Possible Fraud Again

This is so exciting! I received another suspicious scam letter requesting info on my website and art. Here it is in its entirety. It has all the hallmarks of the scam - funny English, wants to buy a lot, trusts you with credit card (or in my previous experience, the scammers sent a Cashier's Check). I responded with my website info - let's see how far this will go.
In the meantime, be careful out there!

Hello,
I am Veronica smith, an American but presently reside in Australia for some reasons.I will like to place an order for some items from you, but I will like to know what you have available in stock .Let me have your website address so I can review the products you have presently in stock at the moment and if there is any special pricing I need to know about. Lastly regarding payment I will be sending you my credit card for the full payment charges for my order .In order to avoid any form of delays can you let me know the type of credit cards you accept? I hope to hear from you as soon as possible so we can proceed with the Order.
Thanks with Regards.
Veronica.
Her email address is smithveronica@live.com
Email Post

Comments

Anonymous said…
Katherine: I am a fiber artist. I received the exact same email as you did. It sounded suspicious. I had a few "experienced friends" check it out and offer their opinions. They linked me to your blog. This group is running a scam. My advice is not to respond.

Best Regards.

GP
March 8, 2010 at 8:08 PM
Anonymous said…
I do glass work and also received the exact same email. I got online and searched on the "smithveronica@live.com" email address and found your post. I just deleted the email after reading your info. Thank you for posting.
March 9, 2010 at 8:57 AM
meme said…
We also are artists who sell on line and received the exact same email.

Thank you for posting - I believe my doubtful suspicion was right.
March 9, 2010 at 1:57 PM
Anonymous said…
I am a Goldsmith and have recieved the exact emails you did. I recieved my first e-mail March 8th.
Thank you for taking the time to post this
March 16, 2010 at 5:53 PM
LL said…
Hi Katherine. I just received this same email this morning and found your post doing a google search. I do landscape & nature photography and since i pretty much take pictures for my own enjoyment, I know they're not that good to have anyone inquire about them. Plus, I knew it was a scam because the only way you can get my business email addy is to go to my website. The con artist's email is today's "Idiot of the Day" on my blog.
May 8, 2010 at 6:39 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi everyone! It seems that this Veronica person is hitting all sorts of artists! I got this same email this morning. I create charts of water in wood. I am in the IT field as a Security analyst and this has SCAM written all over it. Steer clear everyone!! Katherine, thanks for your original post it served as a great warning to the rest of us!

Lisa
May 8, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Unknown said…
I am a textile artist.
I just received this email today and although it had spam written all over it I gave a basic response because my son said "Mom, you're just paranoid". I gave links to my Etsy shop and told her she could order from there.
Does anyone know what the scam is exactly?
May 20, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey All,

I own an art gallery/ retail space and I just received the same email. After a quick google search I found this blog. Thanks for the heads up everyone.

Cheers
May 25, 2010 at 5:48 PM
Saratoga Sake said…
i got the e mail as well ...did a google search and found others...

http://www.artslant.com/ny/feeds/show/61817?print=1
May 28, 2010 at 2:37 AM
Do Be Do Bead Do said…
I make and sell jewelry. I also got an email from veronica smith, the only difference is that she was specific in which items that she wanted from my website. I still believe this is a scam. However, I told her that I didn't accept credit cards, blah blah blah, just to see what response I get.
June 16, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Anonymous said…
We got the same pitch. I guess it’s a scam, but I’m unsure. The non-American English and the “shipping agent” that doesn’t take credit cards are just too suspicious.

All I can guess is that Kim Jong-il is seriously hurtin’ for art.

Here's a paste from today (below)of communication that includes a request for a "favour" involving wiring money. Thanks for the help, Katherine.

Thanks for getting back to me on time.
Like i stated in my previuos message i live and work here in Australia.
I will have the order picked up from your facitilty.
I have made an arrangement for the pick up of this order right from your store thru my shipping agent in order to avoid the shipping responsibilities and difficulties that might be experienced in shipping of these type of items to me in Australia,out of Canada and USA.
The Shipping Agent have all the documents and permits required for the exportation of these type of items . They will handle all the custom duties and insurance as well because all will be dully paid for by me . They have got similar items shipped to me here successfully.
Having discussed with the Shipping Agent , the nature, weight, size and quantity of these items, I was charged $920.00 USD for the shipping cost.
I will need you to do me a favour as explained below :
This shipping agency is not set up to receive payment via credit card, so I am asking for you to charge my credit card to the grand total cost and then send the shipping part of the whole payment to the shipping agency's office in the USA via Western Union Money Transfer and their representative in USA will come for the pick up .

Here is the breakdown of the total amount of money you are expected to charge from my credit card:
TOTAL COST FOR THE ITEMS : $3,280.00
SHIPPING FEE : $920.00
WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER FEE:$150.00 THE GRAND TOTAL COST : $4,350USD I will send you my credit card number for you to be able to get this full payment charged instantly as well as the shipping fees.

I will send you my MASTERCARD credit card for the whole payment both for the items and the shipping cost.

As soon as I have the receiver information for the shipping fee from the shipping agency, I will forward it to you as well.
As soon as the shipping agency in USA has received the shipping fund, their representative in USA will schedule the time for the pick up and then come to your facility for the pick up.
WHEN CAN I SEND IN MY CREDIT CARD FOR THE FULL PAYMENT???
I am waiting to hear back from you soonest.
Thanks with regards
June 16, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Doug Wilkie said…
She is still at it. I received an email two days ago, asking about specific pieces and pricing offering to pay shipping, evverything the others posts suggest. Glad we found your blog. Thanks
September 5, 2010 at 6:59 AM
Deb said…
I just got this email yesterday. I knew it was too good to be true! She stated specific works she wanted from my website, asking for prices and weights. I just sent her the info, saying I only accept cc payments through Paypal (I really do). Wonder if she will write back? Thanks for posting this.
September 14, 2010 at 8:01 AM
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