We noticed about 50 identical messages sent to artists on The Artists Web from this email address in a short space of time this morning. The messages all appear to be identical, a slightly broken english enquiry asking for prices. This may of course be a genuine enquiry, but just wanted to let everyone know that it was a 'bulk' message.

Mmm, I received one, I replied to it giving details of what seemed obvious by just looking at the website, did seem a bit strange. Oh well, looks like I haven't just got my first sale!

same here and yes it was obvious that some of my work is priced, thought it was a bit odd. What was it all about?

I would avoid doing anthing about dealing with Eldna Vespera. I too received an email for her in slightly broken english. I decided to just answer asking who she was and in what capacity she was enquiring and said all my prices were on my site anyway.
I have just got an answer back and it is completely dodgy. She has said that she was coming to manchester for a seminar and so wanted to come and see me at my studio (I live on South Coast), but that unfortunatley she can't come over now. so she has basically listed all of the artworks that are for sale on my site and says that she wants to buy them all and that I should ship them over to her address in Denmark and she will pay for them by UK cheque. She wants to know my address which in no way am I telling her. I used my yahoo account instead of my normal one.

PLEASE ANYONE, I AM SURE THIS IS A COMPLETE SCAM AND WON'T BE DOING BUSINESS WITH HER, I ADVISE NO ONE ELSE TO EITHER.

There was a similar scam descibed in the money sections in a newspaper. I am not sure of the details but they send you a (worthless) cheque for too much and they ask you to send the outstanding back to them out of your account .Any genuine buyer will go along with your paying arrangements and you should never part with work until you have recieved payment

I know, I think that is exactly what is happening here. I totalled up the amount of paintings she wanted and it came to about

Hi there

Its shocking to think that the banks can clear a cheque and then change their minds weeks later- but thats how the scam works. If your ever offered more money- run! And the wording 'last price' usually screams scam also.

Jo

Hi,

just thought i'd let you know that aswell aswell as the e-mail from Eldna i also received one from a guy called James Owen which seems to be exactly the same sort of scam, so beware!

Darren

http://www.dbgallery.co.uk

I also have had this e-mail - as soon as i mentioned that I would rather receive payment by PayPal, comunication stopped.
I am new to all this and apreciate the support thanks for picking up on this......all.

This site is quite good to look through if you want to warn yourself about what to look out for:

http://www.britisharts.co.uk/artistsbeware.htm

You don't want to suspect everyone who emails you but it is better to be on the safe side I reckon. I have to say that in the few months I've been trying to sell art online I've had more "dodgy" enquiries than genuine ones, although for the life of me I can't work out why some of them bother. I think sometimes they are just trying to get hold of your email address so if you are replying to something which looks a bit suspect use a "disposable" email address rather than using your main one.
Elise

Haha, they just keep on trying don't they. they really believe that people are stupid enough to part with their artwork having received no real payment. I feel quite left out actually as i didn't receive any dodgy e-mails. Maybe they thought my work had no value and wasn't worth scamming haha.

Well, I've just looked at your work Tom and am very impressed. I particularly liked some of your cartoon blocks - I laughed out loud at the Dave with the large hand one!!!! Very funny!

Oh, and just to get back on topic, scam emails are often obvious due to their bad english and grammar, but it's always worth checking on here first, to see if anyone else has had it too!

Oh dear, what is happening? I have just received an e-mail from a Steve Martin in Cape Town, requesting to purchase several artworks using a 'cherified cashiers cheque'. I'm so pleased that you have all alerted us to these scams as I would have probably jumped for joy and been taken in.
Looks like we are all being targeted. Good to share all info so that no one gets caught out.

As a rule, these tend to come from overseas- but obviously, the odd genuine overseas enquirey will come through too. For those who aren't sure, if ever in any doubt, posting it on the forum should enable you a establish whether others have been sent etc-

Bloomin scammers- makes you wonder what their success rate is like.

Jo

Good point, it must work otherwise they wouldn't keep on doing it. Ah well, they're not going to scam any of us now.