22 Oct 2008

ArtWanted.com Staff 23 Oct 2008

Shawn - We are sorry to hear about this. Art scam is happing all over to artists and it's sad to see. We have blacklisted over 200 known scammers from sending e-mails to our members, but it seems there is always someone new wanting to try the game. We will continue to warn our members to be careful of offers that don't sound right.

Suzanne Barrett Justis 27 Oct 2008

Hey Shawn, it happened to me too. I reported it to the FBI's division of internet fraud. YOu should file a report. Did you save the e-mail address and all other transaction evidence you had with this group. Most of these type of scams come from Nigeria. Good luck and beware.

Joey Santiago 29 Oct 2008

Here's one that I got. Fellow artist please be aware!

Initial message to me: Subject:Sentirme Vivo (To Feel Alive) + Neon Nights To:Joey Santiago From:David Lebakken [[email protected]] Date:10/28/08

Message: Joey, Sentirme Vivo (To Feel Alive) + Neon Nights, how much?

My response: Hi David, Both of these pieces sell for $350.00 each. The dimensions for Sentirme Vivo are 48" H X 36" W and the dimensions for Neon Nights are 36" H X 48" W. Good sizes. If you want to get an idea , scenery wise, go to my official website at www.metalmanfineart.com and there you can see what these beautiful paintings would look like in a room setting. Peace, Joey

________________________________________ From: david lebakken [mailto: [email protected] ] Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 10:05 PM To: Metal Man Fine Art Subject: Re: Sentirme Vivo (To Feel Alive) + Neon Nights i am okay with the price and the size of the picture and i will like to make an outright purchase of this particular item immediately because we are in need of it aand we want to get as soon as possible, I anticipate that a cashier check or certified check will be sent to you via express mail or ups or Fedex as the mode of payment,concerning the pick up, i will be responsible for that, where the mover will come for thepick up at your location upon your confirmation of receiving thepayment and i want you to remove this item from the ad now.So i willsend the payment which will inlcude the pick up charges, in which youwill make payable to the mover via western union money transferimmediately after you have recieve the payment and you will be compensated with $10 extra for your running around to the Western Union to aviod the delay. And I would really love to come for the viewing butdue to my work frame that might not be possible... .....and I will like you to provide the following payment informationas soon as possible;

contact name, home address, zip and contact phone As soon as this is provided i will let you know when payment is mailed out and i will update you on when you will recieve the payment and give you intructions on what to do....thanks and i hope we handle this in good faith.

My response: Sorry bud but I do business the all American way. I sell plenty of paintings and I’m not that desperate. You want to buy these paintings? Go to my website and purchase from Paypal, no exceptions. Have a magnificent day, Joey

Melissa Rinaldi 30 Oct 2008

I received the same, above message, notified artwanted...... :(

ArtWanted.com Staff 01 Nov 2008

Thanks for reporting these issues. This is the fastest way to stop these e-mails from going to other members.

Melissa Rinaldi 08 Nov 2008

I gave the above person (david lebbakken) my address before I realized he was a scam. Yesterday I received a large cheq, (AFTER I told him I was onto his scam, via fedex) drawn on a (REAL)companies cheq. I contacted company...they said it was a fake cheq, the knew of the scam. I reported to FBI.

Everyone beware, this con needs to be stopped.:(

Ric Berns 18 Nov 2008

On 11-05-08 I was contacted via e-mail by "[email protected]" interested in 4 pieces of my artwork on artwanted.com.

I immediately informed Perez of the prices and he made good on his promise to pay me with a check.

I received a check via UPS which included a tracking number, seemed legit up to this point.

The check inside the UPS envelope was for $4000.00 from a company called "Industrial Fabrics Association International" of Roseville, MN. There is a Bank referenced on the Check named "Bremer Bank" of S. St. Paul, MN.

The check amount was for more than double the amount I quoted Perez. At this point I became suspicious which led me to begin searching the net for similar scams. I have lost nothing, but this Criminal has my Name and Address and Cell Phone now.

Last bit of info: The Check is Endorsed by a "Mary J. Hennessy"

The originating address for the UPS Envelope is "Dena Wachob" Phone: 918-682-5057 1213 Crestwood Dr., Muskogee, OK 74403

---------------------------------------------

Lastly, I received the following letter today after the delivery of their check from someone who claimed to be with "Unlimited Shipping" for shipping arrangements:

We are the Logistics shipper we have also been told to contact you for the shipping of the Jakob Dylan,Young Girl Looking Out The Window,Young Girl Sitting on a Swing and Second Tower Mr Perez Moore bought from you as we are also responsible to pick up some furnitures, Tv and some home items for him in Alaska to is apartment in belgium.We make it a policy to receive all shipping and insurance funds directly from the Original seller to make sure the transaction is legit and the property in question is not stole. Mr Perez happens to be a very good customer of ours for years now and all transaction will had with him has been fine. He told us he has included the shipping and insurance funds which you will need to send to us Via MoneyGram after the deduction of the money cost of your Jakob Dylan,Young Girl Looking Out The Window,Young Girl Sitting on a Swing and Second Tower and MoneyGram charges to : Name : Deborah Espinosa City : Fort Worth State : Tx Zip Code : 76103 As soon as you wire the funds send us the 8 Reference number on the MoneyGram receipt paper including the exact amount sent after the transfer charges and sender's name in order to enable is get all shipping papers and insurance ready for the pick up. We'll like to know exactly when you will send us the money so that we can book a date with you for the pick up and remember to send us your location. Thanks

Dun Head of Logistics Unlimited Shipping Inc.

__________________________________________

Beware Artists....these crooks deserve a severe disembowling, in my humble opinion. But thats just me. Peace

Ric

Cathy Jones 03 Dec 2008

Shawn, its a dirty rotten shame we have to be suspicious of people like that, but I got the exact same email from an artwanted member who had 2 images in his gallery and no information on him. I reported it to Artwanted and they removed him- but if it sounds suspicious it probably is. Sad.

Vincent von Frese 05 Dec 2008

Same attempt and same address as the others last month and just today; David Lebakken. I suspected wrong immediately when they tried to control the terms of a sale. Of course it(sale) never happened. A friend said that these grifters sometimes send a check for much over the amount and want you to not cash it but sent them the overage by money order. Then they keep that and your check(the overage)meanwhile is cancelled. I guess they figure artists are naive and gullible because of our positive nature.

Vincent von Frese 05 Dec 2008

On one of the other sites I am on(ArtAmerica.com) one of the artists on this site who is in Canada had two paintings for sale on Tuesday that I immediately recognized as copies of another artists work. The famous illustrator Frank Frazetta of 'Conan the Barbarian' fame was the victim of the copies. Some of the other artists on this sight slammed me for reporting on the thief who has removed all of his other works from the sight as well. The paintings that he had were for sale for $4500.00.

Vincent von Frese 05 Dec 2008

To prevent fraud you should know that the U.S.Secret Service is interested in any attempts; 202 406-5572. Also call your state attorney general's office about anything that has happened.

Alex Jones 10 Dec 2008

i have also been contacted by a fraudster he was interested in all my pieces. He said his name is Landon Lansky i checked his name in google and there are lots of posts stating he is a fraudster on various sites, so in light of this i comicly charged him £100,000,000 for the pieces and this is his reply he is pretty determined ha ha

Hello,

I Will make payment out in few days time through my Financial Agent in form of bank check which will clear to into your account within 3 to 4 days you will need remove the ad from site.

The shipping expense will be included on the payment because they also have some other items like furniture's, electronics to be shipped altogether with the artworks.

As the shipping agent am using insisted they need to collect all shipping fee directly from the seller to be sure this transaction is genuine and legal before they can come down for the pick up Therefore, am including all the shipping fees which will include insurance fee that you will need to remit to the shipping agent as soon as you get the check cleared at your Bank so i will need the name to be written on the check and a residence or office address along with your contact phone number to ensure delivery.

I will be expecting your reply.

i will be blocking his email from now on

jim vansant 10 Dec 2008

I have received several scam emails when listing saxophones on craig's list. I reply by saying it's already been sold to someone in Nigeria for an amazing amount. Sorry

Leigh Karchner 12 Dec 2008

It all goes back to common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is......... ever wonder how these people sleep at night??

Judy Minderman 14 Dec 2008

They don't give a damn Leigh, they probably sleep very well...but, I sorta believe in "what goes around comes around"

Fabri Nico 19 Dec 2008

Oh my god I just sent my credit card number and phone to someone who sent me this mail. I'm from Peru and had never sell anything online so I think I will earn my lesson, I don't have many options as Paypal will let me have an account but I can't transfer founds from my paypal account to my credit card or bank account or even rquest a check or money order here in Peru. Hope this helps someone else, I was tempted to search before replying but was too excited to have my first sale :(

The mail was this:

Payment Around You and Also Awaiting Transfer Details Robin Dierkes para usuario mostrar detalles 12:04 (3 horas antes) The shipping will be included on the payment as the shipping agent am using insisted they need to collect all shipping fee directly from the seller to be sure this transaction is genuine and legal before they can come down for the pick up Therefore, am including all the shipping fees which will include insurance fee that you will need to remit to the shipping agent as soon as you get the money at your credit card so i will need full details of your Credit Card with your contact phone number to ensure delivery. With regards and looking forward to hear from you,

I remain Robin Dierkes,

Emilia Misiura 21 Dec 2008

Why would you give anyone your credit cards especially when THEY WANT TO PURCHASE something from you? NEVER DO THAT. Please call your credit co.

I also would never give them or anyone my bank account number. NEVER.

I came across the same thieves some time ago. At first it does look tempting doesn't it?

But I was leading them with questions and came to the conclusion that it's was a scam.

Especially when they offer me more for the painting than my asking price.

Their E-mails are full of miss spelled words.

I did sell some of the painting over the Internet,

I was just lucky enough to see and recognize the difference who is a scam and who is honest. (This time) :)

Pay Pay I feel is a sure bet.

Merry Christmas to all!! Happy New Year!!! In God We Trust.

Emmy

Kathi Perry 23 Dec 2008

If you are ever unsure ask them to send you a cashiers check before you even start the work.

I get 8 - 10 of these a week...I hit delete. There are so many scams going on right now that if your name is in google anywhere they will hit on you.

Maria Richard 07 Jan 2009

I just received the mail from Robin Dierkes. Apparently he wants to buy my paintings (too good to be true?) It is a scam if I understand?