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: 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: Helen Carzola

Hi, Kathleen,

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

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

Regards,

Chris

Scam Email: Ronald Walker

Kathleen,

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

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

Hi,

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

Ron.

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

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

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

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

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

Ron.

Scam Email: Lisa Giroud

Kathleen,

Must be a scam. Thank you for your work:

Lisa Giroud [wilzcharlespp@gmail.com]

8:37 PM (12 hours ago)

Hi,

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

"Magnified #2   and    Sophie on the Grill

I will appreciate an urgent reply.

Best Regards,
Lisa Giroud.

Scam Email: Wagner Antonova

Dear Kathleen,

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

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

Kind regards,

Olga

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

Good Day,

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

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

second email:

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

Dear Olga,

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

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

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

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

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

Am on Skype as:  wagnerantonova.

Regards,
Wagner Antonova.
wagnerantonova@aol.com

Scam Email: Marcus Quintena

Really, this scam email is pretty much the same as what I've seen for years and years (which sadly tells me that unfortunately it is still working for scammers), but I wanted to post this one because of a little "twist" in the template they use.

This one tries to employ an appeal to a referral. It mentions that a friend referred them, and even gives the name of the friend (made up and probably just grabbed from something they've seen online). I guess the goal is to get the potential victim to believe that because the scammer was "referred" that they'll believe they are a legitimate buyer, when in fact they are not.

Remember the basic red flags of this scam. These have changed very little over time. They'll mention a third-party shipper who is helping them move (or something similar to that), they will overpay for the item using a counterfeit check or stolen credit card, they will ask you to forward the "difference" to their shipper, via Western Union (always via a wire transfer, the scam does not work without this part). Their money is fake but they hope you forward your good money before you find out their money is fake.

You'll stop this scam in its tracks by never accepting an overpayment and NEVER NEVER EVER using wire transfer services in your online dealings. EVER. The scammer will disappear quickly and move on to a more uninformed potential victim. It's a numbers game to them.

From: Marcus Quintena [marcusquintena@yahoo.co.uk]

Date: December 14, 2012 8:53:45 PM PST

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Bcc: [artist email was inserted here]

Subject: Keen Interest in your visual Art

Good Morning

             I need to purchase some work of art to beautify my new apartment and i was told by a close friend  of mine Sandra Brommer that i would get a better deal by purchasing from you. Can you give me an insight into your work of art and a website or images to have them viewed.

Thanks

Marcus

Verify USPS Money Orders

Email scams involving counterfeit money orders looking like they come from the USPS postal service IS mail fraud if you receive one in the mail.

You can check the authenticity of a USPS Money Order by calling the Postal Inspectors at 1-877-876-2455 (option 4 is mail fraud).

If you feel you've been the victim of mail fraud, you can file a complaint at:

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx