Here's an email I received from an artist:
Hello Kathleen,
I found your blog and thought I'd forward this to you. I was recently contacted by a Sgt. Mike Walter with the following emails. I did have the painting framed but that's OK, I'm just out $300 for that and it's not a big deal. But I started getting suspicious about this transaction and at this point I really think its a total scam. Yes, the kicker $2900 more than the asking price. I'm not going any further with this thing. I have the check which came from a bank in Utah and yet was posted from the UK. That makes no sense to me. In your blog you recommend just stop replying to the emails. Do the police or anyone else actually investigate this stuff. What do you recommend doing, besides stop replying to the emails? Thanks,
Denise
And here is the string of emails from the scammer (I've put my reply in the comments below):
From: Mike Walter [sgtmikewalter@gmail.com]
Date: November 21, 2011 11:35:48 PM PST
Subject: Payment Information
Hi,
Thanks for the message,I am very happy to know that the Artwork is still available for sale. i must tell you i am very much interested in the immediate purchase and i am willing to pay the asking price ($1000) for it framed .
I will like to let you know that your payment will be in a Certified Check and i will wait till it clears your bank before telling my shipper to come for the pick up, this will not take time at all because the payment will be sent out immediately i read back from you.You don't have to worry about shipment, my shipper will handle it. So get back to me with the information needed to send you the payment
I:E :
Full Name
Standard Mailing Address
Phone numbers
so that i can proceed in the payment arrangement. I will like you to consider it sold and get back to me asap with needed information to mail the payment.
Kind Regards and God bless you.
Mike.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brad Bucknor [movingalltheway@yahoo.com]
Date: December 1, 2011 6:37:34 AM PST
Subject: Packing and Shipment arrangements for Sgt Mike Walter
Reply-To: Brad Bucknor [movingalltheway@yahoo.com]
Hi,
I have received communication from Sgt Mike Walter that we should work with you to pack and ship some artwork of his together with his other house decors to his new house in Indianapolis, IN when you two are through with the transaction,as he advise.
I will like you to get back with the kind and nature of the things he want to ship.I will like to have your studio/home address ,so i can make arrangement with any nearby Agent that will be coming for the pick up once you and Sgt Walter are through with the transactions. Thanks.
I will be happy to get an early reply from you so that i can begin arrangements on my end. Thanks.
Brad.
Pack N Box Movers and Logistics LTD
"Movers you can trust"
Email: movingalltheway@yahoo.com
Begin forwarded message:
From: Mike Walter [sgtmikewalter@gmail.com]
Date: December 3, 2011 10:24:14 AM PST
Subject: Payment Delivery
I have been expecting your email message because the courier service that will deliver the check has told me that it will be delivered today, get back to me as soon as possible so that i can know the delivery status of the check and get back to them if it is not yet delivered.
Regards.
Mike.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Mike Walter [sgtmikewalter@gmail.com]
Date: December 4, 2011 2:01:46 AM PST
Subject: Payment
Hi Denise,
Thanks for the message, i am very happy that the check has been finally delivered to you despite all the delay, I told you in my previous email that the remaining fund will be for the movers that will be moving all my decors to my new home and your Painting is included.I would have handled this in a more different way if not for my present deployment and now i am in Yemen, Deduct $1300 for the painting, Western Union Charges and your running around expenses.the remaining $2600 is to be sent to the movers to schedule pick-up asap, Please contact the movers for the information that will be required to send them the funds via western union money transfer and i am sure they will work with you and make sure the pick-up arrangement will be as easy as possible...Thanks for your patience and honesty in this transaction so far, please feel free to advice.... Thanks again and God bless you.
Kind Regards..
Mike.
