Scam Email: Cynthia Roberts

Hi Kathleen

Thank goodness I found your website! I had a bad feeling about this whole situation and I was obviously right. I feel such a fool to have been taken in by them.

I am now going to cease all communication.

Thank you for caring and I feel as angry as you do. I have sent all info to the police fraud site. Let's hope they can be caught and stopped for good.

I've included the email thread for you to read.

Kindest regards
Caroline
------------/

Hello Caroline,

I appreciate you keeping in touch, following on my previous email, please be informed that i would be happy to wait until the cheque has duly cleared your account before pick up arrangement commences. Since the shipper will be picking up other items for me which i have already paid for before i got message about my son's illness in Canada, else i would have paid you in cash via royal mail. Do let me know if i should issue out the cheque as proposed, so i can do that today or first thing tomorrow morning.

Respectfully,
Cynthia

Subject: Fwd: Artwork
From:
Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:19:52 +0000
To: robert_c734@hotmail.com


Hi Cynthia
Following my last email, my Accountant has expressed concern at my agreement to pass on funds to your Shipper and has asked that you make only the payment to me in the sum of £1050 to cover cost of artwork and that you make payment to your Shipper directly without my involvement.
Please confirm this will be ok
Kind regards
Caroline


Begin forwarded message:

From: Roberts Cynthia (robert_c734@hotmail.com)
Date: 15 December 2013 13:42:01 GMT
To:
Subject: RE:

Dear Caroline,

Thanks for your response to my purchase inquiry. I love your pieces of art and must tell you , you are good at what you do. I am collecting these items for personal use as I am an avid fan of art paintings ,sculptures and antiques.

Presently i am out of town spending sometime with my son who was recently diagnosed with Cancer but there shouldn't be a worry as my shipper can come for pickup from you after payment has been finalized and fully cleared your account. I will be sending payment in form of a certified cheque of £2,000 and will need your mailing address where the cheque can be mailed to. You are to deduct the cost of your piece and disburse the rest to my shipper who will handle the pickup of the piece(s) as well as my other furniture's for my newly acquired property in Kent.

For invoicing/filing purposes, my contact information is as detailed below:

2405 Queen st E,
Toronto, Ontario.
M4E 1H6.

I look forward to doing business with you.
Kind Regards,
Cynthia Roberts.

From:
To: robert_c734@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: RE:
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2013 08:01:26 +0000

Hi Cynthia

Thank you very much for your interest in my work.  I have just recently sold "The Long Day", however the rest are still currently available.  A couple of the pieces are lodged with a local gallery, but I can retrieve them for you quickly.

The costs on the SAA website are for mounted pieces only, therefore, please see below the mounted and framed prices as you have requested.  The frames are not all the same, they are either white or silver and are chosen to suit the subject matter:

Mounted & Framed
LANDCRAFT                         £200
LITTLE HOUSE                      £150

Please let me know if you would like to go ahead with these purchases and when you would like to collect them, so that I can make arrangements to retrieve the relevant pieces from the Gallery.

I would prefer if you could pay directly into my bank account on-line, if possible?

I look forward to hearing from you again soon and thank you once again for your interest and support.

Kind regards

Caroline

----- Original Message -----
From: Roberts Cynthia (robert_c734@hotmail.com)
To:
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2013 1:13 AM
Subject: RE:

Landcraft
Little House

Hello Caroline, Please let me know if the above piece(s) are still available. Calculate the total cost mounted & framed and let me know as quickly as you can, Payment will be by certified cheque, i can make arrangements for pick-up once payment clears your bank if that's okay with you.

Best Regards,
Cynthia Roberts.

Scam Email: Luiza Kwiatkowska

Scammers are not above grabbing the names of real people online and using them for their own criminal purposes. Also notice how, in the below scam, the scammer begins by asking about PayPal (thus trying to establish some credibility with their victim) but then switches, using some trumped up story, to what they actually need for their scam to succeed: a wire transfer via some service like Western Union or MoneyGram.


Hello Kathleen,

Well, it's the first time it's happening to me. I'm glad I found your site, thank you for doing this. The name was not on your list, it's luiza kwiatkowska, e-mail luiza.kwiatkowska@o2.pl. When I look for the name on the internet it seems to be a renowned graphic designer and illustrator in Poland but I'm pretty sure it's not her...

She contacted me via a website where I sell some artwork. In her profile at that site, she mentions she
is from Miami.

Here's the conversation (and LOTS of warning signs). I replied to her first e-mail only, to see if she was serious. And then her second e-mail just raised some major suspicions and was just plainly ridiculous. I  didn't reply to her and I'm going to delete the e-mail :

*luizakwiatkows*

offers 600 CAD on your artwork Modèle au corbeau

Hello,
I have read very about your item.
Am okay with the condition of the item. But before i proceed with the payment i will to ask about the item..
I have a private shipping company that will come for the pick up of the item in your location

Do you accept PAYPAL as you mode of payment?
What is the final price of the item without shipping cost?
Get back to me in my private mail at : luiza.kwiatkowska@o2.pl
Best Regards


My reply :

Hello,

> I have a private shipping company that will come for the pick up the item in your location

We are in Montreal, Canada. I can have the painting available at my usual gallery here at a time of your choice.

> Do you accept PAYPAL as you mode of payment?

Yes, you may address the payment to [paypal e-mail]

> What is the final price of the item without shipping cost?

600$ is fine.

Thank you for your interest.


Hello
I'm about to make the payments when i had this little problem with the picking up agent of the Item,I think you remember what i said in my previous mail that I'm working presently on the sea,so i tried to secure  booking with my pick up agent,but they asked me to pay first before they can make the booking, and they only accept Western Union Money Transfer for payments and they don't accept PayPal or bank transfer, So i tried to send the money online but it's not going through and i am  on the sea, there is no way i can find a western union agent to make the transfer to my pick up agent, so i wanted to ask if it will be OK for me to include my pick up agent's fees together with your payments through PayPal,So you will help me wire the pick up fee to them via western Union Money Transfer immediately i pay you,i don't mean to bother you I'm sure you understand that I'm presently on the sea and there is nothing i can do to that,The bottom line is after I have made the payments via PayPal,you will help me wire my pick up agent fee to them through western union money transfer, I just wanted to seek your consent before going ahead with the payments,I will be very happy if my offer is given a favorable consideration,Respond as soon as possible so that i can send out your Payment.
Regards.

Scam Email: Andrew Hembree

Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for doing this.  I received a similar email back in August which is what made me suspicious of this one.  It was a different name, Steve Levitt, but the phrasing was almost word for word the same.  The first one I received is on your list, but this one is not.  In August I did not respond, but this time I wrote back and said I was in contact with the Federal Trade Commission.  It will probably not do any good, but it made me feel better.

Thanks again,
Elizabeth


On Dec 2, 2013, at 5:46 AM, andrew hembree (andrewhembree01@gmail.com) wrote:

Hello,
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 sale.
Peace and blessings
Andrew

Scam Email: Max Gardner

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.

Scam Email: Simeon Ducroux

Thanks for your Art Scam blog. My partner, Liz, received one of these emails yesterday. Your blog helped us confirm our suspicions that it was a scam.

Thank you so much for combatting this scourge!

Kind regards

Brian

Email attached below.

From: Simeon Ducroux [simeonducroux690@yahoo.com.au[mailto:simeonducroux690@yahoo.com.au]]
Date: 26 augusti 2013 13:02:09 GMT+01:00
Subject: Re: Craft Purchase
Reply-To: Simeon Ducroux [simeonducroux690@yahoo.com.au[mailto:simeonducroux690@yahoo.com.au]]

Hello ,

            You must have devoted so much time and effort to create this pieces that i am about to purchase because i can vividly see the uniqueness of the pieces. Your work also have  a pleasant and a suiting feeling, I am so sure it will bring comfort and happiness into my life. The piece listed below are the one's i will be purchasing.

[ name of six pieces and prices were inserted here]

Payment for those pieces will be made by cheque from bank in Europe and the  money can be withdraw from my account, i will be issuing €7,920 to cover the cost of the piece and shipping of your work.

I have some Furniture to be picked up from a store in Bremen,so you will deduct your fee from the payment issued to you and have the rest disburse to the shipper that will come over to your location to pick up your work and have it delivered safely to me at my residential address in Sydney,I would inform the shippers about it after have heard from you.They will just come over to your area to pick-up the piece and then have them delivered to me.Before i can proceed to issue to you the cheque  i  will be needing your contact details and phone number to write and send the cheque to you.The address written below is my address for shipping.
Thanks
Simeon

My address
29 O'Connell St,
Sydney NSW 2000,
Australia
Email:simeonducroux690@yahoo.com.au[http://yahoo.com.au]

Scam Email: Cindy Dickson

It's when scammers make lame mistakes that most people get suspicious that the purchase is not actually for real. This scammer using this fake name made several mistakes, but the obvious one that tipped the scales for the artist was saying they do not use PayPal. Then the artist got suspicious. But some scammer say they use PayPal and then send a faked payment confirmation email  hoping the artist will not manually check their account before wiring money to a non-existent shipper. So be careful. And google things that don't make sense.

On Aug 1, 2013, at 5:58 PM, Cindy Dickson [cindy.dicksonshop@gmail.com] wrote:

Good Day,

I am Cindy Dickson from Norway, I want to informed you that your items are most creative & desirable, so much talent! I am interested in purchasing some of your unique items to my shop in Norway,but before i do i want to inform if i can make the payment with my credit card because presently my best form of payment is via credit card,that is where i put all my money for any international transaction.So kindly reconfirm your website/contact details and get back to me with it so as to know if I'm right with the site.

Concerning the shipment,my shipping company will be coming to pickup the items because i already have some merchandise with them in which they will be shipping together to me here in Norway.So you don't need to be worried about the shipment nor handling fee.

Cindy-Za-Dicksonshop
Niels Juels gate 43
0257 Oslo,
Norway.
phone: + 47 20 13 31 00
fax:   + 47 23 28 49 51
Email: cindy.dicksonshop@gmail.com

Best Regard,
Cindy Dickson.

second email:

On Aug 2, 2013, at 12:14 PM, Cindy Dickson [cindy.dicksonshop@gmail.com] wrote:

Hello Carmen,

Thanks for getting back to me with a feedback,So below here is what i need.

[Name of Painting]
 Qty….1  $3000

[Name of Painting]
Qty….1 $3800

[Name of Painting]
Qty….1 $1800

[Name of Painting]
Qty….1 $3200

[Name of Painting]
Qty….$700

Please kindly calculate the total cost of the items,so that you can get the order processed for me.i will email you my Credit Card account information for the payment of the order.

Concerning the shipment, i will be having my shipping agent coming to pickup the order directly from you because i already have some large merchandise with them in which after picking up the items they will then deliver it to me here in Norway.So i want you to get back to me with the size and weight items.

Regards,
Cindy Dickson.

third email:

On Aug 7, 2013, at 2:03 AM, Cindy Dickson [cindy.dicksonshop@gmail.com] wrote:

Hello Carmen,

Thanks for getting back to me with the total, i will like to know cost of each one of the listed work i've selected.

Regards,
Cindy Dickson. 

fourth email:

On Aug 8, 2013, at 8:49 AM, Cindy Dickson [cindy.dicksonshop@gmail.com] wrote:

Carmen,

Concerning the payment,i will like to inform you that i DON'T use Pay pal for payment,so it will be best if you can look for a  colleague that has manual terminal charging machine so as to  assist you in charging my credit card details.If it's okay by  you kindly get back  to me so as to know if i will be proceeding with the order or not.

Thanks,
Cindy.

Scam Email: Frank Bernard

Here is the text of yet another scammer with another fake name and disposable email account:

Hi Cheryl,

Good to hear back from you.I will like to proceed with the purchase of the piece. I think it is a lovely work  and i hope to give it a good home.

I will be leaving soon to Bermuda for a Reform Project Work even though it comes at a time when i am preparing for a big move to Toronto but it means so much to her (My Wife) and i should be back in few days.

Meanwhile, i will like you to forward me your Full Name,Full Mailing Address And Phone Number so i can inform my Financier Assistance on where to forward the payment Via a Certified Check.

He will have Payment Handled Immediately i have instructions given to him since his in Canada Handling Official Duties and can handle the shipping as well just to ease your stress and make things faster for the delivery and us.

The shipping address is Below...

Mary Simmons
1008 Washington street,
Beaufort,29902 South Carolina USA.

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

Best Regards,
Frank Bernard
inc.inwent@outlook.com

Scam Email: Don Fisher

On Jul 19, 2013, at 5:30 PM, Don Fisher wrote:
--
Hello,

These  particular artwork of yours that you have for sale, is it still available and detailed price.
Don.

 
From: Don Fisher [bestofdonfisher@gmail.com]
Date: July 20, 2013 2:45:51 AM PDT
Subject: Re: Payment...................

Hello,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Unfortunately, Im on my way to Mexico on an official trip(I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I would have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for true on It though.

I'm okay with the price $2,000, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to know, Im relocating to the South Africa soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed depending on how things goes.
Thanks,

PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your Full Name,Contact Address and also your phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it sent out to you ASAP.

Don.

Scam Email: Brandon Domergue

This is one of those scammers who were too lazy to even pretend to be sending the request to one person - they just dumped their scam list into the TO field under "undisclosed-recipients". Lazy.

They ask for the website link, which doesn't make sense to us artists, but they do this because when they send out hundreds of thousands of these, they have no idea who is who when potential victims reply. And they want to personalize the email more for those who actually reply. But for us, asking to buy art and also asking for our website is a total red flag that tips us off it is a scam.

From: Brandon Domergue [brandondomergue@yahoo.ca]
Date: 4 July 2013 23:20:41 BST
To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
Subject: *Purchase Request*

Good Evening,
   I am interested in purchasing some of your art work for my self and my budget is between 1000£-2000£ i will like to know if you have works in this category or above.If you do kindly send the images of those ones in this category or website link to the ones in the category.I await to read from you soon.
Regards
Brandon

Scam Email: Steven Leavitt

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for the great information on art scammers on your website. Here is another name to add to your list. He contacted me a few days ago.

All Best,
Jen

On Jun 25, 2013, at 2:02 PM, Steven Leavitt [stevleavitt@yahoo.com] wrote:
 
Good day, hope you are good. Was going through your website and saw some of your artwork I really like. You are doing a great job. I would like to make the purchase of the artwork in subject field above if it is still available..i would also like to know what inspired the artwork. kindly get back to me asap.

Thanks and God bless,
Steve Leavitt.

second email:

From: Steven Leavitt [stevleavitt@yahoo.com]
Date: June 27, 2013, 7:10:37 PM GMT+02:00
Subject: Hello
Reply-To: Steven Leavitt [stevleavitt@yahoo.com]

Dear Jennifer,

Thanks for the message, Hope  you are doing  great. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website (artwork) on my laptop and i guess she likes your artwork, Also I must tell you I am very much interested in the immediate purchase of that artwork to surprise my wife. Unfortunately, at the moment I am on training voyage with new hires, fresh from graduate school, I would have come to purchase the piece personally but won't be back for another couple of weeks, as I am a civil marine engineer and due to the nature of my work, visiting of website, phone calls are restricted during this period, but i squeezed out time to check this advert and send you an email regarding it:-). . Kindly email me the asking price asap.

If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and I'm also trying to gather some good stuff to furnish my new abode. I am buying yours (quickly before someone else grabs it) So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, you don't have to worry about shipment, I be appointing a secured shipping agent in Philippines whom are also moving my 1932 Ford ROADSTER and some personal effect to come over for the pickup of the painting at your place,and then deliver it to my new abode (Philippines); Courier service like FedEx, UPS are not worth it in the Philippines especially USPS all of them are not rendering good service there in the Philippines, they will never bring to ones house. I have had several bad experience with FedEx and UPS in the past and am not willing to pay additional fee at the delivery point in Philippines  because the appointed shipper will deliver safely without paying any other money before collecting the goods unlike some other courier where it will not be delivered to your address rather you will have to go to their office to pick it up and when you get there you will be told to pay other money before collecting it.

Thanks and God bless,
Steve Leavitt.

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 fedex a check to. as I MIGHT be delayed depending on how things goes.

Scam Email: Martin Cheng

I got two of these scam emails one after the other. You can see from the headers that they are just using other people's compromised servers to send out their emails and that is why it is so hard to catch these criminals. They do reference credit cards as their payment form, so I would have to believe these scammers have a ready set of thousands of stolen credit card numbers.

From: Martin Cheng (greatwallcontractors1@hotmail.com)
Reply to: greatwallcontractors1@hotmail.com
Return Path: (psikolo1@host.instantdeliver.net)
Subject: Great Wall Contractors Inc

Second Spam email (sent 2 minutes after the first)

From: Martin Cheng (greatwallcontractors1@hotmail.com)
Reply to: greatwallcontractors1@hotmail.com
Return Path: (www.wildfire1.co.uk@mx3.genesisgroupuk.com)
Subject: Great Wall Contractors Inc

Body of Email (same in both emails):

Hello,

  My name is Martin Cheng .I am in the Manager of Great Wall Contractors Inc which is located in China.We will like to make order for some products in your company to our company at:

Martin Cheng

Great Wall Contractors Inc
RM307-330, Office Building, No.2 Tiantaiyi Road, Science Town, 510663 Guangzhou - PRC
tel +86 20 3831657 -

greatwallcontractors1@hotmail.com

  We will want you to send us your company website or send us your products price list so we can send you the full details on the products we are interested in.

  I will also want to confirm if your company do accept Credit card as means of payment.I will await to hear from you asap.

Regards,

Martin
Cheng

Great Wall Contractors Inc

Scam Email: Michael Gray Designs

Kathleen:

Here is my correspondence with someone not on your list.  But clearly a scam as I got further into it.  He wanted to send me more than three times the price of the work.  He even has a website.  Yuck.

Thanks for helping us stay on top of this.

Best,
Fran
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Gray [michaelgraydesigns@aol.com]
Date: Fri, May 17, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Subject: Artwork Purchase
To: michaelgraydesigns@aol.com

Hi, I saw a few of your art pieces and I'm interested in purchasing one or two of your pieces . Could you please let me know your available pieces,a price list and payment options .  I'm an art lover/collector and I'm collecting for my personal collections.****
Regards.

 *Michael Gray
michaelgraydesigns@aol.com
*www.michaelgraydesigns.webs.com*

Scam Email: Maurice Pierrez

Hi Kathleen ,

I'm certain I have a scammer knocking on my door. I googled 'artist scammers' and your site came up. I looked through and it was outrageously accurate in its content of what they do and thats why I'm now certain this guy is up to no good. He has all the box's ticked. I'd just like to give you his details for inclusion on the scammer list. Here is his name ( which he constantly changes and mis-spells ) and email address...

Maurice Pierrez or sometimes Maurice Pierre

And the email is...     mauricepierrez@yahoo.ca

I hope you can include it in your list soon as I'd like to send him a reply with a link to your page. Can you please confirm if you are ok with this ?

Thanks and keep up the good work.
Alan

Scam Email: Helen Carzola

Hi, Kathleen,

Thanks to your Art Scam site, we dodged an odd bullet with a big cheque from one of your merry crew of scammers, Helen Carzola.  Classic case (we now realise) of an order for a piece, followed by a cheque for twice the amount written on the account of a very big corporation in Toronto, but with no address or signing officer's name printed on it.  I'm sure you know the Stück.

Anyway, good of you to ferret out these bottom feeders.  I'm staggered at the huge number of them.

Regards,

Chris

Scam Email: Ronald Walker

Kathleen,

This is the first part of a conversation from an art scam. I didn't want to forward the later email that says they will send more than the amount so I can pay their shipper because it includes my home address and phone number (I hope nothing bad comes from that information).

From: ronald walker [ronaldwalker.llc@gmail.com>]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 6:42 AM
Subject: Arizona Pronghorn 2011 (18" x 36") latex paint and marker on canvas

Hi,

My name is Ron, I recently visited your website and found your Work of arts to be appealing. I am very impressed with it and would be interested in purchasing it for my new apartment I am moving into this month. Please do provide me with the price and details if it is available.

Ron.

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: ronald walker [ronaldwalker.llc@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: Arizona Pronghorn 2011 (18" x 36") latex paint and marker on canvas

Thanks for your response and details,As it is am on my way to Indonesia now for a conference and might not be back till after 2 weeks, Would have come to inspect and purchase the piece personally as am relocating to Johannesburg and am trying to gather some good arts for my new home. am buying yours quickly! before someone else grabs it, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, I will have to notify my shipper who is shipping my belongings from the States to get set for the pickup of the piece at your place as I might be delayed in Indonesia, you don't need to worry about shipping though.
Thanks,

PS: Kindly get back to me with your contact details so I can get a certified check prepared and sent out to you ASAP.

Ron.

Scam Email: Lisa Giroud

Kathleen,

Must be a scam. Thank you for your work:

Lisa Giroud [wilzcharlespp@gmail.com]

8:37 PM (12 hours ago)

Hi,

Hope this message finds you well. I saw these creative works on your website and i will like you to get back with more details if they are still available for purchase.

"Magnified #2   and    Sophie on the Grill

I will appreciate an urgent reply.

Best Regards,
Lisa Giroud.

Scam Email: Betty Hammond

Just goes to show you - scammers pretty much ignore what you say. They have their little steps to their scam and they will keep pushing you along, regardless of what you say, to see if you will go to the next level of the scam with them. In the below email, an artist has been approached by a scammer using the fake name of Betty Hammond. When the artist says the painting is no longer available, the scammer just proceeds along with what their standard second email says. Amazing. Obviously, it made no sense to the artist and the scammer blew their cover at that point.

Also, phrases like "I will be waiting to read from you." just really gives them away.

I remain grateful for the ignorance of scammers, that they continue to provide us such obvious clues to know they are not for real.

Just got this from "Betty Hammond", think it needs to be added to the list!

From: Betty Hammond [bettyhammond01@yahoo.com]
Date: April 12, 2013 12:53:50 PM EDT
Subject: "Lady In Red" Oil, 18" x 20"

Hi,
I'm Betty Hammond from California. 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,
Betty.

On Apr 12, 2013, at 6:15 PM, Betty Hammond wrote:

Thanks for your prompt reply. You can reach me on (323) 835-1260.
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'd like to know, I'm relocating to South Africa soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode. I'm buying yours amongst others,quickly! before someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.
However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's 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.

Scam Email: Carol Grant

Hi Kathleen,

Here is a scammer "Carol Grant ca_grantrow@yahoo.com" who tried to prey on one of our artists. Thankfully she forwarded it to us.

Katy

From: Carol Grant [mailto:ca_grantrow@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 1:49 AM
To:
Subject: Re: Payment and Pickup...................

Hello,

In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your Full Name,Contact Address and also your Cell phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it sent out to you ASAP.

My shipper should be in town sometime next week and will definitely be getting in touch with you for the pickup and also to inspect it for me.

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 South Africa this month as Im being transferred and Promoted.

As it is, I'm sending you check 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 have received and cashed the check, deduct your funds and PLEASE help me send the remaining funds to him(shipper). I will forward his contact details to you once you have received the payment.

Now I'm concluding you are a responsible person and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement.I'll let you know Immediately the check is sent out to you so you should be looking out for it.
I'll surely give you a call later when Im free. Many thanks and talk to you soon,

Regards,
Carol
  _____ 


Begin forwarded message:

From: Carol Grant [ca_grantrow@yahoo.com]
Subject: Re: Payment..............................
Date: April 5, 2013 9:14:23 PM CDT
To:
Reply-To: Carol Grant

Hello,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Unfortunately, Im on my way to Mexico on an official trip(I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I would have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for true on It though.

I'm okay with the price $1000, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to know, Im relocating to the South Africa soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed depending on how things goes.
 
Thanks,

PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your Full Name,Contact Address and also your phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it sent out to you ASAP.

Regards,
Carol
  _____ 

On Apr 5, 2013, at 10:45 AM, Carol Grant wrote:

Hello,

These  particular artwork of yours that you have for sale, is it still available,if yes let me have the detailed price.

Regards,
Carol

Scam Email: Robert Crandal

Hi Kathleen,

This person is making his rounds with many of my artists and colleagues as well.

*ROBERT CRANDAL* - robertcrandal.ltd@gmail.com

Below is my correspondence.  (I deleted my name and the requested artist's name from the correspondence) You may add to list and share, please do not share any other identifying info.

Your blog is great. Thank you.

John

On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 1:51 PM, robert crandal [robertcrandal.ltd@gmail.com]
> wrote:

> Hi,
> Thanks for the details,I am on my way to Indonesia for a conference and
> might not be back till after 2 weeks, Would have come to inspect and
> purchase the piece personally,as a matter of fact am relocating to
> Johannesburg and am trying to gather some good arts for my new home. am
> buying yours ( artist's name and price ) quickly! before someone else grabs
> it, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.
>
> However, I will have to notify my shipper who is shipping my belongings
> from the States to get set for the pickup of the piece at your place as I
> might be delayed in Indonesia, you don't need to worry about shipping
> though.
> Thanks,
>
> PS: Kindly get back to me with your contact details so I can get a
> certified check prepared and sent out to you ASAP.
>
> On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 1:49 PM, John wrote:
>
>> Hello, Robert:
>>
>> Thank you for your interest.  The price for *(Artist's name and title*is $).  This painting is available.
>>
>> The other panel, (title) is its compliment as the artist created them
>> together.  They are being offered as a pair for ($) if you are
>> interested.
>>
>> Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
>> Thank you.
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 1:56 AM, robert crandal

>>[ robertcrandal.ltd@gmail.com] wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>> My name is Robert. I recently visited your website and found your Work
>>> of arts to be appealing. I am very impressed with it and would be
>>> interested in purchasing it for my apartment I am moving into this month.
>>> Please do provide me with the price and details if it is available.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Robert Crandal
>>>

Scam Email: Johnny Williams

Hi Kathleen,

Here is another scammer for you, who can't spell his own name or the town he is "in":

"Johnny Williams" [johnnywalkerwilliams@yahoo.com]

Hi there,

I am a chief librarian in a private library here in Spain and we are looking at equipping and beautifying our Library with artworks of diverse artist in order to lecture and broaden our student’s horizon on art and culture when they come to the library to study and read books on art and culture and to show art interests. Such things as stylistic preferences and I hope you will help us tailor our mailings to meet our specific needs
We will be glad if you can assist us with how to purchase the artworks from your website and we shall make payment immediately with charge card (Visa or Master card) either one you prefer for the purchase before you send the artwork to us.

We anticipate your kindness in assisting us with the purchase.

Sincerely
Jonny Williams

SANTA COLOMA DE GRAMANET 56
BARCELONA
SPAIN
ZIPCODE 08921

Thanks for keeping your list,
Rachel

Scam Email: Jose Santos

Copying this to you and wondering....It seems to be in the scam mode. 

Please advise.
Mary

FROM: jose.santos481@yahoo.es
SUBJECT: YOUR PAINTINGS

Hello,

I have seen some of your paintings online and recently visited your website and I am very impressed by the wonderful pieces you have on display. I will like to buy paintings from you, can you get back to me with the price range of your paintings, the shipping cost to this address Palestine Rd. Corner PR Fahad Street, PO Box 6448 Jeddah, 21442 Saudi Arabia, Falastin, Jeddah 23223, Saudi Arabia, and lastly hope you accept (Credit card) as a method of payment.

Kindly get back to me asap.

Best Regards.

We have sent emails back and forth as I'm a sculptor not a painter. I suggested that he look at my website. He requested prices, with shipping, taxes, etc. for a few pieces. I' m pretty lazy so quoted prices without packing, taxes or shipping and wrote that he should let me know, before I began to check out shippers, whether he was interested. He emailed again and asked for quotes with shipping. See below

Hello Mary,

Thanks for your understanding and detailed emailed about what you do, find below the works i would like to purchase from you [he lists the pieces, then he continues...]

I would say one of the greatest invention is the internet, with the help of the internet the world is a global village.

I am currently on the oil rig in the middle of the sea of Manifa typing this message, I love art works collections alot, that is why i have decided to open a gallery of my own as I would be retiring soon, so it is really good i met you as you have beautiful and wonderful works, since its a gallery I intend open I should have a special sections for sculptures so i would like to do business with you and will want you supplying me sculptures for my Gallery occasionally.

For a start kindly get back to me with the total cost of the works I have chosen including shipping cost and I can make payment hope you accept credit card as a method of payment as that is the most suitable for me.

Await your next email!

Regards,
Jose.

I writing again here. By the way I also talked with the credit card company to find out how to set up extra security. But I was still worried about credit card theft being used for this purchase.

So before this goes further, is this a scammer?  

Thank you for your assistance, in advance.
Mary

Scam Email: Michelle Barry

Nothing too unusual about this one. It's a bit brief but you can tell it is a scam by the poor English and the set up about moving (which will lead into the rest of the scam in subsequent emails, about a mover coming to pick it up and sending a cashier's check, etc).

From: michelle barry [michelle.barryllc@gmail.com]
Date: March 1, 2013 4:47:06 AM EST
Subject: Lemon Oil on Canvas

Hello,
Am Michelle from Florida, I was browsing through  your work of arts on your website and i found this  artwork  interesting , I believe you've devoted so much  time and effort to create it. i will like to acquire it for my new apartment this month.
please let me know if the piece is available, shoot me an email with the details and price. I awaits your response
Regards.
Michelle.

Scam Email: Lisa Wallcott

Last email sent to me

From: Lisa Wallcott [edwedg18@gmail.com]

Hope this message finds you well. I am very sorry for the late response but it has been a very busy time for me with loads of things on my plate. Anyway , i will like to proceed with the purchase of both works. I think they are lovely works and i hope to give them good home.

I am presently on my way to Bermuda for my Sister's wedding even though it comes at a time when i am preparing for a big move to Saratoga Springs, NY but it means so much to her and i should be back in few days.

Meanwhile, i will like you to forward 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. I can also forward your contact info to the local cartage company that will be moving all our house decors so they can get in touch with you to arrange shipping details. 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.

Best Regards,
Lisa.

Scam Email: Mathew Rudy

Hi Kathleen,

I´ve found some information for your site about following: He seems to be active again. Thank you for the information. They sent me following email:

eMail : rudydorothy97@yahoo.com

Greetings .

Am Mathew Rudy,

Am interested in buying artworks from your esteemed organization for my new apartment and you still have for sale and i will be glad if you can Send me recent art work you have for sale with the asking prices,also i will like to know if you will accept BANK DRAFT(CHECK) as means of payment Kindly arrange to send me (rudydorothy97@yahoo.com), by e-mail more information on all artworks you have in stock Looking forward to an early response

Regards,
Mathew Rudy
TEL:+447520234467
66 Chiswick High Rd,
London W4 1SY, UK.
rudydorothy97@yahoo.com

Scam Email: Tyler He

Hi Kathleen, just got this yesterday after responding to his initial email with a list of three galleries that have my paintings. So this "guy" is very active as I see his name is already on your list. By the way, great job you are doing to get everyone alerted to these scams. I actually did a commissioned painting for some supposed client last year ( it was my first experience with these type of scams) and when it was done the person ( whose name I can't remember right now) disappeared from email and I could not contact her.
David

Begin forwarded message:

From: tyler He [he.tyler@yahoo.com]
Subject: Hello
Date: February 22, 2013 2:55:08 AM EST
Reply-To: tyler He [he.tyler@yahoo.com]

Hello David,

Thanks for the message, Hope  you are doing  great.Please let me have the asking price, I must tell you I am very much interested in the immediate purchase of the "Evening Light. I'm okay with the price $2,500, I think it worth it anyway.

Unfortunately,  I am on voyage to Philippines at the moment as I am a civil marine engineer and due to the nature of my work, visiting of website are restricted, but i squeezed out time to check this advert and send you an email regarding it:-). I wont be back for another couple of weeks, I would have come to purchase the piece personally.

If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff to furnish my new abode. I am buying yours (quickly before someone else grabs it) So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, you don't have to worry about shipment, my shipper will handle it.I'll notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed depending on how things goes.
Thanks,
Tyler.

PS: In the mean time, you could forward me your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address so I can fedex a check to you ASAP

Scam Email: Abigail Spencer

Hi Kathleen,

I haven't received an email like this before and was getting red flags from the beginning, but replied anyways. Now am pretty confident from reading the info you have on your site that this is indeed a scam. 

The address isn't coming up legit as written here (although misspelled) and all this asap stuff sounds really hokey to me.  Thanks for getting the word out on spam info.  I really appreciate it!

H.

From: Abigail Spencer [abigailspencer478@ymail.com]
Sent: Friday, February 8, 2013 12:48:59 PM
Subject: Re: Artwork Inquiry

Hi,
I am okay with the cost of these three therefore i want you to get them packed

A View to the North Shore is also available for $2300
House on a Hill  is available for $800
The Stadium is available for $1800

On the shipping one will have to pay additional fee at the delivery point here in Guernsey  because they will never bring to ones house. courier like Fedex, UPS are not worth it here especially USPS all of them are not rendering good service here probably because they already known very well. You can contact this courier Drone Logistic (dronelogistic@live.com) as well with the weight and cost of the artwork for the shipping and insurance to my address because they ship and deliver safely without one paying any other money before collecting the goods unlike some other courier where it will not be delivered to your address rather you will have to go to their office to pick it up and when you get there you will be told to pay other money before collecting it.

I will be looking forward to hearing from you asap.

Thanks
 

Shipping Address
15 The Monic St. Peter Port, GY1 2PX
Channel Islands Guernsey

Free Book Giveaway Contest Feb 4- March 7, 2013 Signed Copy

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The contest runs from February 4 through March 7, 2013 on GoodReads.com

Stay safe out there!

Scam Email: Tamara Walter

Katie,

It is so difficult to get an email to you via your blog?

But I've been scammed before and wanted you to add another email to your blog for other artists to watch out for.

Tamara Walter  -   t333walter@rocketmail.com

Email Content:

Hello,
I am emailing to inquire about availability of artwork for sale in your
gallery, if you can ship international and also if you are able to process
Electronically Visa and Master Card Number/Expiry date/Cvv as payment. Let
me know so that i can communicate with you on the artworks that interest
me,you can also indicate to me which of the arts are sold and which are
available on your website.
I will be looking forward to reading from you.
Sincerely
Tamara

Thanks Katie ... You're doing great things to help others.

Scam Email: Teresa Palmer

Here is a scammer that has put a really long number in their disposable email account, no doubt setting up hundreds of these to use in their scam.

In this particular scam, the scammer is saying they will pay with paypal - because users think this is the safe way to avoid scammers. But it is not. What the scammer does is they create a fake payment confirmation email that looks exactly like it is coming from paypal, but it is not. There is no money sent to paypal. But the trusting victim thinks money has been sent. The scammer is hoping before the victim ever bothers to manually check their paypal account, they will have already forwarded money to the scammer via wire transfer (supposedly for the nonexistent shipper) and the scam is already over and the money gone. Doesn't work in every case, but unfortunately, it works in far too many cases.

Moral of the story? Always open a brand new browser window, type in paypal.com manually and log into your account and check it before sending any money anywhere.

Bottomline moral of the story? NEVER ever ever wire money to someone. Make this rule for yourself and you will avoid this scam.

NEW scammer Teresa_Palmer19821029123@hotmail.com ?????

Hello i saw you listing on artscad.com and am interested i want to know if you still have this item available for sale?i can only pay through pay pal.please get back to me on my private email address..

Teresa_Palmer19821029123@hotmail.com.

Thanks.
_____________________________________________

Thanks for the lovely respond to my purchase of your Painting i really want to buy the item from you as soon as possible..Currently am not in the state travel to have a program but will soon be back home...I want you to know that i have the pick up agent who are coming for the pick up of the item from you after i make the transfer of money into your PayPal account..

Now i will want you to get back to me with your PayPal email address and your final asking price for the item so that i can make the transfer into your PayPal account soon.

I will be waiting to read from you soon..

Regards.
______________________________________________

1. all of them are on BOAT or TRAVELING AROUND THE GLOBE ?
2. they all have some AGENT to pick up ART ?

HMMM ???

Thanks for your* HELP !*

Scam Email: Lisa James

Thanks for your Blog!

I just received this!

I was about to pull art for this person!!

I posted a thanks on your face book too... You are awesome!

-----Original Message-----

From: Lisa James. [mailto:trazzywittss@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 4:03 PM
Subject: Artworks Inquiry...

--
Hi,

Hope this message finds you well. I saw these creative works on your website
and i will like you to get back with more details if they are still
available for purchase.

Purple Ocean , Reflection and  Embrace

I will appreciate an urgent reply.

Best Regards,

Lisa James.

Scam Email: Wagner Antonova

Dear Kathleen,

Thank you for your blog and information. I regularly get emails from artist scammers.

This name I couldn't find on your scammers list. Maybe it will help somebody.

Kind regards,

Olga

03 Jan 2013 om 14:59 heeft Wagner Antonova [wagnerantonova@aol.com] het volgende geschreven:

Good Day,

I see this your beautiful work through my searching, do you still have it available? The work am talking about is listed on the Subject of my email, i will be expecting the price if you still have it available.

I wish you Happy new year.
Wagner Antonova
wagnerantonova@aol.com

second email:

Van: Wagner Antonova [wagnerantonova@aol.com]
Datum: 3 januari 2013 22:25:36 GMT+01:00
Onderwerp: Transaction Proceeds.

Dear Olga,

Thank you for your reply and the Information about the Painting, The price is okay by me.

Regarding the Payment I will issue you a cheque for easy auditing, it will be a cashier and as well certified, "advised by my Auditor" I will inform you as soon as the payment is been sent out from my office here Berkshire United Kingdom.

I will be needing your information to process your payment ASAP. We may also speak on Skype if you wouldn't mind in other to discuss about the transaction verbally.

Name on Check;
Address;
Phone Number;
Skype ID;

Also i want you to know that i will appoint a secured shipping company that will come for the pickup of the Pieces in your destination, and then deliver it to me here in the UK. The shipping fees will be added to your payment. I have had bad experience with FedEx and UPS in the past. So I guess a guaranteed secured shipper will be preferably considered and appoint for the pickup.

Am on Skype as:  wagnerantonova.

Regards,
Wagner Antonova.
wagnerantonova@aol.com