ARTISTS BEWARE

The usual wants to buy works - oversend payment then requests the overpayment back. OBVIOUSLY the payment he sends you is fraudulent.

A SCAM!!

ANOTHER

paulablake23@googlemail.com stating she is working for Johnson Tracking Ltd, a consulting Firm in London, UK (no such company exists!)

stating:

  My name is Paula Blake; I work with the Johnson Tracking Ltd, a consulting Firm in London, UK. We are conducting a standard process investigation involving a client who shares the same name with you and also the circumstances surrounding investments made by this client at HSBC Bank Plc.

The HSBC Private Banking client died intestate and nominated no next of kin to inherit the title over the investments made with HSBC Bank Plc.The essence of this communication with you is to request that you provide us information on three issues:

1-Are you aware of any relative/relation having the same surname, whose last known contact address was Madrid, Spain?

A SCAM - DO NOT REPLY!!

THE SCAM HAS STARTED UP AGAIN - March 2009

andersonderick42@gmail.com - Derick Anderson

Hello,
    My name is Derick Anderson, i will like to order for some piece of your work from your studio as gift for my Father's 70th Birthday, so i will be glad to have your reply as soon as possible, i will be glad if you can send me your website address to choose or send me four of your product that is available for me to choose.

Waiting to read from you today.so that we can make some progress. I will be waiting to read from you at you convinient time.
thanks

Derick

Someone calling himself 'Jack Tom' The email has a return path of: nobody@paris.dnstraffic.net but syas it's from: tjacktom@hotmail.com The usual rubbish - says he lives in Australia and wants to order art works using his 'shipping method'

bobiemap@yahoo.com Bobie

New scammer - February 2008 a.pitburgh@yahoo.com

An artist was nearly caught by this scammer Lisa Hamre li_ham01@yahoo.co.uk

November 2007 - still it goes on - new scammer - anthpherson@yahoo.co.uk Anthony Mcpherson giving an address of 2555 Bolton Rd, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 3DG - trying to scam Americans.

URGENT DREADFUL NEW VIRUS WHICH WILL ERADICATE EVERYTHING ON YOUR PC . The email is from someone calling himself 'life owner' and the email will have an attachment called ' Life is Beautiful' DO NOT OPEN DELETE IMMEDIATELY - REALLY NASTY VIRUS

Honestly they get stupider and stupider. The latest is from: rev_nelson112@yahoo.com pretending to use the email address: antifraudunit111@onet.eu

NIGERIAN INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT (ANTI-FRAUD UNIT)
4TH FLOOR MARY LAND,
LAGOS NIGERIA.
MOTTO: SECURITY WATCH
                                                                                                            
                                               
FROM THE DESK OF: MR.PAUL NELSON.
           
RE: BE CAREFUL OF HOODLUMS.

Sir/madam

Based on the finding in this investigation department we wish to warn you against some touts. We have been informed that some touts are contacting you in respect to the collection of your fund in the total sum of FUNDS that was long approved in your favor from Nigeria. As a matter of fact we have been on these investigation assignments for some time coldly known to no one but the Presidency and some top government officials who are in support of this investigation team to help stop fraudulent activities in this country.
 
Although we have been able to come up with some good result about the people that have extorted money from you illegally and I wish to list them so that you will personally indicate them by writing back because we want to make your payment to you without any delay but we must surely deal and bring this names to book if only you will indicate correctly any of them.

The names of the Touts that have been arrested are as follows:
1) Prof Charles Soludo
2) Chief Joseph Sanusi
3) Dr. R.Rasheed
4) Dr. Rufus Obi
5) Dr.Mrs Ngozi O. Iweala
6)Barrister Ucheuzo Williams
7)Mr. Ernest Chukwudi Ebi
Deputy Governor - Policy  / Board Member
8)Mr. Tunde Lemo Deputy Governor - Financial Sector Surveillance / Board Member
9)Mrs. W. D. A. Mshelia
10) Mrs. Nenadi Usman
11) Mr.Williams Okey
Deputy Governor - Corporate Services / Board Member 

The above listed names are been traced/investigated by the police and some of them have elope the country and note that if any of them is caught and find guilty he/she we go to jailed for 25 years (twenty five years) as it is under the Degree 47 of the constitution of this bank under section of criminal law.
 
So we are waiting for you to write us and inform us if any of the above names have once contacted you in respect to the funds, if yes dont waste time to indicate it immediately as we are the only office that has solution to your funds because many people has been contacting you and collecting money from you without letting you know that there is an error on your payment allocation file. Note that the only office/paying bank that have right to pay or contact you in this Transfer is the Citibank London, Contact person ,Mr. Anthony Peters, E-mail: peters.citibank@gmail.com which has been headed by the bank Governor, you must deal directly with them and do what so ever you are asked to do because that is the only way you will achieve the success of the transaction as you provide us with the bellow information to enable us confirm if we are dealing with the right person which his or her appeared on our payment allocation file.
 
Your full name and Address, Your Occupation/Age, Your Telephone/Mobile numbers including the amount your are expecting which will prove to us that you are the rightful beneficiary of the said funds.
 
We apologize on behalf of the New President and the people of Nigeria for any delay and lost this most have coursed you and promise that such thing will not happen again. And if you are dealing with any one of them regarding this payment we urge you to stop because you are taking a big risk and you never find your money any where because your money is with the above named bank. Finally, we are expecting to hear from you today. Thanks for your good understanding while we wait for your urgent response to this mail.
 
Yours truly,
MR. PAUL NELSON
(CHAIRMAN NIGERIAN INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT)

rev_nelson112@yahoo.com pretending to use the email address: antifraudunit111@onet.eu

princez33inc@yahoo.co.uk (David John) The usual

LATEST - October 2007 - johnsteve_306@yahoo.co.uk - the usual garbage but now using 'his children' as recipients of the art works - for which he wants you to send him money for shipping etc etc - isn't everyone completely BORED of this by now!!

Honestly it's laughable - the scammers are pretending to be Reverends now(!!)

rev_kennethjacobs212@yahoo.com (Kenneth Jacobs) Rev Kenneth and the usual bad English

My name is  Kenneth Jacobs, i will like to order for a piece of your Art Works from your gallery as gift for my parent who are celebrating thier 10th wedding annivasarys , 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 Cheque. Waiting to read from you today.

THE SILLY SEASON IS STARTING AGAIN WITH A VENGEANCE - June 2007

andrey_company001@yahoo.co.uk (Andrey Negura )

markhen_info@yahoo.com (Mark Henry)

Marcus Map using the shipping email address of Shipper01@yahoo.com

Ervin Matison nobody@leopard.xyzdns.net mr.matison@yahoo.co.uk begging for money

A VERY NASTY PERSON IS USING THE NAME CHARLIE BAKER AND JOEDAISY STUDIO AS HIS NAME AND ADDRESS TO SEND OUT SCAM AND MONEY LAUNDERING EMAILS - HE WAS USING charliebaker@yahoo.co.uk and charliebaker@yahoo.com BUT APPARENTLY HAS JUST CLOSED THIS ACCOUNT? HE IS A CON MAN AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH JOEDAISY STUDIO. WE BELIEVE OTHER NAMES ARE BEING USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE STUDIO TO SEND OUT SCAM EMAILS. THEY ARE CON MEN AND NOT EMAILS FROM JOEDAISY STUDIO.

This one is something to avoid: Robin Clare an excellent artist found out 'the danger' of dealing with this art gallery Gaudi. So thanks Robin.

My name is Caroline Norris and I work in the International department in the
art gallery Gaudi that is situated in the centre of Madrid (Spain). The
gallery has now been open to the puplic for the past 22 years. We have three
departments in the gallery, these being:-

1.-On-going expositions www.galeriagaudi.net
2.-International art fairs
3.-Organisors of the art fair PURO ARTE www.feriapuroarte.com

I came across your web-site through a link from the britisharts.co.uk and I
would be very interested in the possibility for us to collaborate in our
next project which will take place in Italy (Bolzano) during the month of
May. It is an International art fair where it will reunite many artists and
gallerys from all over the world to purchase and expose there work. Galeria
Gaudi have a stand in the fair and I would be delighted to take some of your
work.The official web-site of the fair where you can find more information
is: www.kunstart.it

If you would be interested in collaboration please can you send me your
telephone number so I am able to call you and discuss matters further.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards

Caroline Norris.
tel.00.34.91.702.03.36

They ask you for 1500 Euros to participate but look at the link below - it would appear it is a bit of a scam. Or at the very least an organisation to avoid.

http://christo.absolutearts.com/artsforum/messages/57508/87767.html?1168521810

More Scammers April 2007

morrisanderson@yahoo.com.

point_654@yahoo.co.uk - asking for paintings for: our church 48th annual convention - what will they think of next. Signs himself Martins

oludareayodeji2006@yahoo.com OLUADARE AYODEJI - the usual rubbish except he's made is seasonal by mentioning christmas. Pathetic!!

Scammer: Dr john mason........  45 Kenton Lane,  Belmont Circle,  Belmont, Middlesex, HA3 8RY. (This is Belmont Community Hall!!!) is using the usual tactics - want to buy art works john_mason0202@yahoo.dk - SO BEWARE!

Well now, this is extraordinary. This man Frank Clement - email frankclement00@yahoo.co.uk went to extraordinary lengths to try and secure his scam. He used the address: Frank Clement 62 Wellesley Road Slough, Berkshire SL1 1UR England. Tel:  + 44 702 3055 027. and said his shipping company was Westward Freight Ltd. 78 Brown Street Salford  Manchester  M3 6JA UK. Tel:  + 44 795 766 0739. He even sent an email to the artist stating it was from the shipping company (Westward Freight) using the email address: freightltd@yahoo.co.uk - all completely fake. The artist he was trying to scam was in the USA. SO BEWARE OF THIS NASTY FRAUDSTER!

BE WARY OF THIS INVITATION FROM: Artperiscope.com Team www.artperiscope.com. They are asking for you to send them an image in 300dpi - which means it can be used to make prints - for - they say to make a calendar. They say successful artists will then be asked to send them £20.00 to make the calendar. A bit weird. There is no address on the web site and the web site is registered to a domain company called Key Systems in Germany. This is at least, a pointless exercise and at worst a complete scam to take your money, Or at another worst, an opportunity to turn your images into prints and you not getting any money from it - that is THEY ABUSE YOUR COPYRIGHT!

DO NOT SEND ANY IMAGES - IN 300DPI - OF YOUR ART WORKS TO ANYONE YOU DO NOT KNOW - LET ALONE TO SOMEONE WITH NO CONTACT ADDRESS.

There is no guarantee that a calendar will be made and with no contact addresses - THIS IS A VERY FISHY AND DODGY EXERCISE. We suggest you treat it with care and ask them for a contact address, terms and conditions of the 'competition' (they are nowhere to be found) before sending any images.

NEW SCAM OCTOBER 2006 - sent to us by a thoughtful and aware artist

Gerald Paolo
Cape Town, South Africa email address artsbaylimited@yahoo.com IS WRITING:

DO NOT RESPOND IT IS THE USUAL SHIPPING SCAM

LATEST SCAMMERS - September 2006

Some scammer is now stating he is from Indonesia: Brian Simanjuntak. MULTIVISION, Tbk. service@multivisionplus.net

carl_lee005@yahoo.com

batyah_hanks@yahoo.com Mrs. Batyah

m_masha01@yahoo.de Masha

mikedonation@yahoo.com MR MIKE MOORE

LATEST SCAMMERS - JULY 2006

Some individual calling himself Dave Gollick - email address: scoff@shaniastuff.com also using shopper@uk.worldpay.com stating he is from WorldPay is stating there is some problem with a credit card payment.It is a scam - DO NOT ATEMPT to correspond with this individual.

Mrs Kathy Smith giving a web site address of http://www.susartworld.8m.net is another scammer - she gives her address in the UK as 34 Parliament Street, York - which is actually Lunn Poly Ltd (Pathetic!) She States: I am an artist with my husband Johnson Smith, and we are the owner of Century Art World .I'm from London UK,with my two kids, four cats, one dog and the love of my life my husband Johnson Smith. It is definitely a full house. The very silly web site full of stolen images also gives an address of P O Box AN11489 Accra (Nigeria) - she is actually after money laundering of ill gotten gains for money scams. Her email address is: kathysmith34@universia.net.mx. So don't be fooled by Mrs Kathy smith and her fake web site.

MORE SCAMMERS

list6store@yahoo.com

mustoystores09@hotmail.com James Smith.

hassan_company_store@katamail.com J.CHARD.

lilian_laura567@yahoo.co.uk

sudoko.rapheal@yahoo.com

Particular nasty scammer schwartz_marcuson@yahoo.com calling himself Schwartz deposited a bankers draft into an artist's bank account. The money was the price of the art works plus the cost of shipping. The scammer demanded the artist to send the money overpaid to the shippers immediately but the artist sent the paintings to Paris himself. So he did not give the scammer any money but lost his paintings. The Bank Draft 'disappeared' from his bank account three days later.

Latest scammer is emailing this:

email address browne08080@yahoo.com (Please note this is a very illiterate American Consul - wants work hunged!)

kelvinjessica777@yahoo.com Jessica Kelvin

sunky_collen@yahoo.com SUNKY..

.
frankishdirect@yahoo.ca Larry

sprint.edmonde@yahoo.com

claudia_sanchez_2008@hotmail.com

junio0034ng@hotmail.com (Junio Ola)

NEW SCAMMER: Mark J. Burnett Valuehost Billing Department christlike.defend@valuehost.com bolton@epochworks.net MESAGE id 20060412210310.8D51A9A268@badtzmaru.sd.valuehost.com - INCLUDES AN ATTACHMENT WHICH IS A VIRIS - Valuehost are aware of this scam and there is a GENUINE warning on their web site http://www.valuehost.co.uk/noc/

It's laughable how the scammers STILL try to continue. May 2006. The latest is: hardwareholdings@37.com - some idiot calling himself Mr. Joel Howard (OF HARDWARE HOLDINGS INC) His English is clearly bad but he wants 'products' and insists we respond to his email immediately, so we can get the transaction under way. YEAH RIGHT IDIOT

OK - now this doesn't really apply to artists (or maybe it does!) but we've had some emails telling us of a 'love' scam!!! It started from an adult friendship site (we're told!)

There is an individual using the email jsnipes07@yahoo.com and Yahoo messenger handle of eden_karl2002.

This person sends a photo of a very beautiful model to her EMAIL correspondents and says (after 1 or 2 emails) that she loves them and needs them and will come to see them - in this case to someone in Georgia - USA.

Apparently she doesn't get her facts TOTALLY correct. She stated in one email she was attending the 'Miss Silverbird pageant' - in guess where? YES!! Nigeria! (But the intended 'victim' checked that the Pageant was held some time ago).

Anyway, she goes on about how lovely she is, how she desperately loves the person she is corresponding with (er what?) AND THEN - she states that her team leader is demanding sex from her and that she needs $800 to move to another hotel to escape his attentions - she has no money and needs it NOW. She will pay back the money with her next pay check.

OH PLEASE!!!! DO PEOPLE REALLY FALL FOR THIS?

Update March 2006 - Latest stoopid scammers

biodun_105@yahoo.com biodun suara

gr8ben_white@yahoo.com BEN WHITE

marktonygalleries@yahoo.com

ea_george1@yahoo.co.uk george adewale

yusuf234m@yahoo.com Mr. Yusuf Mohammed

Updated Feb 2006 - Latest stoopid scammers:

gentlesoul1970@yahoo.com Oni Emmanuel

multichoice2404@yahoo.com Oni.

rev_james01@yahoo.com

bethberriman@yahoo.co.uk

serahpaintings@hotmail.com serah moore

jamesmazzarella@yahoo.com (Jim Mazzarella)

jennifer_rayworld@yahoo.co.uk (Jennifer Raymond)

Update January 2006 - these are the latest email addresses from stupid scammers.

mideplaza@hotmail.com mideplazainc@yahoo.ca olamide collins

paulwilliams002@yahoo.com

tracyd9500@yahoo.co.uk

susannina_fiba@yahoo.co.uk

richy_lewis1902@yahoo.co.uk

mary_lewis0502@yahoo.co.uk

rick_company@hotmail.com

smithfatai_0@yahoo.com

Update December 2005

Still they continue. Latest Scammers:

smithfatai_0@yahoo.com (smith fatai)

sandequipmentstore@hotmail.com (Sandra Coker)

teresaventures@yahoo.com

jsnipes07@yahoo.com (Jennifer Snipes)

The newest scam is booking bands. The fraudsters book you to play a gig. Send you money.

Then they tell you the gig is cancelled and tell you to send the money back - less expenses.

You send the fraudsters money BEFORE you discover that the payment they made is fraudulent.

DON'T DO IT - CHECK OUT THE PLACE THEY SAY THE GIG WILL TAKE PLACE - (one band member found the Gig place to be allotments) BUT still went along with it.

AND he lost £2,000

VERY SILLY. DON'T DO IT OR ASK THEM FOR PAYMENT IN STERLING CASH - OR AT LEAST ASK THEM FOR £50-£100 IN CASH BOOKING FEE - then you've made some money FROM the fraudsters! Cool!

This one is very wicked. We received this email the first time in 2002. The guy calling himself Mr. ABDUL-AZEEZ Ahmed stated he had three months to live and had millions in some bank account he couldn't get at. So could we send him £60,000 and some paintings to give to his wife. He said he would then send us 2 million! This is the photograph he sent in the email of him dying of esophageal cancer - he stated.

AND THEN - 3 years later - in November 2005 - the same photograph is sent from someone calling himself Mr Joe Edwards - who is still dying from cancer.

This is absolutely appalling and very wicked.

UPDATE 13th October

This is really really funny!!

Hello Sales, We are popular company from Retailer store,We reside at 75 Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RB, United Kingdom Tel(44)7031910799 We'll like to purchase some items from your store,but before anything we'll like to know if you ship international to our new store branch office we mean to our address below Via One of the below courier service 1,EMS 2,DHL 3,UPS 4,TNT .and our mode of payment will be by our Credit Card account #, while we'll like you to charge by those terms and more also we'll be more than happiest store if you can include your website as to visit again and look for the items list we want from you. We are looking forward to read from you. Shipping Address: #3, powerline street off okunola street City: Egbeda State: Lagos-State Code: 23401 NIGERIA. WEST AFRICA REGARDS JAMES

The address - 75 Cranmer Terrace is the National Blood Service(!!!!)

UPDATE 11TH OCTOBER

Now its Malta!!

Hello, |I am interested in purchase from your Gallery/store and i will like to know if you ship international (Malta) and also if you accept (MoneyOrder) as a method of payment,I want you to get back to me with your webpage, so i can make a suitable choice of the items needed in your gallery. Your urgent response will fascillitate my next order. I await your urgent response. Thanks |kate mrs How Hear: internet

kate mrs kate_faith3333@yahoo.com

UPDATE 28TH SEPTEMBER

Latest scammer seems to be: sonicksonstores@yahoo.com who states she is Owner of MARBAN STORES and signs herself Sonick. DON'T BE FOOLED!

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 12TH

The fraudsters who ask to buy your art works and then send you a cheque for the price of the art works PLUS the cost of shipping and THEN INSIST you send THEM a cheque for the overpaid money - BEFORE you find out the bankers draft/cheque/credit card they have sent you is fake/fraudulent are now trying to make themselves look credible and using UK addresses!!

emails from: store_supply@yahoo.com (Mrs Victoria S) states the delivery address is:

Victoria Smith Flat 7 Rowan Court 125 Platstow High Street.London E 13 9HT United Kingdom

and signs herself; Regards, Puchasing Manager, Store Supplier Limited

Very scary - we hope the authorities do something about this.

UPDATE AUGUST 11TH

Look at this - this is an artist offering his work for sale: He has no name, no web site, a PO Box address and he refused to give us details of any other galleries he has been 'transacting with'.

Another fraud DOUBTLESS he will ask for money for 'fictionery' art works. We've requested images of his art works - watch this space!

Dear , I am writing in my capacity as the Chief Artist Of DOTTBAM ART STUDIO, I am an artist my aspect of art is creativity ,so i deal with creative art. I have a pleasure to request a mutual relationship and transparent transaction with your gallery as i "ve been transacting with others. Since the establishment of my studio some years back, i "ve participated in different exhibitions in an organisation , hotels, companies , embassies and in some countries .in which i was priviledge to meet with the then former South African President(NELSON MANDELA)when attending what could be called a fantaStic exhibition held in johannesbourg the event that arrest the attention of many very important personalities like AMBASSADORS, GOVERNORS, MINISTER and prominent people in the society that present.Distinctive and impressive artwork exhibited offered me a priviledge of being among those accompanied him on a tour to UNITED STATES for a symposium held in PHYLADELPHIA it was organised by the center for Black and African Arts and civilisation(CBAAC) in collaboration with the university of pensylvania and Dr. David .l . Herne of national gallery of art in USA . This enable me display some of my art work in the symposium hall which attract the attention of a receptive audience.purpose of my message is to introduce my aspect of art work to your gallery for buying as many galleries has been buying from me and am sure including my art works in your gallery will contribute immensly to the sales and progress of your gallery as it has been contributing so greatly to the progress of many galleries both in my own country and overseaes.i hereby request similar transparent transaction from your gallery , i "ve different large and small size of very interesting designed painting and batick paper works on cardboard, prospecting to be dispatched at your request, as for me i do deal in trust and i will like similar trust to be exerted , i "ve some pieces to be dispatch at your request as samples then after its delivery you will be able to sight and examine the items which will offer you a priviledge to express your interest to order , because i believe seeing and examine is believing , i shall be expecting your prompt reply . Thanks, 56, ring road , ibadan , oyo-state, nigeria. P.O BOX 15521, DUGBE ,IBADAN , OYO-STATE, NIGEREIA. +234-8055370549 E.MAIL:DOTTBAM_ART@YAHOO.COM

UPDATE AUGUST 6th 2005

Had an email from an artist in the UK who states that she has been having an email correspondence with Paul Glazer calling himself owner of Bluehouse Inc - email address is bluehouse_inc@yahoo.com

This individual has given his address as Olalekan Adenigba 48,Ofada Street, Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria, 23401.

Luckily she found our warnings before she sent money. She was asked to: send the quote including shipping and handling charges ASAP and that HE WOULD BE NEEDING HER ASSISTANCE - this was written in capital letters in the email!

He had been sending 'creepy' emails - trying to get friendly with her and ordered large amounts of art works.

SO BEWARE OF - Paul Glazer calling himself owner of Bluehouse Inc - email address is bluehouse_inc@yahoo.com

Another latest fraudster: Mrs. Kolawole Hamzat B Address: 37 Aladesure Aven Mushin Lagos-state Nigeria 23401 bsmith_store@yahoo.com

Who states: I need your assistance i recevied a massage from my sister yerster saying that my son(David) have an auto accident on his way to church And he his presently at the Hospital but doctor said he need to be oprated and they need an advance payment of $1800. So i will want you to please help me in sending $1800 out of the funds to the hospital today so that they can start he operation for my son ASAP Hope this is okay with you? If so,Kindly please go ahead now and send he money to the hostail today(Please do his and save my son life) bsmith_store@yahoo.com

It's getting pretty tiresome isn't it?

UPDATE JULY 2005

We received an email from an artist who had posted an art work for sale on ebay. She stated she received an email, shortly after posting the art work - from aikomates@box.az - also using pinkidee2@yahoo.com - who said their name was 'Tommy Williams'. Apparently this fraudster even went to the length of sending an email from BidPay saying the money order was confirmed and item could be shipped. Then, he sent an actual FED EX shipping label which, thank goodness, the Fed Ex clerk refused to use as the address was unrecognisable (Lagos, Nigeria).

Artists must also be aware that any 'strange' email asking to buy their goods - especially asking for shipping to Nigeria - is a fraud.

They will ask you to send massive amounts of money to their shippers. Which will never be recovered.

The sender of the email regarding the above said 'thanks for your website' Without which she may have been conned.

UPDATE MAY/JUNE 2005

Nigeria is no longer the destination of choice - it's now America.

Now they are using all sorts of places - July 2005.

Hello Sales, I am Mark Joe, I am a store owner in Ireland but from the U.S, I have a client in Nigeria who is interested in your products, I want to purchase on his behalf. I want to know if you can ship directly to my client in Nigeria, Also, my mode of payment for my order is via credit card. Get back to me if you can ship to that destination and also if you accept credit card payment. Return with your product list or website address. Regards, Joe Mark joemarkstores_05@yahoo.com

Latest scammer is using various names @yahoo.com

angella1_2@yahoo.com

cindy_van0002@yahoo.com

johnny00terry@yahoo.com

gregywarren@nyc.com

dannycreates20003@yahoo.com

richgates@Safe-mail.net

garybruce@myway.com

vee_graham01@yahoo.com (Mrs Vera Graham)

tracyjam123@yahoo.com (tracy J)

dr_mrs_stefansmith@yahoo.com (Dr Stefan Smith) using an address of: STEFAN SMITH 3A CHOUUMERT ROAD PECKHAM SE15 4SE LONDON

makeshops_1@yahoo.com.au (John Samson)

The content is:

Am interested in purchasing your artwork" for my new built mansion ,Am okay with your asking price, could you pls get back to me with ur price + shipping cost to my location at 10934 Blix Street # 113 North Hollywood, CA 91602 USA. k. Pls ur urgent responds will be appreciated okay. Regard

Hello Sales, My name is TRACY CANL,I will like to place an international order which will be ship to UNITED STATE OF AMERICA.My method of payment is through usa Authorise credit card.Please get back to me as soon as possible with your website if you ship internationallly and accept credit card for payment. Awaiting to read from you soonest,... Thanks Best Regards TRACY tracy_canl@yahoo.co.uk

Money Orders from these idividuals:

myshipper_limited@yahoo.com

cvoller01@yahoo.com

daviddyy111@yahoo.com

ly_leo2005@yahoo.com

louvillastore@yahoo.co.uk

were not real - as are all money orders sent by the fraudsters listed on this page.

STOP PRESS - NEW NASTY SCAM AS BELOW

Hello i am Stella Philips considering the fact that I sourced your e-mial from a human resource profile database of the country, i am contacting you for a art job if you could. A friend of mine who is a building contractor under the federal ministry of art culture in Nigeria. He is on complition of his contract of fountain estate on some acres of land so he needs so art works Gallery on the fence of defferent designs.i am only informing if you are interested all you need to do is pick up the ministry application form.and fill and your information a registration fee is required.after that you will be send a return ticket to come down to the site to make your quotations. if you are interested get in touch as soon as possible for his direct e-mail or phone number hope to hear from you soonest. Stella Phillips. fmtcng@yahoo.co.uk

Well(!!) They've got to try something else (scammers now asking for a registration fee) - because their old scam (below) has been thwarted by us!

We are doing well with alerting artists to the fraudsters - we've had at least 35 emails telling us we saved them from fraud! (UPDATE - 23 more this morning - 21st February 2005).

UPDATE APRIL 2005 Around 473 emails now from artists/galleries thanking us - and these have come from all over the world - South Africa, France, America, Australia, Germany and the UK.

The following scam email is a REALLY REALLY GOOD ONE!!!

Mrs Alex ( a_aalex34@yahoo.co.uk) Mr Steve (asteve37@hotmail.com) are even showing a web site (!!)) http://www.allas-int-store.itgo.com/ - which is very very very odd because domain names can only contain letters, numbers and hyphens. NOTE the photograph on the web site has faded out name on the 'so called store'. It's also not very 'Nigerian' looking - which is where they state the store is located. We've got our Nigerian expert on the case. It would also appear 35 Aladesoru street does not exist in Lagos, Nigeria.

The source of this latest fraud email is also: allasintstores@teenmail.co.za. They also give a Dubai address: Al Haj Bidg,3rd floor Near Kuwati mosque Dubai- U.A.E - which also doesn't exist.

And very funnily they state on this 'so called web site' SORRY...................DUE TO SOME REASON'S OUR WEBSITE HAVE NOT YET COMPLETED.SO PLEASE CHECK BACK - VERY VERY FUNNY!!

Latest fraudsters - April 2005 : MARK BLACK STORE 191,AGEGE MOTOR ROAD OFF OLOSHA STREET CITY:MUSHIN STATE:LAGOS CODE:23401 COUNTRY:NIGERIA mark_williams_2005@yahoo.com

J.B Alice , man. dir Brawn all store 41 akinbay papa-ajao st, mushin,lagos nigeria 23401 jane_browns@yahoo.co.uk

ADELAND NIGERIA LIMITED 300 agege motor road challenge mushin lagos Nigeria. bimscom@teenmail.co.za

ENG Alicia Handason ELECTRONIC STORE USA electronicstore@teenmail.co.za

Carol Sparrow. 95, Aladesuru Street, Papa-ajao, Mushin, lagos 23401, Nigeria. contact carolsparrow_arts@yahoo.com

collinlimited_1@plasa.com ( collin tommy)

sandrawills4@yahoo.com (Mrs Sandra Williams)

collinlimited_1@plasa.com (collin tommy)

This is from an American artist:

'Home of the Arts and Photographs from Lagos Nigera with contact name of Funmi B. has contacted me as a art buyer but also wants two laptop computers purchased and shipped with his art order. Very suspitious...thank goodness for your website!!!! Out standing service'. (25th Feb 2005)

AND LOOK AT THIS!!

Well now this is FAB!! One artist has conned the fraudsters(!) She responded to one of these emails and then asked the fraudster for £50.00 to cover the cost of her bank accepting the cheque. The fraudsters sent her £50 (in cash!)

WELL DONE - MORE OF THIS PLEASE!!

BASICALLY an email arrives 'out of the blue' requesting details of your goods (any goods!!) and a request to buy 'something'. The scammer usually states a Nigerian postal/store address.

One artist wrote in an email to us:

Hi I am an artist it Boston, Massachusetts, Barbara Poole. And I want to thank you for your website. I was flattered at the first e-mail, but highly suspicous when I got the second e-mail. I found your site and saved myself from myself. Thank you

And these are the emails she received.

Hello I have visited your website and i am impressed by the beautiful collection you have there. I want to purchase this particular piece for my wife's birthday: Get back to me with the total cost and the shipping cost via Fedex delivery to this address: 345 Kenyatta Avenue Nyerere Road, Nairobi, 00100 Kenya

I look forward to hearing from you,. so you can have my credit card charge into your account for the payment. Best Regards John houstonjohn220@yahoo.com

Hello I got your contact from a friend of mine, Mr Houston John, I will love to purchase these paintings to decorate my home and i am an interior decorator as a profession. Get this packed and make it ready for shipping, so you can have my credit card to charge for the payment asap.I want to use the same shipping method the Mr Houston John, my order will come after his. Thank you Yours Truly Mr Dennis Mills Mills Interiors dennismills4real1@yahoo.com

PLEASE NOTE - One email connects to another - stating one person got her contact details from another. - This is beginning to prove that once you 'take the bait' - i.e respond to a fraud email - your email address gets passed on to other fraudsters - or perhaps - the same person uses a different name and another web based email address. Very, very greedy and very stupid.

Please also note the sender of the fraud email offers to use Fedex delivery (to suck you in) - then when you agree to send him art works - he states - I have just found my own shippers, I will use my own. That's when he sends you a cheque - or cloned, stolen or just plain non- existing credit card number - for the price of the art works AND the price of shipping.

THEN the fraudsters INSIST you send them the money that has been sent to you for shipping.

They want this payment IMMEDIATELY - and before you have time to realise the cheque will bounce and credit card is not legitimate.

These are more typical emails:

Hello Sir/Ma.... I am Mr jones,i am interestec in purchasing your art work,and will like to know if you accept cheque as your mode of payment. I will await your immediate reponce to my mail... Best Regards Mr Tony.J.

Hello Sir, We are interested in the purchase of some items from your store,haven visited your store online today and I will you to send your website found it quite impressive and lucrative,but before I proceed with my order I will like to inquire if you do ship to Nigeria and accept US credit cards for payment.As soon as I hear from you,I will send you my credit card details and the shipping information. Hope to hear from you soonest, Best Regards, James

Hi , I am a procurement officer i help individuals and companys get ITEAMS for their use and i get commisions for doing that. My customer is interested in your beautiful art works 'Katie Wall 3' -( Katie Croxford),'School Bus' -( Caroline Hulse).,'Midnight Sea' - Annabel Walker,Square world' - Katie Croxford,please let us no the price and if you accept a cashers check so that we can negeotiate and make payment. stay bless. Shawn Brandson Jr

IF YOU RESPOND

1. The fraudsters state they will send you the cost of shipping and the cost of the goods..

2. They send you a cashiers cheque or credit card number for the cost of your goods AND the cost of the shipping.

3.You put the cheque into your bank.

4. The fraudsters then INSIST you send THEM money. The money they have sent/overpaid you for shipping - IMMEDIATELY.

So you send them around £500-£4000 or £25,000 - yes they state shipping is £25,000(!) of your own money. BEFORE THE CHEQUE THEY HAVE SENT YOU, IS CASHED. OR BEFORE THE CREDIT CARD IS REALISED AS STOLEN/CLONED.

You art work is never collected and your 'cashiers cheque' is never paid.

IT MAY TAKE OVER A MONTH before you are alerted by your bank that the cheque is fake.

We know of one artist who received a cheque, the cheque went through initially - so the artist sent the fraudsters £8,000 - for 'shipping' - BUT then the bank said the cheque was fraudulent and wanted the money back!

Credit card payment is usually a stolen/cloned credit card.

The fraudsters also ask for your full details of your Online bank account - password, log in etc - stating as they are from overseas they need all these details. THEY THEN TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR ACCOUNT.

DO NOT REPLY TO ANY SUSPECT EMAILS - usually from a Hotmail or Yahoo or overseas web mail account.

THINK ABOUT IT - IF SOMEONE REALLY WANTS YOUR ART WORK - THEY WILL SPECIFY:

DO NOT GIVE YOUR ONLINE BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS (login, password etc) TO ANYONE TO TRANSFER MONEY. None of these details are necessary to transfer money to the buyer.

DO NOT SEND GOOD IMAGES OF ANY PHOTOS TO ANYONE YOU ARE NOT SURE IS LEGITIMATE - A good TIFF, JPG file or photograph can be made into a print by a 'fraudster' and sold in huge quantities.

Any reliable buyer of art works will give you their name, address, telephone number etc. CHECK OUT THEIR CREDENTIALS. (If you want help - contact us arts@britishservices.co.uk)

We suggest you do not deal 'long distance' with anyone contacting you by email - without thoroughly checking them out.

If you are in doubt - contact us - email arts@britishservices.co.uk and forward any suspect email to us.

Here are a few examples of emails which are being sent to any artist these fraudsters can find - we have received copies of these emails from many artists:

FROM ceylan47@yahoo.co.uk

Hello, Just wanted to find out if you still have your work mentioned in the subject of this mail above for sale, I have a client who could buy it .How much will you sell it for? We will arrange for pick up as soon as the transaction is concluded and payment is confirmed. Please get back to me immediately. Thanks Ceylan

FROM : mailto:maxwell_johnauto@yahoo.com

hello I am intersted in purchasing some of your lovely artworks can you please send to me some of your recent works and there prices so that i can make selection based on your own interested and also i will like to know if you have an hotel in your area because my associate really fell in love with your work and he said he is coming over to your area to look at most of your work and also purchase more of your artwork from you. In the meantime kindly send me some details of some of your artwork with prices so that i can make my own selection base on the one you send to me . I hope to hear from you soon,and if you wondering what i want to use it for well i want them to refurbish the wall of my house and office in Bahamas Regards John Maxwell

FROM: philip_mclaurin@yahoo.com

DearSir/Madam, I am pleased to inform you that I am a contractor to a library in the United States of America. So, I deal and supply library products, and am required tosupply the library with two Acrylics on Stretched Canvas product which the price is £1200. A friend of mine told me much about your company and the product , the way you treat customers that is the reason am patronising you.I think am right with your phone number 44 118 9483155 . I will be responsible for the shipment to the destination.If you will accept a cheque drawn in the U.k. account ,you should mail me with your address and whom to address the cheque .I am very much intrested and in need of the product and am okay with the price .The charge of the shippers which is 5,500 pounds will sent togehter with your's because i want you to cash your money first before remitting the money to the shippers.As soon as the cheque clears your bank you send them their balance through money transfer ,preferably western union ,because it is convienit to them. Have a nice day. Philip Mclaurin

FROM: purchasing_department1@atlas.cz

Hello, Good day to you, I will like to to order for some of your artworks items from your store and have it shipped to my new branch store address in Nigeria: Shipping Address: Store Address: Mr. Gbenga Damilare 3A, Damilare Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin. Lagos State. Nigeria. 23041. Above is my shipping/store address I will ike you to send me a reply email if you do ship to this location and if you accept credit card for payment and I will also like you to forward your website address to me so that I can pick from the available items you have online. I want everything shipped via DHL/USPS (Global Express) shipment. I will be awaiting your urgent response with required information. Best regards, Mr. Gbenga Damilare Owner.

FROM: Thomas Mccrae tm_mccrae@yahoo.co.uk

Hello there,i am interested in purchasing a few art works from you.I am an American citizen working as a Projects Manager with a construction firm here in Belgium and i really appreciate good art.I would be glad and honoured if you can find some time to email some pictures of works you might have presently available for sale. My interests are in more of either abstract art or works relating to landscapes/still life generally done with any materials(ink,oil,water color...etc)....i really do not have any fixed picture in mind at the moment but i would be very glad to purchase some good works from you as soon as possible. Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Best Regards, Thomas.

FROM: contactmikelovaarts@hotmail.com

Hello sales, I am MIKE LOVA, I am an art exhibitor and will like to get some interested pieces from your galley and will like to get back to me with your website so that I can choose the piece(s) of my choice and you can quote me the total price of the pieces together with thw shipping cost via DHL Worlwide Express and I can forward my card info to you for charging. Meanwhile my price range is $1000 - $1500. Hope to hear from you soon. Best Regards MIKE LOVA

FROM: shawn_brandson@yahoo.com

Hi , I am a procurement officer i help individuals and companys get ITEAMS for their use and i get commisions for doing that. My customer is interested in your beautiful art works 'Katie Wall 3' -( Katie Croxford),'School Bus' -( Caroline Hulse).,'Midnight Sea' - Annabel Walker,Square world' - Katie Croxford,please let us no the price and if you accept a cashers check so that we can negeotiate and make payment. stay bless. Shawn Brandson Jr

FROM: mic_paul@fastermail.com

Dear sir, I am interested in purchasing your advertise PAINTINGS and i found the price £450 okay by me.I have gone thru the features of the product and i found it okay by me.I will like to know if it is okay to pay you with a cheque.Please if this is okay by you do get back to me with your full name,contact address and phone number so as to issue the check in your name asap. Also i will like you to send me the pictures if you have it available.I 've made neccessary arrangement with my shipper who has been helping me to ship goods and he promised to come for the pick up from your place as soon as this transaction is sealed. Here is his email address preciousshippers@doramail.com If there might be any reason for you to get in touch with him on the pick up. I look forward to read from you fast so that the cheque can be issue in your name and the transaction completed asap. Best regards. mic

This is a new twist(!!)

Hello, I am very happy to come across your reputable website. My Wife will be celebrating her birthday nextmonth,and as the breadwinner of the family i need to give her something she can look ok and thing that will remain to be a memory after the birthday so i decided to contact you maybe you can help me to make up a lovely birthday landscapes specially designed for My wife and she is turning 48yrs old this year. Pls get back to me if you can do a lovely landscapes for me.We are here in U.S and regarding the payment i will instruct a client of mine to send you a certified check from the USA and also regarding the shipping of the frame i will want you to realise that i have a shipping company that will come for the landscapes pickup at your place

Signs John Peter johny2k@keromail.com

CONVINCING EH? AND VERY FLATTERING

DO NOT BE FOOLED

More email addresses that contained similar content:

Flavour of the month is from:

Purchasing Manager. LASMEDAS. 149 isolo road mushin-lagos, nigeria 23401.

Hello sales, My Roxy Clair by name .I wrote to let you know that i'm interested with one or two products on your site and also if i may ask you do you ship internationally to lagos,nigeria and do you accept creditcard payments? your soonest response to this mail ill be highly appreciated so that i can let you know the items needed as soon as possible.hope in doing business with you And i want you to send me your website. Looking forward your soonest response.And i will like you to send me your website. Regards, Roxy Purchasing Manager. LASMEDAS. 149 isolo road mushin-lagos, nigeria 23401.

They are using a number of email addresses including:

luke111@atlas.cz

inystore@yahoo.com

Jimroselimited@atlas.cz

gb207@hotmail.com

More email addresses that contained similar content:

balibungy_101@hotmail.com (Mary Taiwo)

ellis.david22@sify.com (David Ellis)

desmondstores2005@teenmail.co.za (Tony Desmond)

dicksonstore@hotmail.com (DICKSON FLORA)

ann_jennifer1000@sify.com (Mrs.Ann Jennifer)

roxyclair1@mailcanada.ca (Roxy Clair)

rue_chang@yahoo.co.uk (Rue Chang)

jmcphersons@yahoo.com (chigozie) (Jack Mcphersons)

lillian_jones@manchester.com sole_procure@hotmail.com (Sharon Brun - Michael Farmer)

freddoo2@yahoo.ca (Fred D. Mark)

moore51@zipmail.com.br (Larry Moore)

thomaspink@atlas.cz (Thomas Pink)

terry_micknight@usinmail.com (Terry)

johny2k@keromail.com (John Peter)

peterwell1@gemari.or.id (Peter Well)

tonyjones05@yahoo.com (Mr Tony J)

james_smithstore@hotmail.com (James Smith)

g_allen1211@yahoo.com (George Allen)

kennyayans@tiscali.co.uk (Mr Jack Matthew)

purchasing_department1@rediff.com

talk2me_boutique01@yahoo.com

shawn_brandson@yahoo.com (Shawn Brandson Jnr)

williamsoriowo@yahoo.ca (Williams Oriowo Okadigbo)

mallambello@tiscali.dk (Mallam Bello Ali)

roseadel04@yahoo.fr (ROSE ADEL)

felixville@freemail.nl

jameshutu@netscape.net (James Hutu)

princess_jan50@eresmas.com (Princess and family)

sahostores@echina.com (Tom Greco)

bennieonyiuke@yahoo.co.uk (MR .BENJAMIN ONYIUKE.C_MR .BENJAMIN ONYIUKE.)

moturazzy@yahoo.com (papil)

basmajam1998@o2.pl. (Basma Mustache)

mudkhalili@indiatimes.com (Alhaji Muhammad Khalil)

janekabila555@yahoo.co.uk (Jane Kabila)

jamostore@echina.com (James)

bill_morg@echina.com (Bill Morgan)

jeanproduct@echina.com (Jean)

jamostore4ever@echina.com (James)

osuolalethom@yahoo.com (osuolale thomas)

jolbreaden21@zipmail.com.br (Jol Breaden)

apache@ricotek.tzo.com (Agnessa Vlachko)

lawson_allynson@yahoo.com (lawson Allynson)

clarajones_co@atlas.cz (Clara Jones Co)

kelvinstore05@atlas.cz (Kelvin Houston)

JIM STORE NIG. 144 isolo road mushin-lagos, nigeria 23401. (Jimroselimited@atlas.cz)

John houstonjohn220@yahoo.com

dennismills4real1@yahoo.com

tyritelummy@yahoo.com

Roxy Purchasing Manager. LASMEDAS. 149 isolo road mushin-lagos, nigeria 23401. inystore@yahoo.com luke111@atlas.cz

jolithcox05@yahoo.com

anjelaspringfieldart@yahoo.com (Anjela)

walterbrown_company@manchester.com (Walter Brown)

anjelaspringfieldart@yahoo.com (Anjela)

kaybestore@atlas.cz (Kim Williams)

jamostore@sify.com (james cola)

slaaxonnet@zipmail.com.br (Abraham)

dianecausby@atlas.cz (Diane Causby)

art_gallery@zipmail.com.br (Funmi B.) HOME OF ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 2, Efon Alaye street, Mushin. Lagos 23401. Tel : 2348028475642

art_gallery02@yahoo.ca (Funmi B). HOME OF ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS 2, Efon Alaye street, Mushin. Lagos 23401. Tel : 2348028475642

SMC-LINK STORE LTD BRANCH OFFICE: 7, Aladesuru street, Papa ajao, Mushin, Lagos State 23401 Nigeria. sales@smclinkstore.com,smclinkstore@yahoo.com,

smclink@hotmail.com,smclinkltd@hotmail.com

taylor_shop@hotmail.com (David Taylor)

lekanstores@yahoo.com (Lekan Sturock)

equineartist_1999@yahoo.com (Lekan Sturock)

elelejide@yahoo.com (KOOL)

jkstores@atlas.cz (James Kenny)

henry_stores@atlas.cz (Henry Igwe)

desmond_browns@yahoo.com (Desmond Brown)

cms_link@atlas.cz PURCHASING MANAGER, WILLYAM & CO. 50 DADA STREET PAPA AJAO, MUSHIN-LAGOS STATE NIGERIA-23401. MRS MARY WILLIAMS

lauremoore01@yahoo.com (laure moore)

carolsparrow_arts@yahoo.com (Carol Sparrow)

steven_hill_97@hotmail.com (STEVEN HILL)

steffanartonline@yahoo.co.uk (steffano)

mariamal2u@atlas.cz (Mariam Alfred)

steven_hill_97@outgun.com (STEVEN HILL)

accessoriesunlimited36@yahoo.com (Kenny Koma stores Inc Lagos Nigeria 23401)

banks_williams@yahoo.ca (Banks Williams 25,Sadiku Street Papa AjaoMushin, LagosNigeria-23401)

bellviewshop@hotmail.com (Seyi Adeola)

collinsupplierworld_123@yahoo.com (COLLIN TOMMY)

elibeth_international@hotmail.com (Elibet Lord)

jcool_buyer@yahoo.com (Keneth Alex )

prince_tonyzama2000@yahoo.co.uk (Prince Tony Zama)

prince_tonyzama@zipmail.com.br (Prince Tony Zama)

steven_gills@yahoo.com (STEVEN GILLS)

storeinng@hotmail.com (REBECCA WILLFREE)

kelvinrobertsonstores@rediffmail.com (kelvinrobertson)

janestore01@teenmail.co.za (JANE STONE)

walex_addy.yahoo.com (wale adeniji)

mikegibson03@plasa.com (Mike Stone)

adetimothy1@yahoo.com (aderopo timothy)

bode_taylor@yahoo.com. (Taylor Stores, in Lagos, Nigeria)

fadeimages@yahoo.com (Wolex Fadeyan)

bruce_ben@fastermail.com (mr ben)

balibungy_101@hotmail.com (Mary Taiwo)

omolayoadeola1@hotmail.com (tosin segun Purchasing Manager. OMOLAYO STORE NIG. 123 isolo road mushin-lagos, nigeria 23401)

smithbolas@yahoo.com (John Smith)

dannycreates2001@yahoo.com

seun_usa@hotmail.com

adebiyi_investment@yahoo.com (ADEBIYI JAMES (MR.)

sue_ham07@yahoo.co.uk

mande_67@yahoo.com (One very intelligent artist advised us that Mande was a language spoken in Nigeria - says it all he said!)

m_markstore@yahoo.com 14 balogun street Off ladipo street City: Mushin State: Lagos state Country: Nigeria Zipcode: 23401 (Martins Mark)

smith_store04@yahoo.co.uk 14 balogun street Off ladipo street City: Mushin State: Lagos state Country: Nigeria Zipcode: 23401

dannycreates20003@yahoo.com (danny davison)

joe_collin2006@yahoo.com

john_thomasng@yahoo.com John Thomas

kelvinsmith_inc@hotmail.com

kelvinsmith_inc@hotmail.com

danwil_company_inc@juno.com

MOST OF THESE WERE SENT TO WEB SITES THAT HAVE ONLINE PURCHASING FACILITIES - SO IF THE BUYER WAS REALLY GENUINE - HE/She WOULD JUST BUY ONLINE AND LET THE SENDER DO THE SHIPPING.

Well now this is FAB!! One artist has conned the fraudsters(!) She responded to one of these emails and then asked the fraudster for £50.00 to cover the cost of her bank accepting the cheque. The fraudsters sent her £50 (in cash!)

WELL DONE - MORE OF THIS PLEASE!!

Send us your scam emails and then we can add the fraudsters email address to the list. email