Scam Email: Raymond Velluci

Dear Kathleen,

I could not find a way to reach you through your Art Scam Blog, so I hope this is an appropriate channel. I wanted to thank you for being instrumental in helping me to prevent being scammed. When I received a $3,800 check in the mail yesterday for an $850.00 purchase, I got suspicious and found your blog right away. It really helped me to quickly clear my confusion and report to the authorities (Wells fargo Bank). Below is the whole affair (sorry, a bit lengthy) if you care to read it, but it seems like all the others.

My point is, please add Raymond Vellucci [raymondvelluci@hotmail.com] to your list of names and e-mails to be wary of. I'd hate to see other artists become victims as well as individuals with potentially stolen checks / accounts, etc.

Sincerely - Sean


To Whom It May Concern,

   I am a professional artist and someone is attempting to defraud me of funds using a Wells Fargo account. I do not know if the account holders are complicit or are also potential victims. On August 1, I phoned the Wells Fargo Fraud Reporting Service: Suspicious activity with an online service at 1-866-867-5568 and spoke with Laura. She asked me to send you all pertinent information. I'm also attaching an image of the Wells Fargo check being used in connection with the fraud.

   The following is a chronological listing of e-mails and events:

-July 21, 2014 - I receive the following e-mail from Raymond Vellucci [raymondvelluci@hotmail.com]

Dear Artist

My name is Raymond Velluci,I reside at 600 N 5th Street Opelika, AL 36801,I Came across some of your artworks and am interested in buying your ( torm and Abyss Watercolor on 300lb Arches 5.5 x 9 inches  )

Please let me know if you still have it available for sale or get back to me with the available work you have at the moment as i will be happy to have it in our new home and also get back to me with your least asking price and don't bother to include the shipping cost because i will arrange for the pick up of the artwork

Best of regards
Raymond Velluci

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 23, 2014 11:33:05 PM CDT     I responded:

Dear Mr. Velluci,

Thank you for your interest in my work. The price for this watercolor is $600.00 unframed. I am happy to professionally frame it for $150.00 additional. Where did you come across my artwork?

Sincerely - Sean
__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 24, 2014 12:44:57 PM CDT    the recipient responded:

Sean
Thanks for the mail,I'm okay with the condition and as for the price i will offer you $850 to keep away any other buyers from buying it and count it sold to me

I will be leaving my home town state tomorrow for my honeymoon,but that will not be a problem,as per payment  i will have to instruct my client to send you a check via UPS or USPS courier service which will take only 2-4 days to get to you. cos this is the only  means of payment I can offer you now due to my present departing And you should not worry about the shipping, i have my shipper that will come down to your house for the pick up as soon as payment is done.

So to make payment out to you, you'll have to email me:

1,Name to be written on check........
2,Address to send the check,City,State And  Code..........
3,Your contact telephone number..........

Awaiting to read from you..

Sincerely
Raymond Vellucci
__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 25, 2014 1:16:46 PM CDT    I responded:

Dear Mr. Velluci,

I will accept your price of $850.00.

I am unclear if you want me to frame this for you or not. If so, there are a few styles I would like to offer you. It will take a few weeks to order materials and assemble the frame. Will you please clarify your intention concerning the framing?

Make your check out to :

[info was inserted here]

Also, you did not respond to my question; where did you come across my work? I'd also like to know if my work will be in your privater collection or another collection. Can you answer these questions for me.

Sincerely - Sean
__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 28, 2014 7:37:51 AM CDT       the recipient responded:  

Sean


Good Morning to you,how was your weekend,just wanted to let you know that the payment has been mail out to you via a regular mail and it will deliver to you by today or mid-week

kindly deposit the Check in your account and then you email me as soon as it clears your bank for further instruction on how my shipping agent will come for the pickup at your location

Regards,
Raymond Velluci

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 28, 2014 11:11:50 AM CDT     I responded:

Dear Mr. Velluci,

While I am happy to sell you my work of art, I am distressed at our apparent communication problems. I have asked you some questions regarding how you found my work and , more importantly, about framing the work. Please do not send for the artwork until we have resolved the framing issue.

Kindly re-read the e-mail I have sent you (below) and respond.

Sincerely - Sean

I am unclear if you want me to frame this for you or not. If so, there are a few styles I would like to offer you. It will take a few weeks to order materials and assemble the frame. Will you please clarify your intention concerning the framing?

Also, you did not respond to my question; where did you come across my work? I'd also like to know if my work will be in your privater collection or another collection. Can you answer these questions for me.

Sean
__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 29, 2014 8:38:47 AM CDT     the recipient responded:  

Thanks for the mail and am sorry for not answering your questions,Yes you can frame it for me and let me know the styles you are going to offer me and Yes i came across your work via your website on and its going to my new home not any other place

Thanks and please kindly let me know when you get the payment as soon as possible

Raymond Velluci

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 30, 2014 12:02:58 AM CDT     I respond with four e-mails, each one with an attached image describing and showing the framing options.

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 30, 2014 12:24:36 PM CDT    the recipient responded:  

Thanks for the mail and am really happy to see the work so great,yes i think i will go for the Framing Option A (1 of 4)‏ because even my wife made comment of the Framing Option A (1 of 4)‏

So kindly go ahead and start the preparation and also let me know if the payment has been deliver to you and also i will like to inform you once again that you don't have to bother about the shipping cos as i told you before my shippers will come for the pickup once they have there funds sent to them as soon as possible

Thanks and kindly notify my if the payment has arrive your location


Best of regards
Raymond Velluci

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 30, 2014 9:51:07 PM CDT   I responded:

Dear Raymond,

OK, great. Please allow me about 2 weeks to order and assemble the frame. I will contact you when your funds clear and I will contact you when the framing is complete.

Sincerely - Sean Culver

__________________________________________________________________________________
-July 31, 2014 9:15:24 AM CDT   the recipient responded:

Thanks for the update kindly let me know when exactly the check is going to clear your bank so that i can forward the shippers information to you on where to send there funds to so that they can start arranging for the other items that are going to ship for me together with the artwork am buying from you before you are through with the framing

Thanks and please make sure you get back to me as soon as possible

__________________________________________________________________________________

Later that day I received a Wells Fargo check for $3,800.00 drawn on the account of [Name inserted here], [address inserted here]  Dated: 07-26-2014    Routing Number: [number inserted here]     Account Number [number inserted here]   Check Number: 5694 (see attached image) (Ed.: probably all the information from some other unknowing innocent person)

I did not connect the e-mails from Mr. Vellucci and the check from the [Name on check]'s right away, I was more confused as to why anyone would send me a check for so much without reason. There was no notation on the check or in the envelope.

At this point I did a Google search for Artist Scams and, sure enough, I found that this fraud had been perpetrated upon to many other artists who, sadly, went ahead and cashed the check only to have the "purchaser" ask them to direct-wire the difference between the purchase price and the deposited amount. My first call this morning (August 1) was to the Illinois Attorney Generals Office and my second call was to Wells Fargo.

I will not be depositing this check and I do not intend to contact "Mr. Vellucci" any further. I would like to spare any other artists wasted time, confusion and possible financial loss. I would like to spare any other victims of this crime, possibly the [Name on check]'s, of any financial loss.

I would appreciate any follow up notification should any investigation into this matter get results.

Sean

Scam Email: Rebecca Wallace

Hi Kathleen, I was wondering if you might have heard of this person Rebecca Wallace from Guernsey UK.
At first I thought it was a legitimate purchase inquiry... but now I  think not.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks, Matthew

I think it's GREAT that you are putting in the effort to help your fellow artists!

Here are the emails (from latest to first):

from Rebecca Wallace:

Thank you so much for the urgent information provided I want you to 
get them ready for shipment and get shipping quote ASAP
On the shipping one will have to pay additional fees at the delivery 
point here, because they will never bring to ones house, Courier like 
FedEx, UPS and DHL are not worth it here especially USPS probably 
because they already known very well.
I want you can contact this shipping company:
www.expressparcelsdelivery.net
contact address: epdsdelivery@mac.hush.com

They will need dimension for the package weight and Value of the 
artwork for the shipping and insurance Quote to my billing address, 
they offer door to door shipment and deliver safely without paying 
any extra money before collecting the goods unlike some other courier 
where it will not be delivered to your address and you will still 
have to go to their office to pick it up and you will be told to pay 
other money like custom duties before collecting it really sick of them.
I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon so that you can 
have credit card information to charge for the total payment without 
any further delay.

234 Rue Du Fort Sark
Guernsey,
Postcode:GY10 1SF
United Kingdom

---- On Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:57:56 -0700 Matthew wrote 
----

Hi Rebecca,
The prices for these 3 framed paintings are:
[names, prices]

It looks like shipping would be $200 for all three
Total Art $5,100 plus $200 ship is $5,300 and could ship within the 
next couple of days.

Getting the three paintings I could give you a 15% discount bringing 
the total including shipping  $4,500 usd

I use PayPal for online payments which you can use your credit card 
( you don't need a PayPal account)

You can use this page for payment

Let me know how this sounds and we can go from there!

A note on these 3 paintings, they were all done plein-air on location 
with my wife and family present and they all hold a special place in 
my life and heart.

I hope sometime to come to Guernsey with my family to paint and enjoy 
the fresh breeze!

All the best, sincerely,

Matthew

On Jul 21, 2014, at 11:29 AM, Rebecca_wallace1960 wrote:

How are you doing today and family?and great to hear from you,
Below are the artworks that interest me and I want you to get back to
me with the price of each pieces listed bellow:
[name of pieces]

I want you to get back to me with the cost of  the above pieces then 
we can figure out about shipping,and insurance cost
I will be awaiting,so that you can have my credit card number to run 
for the payment

Best


Rebecca Wallace
234 Rue Du Fort Sark
Guernsey,
Postcode:GY10 1SF
United Kingdom

---- On Mon, 21 Jul 2014 11:06:57 -0700  matthew wrote ----

Hi Rebecca, Thanks for your interest in my artwork, and sorry about 
the delay in getting back to you I have been away from my computer.

Yes shipping to the UK is fine, though unlike the old days where 
wasn't so costly I now have to check on the cost.

If you let me know some of the work, style and sizes you are 
interested in I can give you a up to date selection of avail work.
Please reference some of the specific paintings from my website 
[url listed]

I very much look forward to having my artwork enhance your home and 
life!

All the best,

Matthew

On Jul 12, 2014, at 6:36 PM, rebecca wallace wrote:

Hi there,

I am captivating on your artwork to equip, and beautify my home town
In United Kingdom.
I don't know, if you internationally shipped Out of your region and
Your on-line portfolio or inventory would give me more details of
available works only if you send me more details.
I will wait for your swift response.
Regard

Rebecca Wallace

234 Rue Du Fort Sark
Guernsey,
Postcode:GY10 1SF
United Kingdom

Scam Email: Linda Monreal

Kathleen,

You are a life saver. Below is my correspondence with one of your known scam artists. I felt like it was going to turn into a legit sale until the last exchange. That's when I googled her name and your site popped up. Now, looking back over the whole exchange I can see all the little signs you mention on your site. I thought she might have been ESL -- I feel like a dope for letting it get this far -- I even fell for her ploy that she wanted to here more about my painting process -- oy! I can't thank you enough!

Sincerely,

David
---

Hi David,
It is nice to hear back from you.  I will like to proceed with the
purchase of the two pieces. I think they are lovely works and I hope
to give them a good home.

I am presently traveling for my Sister's wedding even though it comes
at a time when I am preparing for a big move to Miami Beach, FL but it
means so much to her and I should be back in few days.

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Meanwhile, can you pls get back with 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.  About shipping , you
can handle it from your side to my new address above or I can forward
your contact info to the local cartage  company handling the shipment
of all our house decors. 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.

Linda.


> On May 20, 2014, at 10:40 PM, Linda Monreal wrote:
>
>> Hi David,
>> Thanks so much for your response to my query about those creative
>> works. I will like to  proceed with the purchase of both pieces (
>> unframed) . Can you pls get back with what inspire you to make the
>> pieces.
>>
>> I will look forward to hearing from you soon.
>>
>> Best Regards,
>> Linda.
>>
\


>>> On May 17, 2014, at 11:35 PM, Linda Monreal wrote:
>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Hope this message finds you well. I saw these lovely pieces on your
>>>> website and I will like you to get back with more details if they are
>>>> still available for purchase.
>>>>
>>>> Still life with vase and shells,  and  Monarch Butterfly
>>>>
>>>> I will appreciate an urgent reply.
>>>>
>>>> Best Regards,
>>>> Linda Monreal.
>>>
>>>
>

Scam Email: Tim Patty

Hi Kathleen, Thanks for your blog.   Below is an email I received today.  I was skeptical but pretty convinced once I got the response.


From: Tim Patty [timmypatty@yahoo.com]
Date: Wed, May 21, 2014 at 8:55 AM
Subject: PAinter Needed
To: timmypatty@yahoo.com


Morning,
                      I need your services as a decorative painter for my
wife birthday in August.
Are you a faux,canvas or colored pencil painter.
Check your the attach images to this email and let me know if you can make
exact paint for me,awaits your mail.

Regards,
Tim.


* My response:*
Hi Tim,

Yes I am able to paint this for you.  I would nee to know sizes.  Do you want 2 paintings or the eagle and the landscape combined.
-
Thanks,
Erin


*His Response*
tim patty
12:30 PM (1 hour ago)

to Erin
Thanks for your swift response and her birthday is on August 2 so i want
you to to make a replica of the 2 image the landscape and the eagle
separately but my wife loves nature,presently am in Philippines doing
social work to the victim of typhoon  haiyan also its a surprise for her
and i want it ready before her birthday.

How many weeks will its takes you to finish the 2 painting and size is 24
by 30 and what is the total cost?


I want canvas painting and i want  to present it to her on her birthday as
gift,awaits your  mail.

Scam Email: Alvin Folkman

Hi Kathleen

I unfortunately got my hopes up for a few minutes in these dry and difficult times that this was a genuine enquiry but noŠ its a scammer. Its hard to believe they will actually spend the time looking up obscure specific individual works. Here's another name for your scammers list with email thread:

Geoffrey



From: Alvin Folkman [alvin.folkman@gmail.com]
Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 12:00 PM
To: Geoffrey
Subject: WORK DESCRIPTION

Hello,
Thanks for taking your time to reply back! Here are the list of works
needed:
DESCRIPTION:

' name of piece ' (charcoal study )
48" X 60"      CHARCOAL ON PAPER   ..............:QTY:1

Meanwhile, don't worry about the shipping cost actually i have my personal
shipping agent in USA that will come for the pick up of the package in your
destination and i have inform them about this and they told me the best way
to come for the pick up is for you to email me with the information needed
below,

* Your Name and Address ?
* Time the package will be ready for pick up with your convenience
time and date?
* Contact Person for the pickup arrangement ?
* Telephone Number ?
* Weight of the package and how many boxes are they ?
* Total cost?

So, please kindly get back to me with this details along with the
total of my order.So I can instruct my p.a to  process a cashiers
check/personal check to you  for the payment of the work so that my mover
can have it picked up along with my properties that are to be moved to
Sweden.

Best Regards


> From: Geoffrey
> Date: Friday, May 2, 2014 6:01 AM
> 02/05/14
> 07:01:06 AM
> first_name : Alvin
> last_name : Folkman
> email : alvin.folkman@gmail.com
> phone : 6789234567
> message :
>
>
> Hello,
>
> My name is Alvin Folkman.  I found your profile on the internet. I
> am interested in purchasing your work for the decoration of my
> guest room at my new residence in Sweden. Would appreciate if you
> can send me few pictures of the works you have available for sale
> so that I can make an easy choice of mine. Better still, send me a
> web link where I can have a view of your recent works.
>
> I look forward to read back from you.
> Thanks.
> Alvin
>
>

Scam Email: Corbett Bonilla

Below is an example of how scammers are using skype. Skype doesn't make them any more legitimate. In fact, you will discover scammers always some some made-up reason for why their camera on skype is NOT working but okay to text back and forth - keeping them anonymous and as slimey shadey as hiding behind disposable email address and fake names.

Do not use skype to sell things. It's usually scammers.

Email message attached from "Corbett Bonilla"

Dear Bill,

I have received your email and the information concerning the cost and
the method of payment that you choose.

Concerning the shipping and delivery I will handle the delivery and
pay the delivery fees by adding it on the same Cashier's Cheque which
am going to issue.

My concern about appointing a good secure shipping company for the
delivery is because I want the delivery to be save to my destination
here in Glasgow England without any damages or lost of art which has
already happen in the past by using FedEx and UPS.

We will need to discuss the sending of the cheque directly to you for
the payment of the painting in order for the pickup to take place. We
need to appoint a time and date for Skype communication. My Skype id
is corbettbonilla add me on your Skype list or send me your Skype id
and I will add you.

Please email me back with the below information for the Cashier's
Cheque to be issue..

Name on Check:
Full Address:
Phone Number:

If you don't have Skype id kindly go to www.skype.com and register
with them and download Skype. I will be available on Skype tonight
night from 8:30 pm England time.

Note: I will handle and appoint a good secure shipping company that
will come for the pickup and the shipping fees will be added.

Best Regards
Corbett Bonilla

Scam Email: Paul Newman

The use of a famous name like Paul Newman doesn't make this any less of a scam.

Kathleen, Thank you for your post about scammers trying to buy artwork. I have received an email before from someone saying that they were in the process of moving from California to Africa and listed several piece of art work that they wanted to purchase. The way it was worded from the beginning made me question it. However, recently got another email that I think should be added to your list.

[mailto:paulnewman946@gmail.com]  "do you still have this artwork for sale? (a specific piece was mentioned). I responded, "Hi Paul. I do still have this piece. Feel free to give me a call. (Telephone number included). Thank you for your interest in my work. Laura.

He responded, "Thanks for the message, I am very happy to know that the item is available for sale. i must tell you that my wife  browse through the net and saw your artwork (  Title of Artwork 24" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas $300) now, and we are very much interested in the immediate purchase because we need it for our new apartment,we will like to  buy it before someone else requested for it, and I know this is worth more than the price, So i agree your selling offer I agree that After payment clears, Then shipping agent will do the pick up of it and collection at your location. I will be paying through a Certified Bank Check so once you have it clear and you have your funds at hand the shipping agent will be coming to pick it up. Here is the information needed, Kindly Text me Your,

Full Name:

Home Address
Cell phone number
total cost
kindly get back to me So that i can proceed with the payment arrangement and relay it to you, consider it sold and get back to me with the details of yours in which the Check  will be written,i await your quick response...

Thanks & Regards
 
So I responded, "give your full name and address. So I can calcuate shipping)

They responded, "Kindly text me your...." (Above information)

I wish I had come across your blog the first day that I tried researching this!!!!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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