their "attorney/financial advisor" here in the states to ensure all communication in the US transpires correctly. the "lawyer" also "has the key to the apt I will be furnishing and will be sending it to me via no particular courier" -- art dealer is supposed to be given a money order, I take the remainder of the check after my pay is deducted and then go to WESTERN UNION, WHICH I KNOW IS A PREFERRED BANK USED BY SCAM ARTISTS. I proceeded to tell him my father is a US federal agent and that he insists this is too good to be true, that if anyone were coming over seas with an infant why subject them to a complete stranger? he has not written back since I told him my father was an agent. could it be true? I love the whole "you will buy groceries with 1920$ , oh but now I will bring my goods overseas, and you will now be sending a check to my art dealer" wow
ReplyDeleteGeez. Sounds like this scammer was just trying to shove way too many versions of scams all into one. Fake job plus fake art buyer plus fake apartment scam all in one! No one said scammers have any brains.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Goes to show just how scammers don't care how bizarre they sound - and how sad it can be that it still results in victims.
Joseph Huppert is also moving to Milan from Dallas. It must be very popular. Not sure why he doesn't know my name or hasn't seen my work since the email address is from a link on my web site and obviously my artwork is on the site. Oh I know...scam, scam scam...here it is:
ReplyDeleteDear Artist,
My name is Joseph Huppert. I lived and worked in Dallas for twenty years. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to make it unique and beautiful.
Can I have a few images of your recent works?
You could refer me to your online portfolio to explore your hand works.
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Joseph.
Thanks to that website I figured it was a scam! I thought it was real because that Richard Brown (123richbrown@gmail.com) actually went to my real website and filled the contact form! I gave him the bank transfer info to make the payment but he wanted to send a cheque. And when he understood I was not living in the US but in Switzerland he stops sending email. Here is his message:
ReplyDelete--------
Greetings!
My name is Richard Brown from SC. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of work, I'm also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, : ) You are doing a great job. I would like to receive further information about your piece of work and what inspires you.
I would like to purchase one of yours as a surprise to my wife on our anniversary. Also, i Will appreciate if you can give me the price quotes of any available works of yours ready for immediate sale.
Thanks and best regards,
Richard.
_________
I am getting the scam recirculating - now he is David Wattson moving to Germany, but his email mrknumb@gmail.com is the same as other scams.
ReplyDeleteand the scams continue, new name but same text Sheneeka Young (sheneekayoung@outlook.com)
ReplyDeleteHi,
My name is Sheneeka Young. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to make it unique and beautiful.
Can I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Sheneeka
Got the Sheneeka message as well. Bitch
DeleteGot one today from Harry Lartigue
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays,
My name is Harry Lartigue. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to make it unique and beautiful.Can I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest and you can contact me back via this email harryjrmnidiesels@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Harry.
From (sheneekayoung@outlook.com)
ReplyDeleteII directed this person to my galleries representing my work. The reply was that they wanted me to handle the sale. I got suspicious and googled the name for scams.
Hi,
My name is Sheneeka Young. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to make it unique and beautiful.
Can I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Sheneeka.
Hi all, Just wondering: one of these persons has contacted us, too. Not sure how this scam works, and would appreciate your help. This person is trying to pay us money through Square and ask for art to be shipped. So who is the victim, and what is their mission? Sorry for being naive—it just "felt weird," which is why I googled her name. And found you guys discussing this!
ReplyDeleteOften when scammers use PayPal or the square what they try to do is email the victim (the seller) a fake confirmation email that the payment is complete. Or the begin saying the square or PayPal but then claim they are having troubles and can they just send a check (which puts them back in familiar territory as the check will be a forgery).
ReplyDeleteTwo easy ways to know it is a scam. They are overpaying to cover for some non-existent shipper of theirs and they ask this overage amount be WIRED.
Do not accept overpayments, use your own shipping service and NEVER wire money to anyone and you should be fine. The scammer will realize you have caught on to them and will quickly move on to their next potential victim.
I just got one from [maxkeplinger@outlook.com]
ReplyDeleteHi,
My name is Max. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house to make it unique and beautiful.
May I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
Sincerely,
Max Keplinger.
We just got the same exact one from Max Keplinger on March 4, 2015. Has anyone else received this email and it's a scam?
ReplyDeleteYes. I have gotten several e mails from him. He wanted me to use a shipping company with exorbitant prices which was weird. A friend alerted me to a website about art scammers. I googled his name and found it here. I sent him an email saying that art could be sent by FedEx for 1/4 the price and never heard back.
ReplyDeleteSame email today from Rebecca Cross (rebeccacross30@outlook.com)
ReplyDeleteI too have gotten the same email from Rebecca Cross. I'm curious how that scam actually works though.
ReplyDeleteHere is what my art gallery received from "Alfred White" on May 7th:
ReplyDeleteMy name is Alfred White. I lived and worked in California for twenty five years. I'm in the process of moving to Italy to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in collecting an artwork for a space within my house for beautification.May I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Alfred
He selected several pieces, asked if we accept credit cards and referred me to contact his shipper TFNWORLDEXPRESS@deliveryman.com . I searched the internet & have not found this company. I am assuming he is using stolen credit cards?
Just got this one today.
ReplyDeleteDear Artist,
Am interested in purchasing some pieces of artwork as I'm in the process of moving to Italy
to expand my business field. I just bought a house in Milan, Italy and I'm interested in
collecting an artwork for a space within my house for beautification.
May I look through your website so as to pin point my choice , request for a quote and more
information?
I look forward to hearing back from you soonest.
Sincerely,
Alan
Name:
ReplyDeleteMELISSA DAVIS
Email:
melissadavis85@outlook.com
Subject:
ARTWORK
Message:
I am interested in purchasing an artwork from you for the decoration
of my guest room at my new residence in Milan, Italy. 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.
Melissa.