Hi KatieMoe,
I don’t see this name on your list but it sounds like a scammer.
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: christopher benson [bensonc145@gmail.com]
> Subject: Artwork Purchase
>
> Hello, my name is Christopher Benson from Atlanta, I was looking for some artwork online and I found your contact while searching. I will like to purchase one of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 20th anniversary. I'll need pictures and prices of some of your art work which are ready for immediate sale within price range of $1,500- $2,500. I hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris.
Hello. Here's another one. It must be art scam week. Similar story.
ReplyDeletebizmichaelinc@gmail.com
Unfortunately, every week is art scam week :)
ReplyDeleteI just received an email that sounds almost exactly like this one. He said his name is James Fisher and he lives in Brooklyn. Fortunately, I started feeling odd and decided to ignore future communications. THanks so much!
ReplyDeleteJames fisher is a known scammer beware
DeleteHere is one I have been dealing with. Now that I have read all these others, I am convinced it is a scam:
ReplyDeleteDear Marilyn,
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece. Also If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to Canada soon and our wedding 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). Kindly let me know the asking price.
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 Truck and my Properties) will contact you to arrange for the pick-up. I would have come to purchase the piece myself but, at the moment, am on training voyage to the North Atlantic Ocean (I'm an ocean engineer) with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks.
Regards,
Mike.
PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your full Name as you want it to appear on the check, house address where you want the piece delivered by courier service including your zip code and phone number, so the check can be sent right away.
Mine was virtually identical -
ReplyDeleteThomas Wayne
4:10 AM (5 hours ago)
to me
Dear: Ginny
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a
surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece. Also 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 one. I am buying
the art work Tarnished Silver coffee Pot - Original of $900.00
as a gifts to her.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, at the moment, am
on training voyage to the North Atlantic Ocean (I'm an ocean engineer)
with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back
for another couple of weeks.
Regards,
Thomas
PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your full name (you
want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address
(preferably for Usps ,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.
And yet another Christopher Benson who apparently paid no attention whatsoever during grammar class - here is the one I just received:
ReplyDeletechristopher benson
Today at 1:07 PM
To
xxxxxx
Message body
Hello, my name is Chris, I was looking for some artwork online and I found your contact while searching. I will like to purchase one of your work for my wife as a surprise gift for our 10th year wedding anniversary. I'll need pictures and prices of some of your art work which are ready for immediate sale within price range of $1,000- $2,000. I hope to hear a lot more about any available piece in your inventory ready for immediate sale.
Thanks,
Christopher.
Just received an inquiry about purchasing some of my artwork from a Chris Benson. This first email ask for me to pick out pieces of my work that his wife would like. I replied that I don't know him or his wife and I don't do this even for family. Directed him to an on-line gallery that I use and said that he could purchase from the on-line gallery and they would contact me about shipping him the work.
ReplyDeleteHis second email come back and with a name of one of my pieces. Says he wants to deal with me directly and send me a check and then his shipper will pick up the work. The part that bothers me is that he needs to do this so quickly, because he is going to travel outside the country.
I am very leery of these inquiries - Most of the people I sell to, I develop a relationship with. Get to know them and they know what they like. This all seems too rush rush.
Yes, scammers want to rush rush victims through the scam before they realize what is happening. The goal is to get the victim to wire money to them before they realize the original payment is fraudulent. And the travel outside the country is an effective part of their fake story because it supports why they would be asking the artist to wire money in the first place. But its all fake. If you are the seller online, NEVER wire money to anyone for any reason and you'll be able to avoid this scam.
ReplyDeleteI just got one of these emails. Wonder what would happen if I sent a portfolio full of crap smeared on cardboard, and tried to just sell that BS off. Seems like it'd be the first of its kind to scam back a scammer, ya dig?
ReplyDeleteI received a similar one yesterday and had never seen one of these scams before, I often get inquiries about artwork through email, so I responded despite feeling weird about it - I knew by the second email it was a scam, here is the emails and the guys "name" Darwin Weber darwinweber7@gmail.com - I hope the email gets added to the list!
ReplyDeleteDarwin Weberw
Mar 17 (2 days ago)
to me
My name is Darwin Weber from Columbus, Ohio. I have been on the lookout for some artworks lately in regards to Me and my wife's anniversary which is just around the corner. I stormed on some of your works which I found quite impressive and intriguing. I must admit your doing quite an impressive job and you are undoubtedly good at what you do.
With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary. It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this is within the price range of $500 to $4000.
I look forward to reading from you in a view to knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept check as a means of payment.
Regards,
--------------
Dear Alice,
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece (10 pieces of the drawings with woman image all framed). 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. Kindly email me the asking price asap.
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).thanks
Ha, just got one too, Kalach Cameron (kevincameron047@gmail.com) also a anniversary gift for wife, $500 to $5000 price range etc...
ReplyDeleteLovely and useful blog you have here.
Just got this two hours ago and it's the same exact e-mail as above, (except in mine his higher budget is $100 more, go figure..)
ReplyDelete"My name is Darwin Weber from Columbus, Ohio. I have been on the lookout for some artworks lately in regards to Me and my wife's anniversary which is just around the corner. I stormed on some of your works which I found quite impressive and intriguing. I must admit your doing quite an impressive job and you are undoubtedly good at what you do.
With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary. It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this is within the price range of $500 to $5000.
I look forward to reading from you in a view to knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept check as a means of payment.
Regards,"
I chose not to respond after finding this thread.
Hey all. Here's a message I just got a little while ago, thought I'd add it to the list!
ReplyDelete"
Message Details:
Name Michael Hobbs
Email michaelhobbs618@gmail.com
Subject Artwork is needed
Message
Greetings,
My name is Michael Hobbs from New-York.. I was looking for some artwork online and I found your contact while surfing and I must tell you, You are doing a great job, I would really love to purchase some of your works for my wife as a surprise present regarding our forthcoming 20th anniversary, I would like to receive further information about your piece of work and what inspires you..Also, kindly email me back with some images and price-list of your artworks that is ready for immediate sales within my price range ($1,000- $15,000).
Hope to hear from you soon..
Thanks and best regards,
Michael.
"
Yep, not responding to that one.
Just got the same one! Quite a collector!! Glad I checked although it sounded very suspicious.
DeleteI received this exact email on friday. I did not peg it as a scam so thanks very much for this blog.
ReplyDeleteDarwin Weberw
Mar 17 (2 days ago)
to me
My name is Darwin Weber from Columbus, Ohio. I have been on the lookout for some artworks lately in regards to Me and my wife's anniversary which is just around the corner. I stormed on some of your works which I found quite impressive and intriguing. I must admit your doing quite an impressive job and you are undoubtedly good at what you do.
With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary. It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this is within the price range of $500 to $4000.
I look forward to reading from you in a view to knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept check as a means of payment.
Message Details:
ReplyDeleteName Michael Hobbs
Email michaelhobbs618@gmail.com
Subject Artwork is needed
Message Greetings,
My name is Michael Hobbs from Dallas Texas.. I was looking for some artwork online and I found your contact while surfing and I must tell you, You are doing a great job, I would really love to purchase some of your works for my wife as a surprise present regarding our forthcoming 20th anniversary, I would like to receive further information about your piece of work and what inspires you..Also, kindly email me back with some images and pricelist of your artworks that is ready for immediate sales within my price range ($1,000- $15,000)..
Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks and best regards,
Michael.
Got this one:
ReplyDeleteHello Kleo,
Thanks for the message, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece using any other method of payment will give her a clue. Also If you'd like to know, I'm relocating soon and our wedding 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). Yes please send me the pictures of the necklace pedant.
I'll be sending a check.Kindly send your mailing address,amount of the piece,cell phone number and a name to make out check. As regarding shipping, shipping instructions will come after payment is finalized and check clears your bank .My shipping agent (who is also moving my Truck and my Properties) will contact you as regard the shipping instructions as you will have to ship to my shipping agent, at the moment I am on training voyage to the North Atlantic Ocean (I'm an ocean engineer) with new inters who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks.
Regards,
Smith.
Got one of these emails this week. Luckily, I am a doubting Thomas so I checked Michael Hobbs out and found this page. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that. I got an identically worded mail from the same Mr Hobbs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, y'all. After 2 rounds of emails with Michael Hobbs, I googled "Michael Hobbs 618 ocean engineer" and found this thread. Too good to be true email and slightly off grammar raised red flags. I guess I will be ignoring him now.
ReplyDeleteHi there
ReplyDeleteAnother MICHAEL HOBBS. the poor wife will be buried in artworks by now.
Thanks for the useful blog.
Dear Sallie,
Got it thanks. Well, I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the purchase of the pieces. Also 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 one. I'm okay with Triptic painting and price $13,000. 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 the check and it clears with you, my shipping agent (who is also moving my personal effect) will contact you to arrange pick-up.
I would have come to purchase the pieces myself but, at the moment, am on training voyage to the North Atlantic Ocean (I'm an ocean engineer) with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks.
Regards!
PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address (preferably for USPS OR FEDEX not P.O box) where a check can be mailed to so I can get the check prepared and have it mailed out to you asap.
Thank you!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I was really close for falling for this scam. I did provide the scammer with some personal information, but no credit cards or the like. I made sure to immediately change my passwords just in case. Michael Hobbs is a SCAMMER (if he even exists)-- please be careful out there!
My husband & I also recently got emailed by Michael Hobbs. Glad I decided to do some digging before we gave out personal info. We got through 3 rounds. What kinf of assholes prey on artists just wanting to make a name?!?
ReplyDeleteThis form email was sent to me a few days ago. Looked to me very scammy and Ali was right! Thank you for this confirmation!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Michael Hobbs wrote:
ReplyDeleteHello,
I hope this message finds you well. I am Michael Hobbs from New York. I was looking for some artwork online and I found your contact while surfing and I must tell you, You are doing a great job, I would really love to purchase some of your works for my wife as a surprise present regarding our forthcoming 30th anniversary, I would like to receive further information about your piece of work and what inspires you. However, I would greatly appreciate if you could possibly recommend a few completed pieces of your artworks that is ready for immediate sales within my price range ($1,000- $15,000).
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Michael.
I got this forwarded from my website. Sounded fishy ..Glad I googled art scam! This dude calls himself David Campbell.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Email
Dc319171@gmail.com
Message
Greetings... I am David from Gadsden Alabama. I have been on the lookout for some artworks lately in regards to I and my wife's anniversary which is just around the corner. I stormed on to some of your works which I found quite impressive and intriguing. I must admit you're doing quite an impressive job. You are undoubtedly good at what you do.
With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary. It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this is within the price range of $1000 to $3500.
I look forward to reading from you in a view to knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept a check as a means of payment.
Regards.
I just got a similar email in every aspect and his name is Nick Britton, his Email nickbritton787@gmail.com. All the details are slightly different but essentially he wants his shipper to get the items to him in Kuwait and some other personal belongings and he will get the money to me via check. All rushed because of his anniversary. Thank you so much for this blog! It just saved me a huge headache! Deb
ReplyDeleteI just received an email from this very same email address, claiming it's for their wedding anniversary and that he lives in Virginia. He asked to pay by check. Before looking up the email because it sounded sketchy, I replied and said no checks for payment. Glad I saw your comment!
DeleteI just got this message from the same email address:
DeleteHello,
I hope this message meets you well.
How’re you doing today? My name is Nicholas Britton. I am from Herndon, Virginia. While researching on the internet and came across some art pages, I must confess your works are not just innovative, but your creativity is one of a kind. I'd like to know if there's a piece of art that could be presented as an wedding anniversary gift available and their asking price list.
I would love to purchase some of your art(Because i want my present to be Heartfelt)as a present to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary .As a matter of importance, Lastly I would also like to know if you accept a check as a means of payment. I await your response
Warm Regards
Nick.