Strange Email

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Esk247

  • #1
    Got a strange email. Normally i bin them if they're clearly dodgy but this one strikes me as either written by someone over seas or dodgy.

    Hello Artist,
    How are you doing today..am a at lover and i wish to get a very good work for my new apartment...I read your Ad and i am interested in buying your (painting work,) you still have for sale.Send me recent paintwork you have and there price list and let me know your last asking price on each if you will accept CHECK as means of payment.Get back to me with the request information or kindly call me phone (his phone number here) asap if there is any question to ask and have a wonderful day.
    Regards,
    (his name)

    it seems a bit strange but then, we have got a new advert out for one of the websites we're working on, it's an art website and we do have a new selection of artwork available for sale.

    just not sure whether to chase it up or not, it's written in broken english and the CHECK bit is what makes me think its a bit dodgy.

    any ideas?
     
    RBS

    RBS

    Free Member
    Jul 13, 2009
    2,650
    325
    West London
  • #4
    Tej said:
    Why?.. any particular reason?

    He could be genuine.. he is not asking for the painting before payment?
    Click to expand...

    Buyer sends cheque, seller puts it in bank, it gets cleared, seller sends painting, week or so, bank realises it was stolen book and seller gets chargeback. No money, no painting, probably bank account shut.

    Yes, he could be real, but its very rare with amount of scam online now :D
     
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    Esk247

  • #7
    yeah, so my thoughts were correct. it was only as he mentioned the Ad, which we do have out, i thought it might be a foreigner, we've had a few but the whole CHECK thing is blatant scam by the looks of it.

    thanks for double checking!:)
     
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    F

    Frankus

  • #8
    Scam???? Are you kidding???

    How often do you get someone genuinely interested in art like that?

    He obviously has a very keen eye and is searching for something that will complement his new apartment perfectly. It's wonderful to see people like this going for lesser known (no offence) artists, giving them a chance for some sales. He has probably been searching fir just the right pice of artwork - and you guys are ruining it for him - shame on you!!

    I'm sure I have some paint and brushes somewhere...if you're not going to sell to him, send me his email!!!

    Dave Van Goff
    (Vinny's grand-nephew)
     
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    sstiles

    Free Member
    Apr 8, 2005
    31
    2
    Bristol, UK
  • #9
    If I'm ever suspicious that an email is spam but want to make sure then I reply to it from a hotmail/gmail address that is set up specifically for that purpose. Then I can either transfer my communication back to my usual email if it is genuine or just junk the email address if it starts to get flooded with spam. Never part with anything til you've got money through your usual method of payment.
     
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    movietub

    Free Member
    Nov 6, 2008
    4,858
    1,106
  • #10
    RobCCTV said:
    Scam, 99% Nigeria.
    Click to expand...

    Statistically probably not 99% but I bet its way up there!

    On the installation side of the business we got sucked in to a scam run from Lagos far enough to actually meet the 'client' to discuss the 100k project.

    The penny dropped when at the last minute they changed the meeting from their office in london to the local branch of Nando's... We were already nearly there so we agreed. Once inside a fat nigerian woman stuffed her face whilst explaining that nigerian culture requires we charge more than we were going to, and then give some of the money back after doing the work as a 'gift'. Only there was a slim chance we may need to give some of the gift up-front to secure the job, although she hoped that wouldnt be the case :rolleyes:

    Left the meeting, called the police and the nigerian embassy.

    I wouldnt want to stereotype an entire nation, but everytime we see a nigerian based scam its soooooo simplistic and obvious. It gives the impression everyone over there is a bit simple themsleves :rolleyes: The scam above was only believable because of the UK based scammers making direct contact like a normal client would do (and we do work all over the world so nothing unusual about that).
     
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    MrC

  • #12
    The wording is very similar to one i received when selling a car. I strung the guy on as long as i could. He even sent me a cheque for more than I asked. The cheque was from the same bank i was using at the time and I got on to them, their fraud department rang back within 5 minutes, it was the last cheque they were looking for from a stolen book. I shredded the cheque. They weren't the slightest bit interested in tracking the e-mails, said they didn't have enough resources.

    If you doubt it, bin it, not worth the hassle, unless you enjoy winding them up
     
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