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Saturday, April 5, 2014

Scam Email: Steve Borgatti

How many years have I been doing this blog. How many personal emails have I sent for years before I started the blog. Really, this scam has changed VERY LITTLE since it began. Why? Because it is still working for the scammers. Because they are still making money. If it wasn't, it would have changed long ago.

It's simple:

1. DO NOT use wire transfers very ANY reason in your business dealings. Period. This one tip will destroy the effectiveness of 99% of this type of scam. They need you to wire your good money to them so they can disappear with it without a trace - before you've discovered their payment is a faked check or stolen credit card or faked paypal payment.

2. DO NOT do any one any favors in selling your work. Don't forward money for them to some non-existent shipper. Let them pay their shipper themselves (there is no shipper so the scam will end here).

3. DO NOT accept overpayments. Just don't. If a buyer overpays, offer to void their check and have them send a check of the right amount (and remember, no favors for forwarding money to a non-existent shipper) or if it's a credit card - call the card company first and verify that the card number matches the billing address (it almost never does), and if it's a paypal payment - actually manually log into your paypal account in a brand new browser and double check that they've paid anything at all. What scammers do with paypal is they fake a payment confirmation email and hope the victim never logs into their account (in time) to check.

And this bit about moving to Russia or moving to Malaysia or they are at sea or in Afghanistan or out of the country for some other odd reason...huge tip-offs that a scam is in progress. It helps setup why they are asking you wire them (or a shipper) money. But don't do it.

Okay, here's another one I receive today:

Hello Kathleen, my artist husband was almost scammed.  I was suspicious and finally went to the Internet to do some research and found you.  Please add the Steve Borgatti name to your list of despicable characters. I'm going to make a donation to you!

At the very bottom is the scammer's message.  When mail is sent to my husband's art address, a blind copy goes to my Gmail account so I copied the header info.

Thank you,Nancy


Delivered-To: twohadaways@gmail.com[Links to mailto:twohadaways@gmail.com]
Received: by 10.170.118.80 with SMTP id k77csp28622ykb;
        Sat, 5 Apr 2014 07:41:26 -0700 (PDT)
X-Received: by 10.140.33.244 with SMTP id j107mr2728669qgj.81.1396708873079;
 Sat, 05 Apr 2014 07:41:13 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.224.79.80 with HTTP; Sat, 5 Apr 2014 07:41:13 -0700 (PDT)
Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 15:41:13 +0100
Subject: Payment and pick-up...
From: Steve Borgatti (analytictechnologies01@gmail.com)
To:
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=001a113aa9803c108704f64ca0df

--001a113aa9803c108704f64ca0df
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hello Mrs. [last name],
Hope you are good. I'm just reading your email now as I have been so busy.Thanks for the details which I've noted down and I hope to visit your studio with my wife in the nearest future after our anniversary. Also in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the surprise, I've contacted a client of mine to issue out a check which will include my shipping agent fees to you, so please you may have to help remit the balance to the shipping agent as soon as the check clears your bank. I would have handled this much differently if I'd been at home but am a bit pressed for time myself and do not have access to a lot of cash over here to expedite this transaction... trying to kill two birds with a stone.

Moreover, they are not sending any bill or hold you responsible for the payment of the contract between us. all I'm asking from you is a favor to help me send the extra funds on the check to the shipping agent who will be coming over to your location to pick-up the piece and have it delivered safely to me at my residential address.

Mrs. [last name], I want you to understand that I'm concluding you are a responsible person and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement.please i will appreciate if you get back to me asap to know if i can entrust you with this transaction.
Many thanks and talk to you soon,
Steve.

 -------- Original Message --------
 Subject: Hello
 From: Steve Borgatti (analytictechnologies01@gmail.com)
 Date: Thu, April 03, 2014 9:33 am
To:

Dear [last name],  Thanks for the message, I must tell you I am very much interested in the immediate purchase of the piece to surprise my wife.  I can be reached at (323) 374-5218 (feel free to leave a voice mail or text message if am not available but E-mail would be the fastest way to reach me though).If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Russia 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 come to purchase the piece myself but, I'm currently out of the country on a conference trip and won't be back for another couple of weeks. Regards,Steve.
 
PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your full name (you want the check payable to) 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 right away.

 -------- Original Message --------

Greetings!
My name is Steve Borgatti from Nevada. I'm reaching you to inquire about your works. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes that piece, I'm so impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, : )  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 of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.  Thanks and best regards,  
Steve.

53 comments:

  1. Greetings!
    My name is Steve Borgatti from California. I'm reaching you to inquire about your works. Do you have any ready for immediate sale?.. I would like to purchase one of yours as a surprise to my wife on our anniversary.

    If you would like to know, I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes that piece, I'm so impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, : ) You are really doing a great job - what inspires you?

    Kindly confirm any availability for immediate sales.

    Thanks and best regards,

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just received this email today:

    Sent by: Steve ( analytictechnologies01@gmail.com )

    Subject:

    enquiry

    - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    Message content:

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Borgatti from California. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your art work, I\'m so impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, : ) You are really doing a great job - 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,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Almost got fooled by this one today. Thanks for reporting and thanks for this blog!

    On Monday, June 9, 2014 2:28 AM, Steve Borgatti wrote:


    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Borgatti from California. I'm reaching you to inquire about your works. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes that piece, I'm so impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, : ) 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 of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I received an e-mail from #!%!#@!#$ Borgatti, and was near to acceede to sell him my paintings before my sister, to whom I had spoken of my good luck, informed me of this blog, and sure enough the very same letters in poorly written english, which was one of my suspicions along the part that he wanted me to act as middleman and forward the person that would be picking up the paintings money which he would send me.

    I have since suspended all communication with #!%#% Borgatti, but I am still unsure as to how this scam works. if indeed his check cleared that would mean I would have been compensated, how and when does the scam happen?

    ReplyDelete
  5. The scammer will overpay with either counterfeit check or stolen credit card, tell you to forward the overpayment to a shipper - who doesn't exist, and there will always be some story as to why it needs to be wire to them. It is just the scammer at the other end of that wire and the money is as good as cash and gone. Then the bank will pull back the entire amount out of your account once they discover it is counterfeit. That is how the scam works.

    Don't accept overpayments and don't wire money to anyone for any reason when doing business online.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, I received an email with the same words and language. Thank you for the warning! There is a creative scanner out there. Doreen

    ReplyDelete
  7. going by Steve Carson now...same lingo and I sent images of art...should have known it was not real...but nothing has been said about payment, that's what I was waiting for but I get contacted from all over and up until I just googled the phone number and found this out...now I know it is a SCAM-

    ReplyDelete
  8. from Steve Carson... email address st.cars12@gmail.com

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Carson from South Carolina. I must tell you I plan on purchasing several gifts to surprise my wife for our 20th anniversary. so I guess you will be hearing from me lots more. How I found your website: 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.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend a few completed piece within my budget $5000 (I can be flexible with price though) ready for immediate sale. I would have come to purchase the piece myself but, at the moment, am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks. If there is a need for a phone contact, I can be reached at (323) 374-5218 (feel free to leave a voice mail or text message if am not available, however, due to the bad connection offshore, E-mail would be the fastest way to reach me though). In addition, kindly email your cell phone # so I can try and call you later as the phones may be working better when this storm passes through. I

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  9. same email from Steve st.cars12@gmail.com and stevecarson12@yahoo.com
    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Carson from South Carolina. I must tell you I plan on purchasing several gifts to surprise my wife for our 20th anniversary. so I guess you will be hearing from me lots more. How I found your website: 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.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend a few completed piece within my budget $5000 (I can be flexible with price though) ready for immediate sale. I would have come to purchase the piece myself but, at the moment, am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks. If there is a need for a phone contact, I can be reached at (323) 374-5218 (feel free to leave a voice mail or text message if am not available, however, due to the bad connection offshore, E-mail would be the fastest way to reach me though). In addition, kindly email your cell phone # so I can try and call you later as the phones may be working better when this storm passes through. I

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Got this one today!


    On Sun, Jan 11, 2015 at 8:53 AM, Steve Carson wrote:
    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Carson from South Carolina. I must tell you I plan on purchasing several gifts to surprise my wife for our 20th anniversary. so I guess you will be hearing from me lots more. How I found your website: 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.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend a few completed piece within my budget $5000 (I can be flexible with price though) ready for immediate sale. If you want to talk to me over the phone, please feel free to call me (323) 374-5218, although not sure how phone reception will be as am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks. I would have come to purchase the piece myself, but email is totally fine too.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just got this one. Wow. Thank you to this website!

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Carson from South Carolina. I must tell you I plan on purchasing several gifts to surprise my wife for our 20th anniversary. so I guess you will be hearing from me lots more. How I found your website: 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.

    Please confirm the availability of the piece (---) for immediate sales to replace the mirror (Mirror dimension: 36"x 60"inches/Bed Size: Standard King 76''x 80'') in the attached picture.I would have come to purchase the piece myself but, at the moment, am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks. If there is a need for a phone contact, I can be reached at (323) 374-5218 (feel free to leave a voice mail or text message if am not available, however, due to the bad connection offshore, E-mail would be the fastest way to reach me though). In addition, kindly email your cell phone # so I can try and call you later as the phones may be working better when this storm passes through. I

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Received this email yesterday 2/28/2015

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Strickland. 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 must tell you I plan on purchasing some gifts for my wife as a surprise for our 20th anniversary.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend few completed pieces ready for immediate sale within my budget $5000 (I can be flexible with price though). So you will be hearing from me lots more. Email is totally fine with me but if you want to talk to me over the phone, please feel free to call me (323) 374-5218, although not sure how the phone reception will be as am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia and won't be back for another couple of weeks.
    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  13. 'Steve Strickland' is alive and well and scamming like hell... This from March 16th:
    Steve Strickland

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Strickland. 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 must tell you I plan on purchasing some gifts for my wife as a surprise for our 20th anniversary.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend few completed pieces ready for immediate sale within my budget $5000 (I can be flexible with price though). So you will be hearing from me lots more. Email is totally fine with me but if you want to talk to me over the phone, please feel free to call me (323) 374-5218, although not sure how the phone reception will be as am on training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia and won't be back for another couple of weeks.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just got a similar thing from "senior collins"
    My name is Senior collins 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards, "

    He also gave me an address that is actually a property that is up for sale.
    "hear is my address as well
    US Address :
    226 Providence Pt, Anderson, SC 29626
    (323) 518-1726.
    Regards"

    his email is seniorcollins01@gmail.com and I reported him for phishing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am grateful for your blog because I have been trying to check out Kenneth Ross.

    I am also grateful for PayPal who post this warning on their site:

    To ensure that your items are shipped to the appropriate address, do not accept shipping labels from the buyer or offers to use their shipping services (such as access to their account), since you will not be covered under seller protection. Fraudulent buyers may encourage you to use their shipping services since they have the ability to change or reroute the shipping address and then open a claim saying they did not receive the item from you.

    Regards,
    Ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  16. I got this last night.

    Greetings!
    My name is Senior collins 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Senior.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Received this email today and the writing seems suspicious so I found this blog. Thanks.

    Greetings!
    My name is Senior collins 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Senior.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow. I got the same email from Senior Collins yesterday. I didn't think anything of it until this morning when I got a reply to some of the pictures I sent. No questions, nothing except saying he was moving to the Philippines and would send someone to get the piece. It sounded kinda weird though I couldn't put my finger on it- thanks for this blog! I googled his name and this is one of the first sites to pop up. I reported his email for phishing. Kinda bummed it wasn't a real inquiry... sigh... Thanks so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. doing it under the name Steve Avendano or Steve Scuba now. Email is saven1212@gmail.com

    Greetings!
    My name is Steve Avendano. I was looking for some artwork on-line and i searched for artists which your name came up. I am impressed and amazed with your works, : ) You are doing a great job. I must tell you, I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend few available work in your inventory within price range $500- $2000 ready for immediate sale (I can be flexible with price though). So you will be hearing from me lots more. However, i am on a training voyage (offshore the North Atlantic Ocean) to Russia and won't be back for another couple of weeks. So email would be the fastest way to reach me though.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hello all, please be aware, the same scammer is using the name of Adam Burke- email: adamburke99@yahoo.com. Here is the following text (s)he uses:

    First email:

    Hello,

    My name is Adam burke from San Jose Carlifonia . My wife and i have our wedding anniversary coming up soon, i noticed she viewed your website recently 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 know what inspires you.

    I am interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife . Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Adam.

    Second email:

    .........Thanks for the details which I've noted down and I hope to visit your studio with my wife in the nearest future after our anniversary. Also in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the surprise, I've contacted a client of mine to issue out a check which will include my shipping agent fees to you, so please you may have to help remit the balance to the shipping agent as soon as the check clears your bank. I would have handled this much differently if I'd been at home but am a bit pressed for time myself and do not have access to a lot of cash over here to expedite this transaction... trying to kill two birds with a stone.

    kindly deduct any IRS tax (if there's any) on that amount from the overage going to the shipping agent. they are not sending any bill or hold you responsible for the payment of the contract between us. all I'm asking from you is a favor to help me send the extra funds on the check to the shipping agent who will be coming over to your location to pick-up the piece and have it delivered safely to me at my residential address.

    $%^&@!,I want you to understand that I'm concluding you are a responsible person and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement. please i will appreciate if you get back to me asap to know if i can entrust you with this transaction.

    Many thanks and talk to you soon,

    Adam.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Got this one today:
    Reply to email was: saven1212@gmail.com
    But the email by his name was: ty.he0004@gmail.com

    Hello, hope you are having a positive day!

    My name is Steve Avendano from Massachusetts. I was looking for some artwork online and i found your contact while searching. I am impressed and amazed with your works, : ) You are doing a great job. I must tell you, I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend few available work in your inventory within price range $500- $2000, though, i could be flexible with price. So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is the latest I have received just today.

    Steve Avendano

    Hello, hope you are having a positive day!

    My name is Steve Avendano from Massachusetts. I was looking for some artwork online and i found your contact while searching. I am impressed and amazed with your works, : ) You are doing a great job. I must tell you, I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary.

    Please I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend few available work in your inventory within price range $500- $2000, though, i could be flexible with price. So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Steve.

    ReplyDelete
  23. emails come from: Steve Avendano
    and here is where the reply emails are sent to:
    saven1212@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Kathleen - thanks to my suspicions, and asking my daughter what she through, she googled the Art Scam blog. I did a string of 3 emails with this person/group.

    At first it came in as Steve Avendano. I DID notice that the second time, it was a different email, the yahoo email, but not until I copied them into the email did I notice that the last names were inconsistent!!!

    Anyway the texts were almost identical to those posted, so no need to copy.

    Steve Avendano - saven1212@gmail.com
    Steve Acevedo inthengineering@yahoo.com

    Thanks to your work on this. Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Kathleen _ I just received a new scam solicitation from Brian Burke
    [andytheharris@gmail.com] and second email address Brian Burke
    [burkybrain24@gmail.com]

    His original solicitation:

    "Hi there,
    Can you please confirm if I can purchase pieces of work from your gallery?
    I am from Europe, I know the difficulties encountered shipping
    internationally I hope we can sort this out without any tribulation.
    Kindly get back to me with your available work or updated website that
    displays your current work only if you accept my request and accepts
    payments electronically by processing Credit Cards ONLY.
    All the best.
    Regards
    Brian Burke"

    He provided and address when I jokingly asked him what street he lived on in Europe. Of course he can't do PayPal he can only use a credit card Å yada
    yada.

    "Shipping Address
    Christaki Kranou 29 Street,
    Limassol, Cyprus 4041
    Cyprus"

    Many thanks for helping artists from around the world put the finger on
    these individuals.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello,

    Thanks so much for your blog about internet art scams. I received this one today and thought that I should forward. Let me know if I should forward elsewhere.
    Thank you,
    Diana

    > Begin forwarded message:
    >
    > From: senior collins [seniorcollins05@gmail.com]
    > Date: November 2, 2015 at 5:22:39 AM PST
    > To:
    > Subject: artwork is needed
    >
    > Greetings!
    > My name is Senior collins 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    > Thanks and best regards,
    > Senior.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just got a similar email from Brian Burke (burkybrain24@gmail.com). Couldn't say which of my paintings he was interested in but was very keen to send me a credit card payment!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Here's one I received yesterday:

    Dear Asia,

    I just got this email with images of available works, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece "Mayan Mask". If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and our wedding anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise. I'm okay with the price $2,800.00, I think it's worth it.

    As regarding payment, I would like to inform you, that my wife handles the family credit card/bank and Paypal transaction. So i would authorize a check to you for the payment as soon as i have your full name and contact address (preferably for FedEx delivery no P.O box). Also, as soon as you receive the check and it clears your bank, my shipping agent who is also moving my personal effect will contact you to arrange shipping/pick up of the piece from you (this is to avoid my wife receiving it, if been shipped directly to my address which would ruin the surprise for this event). You both have to sign a proof of pick up at the most.

    I would have handled this much differently if I'd been at home but i am actually going offshore and won't be back for another couple of weeks, and do not have access to a lot of cash over here to expedite this transaction... trying to kill two birds with a stone. :-)

    Have a Positive Day!

    Celvin.

    ReplyDelete
  29. That scammer kind of over-worked the angle of he's not around, he can't tell his wife, he's moving, he's off shore, won't be back, ruin the surprise.... he really kept driving home his fake story to set up the counterfeit check and why he would be overpaying and no doubt asking you to wire the over-payment to the [non-existent] shipper.

    Classic fake scammer story but this scammer over did his story a bit...

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for this site! I got this one today:

    My name is Adam burke from San Jose Carlifonia . I was looking to purchase an artwork for our anniversary as a surprise gift to my wife and came across your contact through google artists database.

    I will appreciate if you can forward some of your piece of work available within this price range $500-$3000,for immediate purchase.
    Thanks and best regards,
    Adam.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Subject: Re: Artwork inquiry...
    On Friday, January 29, 2016 8:22 AM, "inth.19481212@gmail.com" wrote:

    Hello, hope you are having a positive day!

    My name is J.C Milner from SC. I was looking for some artwork online to cover some space in my new aboard and i found your contact while searching. I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary.

    Please kindly send pics and prices of some of your works which are ready for immediate sale within price range $500- $2000, i could be flexible with price. So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    J.C Milner.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I received the above letter Mar. 23, 2016. The only difference was, he "came across your contact through Google artists database." The bad grammar and punctuation caused me to run "J.C. Milner" name and locate your BlogSpot!! Thank You

    ReplyDelete
  33. Just received this from adamburkee99@gmail.com:

    My name is Adam Burke from San Jose California. I want to purchase an artwork as a surprise gift for my wife on our anniversary, I noticed she viewed some of your works on my computer few months ago and I thought getting her one of your piece would be a great surprise.
    I will appreciate if you can forward some of your piece of work within this price range,$500-$3000 available for immediate purchase.
    Thanks and best regards,

    Adam.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I had this found it today a few day later than posted
    as you can see it´s very similar to many of the above I was about to reply, but something made me check for scams. thank you for point these scams out.

    From: adam
    Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 3:41 PM
    Subject: ENQUIRY


    Hello,
    My name is Adam Burke from San Jose California. I want to purchase an artwork as a surprise gift for my wife on our anniversary, I noticed she viewed some of your works on my computer few months ago and I thought getting her one of your piece would be a great surprise.
    I will appreciate if you can forward some of your piece of work within this price range,$500-$3000 available for immediate purchase.
    Thanks and best regards,

    Adam.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have also received an email as follows

    From: adam
    Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 3:41 PM
    Subject: ENQUIRY


    Hello,
    My name is Adam Burke from San Jose California. I want to purchase an artwork as a surprise gift for my wife on our anniversary, I noticed she viewed some of your works on my computer few months ago and I thought getting her one of your piece would be a great surprise.
    I will appreciate if you can forward some of your piece of work within this price range,$500-$3000 available for immediate purchase.
    Thanks and best regards,

    Adam.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I got this one a few days ago.

    "From: david mark
    Subject: artwork is needed

    My name is David Mark from Washington DC. I was looking for some artwork online and i found your contact while searching. I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary.Please kindly send pics and prices of some of your art which are ready for immediate sale within price range $500- $5000, i could be flexible with price. So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    David."

    ReplyDelete
  37. I just got same inquiry as above from "J.C. Milner". Almost same wording.
    Date: Wednesday, July 13th, 2016 at 5:24pm
    From: J.C Milner
    inth.engineering@yahoo.com
    3233745218
    Sent from IP address 154.118.71.41

    Hello, hope you are having a positive day!

    My name is J.C Milner from California. I was looking to purchase a surprise gift to my wife for our 20th anniversary and came across your contact through Google artists database.

    It would be greatly appreciated if you can send pics and prices of your available works ready for immediate sale within price range $500- $5000 (i could be flexible with price). So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    J.C Milner.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Something was fishy about the following message right from the start, don't know if it was the unusually large font or what. As soon as he asked about paying his shipper from the money it just seemed like a scam. I did a search and it lead me here, that's when It became abundantly clear.

    ---------------------------------------------
    from email: skempviprealty@gmail.com
    the switched to: inth.engineering@yahoo.com

    Hello dear,

    Hope you are doing great!

    Please I want to purchase a gift to surprise my wife for our 20th anniversary. I noticed she viewed some of your works on my computer few months ago and I thought getting her one of your piece would be a great idea. It would be greatly appreciated if you can send pics and prices of your available works ready for immediate sale within price range $500- $5000 (i could be flexible with price). So i will hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.

    Thanks and best regards,

    J.C Milner.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just got the JC Milner email as well. Whenever I get an inquiry, my first stop is Google, just so I can know who I'm dealing with. JC Milner fron California, of course, doesn't exist.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Same here I got a few emails from JC Milner from California my wife just found this website using google, it is a shame there are folks that will scam hard working artist, may they get what they so richly deserve! Thanks for this website it seems to have helped so many people and continues to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I too was approached by "JC Milner from California" just this past weekend. Same scenario, "wife found my work via a google search," "I'd like to surprise her with a 20th anniversary gift," "I'm relocating to the Philippines" etc. Thankfully I was alerted by online friends who said this is a scam. I am a fairly intelligent person and the offer sounded genuine when I first received it. But then I had my suspicions:

    "Thanks for the message, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the attached piece. If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and our wedding anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise, and am planning to make the unveiling of the painting the main event, as we are having over a couple of our new friends in our new environment over to celebrate with us and also help us get to know our neighbors.




    As regarding payment, I'm okay with the price $3000, I think it's worth it. However, my wife handles the family credit card and Paypal transactions, so i will authorize a check to you for the payment as soon as i have your full name and contact address (preferably for USPS delivery, no P.O box). Also, as soon as you receive the check and it clears your bank, my shipping agent who is also moving my personal effect will contact you to arrange shipping/pick up of the piece from you (this is to avoid my wife receiving it, if it is shipped directly to my address which would ruin the surprise for this event). You both have to sign a proof of pick up at the most.




    I would have handled this much differently if I'd been at home but i am actually going offshore and won't be back for another couple weeks, and do not have access to a lot of cash over here to expedite this transaction... trying to kill two birds with a stone. :-)




    Warmest regards,




    J.C Milner.




    PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your cell phone no. so i can try and call you later as the phones may be working better when this storm passes through."

    I'm glad that I did my research and found your blog. I feel embarrassed that I almost fell for this, but not as horrible had I felt after being duped out of a several thousand $ one-of-a-kind piece of my metalwork.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Got one today from Landon Walker:

    Hi there,

    Hope you are doing great! My name is Landon Walker from California. Few months ago, I noticed my darling wife viewed a Google link on my computer containing works of artists (I got your contact on there) and I thought getting her one of your piece as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary would be a great idea. I would appreciate if you can email some of your piece of work within these price range $500-$5000 available for immediate purchase. I won't mind having your main website so as to explore more into your works too.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Landon.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Got this one today. August 2016

    ""Hi there,

    Hope you are doing great! My name is J.C Milner from California. Few months ago, I noticed my darling wife viewed a Google link on my computer containing works of artists (I got your contact on there) and I thought getting her one of your piece as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary would be a great idea. I would appreciate if you can email some of your piece of work within these price range $500-$5000 available for immediate purchase. I won't mind having your main website so as to explore more into your works too.

    Thanks and best regards,

    J.C Milner.""

    ReplyDelete
  44. Here is Adam Burke again; 2016-08-23

    Hello,
    This is Adam from San Jose California. I want to purchase an artwork as a

    surprise for my wife on our anniversary, I noticed she viewed some of

    your works on my computer few months ago and I thought getting her one of

    your piece would be a great idea.
    I would appreciate if you can forward some of your piece of work within

    these price range,$500-$3000 available for immediate purchase.
    Thanks and best regards,

    Adam.


    Adam"

    Adam Burke

    ReplyDelete
  45. Glad I found this site.

    This looks suspicious:

    Art order inquiry
    RC
    Richard COOK burkybrain24@gmail.com

    Hello,
    I am inquiring about your artwork sale in
    your gallery, if you can ship internationally to Europe and accept
    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 so that we can proceed and let me have your
    updated web link to your gallery.
    I will be looking forward to read from you.
    Sincerely
    Richard COOK

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi, I own a gallery and harrytheharris@gmail.com has contacted us as well going with the name of Gary Philip and or Philip Gary with an address from Latvia (Europe)...he can do Paypal virtual payments so he is evolving...becareful guys keep your eyes open

    ReplyDelete
  47. I received this email Yesterday (so they are still doing this scam):
    "My name is Joette Hubbard from florida (FL). 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards
    Joette Hubbard"

    ReplyDelete
  48. I received this an hour ago:

    Alexander Paul
    subject: Artwork Needed

    My name is Alexander from Redwood, CA. I was looking for some artwork online and i found your contact while searching. I will like to purchase some of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 10th Anniversary. Please kindly send some pictures and prices of some of your art which are ready for immediate sales within a price range of $500- $5000. I look forward to hearing a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sales.


    Thanks and best regards

    ReplyDelete
  49. Got one as well:
    From:
    Joette
    hubbard6ce@gmail.com

    Subject:
    Artwork Needed

    Message:
    My name is Joette Hubbard from florida (FL). 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards
    Joette

    ReplyDelete
  50. I also just received this AND they had to type it into a contact form on our website.
    -----------------------------------------

    Name: Joette Hubbard

    Email Address: hubbard6ce@gmail.com

    Phone: 1 (834) 832-3833

    Subject: Artwork Needed

    Message: My name is Joette Hubbard from florida (FL). 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards
    Joette

    ReplyDelete
  51. I just got this same message today...

    ReplyDelete
  52. This same message came in today:

    On Apr 17, 2018, at 7:06 AM, Joette Hubbard wrote:
    My name is Joette Hubbard from florida (FL). 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.
    Thanks and best regards
    Joette

    ReplyDelete
  53. I recieved this message yesterday

    Joette Hubbard
    Yesterday, 12:01 PM

    My name is Joette Hubbard from Florida (FL). 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 am very much interested in the purchase of the piece (in subject field above) to surprise my wife. Kindly confirm the availability for immediate sales.Thanks and best regards

    ReplyDelete