Here's another variation of the mail above.. but this time "Claire" is moving from the States to South Africa!..

From: "claire" clairepinkii@jojomail.com
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 11:19:13 +0100 (BST)


I came across your work while search for a good artworks and I will
like to buy some creative artworks out of your stock.
Bazaar
mosque interior

Turkish Cityscape


I will be happy to have these selected artworks hanged in our new
home. What are the prices? We are travelling from our USA home to our
new apartment in South Africa ASAP.
I will like to pay you with Money orders in US funds
that can be easily cashed at your
bank,Please let me know on how to pay for the artworks.

I will be looking forward to your response on how to proceed.

Take Care,
Claire
 

Thanks for your warning!
I have just been contacted by "Claire".
She was again travelling from USA home to her appartment in Johannesburg.
 

Me too, but what I don't understand yet: what is the purpose of it all? They offer to send over a cheque and then?? Is the cheque not covered?? Or why are they doing it?

Regards,
Sander
 

Ah, its a scam, i was just thinking how to spend money
this just arrived to me, they dig it from artindustry.com web site:
Claire Pink wrote:

> Good day,
> Hope this message finds you well,i came across your work
> while search for a good artworks and i must say you are really doing a great job there and I will
> like to buy some creative artworks out of your stock.
> Noon
> house in france
> Hobby
> Coffie time
>
> I will be happy to have these selected artworks hanged in our new
> home. What are the prices? We are travelling from our USA home to our
> new apartment in Africa .
> On Payment,I will like to pay you with Travellers cheque that can be
> easily cashed at your bank.
> I will be looking forward to your response on how to proceed.
>
> Take Care
>
> Claire Pink
>
from clairepink@fastmail.co.uk
 

It's sad that people cant rise above monkeys.. that we have to operate alone and against each other, rather than being one and working together.. but that's a whole other rant!.

According to the artquest link that you have on your post, this is how the cashiers check scam works..

You have an item for sale. It could be art, a car, a boat, a computer, etc. The person who contacts you is generally from another country. Typically Africa, the UK and Nigeria. The person then indicates they would like to purchase the item and they have a business associate or someone who owes them money in the U.S. They tell you that since this person is in the U.S. they would like to have that person send you a cashiers check for the amount they are owed. Let's say in this case it's $8,000 and you have art for sale for $5,000. They ask you to accept and deposit the cashiers check for $8,000, keep $5000 as payment for the art and then they trust you to send them the remainder. The problem is that the cashiers check you receive is counterfeit. However, by the time the cashiers check is determined to be counterfeit, you have already sent the difference to them and you're out the $3000.

Please be very careful with your art transactions. Cashiers Checks are NOT cash.

Another variation: The buyer will say that they "accidentally" sent more funds than the art being purchased and to please send them the difference.

Police Detectives indicate that you should never take a cashiers check from a stranger unless you call the bank that issued the check and verify not only the check number but who the check was made payable to. The number on the cashiers check could be a copy of a real number, so you want to make sure that the number on the cashiers check has been made payable to you.
 

As if!!

From: "serah moore" serahstore007 @ hotmail.com
Subject: EMAIL ORDER...

>Hello sales,
Am moore from liverpool...
>I will like to order for some important and urgent items from your
>store but before i proceed i will like you to advise me if you can
ship
>internationally to one of my custormer in africa and get me the cost
for
>the the shippping via fedex to Africa .
>Kindly get back to me with if you do serve to my needs so that i can
>send you the list of the items i want to order for and you can send
me
>the price so that i can forward you my credit card details i.e( VISA
>/MASTER CARD) to charge for the fast means of payment.
>Kindly get back to me with your website so that i can send the list
of
>your product.
>Regards.
 

i got checks
yes, more than we are agree
yes, address is same
question: is there any other got check and if answer yes, what happen after - can i try to take cash or what ? i am still thinking, and try contact her
but she not answer me...
what you think ?
 

Just a quick note...i would not cash that check!
They are trying to get your account numbers...your signature will be on the back and possibly your driver's license number!
BEWARE!
GingerFish Houston, Texas
 

Art Scam
My email was almost Identical to the 'living in USA, moving to South Africa' tale
I even got to the point of receiving money through the post,(even though I had requested a bankers draft!) 3 times more than I had quoted! It didn't take long to notice that the Amereican Express Traveller cheques were fake. I did try to report it to the police, but sadley, they were not interested!even though I had the cheques and the emails! I have heard we have special units to deal with Nigerian fraud in England, but looks like news hasn't reached the grass roots!
All I can say is beware of internet purchasers, who seem vague about what they want to purchase, and if in doubt, just ignore the emails for a while,see if they get back to you. If they are genuine I'm sure they would be happy to contact you by phone!
 

Look at the cheques, feel the paper, is the colour different, check the line running through - it should be foil like in real money, if its just grey, then its fake. Also if you hold them up to the light does the watermark disappear? - My travel agent spotted these things straight away, in most countries it is an offence to try and cash fake money or cheques, so you could end up in trouble yourself - so I would advise anyone who gets these to ask a travel agent or bank for advice, they are used to dealing with the real thing!
 

I have too just been "blessed" with an enquiry from clairepink@fastmail.co.uk expressing interest in my artwork - slightly dodgy grammar and all (a warning sign in itself). And yes, she is currently in the USA and about to move to South Africa to oversee her family house project. I am thankful that blogs such as this exist, to alert newbies like me to these stinkers slinking around the internet! Thank you!
 

Hi again, I did forget to mention that "claire pink" contacted me 29th April 2006. So she/he is still alive and kicking.
 

Hey, sorry, one more thing. Just checked that email again. Her email is clairepinki@fastmail.co.uk .
Didn't notice that extra i
 

Well, the good thing is that the people behind these scams seem to be pretty stupid. You would think they would at least try and change their story a little.
I just hope that people like Claire Pink don't change their current (see through) tactics.

It's hard, but being artist has to be treated like a business. Scammers see that artists can be gullible and too trusting, so they get targeted online.
 

I was almost falling in that scheme...to avoid that just make sure your bank confirm or not the check is cashed... and give them time enough for that confirmation... I've been sent one cheque with 3000 pounds to pay my painting which was valued in 1500...all the remaining money was supposed to be the comission for the agent...The problem was the cheque was a fraude, but the bank has accepted it at first stage...
 

I too have been "blessed"

From: kelvinjessica777@yahoo.com
Date July 6, 2006

Hello willson,How was the weather over there hope its cool ,i love creative artworks and i happen to select one of your creative works on your site while searching for good artworks to decorate my new home in ,England am in the states right now but i will be moving as soon as i can get things together, i will like to know the avalablity of this particular decoration....

Lake Erie

Belleville Lake


Kindly let me know the bottom price and the present state of the
decoration I will be happy to issue a certified cashier check payable to you ," await your responce.Thanks
Remain Blessed
Jessica

It's too bad these creeps keep hounding us and there is nothing we can do but ignore them.
 

Another scammer's name for the ever expanding list. Brushio Mendez - brushio.mendez@yahoo.es. Claims to be a materials contractor who has shipping agents coming to the UK regularly. Usual routine. Large cheque (much too large) excess to be sent to Shipping company in Nigeria (via Western Union). Watch out for him (and his alter ego Stanley Princeston).

Richard Ellis
 

This Brushio Mendez is 'attacking' us right now, what shall we do with his cheque which has already arrived.
 

Looks like he is a scammer too anonymous. The post above says that Brushio Mendez tried to scam them.

I would just throw the cheque away, or keep it as a reminder of how close you were to be scammed.
 

Ive been 'dealing' with a person named Mrs Rosa Moore, in the UK husband got a job in south africa, so they needed (by name) 2 artworks for their apartment.. the grammer was bad and typos. but i coresponded to get more info, they gave an address and phone number which i could make work. then one email she signed ashleigh, i said what is that name. Oh its my middle name.. hmm.. they tried to send a check it took so long they stoped payment, now i got a check overdrawn from a kentucky farmers state bank, the dates dont match, no return adress on the envelope or the check. mailed from the UK with UK stamps, but a us bank?? oh also she was in the hospital and just delieveres by c-section a baby... too many red flags...
 

I recieved one today from a Rita Tate from North Carolina wanting to hang my paintings in her new home in Africa...oh myyyyyyyyyyyy...
 

They must be stopped somehow. I received an email from Janice - ms.janicemills@yahoo.com and she sent me a similar email. I am not responding to any more of her messages.
 

she has changed her name to "Kathleen Cole" and is moving to Jo'burg from Alabama-only just now she's gone to her twin sister's wedding in England--oh and she is pregnant!-- and she really wants my art pais with US cashier checks! Maybe she could turn to novel writing!
 

The infamous Rita Tate contacted me by email interested in buying two specific paintings for her new home in South Africa. At first the impression was that she was a spam because of the misspelling, and offering to pay by check. I kindly returned the email with all the pertinent information and asking for their personal information, etc.. and that they could reach me by phone and could send the paintings Fed Ex.
She insisted for us to use their own Shipping Company and make arrangements because of her new pregnancy.
It occurred to me to "google" her name and found this blog. As I can read, my instinct was right. Thanks for posting the information.
 

Thanks a lot for all your info. I did alert all my friends. BTW, our artabus.com members have the same chat!
Best
Ka-Fai M

(Yeah, ask them to turn to "Novel Writing"!!!)
 

Another letter from "Sandra, who will be moving to South Africa. BTW, she just recently delivered a baby.

Hello,
My name is Sandra Williams from the North carolina,I am interested in buying some of your art work,they are all beautiful.I want to use them as a decoratives in our new house in South Africa.I will be happy to buy the following selected artworks
1,Woman with Calabash
2,Still Life with Cane & Cutlass
3,Childhood Toys 30" x 34 "

Kindly get back to me with the total price of the selected Art workS excluding shipping cost,I have informed a shipping company that will be shipping some of our other house decors.
I will be glad to pay you with a Postal Money Order,Travllers check or a cashiers check
I am looking forward to hearing from you on how to proceed.
Best Regards,
Mrs Sandra Williams

Her email:
sandrawills_sandrawills@yahoo.com

more;


Thanks for the reply to my mail.I will love to proceed with the payment of the Still life with Cane & Cutlass.Kindly let me know if the painting in been framed.Moreso,i will inform our shipper agent that is shipping some of our home decors to Jo-burge to get incontact with you via the shipping arrangement.

Furthermore,do you do commission works?i will love to have a lovely artworks paint for my coming baby.Pls advise.Kindly get back to me your mailing address which i will forward your payment to and your phone number so that i will be able to call you before we leave for Jo-burge next week.I will await your reply ASAP.
Regards
Sandra


Thanks for the update.I want to know if you have heard from the shippers,so as to know when to proceed with the payment.Moreso,i am happy to tell you that we are leaving for South Africa this tommorrow.

My husband has just been transfered to head the IT section of the head office in South Africa.We might be there for the next two or three years and i think it will be so nice to make the most of our stay there.Or what do you think?

I will send in the full address of our new home as soon we get there and our phone number aswell.You can add the address to your mailing list so that we can get in contact if you have any show in the nearest future.Kindly let me have your mailing address which i will forward your payment to and your phone number so that I will be able to call you as soon as am back from the clinic,because am moving towards my delivery date,and let me know how you bill for your commission.A friend gave me your link.I will await your reply ASAP.
Regards
Sandra.
 

Just got an art scam from someone named lisa benson..
her email is lisaben100@yahoo.com
she is supposedly looking to buy artwork for her home in london, but she is from alabama...
her "english" didn't sound quite right to me, so i contacted yahoo scam.. and yep..a lot of artists reported receiving the same email from lisa benson..
so now it's SELLER BEWARE!!!
 

Beware of anyone trying to buy your artwork if:
1. their english verbiage sounds funny to you.
2. yahoo or hotmail accounts
3. they are in london and the us, or a variation of the above.
 

Lisa benson is still alive and pregnant... her email is lisaben100@googlemail.com her message was Hope this message finds you well ,I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy some of these creative artworks directly from you which i think will be great for my walls
Alreay-made - Pantin, In between spaces.
Leisure disaffection

I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home.What are their prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are travelling from our Alabama home to our new apartment in London, I will appreciate an earlier reply. Thanks.
Best Regards

The second message was as follow:

Thanks so much for your response to my query about those creatives works. .
I am presently away in London for my twin sister's wedding even though it comes at a time when i was preparing for a big move and also expecting a baby but it means so much to her. I should back in some few days.

Yes,i will like to proceed with the purchase of the all the present avalible artworks .
I think they are lovely works that will add alot of colours to our new wall.

Meanwhile,i will like you to forward your mailing address and phone number so i can inform my husband to send you payment by a cashier check asap for the payment for those creative artworks.

And also I can also forward your contact info to the local cartage company that will be moving all our house decors so they can get in touch with you to arrange shipping details. They can arrange pick up FedEx pick up of the artworks from your gallery.

I will look forward to hearing from you so i can know how best to proceed. Cheers.

Best Re gards
 

Here is a scam post I received - I checked out the address on the net and true enough it was a fake.


Hello Artist,
Hope this message finds you well, my name is Mr. Thomas Benson i sell different views of artworks including Sculpturs,farbic artworks, metal and wooden artworks,Poetry with pots,canvas and Captivating carpets,Herbs & Natural Foods,Textiles etc.i use to go on a tour to bring different designs together and supply to company, retail shops and offices and people who like to use itfor thier house decoration.I and my wife owns one of the largest artwork sell shops, my address is Thomas Benson's Contemporary, 89 Bree Street, Cape Town South Africa.
I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy some of these creative artworks out of your stock.

time to dance in the forest of my dreams
mephistopheles
qualm
I am pleased to let you know that I am interested in the purchase of some of your lovely artworks,Please let me know the present condition of the artworks.. Are they in frames? if they are not can you have them framed for me. Also I will like you to get back with the prices of the selected artworks excluding the
freight cost because I have already make arrangement with the shipping agency handling the shipment of any artwork i purchase outside Africa.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Regards,
Mr.Thomas Benson
 

8/23/07
My husband was contacted last week by Lisa Benson and we were ready to do business. She was busy with her twin sister's wedding and her husband had already sent the checks via Royal Mail from London.

We got the six $750 money orders, way over the asking price, and she asked him to give the excess money to the shipping company. Her last email was so insistint that we cash the money orders:

"Thank you for your mail about the payment you received kindly go and cash the payment ,i will also get in touch with the shipping agency as well to get in touch with you for the pickup .
Kindly get back to me today when you have the payment cashed.
I cant wait to have my artwork here.
Thank you so much"


I am so glad I searched google for "art scams," bc we were sooo close to becoming victims!
 

Hello Everyone,

Over the weekend, I received what I believed to be a suspicious e-mail from a “Garritt Miller” (his e-mail, btw, is m_garritt01@yahoo.com). It went like this:

“Hello,

My name is Garritt Miller from Owasso OK, I’m interested in buying some of your beautiful artwork for our new home in the UK.

However, i must tell you that they are very beautiful work. After a close look at your work I will be happy to buy the following carefully selected artworks;

1. Frankie Got His That Night At The Dub Club
2. Listening

Kindly get back to me with the total price of the selected Artworks excluding shipping cost, and also if there is any details regards the inspiration of the work.

Await your response,

Regards

Garritt”

Because this person did mention two of my paintings by name, I was more inclined to believe the e-mail than most scams I’ve seen, but I found a few things about the e-mail that didn’t seem quite right so I did some research which eventually led me here.

I never did respond to this e-mail and appreciate the other artists taking the time to make everyone aware.

-Jared
 

I just this week got the moving from Alabama to So. Africa story from Kim Bauer. I responded and she has come back with the Sister's wedding, pregnant and want to get moved soon story. I received and email from an artist friend the day after I received the first contact warning me about the art scam. Thank goodness for the warning.
 

Frankly, I can't imagine what idiot would send an artist he or she had never met a large sum of money. I figured this was a scam, but your site confirmed it. Thanks for that! Here's the text of the email I received on 9/17/07:

Hope this message finds you well ,I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy some of these creative artworks directly from you which i think will be great for my walls

Acanthus Flower #2
2007
Gelatin silver print
20x24\"

Acanthus Leaf
2006
Gelatin silver print
20x24\"

Coneflower
2006
Gelatin silver print
20x24\"

Gazania
2006
Gelatin silver print
20x24\"

I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home.What are their prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are travelling from our Alabama home to our new apartment in London, I will appreciate an earlier reply. Thanks.
Best Regards
 

scam another version
Hope this message finds you well ,I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy some of these creative artworks directly from you which i think will be perfect for my walls.
"Spicy
"Nesting Unity"
Unity
Sleek
I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home.What are their prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are travelling from our Alabama home to our new apartment in London, I will appreciate an earlier reply. Thanks.
Best Regards
Susan Cutter
 

Susan Cutter is pimping me for artwork to. Same story: Alabama to UK, check was over amount. Cashier's check from florida but mailed from London. I called the Florida bank and found out it was a fraud. Forwarded all emails and copy of cashier's check to the banks fraud department! Karma will get you Susan Cutter--or who ever the Hell you are this week!
 

Hello, I just recieced this 11/12/07:
Hope this message finds you well,i came across your web page while searching for creative artworks and i must tell you that you are really doing a great work. However,i will love to buy some creative artworks directly from you which i think will be perfect for my walls. which are"Dainty Lady Standing"Somber Tree Sitting""Morning Whisper""Life All Around" I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home.What are their prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are moving from our Alabama home to our new apartment in London, I will appreciate an early reply. Thanks. Best Regards Jana Ross
 

I just received this one yesterday.

Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 04:25:32 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Artwork Purchase

Hope this message finds you well ,I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy some of these creative artworks directly from you,which are

energy and want
bosc
dirty pink
silly billy
i will not purchase another shower curtain from target


I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home.
What are their prices exclusive of shipping cost? My family are moving from our Alabama home to our new apartment in London, UK.
I will appreciate an earlier reply. Thanks.
Best Regards
Jana
 

I had Susan Cutter moving from Atlanta to London. I corresponded with "Susan" for awhile but then was alerted it was a scam. I had by then received a cashiers check. I called the bank and they told me it was fraudulent.

Retitle keeps sending around fraud alerts telling you to watch out for this name or that name but the person obviously keeps changing their name and details of their story.
 

And so it continues. I recieved this from "Nicole Roane"
nic_ane01@yahoo.com

> Hope this message finds you well .I came across your web page while
searching for
> good artworks and I will like to buy these creative artworks.....
>
>
> Primordial Soup...Fiber & Ice and Tree of Life
>
>
> I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home. What
are there
> prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are travelling from our Alabama home
to our new apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa. Regarding payment,I will be
happy to
pay you with a Certified Cashier Check. I will appreciate an earlier
reply.
Thanks.
Best Regards,
Nicole.

Thanks to you all for the warning. Now how can we get together & burn this BOZO?
 

Kim Bauer has sent me 4 emails and even made up a dsigusting story about having a near miscarriage at hospital...was at her twin sisters wedding in paris..etc..her husband is from SA and he has sent me a cheque etc etc...this sound familiar?
I was suspicious from the start but couldn't help thinking about how to spend the £2500 cheque I received today. Me and my boyfriend searched for her name online and found this blog. How stupid must he/she/they be?
The letter and cheque was hand delivered so feel even more violated. Think I'll go to the police now,not that they'll do anything.
Anyone have any suggestions on how we can warn more people?
I'm still in correspondence with her and she doesn't realise I know yet...maybe I'll keep her going...how could I trap her...and kill the bitch!ha.
Nuala www.nualaherron.com
 

These would bring a tear to your eye...from Kim Bauer.(who is actually the hot girl from Lost) These people are so sloppy, hand-delivered checque with stamp stuck in centre of enevelope. It obviously a group of people based all over, some apparently living down my street.

Dear Nuala,





Thanks so much for your response to my query about those creatives works. Yes , i will like to proceed with the purchase of both works. I think they are lovely works that will add alot of colours to our new wall. Pls get back with the actual price and dimention of the artwork. You can also advise me on the discount price you are ready to give me for the purchase of both works.


I am presently away in Paris for my twin sister's wedding even though it comes at a time when i was preparing for a big move and also expecting a baby but it means so much to her. I should be back in some few days.


Meanwhile,i will like you to forward your mailing address and phone number so i can inform my husband still shutling between our home in Dublin and Jo'burg, SA on where to forward the payment . He has just been transfer to head the IT section of their head Office in Jo'burg.



I can also forward your contact info to the local cartage company that will be moving all our house decors so they can get in touch with you to arrange shipping details. They can arrange pick up FedEx pick up of the artworks from your studio.



I will look forward to hearing from you so i can know how best to proceed. Cheers.


Best Regards,
Kim.

Dear Nuala,





Hope this message finds you well. I am very sorry that i have been unable to get in touch with you for some days now. I was hospitalised in Paris immediately after my twin sister's wedding. I almost had miscarriage but thank God,i am now feeling better and can't wait to have my baby and settle down.


I am not sure if my husband has been able to forward the payment to your address. I will check with him and get back to you later today or tomorrow.


Meanwhile, i have forwarded your contact info to the moving agency that is handling the shipment of all our house decors. They promise to get in touch with you asap. Try and arrange the shipping details with them. I will also like an update from you as soon as you hear from the movers.




I will like you to get back as soon as you receive this email so i can be sure we are on the same page. Thanks for your patient.






Best Regards,
Kim.
 

Thanks for sharing Nuala. I added Kim Bauer to the list of scum.. oh i mean Scam Artists HERE.

I wouldnt waste my time chasing her up though as authorities dont seem very interested in taking action. Just dont cash the cheque, learn from it, and move on.

Hopefully more artists will do a quick search for buyers that theyre suspicious of.
 

Thank you all fro sharing this information. I just received an offer from Nicole Roane. It was also badly written and gave the same crazy story about being pregnant, having to go to Paris to attend her twin's wedding and moving to S. Africa for her husband's IT job.
Of Course, I wanted to believe it but I Googled her name and here you all are to warn me.

A Million Thanks!

Sincerely,
Con
 

go here for know scammer name:

http://www.artquest.com/ArtQuest/scammer-names.htm
 

Now she is Janet Karloff - moving from New Jersey to South Africa. her "check" is arriving today via FedEx.
 

Another name to add to the list Amy Brandsons (abrandsons@yahoo.com)
Dallas to Joburg South Africa - money order supposedly on its way, not sure what to do with it. Thank goodness a friend alerted me.
 

Seems that Amy Brandsons is still quite busy. Received and email today that she is lives in Dallas and is moving to an apartment in Africa. Just a little different than the others in that she asked for a discount....but, never knowing what the prices for the art pieces were to begin with. She knew the art pieces by name, as she got them off the web site. Remember the old saying, "if it's too good to be true, it's probably not"......this old saying still holds very true
 

Fortunately, I found this information on the eve of receiving my check from 'Amy Brandsons'. She did have me going and we exchanged several emails, after she asked about purchasing several paintings from my website. The story was exactly the same as those outlined above, including the bit about the move from Dallas to South Africa, the pending birth, the obscure third party shipping company and ect. The email address of the scammer is abrandsons@yahoo.com
What did other people do with the fraudulent cashiers check? Should it be given to the authorities? I'm not certain what to do with it when it arrives.
 

Based on the content of the scam, the language being used, and the repetitive circumstances of the scammer's story, it would seem that it is the same person who is constantly using new names and email addresses.

The counterfeit cashiers check arrived today from 'Amy'. There must be some way to put together a case against this person. Does anyone know of the appropriate law enforcement branch to direct this information to? It seems like the evidence is mounting, based on all these posts.
 

Feb 1, 2008
I received this letter from Amy Bradsons. It's obviously a hoax, even the same name is listed on this site used to scam another innocent artist. Don't fall for it! -Liz

Good day to you.

I am so excited that I came across of your work on internet search,I am interested in purchasing these creative artworks from you.....................

Trees and sky770,Trees at dusk paintingsmall,Map of wind patterns small and Casper painting

Let me know their various prices.and how much discounts are you going to give?I will be happy to have these selected artworks hanged in our new home in South Africa. As well, I want you to take out the shipping cost.I have been in touch with a shipping firm that will be shipping other house decoratives.

We are traveling from our Dallas home to our new apartment as soon as possible.On Paying for the artworks,I will be glad to pay you with a Money Order or Cashier`s check in US funds that can be easily cashed at your local bank,please let me know on how to proceed for the payment of the creative artworks.

I will await your advise on how to proceed.Have a wonderful day.

Take care,
Amy Brandsons
 

Amy B. has been at it again. Her letter was just a form letter which is already well known. The list of paintings she says she wants to buy is adjusted for each target sucker. She said she would send us a cashier's check or money order. We said make it out for the exact amount. When the check arrived it was made out to $4000.00...about 3000.00 too much. Another Email from her explained that the company shipping their stuff to South Africa would take the excess out for their shipping charges. Well, we had already figured out the scam and took the check to our bank. They took one look at the data we presented and instantly agreed it was a scam. So they investigated the check for us and discovered that it was indeed fraudulent. It turns out that when the sucker bites, even if the check initially is accepted and the sucker pays out the "shipping charges", the check will eventually be bounced back to the sucker who loses his or her paintings and the extra 3,000. Just for laughs, their so-called shippers claimed to operate out of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia! BEWARE OF AMY BRANDSONS aka AND PEOPLE LIKE HER. Feb 1, 2009
G.
 

I too received a solicitation today from Amy Brandsons. I wonder if there is some way to catch the con artist working this scam. Has anyone followed up with the police?
 

Another name to add to the scammers list - Janet Roane. (jan.ane01@yahoo.com) Same story - wants to buy 2 paintings, but happens to be in London at twin sister's wedding although she is pregnant. Her husband is traveling between NJ and South Africa where he's just been promoted to head IT there. Etc. etc. etc.
I'm glad to have confirmation of my feelings that this email was indeed a scam. Thanks for publishing these comments.
 

here's another in june 2009
she/he copied the titles right off my web site (including my inadvertent case sizing)...
from: clewys@live.com

Good day to you.

I am so excited that I came across of your work on internet search,I am interested in purchasing these creative artworks from you....................

Egret Clouds,Backyard,AUGUSTE'S ROSES,Flame Flowers and Mary E


Let me know their various prices.and how much discounts are you going to give?I will be happy to have these selected artworks hanged in our new home in South Africa. As well, I want you to take out the shipping cost.I have been in touch with a shipping firm that will be shipping other house decoratives.

We are traveling from our Dallas home to our new apartment as soon as possible.On Paying for the artworks,I will be glad to pay you with a Money Order or Cashier`s check in US funds that can be easily cashed at your local bank,please let me know on how to proceed for the payment of the creative artworks.

I will await your advise on how to proceed.Have a wonderful day.

Take care,
Caroline Lewis
 

Yes.... I got the same email word for word from a Caroline Lewis moving from Dallas, TX to S. AFrica appartment. Thanks to the very alert gallery that I belong to, they informed me of this scam before I got taken by it. Millie