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Art Buyer Scams

I don't know how many, if any, artists read this blog or even if anyone reads it. Thought I'd post this warning anyway - although no doubt any artist with a website has already had a scam artist approach them.
 
It's happened to me before and it happened again the other day. This time it was a dude named Roger Cave from South Carolina who really liked one of my paintings (sometimes they select a lot of them) and asked my final price and how I ship - even though all this info is clearly available on this site.
 
For fun, I replied - then came the second email from Roger Dodger - much longer and with lots of grammar and spelling mistakes. He was apparently off to India on a biz trip, then relocating to the U.K. so he'll have his shipper pick up the painting, and if I give him my address & phone number he'll just send me a certified cheque. The cheque of course would be counterfeit or fradulent.
 
Anyway, never ever deal with these kinds of emails. Never give your phone number or address. There is tons of info on these nasty people on the internet - good idea to keep ourselves educated and safe.

Posted in Miscellaneous on December 4th, 2010. 23 comments so far. Share on StumbleUpon, Delicious or Digg.

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Comments

Obert Fittje said:

Folks, got an e-mail from Roger Cave this morning. I suspected as much and am curious to see his reply. As in other such scamming e-mails I've received in the past, there are usually lots of grammatical and spelling errors. Anyone who can truly afford my paintings should be able to write standard English. When in doubt about an interest in your paintings, google their name and see what you find out. It's a shame that lovers of art are harassed by such lovers of money. Be on guard! Obert Fittje

Sunday, December 19th

Diana said:

Thanks for reinforcing the warning, Obert.

Sunday, December 19th

Suzanna said:

Just happened to me too. Thanks for the post - I read this before I even replied to him.

Sunday, December 19th

Nikolas Allen said:

Wow! Roger Cave has been busy this morning. I also received an email inquiring about the price of one on my pieces.

Of course, standard practice is to Google anyone to see if they're legit, and luckily, I came across this post.

THANK YOU, Diana, for writing this and saving me some time in dealing with this scam artist.

Best, Nikolas Allen

Sunday, December 19th

Diana said:

I am so very glad I decided to post this warning about Roger Cave and others of his ilk. Thank you all for letting me know that he has been a busy fellow recently and that I have been of help.

He is not very bright - using the same name every time!

Sunday, December 19th

Francisco said:

Hi Diana, I was happy to find your blog as I JUST got an email from "Mr. Cave" asking for my final price on one of the works on my own site (castrofinearts.com). It sounded suspicious right away but finding your comments solidified my belief that it's a scam. Thanks for the heads up!

Francisco

Sunday, December 19th

Ginnie said:

I received a similar message from Roger Cave on December 18. I replied and then Googled his name. Thanks for the heads-up. I may string him along for a little while before pulling the plug, just to see how he operates. (Beautiful paintings, Diana!)

Monday, December 20th

Tracy said:

I also received an email from a Roger Cave of South Carolina dated 12/19/10. Because of some simple typing errors I was suspicious and decided to do a quick internet search before replying to Mr. Cave. I found Diana's blog and an added bonus of several others comments.... After reading the comments I decided to search my Google analytics account and discovered that I had a hit from someone in Pelotas, Brazil on 12/18. No hits from the South Carolina. I have not replied to Mr. Cave’s email and will not do so given this information I have read here. Thanks Diana for taking the time to write of your experience ...

Monday, December 20th

jvesery said:

I too received emails from roger cave and of course in questioning this concact for several reasons, my investigating him lead me to these posts. Here i his last message to me;

Hello Jacques,
Thanks for your prompt reply.I really appreciate your detailed
breakdown and frankness on this. Am interested in purchasing "Palette
that was listed for $700.
Unfortunately, Im on my way to India on an official trip(I'm a
marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I would
have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for
true on It though .
Im okay with the price, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to
know, Im relocating to the UK soon and I'm trying to gather some good
stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before
someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP as i
will be responsible for the shipping (payment) of the piece to my new
abode in UK.
However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff
from the US,to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as
I MIGHT be delayed in India depending on how things goes. Thanks,
PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address
and also your phone# so I can get certified check prepared and have it
sent out to you ASAP.
Thanks for the heads up from all

Monday, December 20th

jvesery said:

Has anyone reported this to IC3 branch of the FBI
Thanks again

Monday, December 20th

Tracy said:

The link for IC3 (The Internet Crime Complaint Center) if anyone is interested in reporting this: http://w w.ic3.gov/default.aspx I will be - thanks jversery for the suggestion.

Monday, December 20th

Ginnie said:

I received an almost identical reply:

Thanks for your prompt reply.I really appreciate your detailed
breakdown and frankness on this. Am interested in purchasing 16x20 for
$650.
Unfortunately, Im on my way to India on an official trip(I'm a
marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I would
have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for
true on It though .
Im okay with the price, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to
know, Im relocating to the UK soon and I'm trying to gather some good
stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before
someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP as i
will be responsible for the shipping (payment) of the piece to my new
abode in UK.
However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff
from the US,to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as
I MIGHT be delayed in India depending on how things goes. Thanks,
PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address
and also your phone# so I can get certified check prepared and have it
sent out to you ASAP.
***
I told him no shipping until a certified check has been deposited and officially cleared, a process that can take up to a month. I suspect that will be the end of him. We'll see.

Tuesday, December 21st

Diana said:

I am so amazed at the number of artists this "Roger Cave" is targeting. My Google analytics has not shown any hits from South Carolina either. Since I live in Canada, I will try to find a Canadian government office that this can be reported to.

Ginnie - glad you like my paintings!

Thanks to everyone for passing this information around to other fellow artists.

Tuesday, December 21st

Ginnie said:

Well, the man is persistent. Here's the latest:

Dear Virginia,
I'm just reading your email now as Ive been so busy all day preparing for the conference in the office.it starts this week.
Actually, my shipper is due in the US sometime next week and will definitely be getting in touch with you for the pickup and also to inspect it for me.
Truth is, I would have handled this much differently if i would be at home but Im a bit pressed for time myself. Im moving to the UK this month as Im being transferred and Promoted.
As it is, I'm sending you an overdraft which will include my shippers fees as well.He has asked for an upfront before coming and since I have no access to a lot of cash, Im trying to kill two birds with a stone.
So, once you've received and cashed the check, deduct your funds and PLEASE help me send the remaining funds to him(shipper). I'll forward his contact details to you once you've received the payment.
Now I'm concluding you're a responsible person and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement. I'll let you know Immediately the check is sent out to you so you should be looking out for it.
Many thanks and talk to you soon,
Roger.
***
My reply:

I am VERY careful about payments that do not involve cash or credit cards. It may take as long as a month before I can be certain your check has cleared. I cannot release any artwork until that time.
Where have you been working in SC? What city, what company? I live in SC. If you will give me this information it may speed the release of the artwork.

Tuesday, December 21st

Diana said:

Hi Ginny - this is virtually the same line Roger gave me. Love your reply! I wonder if he'll go any further now - keep us posted.

Wednesday, December 22nd

Alex said:

Got the same email from "David Osborne":



----- Forwarded Message ----
From: David Osborne <djlogistics1@yahoo.com>



"Hello,

Thanks for your prompt reply.I really appreciate your detailed breakdown and frankness on this.

Unfortunately, Im on my way to India on an official trip(I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I would have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for true on It though .

Im okay with the price, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to know, Im relocating to the UK soon and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP.

However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff from the US,to get set for the pickup of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed in India depending on how things goes.
Thanks,

PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address and also your phone# so I can get certified check prepared and have it sent out to you ASAP."

Wednesday, February 9th

Diana said:

Thanks, Alex. I bet this "David Osborne" is the same persona as "Roger Cave". Seems they never give up. What a scummy way to make a living.

Thursday, February 10th

Ken said:

I too received the 'request to purchase' email from David Osborne a few days ago, then a follow-up letter... word-for-word the same as described by others here.

I wrote back...
Sorry, this is not going to work!

Long distance sales are always a bit tricky and to be perfectly honest I have some misgivings about the way this one is heading at this point.

Besides, copies of this letter are all over the internet!!

Do not contact me again.

K

Wednesday, February 16th

Diana said:

Thank you, Ken ... like your response about copies being all over the internet! I wonder where this not-so-bright human actually lives.

Wednesday, February 16th

Stefan said:

I received an almost identical reply from James Karg:
Hello,


I'm just reading your email now as Ive been so busy all day preparing for the conference in the office.it starts this week.
Thanks for the details which Ive noted down and am interested in buying your Birth on Thames and Im okay with the price, I think it worth it anyway.


Truth is, I would have handled this much differently if i would be at home but Im a bit pressed for time myself. Im moving to South Africa this month as Im being transferred and Promoted.


As it is, I'm making the bank wire transfer which will include my shippers fees as well.He has asked for an upfront before
coming and since I have no access to a lot of cash, Im trying to kill two birds with a stone.

So, once the funds has been transfered into your account, deduct your funds and PLEASE help me send the remaining funds to him (shipper). I'll forward his contact details to you once you have the money into your account.

Now I'm concluding your are responsible person and I can therefore entrust you with this arrangement.I'll let you know Immediately when the funds has been transfered into your account.


PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your Banking Details so I can make the transfer to you ASAP.

James.

Friday, October 14th

Vivian Bound said:

James Karg and a Tom Woodruff have both contacted me and the notes are nearly identical. I Offered to use PayPal, Tom never answered and James sent a message nearly identical to the one above back.

Saturday, October 22nd

Craig Robb said:

I just received this email from James Karg.

Hello,

Good day to you and i want you to know that i adore your piece of artwork and am interested in buying it from you and i hope its in a good condition for sale. look forward to hear from you.

It looked suspicious so thanks for posting this info about these scams in your journal so I don't pursue this.
c

Thursday, November 3rd

Annie Patterson said:

Yup, another batch of emails to me from 'Mr Karg' same as others reported.

Has he ever sent a cheque??? He keeps emailing but the cheque never arrives and he must be in South Africa via India by now surely.

A

Thursday, November 10th

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