Online Scam Tricking Maine Artists

A sophisticated Internet scam is currently tricking artists in Maine (US), wherein fake buyers contact artists via e-mail after viewing their artwork on the Internet. It is noted that on July 17, 2009 alone eight artists contacted the Maine Arts Commission (MAC) with more or less similar stories.

One of such scammed e-mails was received by Valerie Aponik, who is a painter by profession and resides on Beals Island (Washington County). She stated that she received an e-mail that was referred to her. The sender seemed keen to get some of the artworks from her website and selected four of them. Further, the sender wished those artworks to be shipped to Johannesburg (South Africa).

According to Aponik, the lady who contacted her called herself Caroline Lewis and asserted to own a house in Texas, Dallas as well as in South Africa. She even sent a check to Aponik for more than the amount promised. The lady wanted the artist for meeting the shipping charges on her own and the shipping cost, which in this case was around $2,000, would be covered by additional amount in check.

Aponik was highly doubtful of the validity of that check send by the fake lady. The spammers (Caroline Lewis and her husband) then started showing more urgency. And thus, this was the time when the Maine Arts Commission was informed in this regard. What soon came up was that she was only one of those several artists who have fallen victim of such attacks.

Darrell Bulmer from Maine Arts Commission stated that he heard the stories from New Jersey's artists, who likewise heard these from the residents of Philadelphia, Texas and around New England, reported MPBN on July 17, 2009.

Bulmer further noted that an artist from New Jersey posted a blog on July 16, 2009 where he warned artists about the scam and it was just a matter of few hours that several artists came up with the same story.

However now police is investigating the case, but artists need to be a bit extra careful about this unique scam tactic adopted by criminals. They should be cautious while selling their artwork through Internet and any such communication should be immediately brought up to the notice of the Maine Arts Commission.

Related article: Online Card Fraud Shows Greater Tendency Than Chip and Pin

» SPAMfighter News - 8/5/2009