International Art & Culture Gallery
International Art & Culture Gallery |
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Saturday, July 4th, 2009 |
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Alerts and information about Spam, scam and fraud. |
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You are
most welcome to add further information and examples about these issues. |
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We receive many hundreds of mails containing questions
about these issues. |
| Virus, Spy ware |
| Art Buyer Scam how does it work? |
| It works like this: The fraudster send you a cheque with a much larger amount than you asked for, then they ask you to send them the exceeding amount in return plus the ordered art work immediately. After you have done that, and goes to your bank to pick up your money, it shows that their cheque is invalid, and you have lost both your money and artwork OR the fraudsters send you a cheque for the cost of the goods and the cost of shipping. The fraudsters then ask you to send their 'shippers' the extra money they have sent you for shipping - IMMEDIATELY. So you send them money and then find the cheque or credit card payment they have sent you is fraudulent. |
| If you think it's a real order, always demand
payment in full before shipping and never give out personal information. |
Below you will find examples given by our members and visitors. |
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| 15.08.08 |
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Scam report: I received the following e-mail, but there has been no
further contact, since i asked for more concrete information: Dear Martha I want to purchased the following piece for my parents. i know it is lovely and will make them very happy when they sees it because the piece are lovely and will be the center of attraction in this holiday season for every menmber of the family,and will definately suit my parents apartment #6. Embrace............................$ 3,225 #7. Zelda...............................$ 2,125 #8. Nest............................$ 1,750 #9. Ova............................ $ 975 e issuing payment in bank cheque which will include both the payment for the piece and as well as the shipping of the piece.The piece is a gift for my parents and as of the transporting of the piece pick up will be done and payment will be given to them at the point of pick-up the shipping company is an air frieght company they will be picking up the piece and make a special delivery to my parents.I will be adding an extra $3500 for pick-up of the piece which will be paid to the shipper for pick-up of the piece.I will be needing your contact addressand telephone number to issue payment to you. Regards, Alanis Naturaleza de Hombre no phone number or address has been given. i'm waiting for the next shoe to drop. |
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| 11.11.05 |
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I am reporting internet fraud. What can be done to STOP this nonsense??? Below is a copy of several e-mail's SMITH HOLLAND sent me, along with a copy of his "shipper" in Canada, MR. JOHN COOK, and both of their e-mail addresses he gave me. What he did: He contacted me from www.art.com, which I thought was a reputable site, and corresponded with me for several months. He chose 2 paintings, and sent me 2 money orders from a bank in California, totalling $5000.00 (over the payment amount). He then intructed me to send $3100.00 to his "shipper" in Canada for shipment payment. I fortunately waited to send anything to him until they cleared. They came back from the bank in California as counterfiet money orders. I haven't heard back from him since I emailed him 2 days ago and told him the money orders were counterfiet. Please confirm that you have recieved this information. Thank you, his e-mail addresses: smith_holland@excite.com smith_holland@gmail.com canadiancarrierservice@yahoo.ca copies of the e-mails he sent: originals@art.com wrote: Dear _, I am Smith Holland from UK, I am one of the owner of a Artwork store in UK. Going throught your artwork list , i am really pleased and impressed, i am willing in buying some of your arkwork or painting. So please get back to me with the price and also the full picture of some of your arkwork so that we will be able to discuss better. That is my personal email below ( smith_holland@gmail.com ) Please get back to me as soon as possible Regards Smith Holland Fri, 19 Aug 2005 09:29:49 -0400 (EDT) Dear _, I have chosen the painting that i like and that are the list of the painting below, i will want the painting to be send to my newly open store in spain and i will arrange for the shipment of the painting throught SPAIN CARRIER EXPRESS. So send me the name and the contact address that will be on the US MONEY ORDER that i am sending to you. THANKS, Smith Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 21:19:33 -0500 (EST) |
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| 09.11.05 |
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varning! för detta har spårat detta till nigeria. mina söner är bra spårare! kom på min my Dreambook guestbook Name: Judy E-mail address: judie_lewis@37.com Comments: Hello , I saw your creative artworks in your site and i am interested in buying some for our new house in johannesburg. kindly let me know if they are still available for sale. Send to me the price of the artwork excluding the cost of shipping as i have already contacted a shipping company that will be shipping the artworks with our other house decor. I will like to buy Endless, infinite Size 101*82 Arktis Size30*24 i will be paying you with a Certified Euro Check draft. An urgent reply will be appreciated. Regards, Judy Lewis Tuesday, November 8th 2005 - 04:25:44 PM Kennet Sweden |
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| 25.10.05 |
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Dearest avisen-avk.com, I was reading your examples of SPAM/FRAUD and I have to give this comment as I have been working as a system specialist for a number of years. It must have occurred to you that SPAM is also an industry. The more focus people give SPAM and unsolicited traffic, the more we are fuming the voices that want to control the Internet and at this rate 'trusted computing' (read about it!) will be a reality within a few years. GOOD BYE INTERNET FREEDOM and the ONLY non regulated mass media left around on this planet. This is why SPAM is getting more and more specific, not just crap you can delete.. If you receive mails from someone you do not know, use your common sense! Use the TELEPHONE and use the internet to check who these people are contacting you to buy your work. Sometimes a simple google search will provide you with a number of pages claiming the honesty or dishonesty of this person. ONLY accept MONEY-TRANSFER and shipment on acknowledgement. IT IS ACTUALLY VERY EASY! And please, DO NOT BE A SUCKER! Nobody wants to buy art unless they have seen it! - LIVE - That for me would be a scam, if somebody contacts me for a 1x2 meter silver print of a picture after viewing a crap resolution sample on my web page - COME ON! Peace Morsi |
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| 11.10.05 |
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JOHN WOODS, > Marketing manager, > MAJEUR ARTS AND CRAFTS, CO.LTD > 13 Dale House > London SE162PT > United Kingdom > > This mail is serving as an invitation to treat with the above named > company.Our company was established in May 1, 2002. Over the years we have > accumulated invaluable experience in our business and we are proud to > claim we are second to none.Due to the increase in demands of our products in > > America and Canada, > Europe we have decided to move our products fully into the continent of > America & Europe. By so doing,we are searching for reliable persons/companies who > can act as a RECEIVING PAYMENTS AGENT who will act as medium of reach > between our customers and us in their area of locality.Note that, if finally > aprroved as our Representative, you are entitled to an annual income of > $24,000USD and 10% of whatever amount you receive from customers who > are making payments for outstanding invoices on behalf of the company. Our > PRESIDENT/CEO will convey to you the medium which you will use to > remit any funds received on our behalf. > > If you are interested in being a REPRESENTATIVE/ AGENT in the above > location and your locality, please fill out this form below: > MAJEUR ARTS AND CRAFTS, CO.LTD. Receiving Payment Account Form: > Title : Ms, Mr, Mrs, Dr: ..... > First Name: ...... > Surname: ..... > Age: 25-35 36-45 46-55 55+ : ..... > Relevant Experience: ..... > Company Background: ..... > Your Company Name: ..... > Monthly Income: ..... > Residential Address: ..... > State: ..... > Country: ..... > Phone Number: ..... > Fax Number: ..... > Email Address: ..... > > Please on your completion of this form contact Dr Martin Peters with the > > informations stated below,for approval and other informationas > regarding this company,and also let us know the best time to reach you on > phone especially as we have a difference in time. > PRESIDENT/CEO, > Dr Martin Peters > telephone:+447031946131 > fax:+448704787548 > email address:drmartinpeters@z6.com > > Thank you for your time. > JOHN WOODS, > Marketing manager, > MAJEUR ARTS AND CRAFTS, CO.LTD > 13 Dale House > London SE162PT > United Kingdom > contact email:johnwoods@z6.com |
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| 10.10.05 |
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I received a response from rashidat wilson [rashidatwilson247@yahoo.com]to
purchase an item I have for sale. The individual indicated he was in
Holland and would contact a client in the US to get a money order to mail
me. He indicated it would be for more than the purchase price to cover
shipping and to wait for details on shipping. From USA |
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| 05.10.05 |
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I had two scam attacks and previous attempts with the supposed agents of
Napoleon Esteban. The usual scam ,sending a cheque for too much, asking me
to pay tha shipper with it, trying to get me to send the paintings prior to
clearing the cheque. The whole thing was a giveaway from the very start as
the grammar of the e mails was clearly not that of an English person even
though the names and address given were English. We traced the address of
the shipper to buildings owned by the Cadogan Trust and which were clearly
not business premises and the letters from Esteban and his agent ,Jane
Smith to an internet cafe in Holland. The cheque incidentally was stolen
from a packing company. A further attempt was made by the same people using different names and claiming to be an English lady living in France. The grammatical mistakes were exactly similar to those of the previous attempt. The only reason that I initially contemplated agreeing to the original transaction was that, as a scam, it was so unbelievably inept that one felt the slightest tinge of belief that the transaction may be a genuine one that was being conducted by a complete idiot. Ones own idiocy in even contemplating this was quickly dispelled by re reading the e mails. Alan Burden, Spain |
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| 05.10.05 |
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I had a Wayne Cambell contact me from Nigeria, enquiring about my artwork.
As soon as he said he'd send me a cheque for more than double the amount -
I e-mailed him back and advised him the Police were involved. Needless to
say - he didn't want the artwork after all! |
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| 28.09.05 |
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Hi everyone, I received this strange email just the other day. I was skeptical, but replied to him just the same. As soon as I realized the individual wanted me to export my art, AND give me an over pay me with a money order I immediately backed out of the sale! Beware this scammer below!! rashidat found this listed at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union Member Classifieds http://www.memberclassifieds.com/show.asp?CUID=akusa&Item=2147451170 RE:Your ad for Concrete & Mosaic Vessel Sinks at Member Classifieds Hello seller , I just saw the advert of your ( ADS) ,which you have for sale and i decided to mail you and find outif it is still for sale. I would like to know the present condition and your last offer price with a photo. Thanks as i await to hear from you soon. Sincerely rashidatwilson247@yahoo.com Reply by sending a message to: rashidatwilson247@yahoo.com After I replied to him indicating it was still for sale and what the price was, he writes... Thanks for your mail.Surprisingly i do not live in US i live in Australia but since i have interest in your Item i think we can transact,Am ok with the price and do keep it off market and consider it sold to me.In order to facilitate both payment and shipping arrangements,i have contacted one of my Associate who resides In US about this transaction and she has agreed to make the payment by money order.Also understand that the money order will surely clear for the full payment.Moreover, I want you to do understand better, Below is the Shipping Address : Shipping Address: H.P.S Plc...... # 2478 Melbourne Street , NORTH ADELAIDE, SA 5006 , AUSTRALIA. Fax # {131} 52173204 Tell : +618 8416 0864.But My Phone developed some technical problems,I believe it will be ok soon.I shall give you a call as soon it ok.I will like to know more about the Present Condition of it,Kindly forward to me the Information inwhich the payment will be made out to you Asking below.. Full name that will be written on money order.........::: Full address..{P.o Box Or Residential Address} ...........::: State...............::: City................::: Zip Code...........::: Home,office,cell phone #......::: Country..............::: Once this is received the money order for the payment will be made out to your name aswell sent,moreover,the money order to be sent will comprises the shipping funds and i will latter direct you on how the balance on the money order will be used for the shipment after you have received and cashed the payment.As soon as you have received and cashed the payment,you are to deduct your said amount which is ($500) and the balance is for the shipment and some other goods which i have already paid for in Us.I have contacted a shipping company that will handle the shipment effectively without any delay.I will await your details and do get back to me as soon as possible and i sure you every thing will work out fine. |
| Dawn Combs, USA |
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| 18.09.05 |
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Scamreport: A few days back I received the mail saying that Mr. Perkins
has saw my works and want to purchase some of my works. but after few days
the BUYER vanished and did not reply me even after following up through
the mail. The mail is as follows: Hello , Thank you for taking out time to reply my email .I must say that i went through your site and i was very happy and impressed with your work .Now i know why my associate tracy, is "hooked " on your work . I would be interested in : would want to know if the paintings are still available and also i would want to knlw the name of the paintings . I would also want it frammed (wooden frammed) . I would want to purchase these pieces . Please do get back to me as soon as possible teling me if they are available, total price quote with discounts . Thank you Victor Perkins |
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| 16.09.05 |
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Dear members, In the last few months I have received two scams by e-mail whereby each of these persons professed to want to buy my paintings. It was the overpayment check scam where I was supposed to deduct the amount of my paintings and return the balance to a bogus shipping company. The e-mail addresses to beware of are Mary Wilson at smallie007@earthlink.net and John Toffler at SEASONS DECORATORS. |
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| 30.08.05 |
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Forwarding this scam. ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathaleen Claik To: Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 7:05 PM Subject: I WILL LIKE TO PURCHASE.... DEAR SALES, GOOD DAY, AM MR CLAIK KATHALEEN, I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN BE ABLE TO SUPPLY SOME ART WORK GALLERRY PRODUCTS AND PAINTING ACCESSORIES TO EVERSEAS, WHERE MY COMPANY IS LOCATED, I FOUND YOUR MOST OF YOUR ART WORK DESIGNS VERY MUCH ADMIRABLE TO ME, SO I HAVE DECIDED TO PURCHASE TO MY NEW ESTABLISHED OFFICE IN WEST AFRICA LAGOS NIGERIA. KINDLY ADVISE ME OF THE TYPE OF CREDIT CARD YOU ACCEPT FOR THE PAYMENT METHOD SO THAT I CAN KNOW HOW THE PAYMENT WE GET TO YOU AFTER CHOOSED MY INTEREST TO PURCHASE. I WILL BE WILLING TO READ FROM YOU SOONEST. THANKS MR CLAIK .__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com |
| Darla, USA |
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| 16.08.05 |
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Dear Friend, Am Mr Thomas Jonell, I reside at the United Kingdom with my Family. Am really intrested in your paintings there are very lovely,But I think I would be needing them in my new home where I reside in the United kingdom. This are the one I saw in your gallery and I think this particular ones are okay enough in my home. 1. cosmos10 2. vinter6 I would like to know the prices of each, there are very nice paintings. I can also be reached on my cell phone number 44 703 194 7782. Thank you and have a nice day. Regards, Thomas Jonell. |
| If, by chance, you have recieved a letter similar to the example above please send us a comment. Send your Comment |
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| 11.08.05 |
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After reading these emails about scam artists, I found that what happened to Annabel is exactly what I've been going through the past month! I got an email from a woman in Alabama named 'Mary Simmons' who was interested in 3 of my paintings from my website for her new house in Johannesburg, South Africa. I emailed her back telling her the price and she agreed to buy them by having her husband who travels a lot and lives in London to send me a certified money order check. She wrote that her shipping agent would contact me via email to arrange for the transportation of the paintings. The shipping agent did email me asking for my address, and asking me to describe the types of parcels to be shipped. Then the shipping agent emailed back asking for my address, and wanted to arrange for a pick up as soon as the 'transaction' was done. I emailed the shipper and said that I would not arrange for a pick up until I got my payment for the paintings. After a couple weeks of ! no payment through the mail from this woman, I emailed her to ask when I could expect the check. She emailed me back and wrote that she was 6 weeks due to have her first baby, and her husband lost an inlaw due to the london bombings, and she was too busy with moving, but apologized, asking me to bear with her. Now it has been almost 2 more weeks and no payment in the mail. I should also add that she wanted to send me the payment check which would include the shipping costs, and she asked me to forward the shippers their share. I can't believe I fell for this one, but after seeing Annabel's entry here on this site dealing with this scammer, I was obviously contacted by the same scammer. Jen, USA |
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| 04.08.05 |
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I've spent a lot of time at your website and I think your paintings are perfect for our stores. I especially like your piece entitled Be Careful of Eachother. We work hand in hand with the largest stores in the country, plus thousands of small to medium sized specialty businesses stretched across the U.S. If you want the opportunity to sell your artwork through major retailers plus the other 17825 art galleries, 51005 gift stores, 6088 craft stores, 2990 craft galleries, and over 24000 mail-order catalogs ... check us out at http://www.vendorpro.com Sincerely, Matt Burke Vendorpro.com |
| From artist kenneth sweden |
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| 02.08.05 |
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Ärende: YOUR ART WORK......New York Dont forget ,Time and space ,New York
Remember,Black hole AND Thought Hello kenneth gustafsson, Thank you for taking out time to reply my email .I must say that i went through your site and i was very happy and impressed with your work .Now i know why my associate tracy, is "hooked " on your work . I would be interested in "New York Dont forget ,Time and space ,New York Remember,Black hole AND Thought " I would want to know if it is still available . I would also want it frammed (wooden frammed) . I would want to purchase these pieces . Please do get back to me as soon as possible teling me if they are available, total price quote with discounts . Thank you Victor Perkins |
| From artist kenneth sweden |
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| 21-07-05 |
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Hello , my name is Liz Frank, i will like to have your artworks as gifts from your product for my parent who are celebrating thier 30th wedding annivasarys ,the shipping through DHL OR FEDEX,TO NIGERIA so i will be gald to have your reply asap :i will be glad if you can send me your website address to choose or send me four of your product that is availble for me to choose, payment will be make by my credit card for you to charge. Visa Or Master Card. thanks. Liz Frank. |
| From Art Gallery member |
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| 20-07-05 |
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I am Mrs.Jessica Tung, marketing manager of MAJEUR ARTS AND CRAFTS IMPORT /EXPORT. in United Kingdom. > we are a group of business men and women who deal on Art and Craft,and we want to expand our business into Canada,United State,Japan,Dubai and other European countries. > We are searching for reliable representatives who can Help us establish a medium of getting to our customers in Your respective country as well as making payments through you to us. > Please if you are interested in this lucrative business With us, we will be very glad. > Please for more information contact the President/CEO Dr Stanley Ahmed > Email:stanmajeur@hotmail.com > Website: http://majeur.t35.com/ > Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to negotiate your mode of which we will pay you for your services as our representative in your country Please if you are Interested forward to us your phone number/fax and your full contact address. > Thanks In advance. > > Mrs.Jessica Tung. > Marketing Manager > MAJEUR ARTS AND CRAFTS. > Telephone: +44 703 194 4003 > Fax: +44 8701209826 |
| Val, New Zealand |
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| 19-07-05 |
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I have received approximately 15 e-mails in the last two months wanting to purchase my art that they saw on artprice.com. All of them were suspicious and I believe were scams. They would ask if the art was still available and what was my "final price". I answered two of them and they responded immediately with stories about overpaying me for my art and sending a them a check for the difference to a different person. These were obvious scams. All the e-mails had approximately the same foremat and most of them came from the U.K. A legitmate collector would ask the proper question when inquiring about your work. |
| Max R. Scharf, USA |
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| 18-07-05 |
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Hello, > I am Dr. Victor Perkins . I am reside in The USA but i am currently > away on a trainning course out of USA . I came across your contact > froma friend of mine who told me that you have nice art works . I > would want to know that kind of art works you do have and also i > would want to knw if you have any website where i can view your > works . You were so much talked about that i am forced to see the > works that you have done . > I intend to supply art works for a company , for their 7th year > aniversay . You work and a few artist were selected . I would be > much obliged if you could provide me with more information on your > work and where i can view them . > > Please feel free to email me via vperkins_dr@yahoo.com > > Thank you > Dr. Victor Perkins |
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friendly, Orvieto |
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| 18-07-05 |
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AVAN GIDEON HOME
ACCORDING TO YOUR CHARITY IS YOUR RICHES.
10
Alaji Lamidi Street Papa Ajao mushin Lagos 23401
Nigeria,
Phone#2348030688101.
Hello artist,
I am making a form of an enquiry for purchasing your Art product (Award Trophy) and this goods are going to be ship to Lagos Nigeria,via the state poster service,3-5 days grand shipment. My mode of paymant can be by Visa card,Master card,check or Money Order.And please in your response to my mail,kindly answers my below Question.
1.What is the limitation of the of urgent your
prodution.
2.Do you accept a organisation as a bonafied client .
I hope for our favourable transaction in future.
B .Crowther
_________________________________________________ |
| Bo Sigvardson, Denmark |
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| 16-07-05 |
| Read the correspondence between one of our members and a scammer here |
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| 15-07-05 |
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I have hade exaclty the same letter from Italy with the adress Strada
della Rosso 44. The only difference was the name. In my letter
"she" was calling herself Nancy Broom. She was very persistent and wrote also in my guest-book on my homepage. When I mailed her 3 picture of my paintings and asked her to choose which one she wanted and then pay me 100$ in advance for each painting I never heard from her again. I did not give her any bank-account informations. All the best Ingrid Denmark |
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| 14-07-05 |
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There is another 'scam' involving a person of some evangelical
congregation who wants certain paintings they list as a gift to their
retiring "Pastor". When I told them the cheque will have to be
processed fully with the cash in a seperate account(2 weeks)they ceased
all correspondence. Maybe I missed a sale but their english was poor and
the paintings wanted were, I thought, not applicable to a
"Pastor". Thinking I had made a mistake I received an e-mail from some other "congregation member" in another State with the same 'pitch'; so beware of the "retiring Pastor" scam. Apparently Religion and faith are no barriers to these unscrupulous people. Arnold Isbister Canada |
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| 14-07-05 |
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There was a very interesting scam a few years back at the Flushing town
hall hear in Queens I was invited to take part in a nice art show
the catch was you had to be a member I was informed that I should bring
my art work and it would be viewed and I would be told if it was
excepted for the show at that time I would pay the dues for one
year I felt it was grate there was no entry fee for the show
but you had to be a member .Well a few weeks went by I received a phone
call they over booked for the show had my art work would not be in
the show but I was still a member well I went to pick up my art work
there were quite a few good artist there as well to pick up there
art work they were from what I could tell new members it was a
scam and the only artist in the show was the old time members ho won all
the prizes .A very clever scam I think felt I would pass it on .Richard |
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| 14-07-05 |
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I received a request to buy several paintings that are on my website.
After I gave prices, the buyer said he was representing a client who was
away on a trip and requested that I send a check to cover "shipping
costs", and that I would be reimbursed once the client returned home.
I emailed back that I am in the business of selling art, not making loans.
Of course, I didn't hear back after that. The name of the
"business" was Umuakpom decor. The origin of the email was
the Netherlands. Judith USA |
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| 14-07-05 |
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The site listed below is good for investigating possible fraudulent
galleries/art buyers. I go to it whenever I'm unsure and it's usually a
scam. http://www.atelier-rc.com/Atelier.RC/Art_Alarm.html Kevin Conrad |
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| There is also a lot of counterfeit checks coming from over there. I had one who tried to order a painting and sent what looked like a Certified Bank cashier check. The amount was several thousand over what the painting was and they asked for me to send the difference along with the painting. Of course nothing was done until after clearance. In 9 days it came back as a counterfeit. Never send out anything until the cash money is in your hand! I don't accept any form of orders from Nigeria. Even credit card orders usually come back as no good as so many of them are stolen. One question, why would you give them your credit card number anyway if they were buying something from you?? Just common sense. Karen D |
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| Thank you so much for the very informative e-mail. I have just had a nasty experience with a scam that I did not see coming which may be a warning to some of your readers. I had an e-mail from a lady who was moving from UK to J'burg and professed interest in 3 original works, wanting to know sizes and prices. After some deliberation, she settled on one and I removed it from the gallery ready for her. She told me that her shipping company would be contacting me to arrange delivery as she had a large container going out to Africa. I said she could send a cheque to me. Then nothing for 10 days. I contacted her and said that I needed to clear the cheque before releasing the painting and time was moving on. She apologised profusely explaining that she was pregnant and that her husband was still commuting between the two countries and she was handling the move on her own. Then the shipping company contacted me wanting to ship the painting ASAP ' afruisshipping" . At this point I said no, not until I had cleared the money. Then I received an e-mail from a Nigerian company telling me that they wanted to warn me about a company called afruisshipping which was fraudulent. They wanted me to pay them for this useful information. AHA Of course, the whole thing was these people all along. The painting is now back in the gallery and I am a little wiser but I really didn't suspect this one. I hope this is helpful to someone else. Kind Regards, Annabel |
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| ADVICE TO ALL ARTISTS GETTING SPAM EMAILS TO
BUY ART: >>DO NOT <<< ACCEPT any check , money order or international money order -from SPAM BUYER--- MOST ARE FAKE /PHONEY- MAJOR USA BANKS have STOPPED ISSUING INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS BECAUSE OF WORLD WIDE FRAUD OF INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IF YOU DO ACCEPT A BUYING OFFER-->>DEMAND THE BUYER SEND YOU A WIRE TRANSFER-- SET UP A NEW ACCOUNT-- JUST FOR THAT WIRE TRANSFER MOST SPAMMERS WILL STOP IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU DEMAND MONEY SENT BY WIRE TRANSFER----- !! Harry |
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| I am sending this to you guys for a 'heads up' about fraudulent
purchases coming out of Nairobi. It is in regards to a woman wanting to purchase two of my paintings. via
email. There were certain things about the email asking to purchase my
paintings that I thought could be fraudulent. I hope not, but when I read the message and certain key phrases written, I felt unsure because I have heard them before..... That is why I asked for her phone #. While working at a boutique in Kapaa, HI. USA, I took many TelePrompTer phone calls. This is where a person types in a message and someone else speaks what is written over the telephone. Most of these came out of Nairobi. They would ask for large amounts of merchandise and wanted it shipped out 'immediately'. They wanted it Fed Ex. They would give a credit card #, have the number from the back even.... they would have the billing address and name on the card. The cards always came from Ohio or Nebraska or.... always the US, using names like John Smith, Mary Jones.... whatever. They wanted things shipped to Nairobi. Once when I told one of them that one card was no good... they had another; another name, another state. They always wanted it in a 'HURRY'. I would get them to give me as much info as I could so that I could report it. I would request that they give me the phone # they were calling from. This part always irritated them. They would always try to find reasons why they should not have to give it to me. One even told me I was giving them a pain in their neck! They were always quite aggressive. There is 'nothing' the US can do about this, so far anyway. I gathered and reported information to submit to authorities 3 different times and that was the consensus. I felt hopeful about this one because she said she would send a check and not a credit card, said it was for the UK. I would have insisted she send a cashiers check or money order if she did in fact reply. My prices are 'listed' on my website, that is # 1... so there should have been no big surprise about my prices, giving her a reason to not respond. #2 she wanted it 'right away' #3 SHE was going to arrange for shipping. That element was really key to me.... why? #4 the 'way' it was typed in. All bold capital letters underlined and double spaced.... . aggressive. #5 About 3 weeks ago I did in fact receive an email from Nairobi wanting to purchase my art. In that case I wrote back and told them that I do not ship Internationally. #6 I asked for her phone number and... 'no response'. When a credit card company or bank receives notice that someone is using a stolen credit card or writing from stolen checks ... it is not the bank or credit card company that pays for it. The person owning the credit card or checks is pretty much protected. The person who pays for it is the 'merchandiser'.... that would be 'me' and could be you. This is not to suggest that Nairobi is a bad place filled with criminals. I only mean this to alert you your friends about what 'could' happen and what to be careful about to protect yourselves. I still hope the woman that emailed me with a request to purchase my art will connect and that I am wrong... but I don't think so. Kathy |
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| Art Buyer Scam Example: |
| Hello Artist, my name is liz frank, i will like to have your product as gifts from your store for my parent who are celebrating thier 30th wedding annivasarys ,the shipping through DHL ORFEDEX,TO Italy so i will be gald to have your reply asap :i will be glad if you can send me your website address to chooseor send me four of your Product that is availble for me to choose and the pricerange from you.the price range is $800 to $1000. payment will be make by my credit card for you to charge. Visa Or Master Card. Shipping adderess. STRADA DEL DROSSO No:-44 CAP:-10135 TORINO ITALY. thanks. liz frank
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I too have been approached by such scams. One in which I thought was
perfectly legal until they send me a money order for more than the
bill. Along with that they instructed me to send the difference to a
man in Nigeria. That was a RED FLAG. I contacted my local FBI who in
turn told me to contact our Postal Inspector. I made copies of all
email correspondence and brought those along with the money order to
the Postal Inspector. They are working hard to catch these scam
artists. And you should know that the money order is NOT REAL! If I
had sent the money... and the artwork ... I would find out later that
the money order is not good and I'd be out the money I would have sent
them along with the artwork.
Please KNOW I and others out there are very aware of such schemes!
Thanks for the heads up... everyone should know... STAY AWAY from
anyone who wants to send you more money than what is due and by all
means... BEWARE of NIGERIANS!
From one of our other members. |
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| Well aware of this problem Any emails received can be forwarded to the following addresses uce@ftc.gov - Government agency who investigates all SPAM info@cenbank.org - Main Bank in Africa - also looking into this Nigerian problem arts@britishservices.co.uk - UK site who lists all incoming Nigerian spam emails with their email addresses. I also have a link on my site that says "I DO NOT ACCEPT ORDERS FROM NIGERIA BECAUSE..." with a link to arts@britishservices.co.uk (may deter some of them) Feel free to pass this info to your groups regards Alan |
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| Hello Sales, I will want you to supply me this items listed below from your store to my unit store in Lagos-Nigeria 23401, i will be glad if you can place me the total cost of my order including the shipping method via dhl or fed-ex. I will like to know the major credit card you accept I will appreciate your conpetence and co-operation concerning these order.Get back to me with your website. Waiting to read from you Thanks Steffano ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~my answer: hello steffano, here is my website: www.studioofmuses.com i only accept PAY PAL and ship FED-EX. thank you for your interest. vicky ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ although it is best NOT to reply ....but if you reply in this manner it cuts down on any future related emails from these rip-off artists. PAY PAL is also a safer method of receiving payments for artwork sold...because the money goes directly into your account. PAY PAL is safe & checks into fraudulent biz transactions. I would NOT use CREDIT CARDS for sales ... it's easier to be fooled! ; ) peace to you in denmark* vic |
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