People are actually trying to scam artists on the Web, and have been for a while. Here’s an email I received:

Subject: art work purchase

Good day to you.
I am so excited that I came across of your work on internet search, I am interested in purchasing some creative art works from you.

yellow roses
daylilly
blue morning glory

I will be happy to have these selected art works hanged in our new
home in South Africa. how much discounts are going to give?
As well, I want you to take out the shipping cost. I have been in touch with
A shipping agent that are shipping other house decoratives, We are
travelling from our UK home to our new apartment as soon as possible.

On Paying for the art works,I will be glad to pay with a Travellers
Check or Money orders in US funds that can be easily cashed at your
bank,Please let me know on how to pay for the art works.

I will await your advise on how to proceed. Have a wonderful day.

Take Care.
Debby

Too good to be true

When it’s too good to be true, it’s too good to be true.

This person had been to my website and did list 3 actual paintings. However when I traced the IP address, which is in the header of an email, it was not from South Africa or their home in the UK, it was from Nigeria. I got the exact same email a week later from a “Susie” not a “Debby”.

There is an excellent blog by Bj. de Castro with lots of information on art scams from Nigeria. If you are an artist with a website, this blog is a must to check out.