Saturday, April 12, 2008
INTERESTED IN YOUR ARTWORK
Artists have mostly woken up to scammers trying to steal their money and artwork, but some people must still fall for them as I still get art scam emails. I thought they were getting more sophisticated and believable, but here's one that is a big step back..
HELLO, MY NAME IS MAXWELLS BROWN.MY MAIN REASON FOR CONTACTING YOU IS DAT I SAW ONE OF YOUR ARTWORK AND AM HIGHLY INTERESTED IN BUYING SOME FROM YOU CAUSE I SAW YOUR EMAIL TOO, SO I WILL LIKE YOU TO GET BACK TO ME WITH YOUR WEBSITE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SHIPPING IHAVE A QOURIER THAT WILL COME FOR THE PICKUP AND I WILL LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE PAYING BY A CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER. SO I WILL BE EXPECTING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.REGARDS
The email is from MAXWELLS BROWN <maxwellsranch101@yahoo.com>
Yeah sure Maxwells, I would love to give you my website address so that you can try and rip me off.
>> Art Scams ¶ 4:37 AM
HELLO, MY NAME IS MAXWELLS BROWN.MY MAIN REASON FOR CONTACTING YOU IS DAT I SAW ONE OF YOUR ARTWORK AND AM HIGHLY INTERESTED IN BUYING SOME FROM YOU CAUSE I SAW YOUR EMAIL TOO, SO I WILL LIKE YOU TO GET BACK TO ME WITH YOUR WEBSITE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SHIPPING IHAVE A QOURIER THAT WILL COME FOR THE PICKUP AND I WILL LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE PAYING BY A CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER. SO I WILL BE EXPECTING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.REGARDS
The email is from MAXWELLS BROWN <maxwellsranch101@yahoo.com>
Yeah sure Maxwells, I would love to give you my website address so that you can try and rip me off.
>> Art Scams ¶ 4:37 AM
Funny, I just received a letter, exactly like the one you posted, by art lover, Maxwells Brown. Gee, I thought my art, which involves both language and imagery, would merit a better piece of con job than Maxwells' poorly written note.
Bravo for posting it... I plugged in his address and found your note right away.
Thanks,
Matthew
Bravo for posting it... I plugged in his address and found your note right away.
Thanks,
Matthew
Matthew, I moved your comment here as you left it on the Women Impressionists in San Francisco post.
Also, I'm glad the scammers are stupid.. it's when they get smart that we should be concerned.
Dion
Also, I'm glad the scammers are stupid.. it's when they get smart that we should be concerned.
Dion
I'd bet that most artists who have a website, blog, etc. have been contacted by these scam artists. I agree Dion, I think a great many artists all know these scams. I have yet to see one that sophisticated.
# posted by 
: 7:56 AM
: 7:56 AM
The smart ones are hard at work. Currently they are trying to pass 'orphan works' legislation that will void a large fraction of the copyright protection that American artists now enjoy. The burden of proving copyright ownership will grow phenomenally under this new scheme.
I haven't received an art scam email yet - fortunately gmail and thunderbird seem to block 99.9% of all spam. What strikes me about spam scam is the very odd voice in which they are written - there must be a certain amount of people out there is respond to scam and who just don't get it - otherwise why is there such a glut.
I guess some people must fall for it. Fortunately most Artists are naturally wary when people start throwing large amounts of money their way - I supose it comes from going without for so long - lol.
Interesting post, I didn't know this had happened to other artists! Please anyone if you have had the following happen to you, comment about it. I got an email once from a supposed online art magazine (there was a site, semi-professional looking). The editor said to send him two pieces of my art (originals) and I would get an ad in the magazine. Needless to say I thought this was a scam and never responded. This happen to anyone else?
I am on a hit list as well, receiving well over 10 spam artists per day, seeking to buy, sell or represent my work. I know I have spammed some legit collectors and this issue is making it hard to promote work online.
Example: I had an order last month from a person here in Germany and every thing checked out fine. This man ordered two prints from my book, cost me 250 euros for printing, I offered the prints at 500 euros and he quickly sent me a bank drawn euro check for 700 euros. The bank initially said it was ok so I sent him the difference but 1 week later I found out the euro check was forged. now I was out 950 euros (almost $1600). Even the most vigilant can fall victim and the legitimate collectors find themselves under suspicion.
Still, your offer from Maxwell Brown is the best!
Example: I had an order last month from a person here in Germany and every thing checked out fine. This man ordered two prints from my book, cost me 250 euros for printing, I offered the prints at 500 euros and he quickly sent me a bank drawn euro check for 700 euros. The bank initially said it was ok so I sent him the difference but 1 week later I found out the euro check was forged. now I was out 950 euros (almost $1600). Even the most vigilant can fall victim and the legitimate collectors find themselves under suspicion.
Still, your offer from Maxwell Brown is the best!
Seller beware -- even if the scammer pays the exact amount & doesn't ask you to make change -- the transaction can be bogus and dangerous for your financial health.
That's why you should not accept certified checks unless they are drawn on a bank with a correspondent bank in YOUR city -- and you can go to the correspondent bank and get the cash in hand. Otherwise PayPal (even with the small fee) is a much safer plan for the seller.
As far as their own courier company -- that is to throw you off -- they have no interest in the art, it is your bank account number they want. Once they get that there are ways for them to work to try to clean it out -- so even if your sale is small and the cashiers' check arrives for the exact amount, beware. If you insist on getting a delivery address (no couriers), they will usually vanish.
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That's why you should not accept certified checks unless they are drawn on a bank with a correspondent bank in YOUR city -- and you can go to the correspondent bank and get the cash in hand. Otherwise PayPal (even with the small fee) is a much safer plan for the seller.
As far as their own courier company -- that is to throw you off -- they have no interest in the art, it is your bank account number they want. Once they get that there are ways for them to work to try to clean it out -- so even if your sale is small and the cashiers' check arrives for the exact amount, beware. If you insist on getting a delivery address (no couriers), they will usually vanish.
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