Fraud Alert! - Scam Alias: James Hamilton

Artists are now common targets of advance fee fraud, also known as the Nigerian letter scam, 419 fraud, or a Nigerian money offer. In January 2007 I got one of these suspicious emails and started looking into the alias of the sender. That’s when I learned many artists are being targeted by advance fee scams.

Now I share my 419 fraud emails here for the benefit of other artists who might be targets of this scheme. I also wrote a response you can use whenever one of these emails lands in your inbox. Since using that standard reply, my scam emails have slowed down to a trickle.

I recieved this scam email on January 3rd. Before receiving this I had no idea that the "Nigerian" scam was also being used to target artists. But at least these scams are easy to spot.

From: Dr. James Hamilton [blessdrhamilton2006@yahoo.co.uk]

Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 6:17 AM

To: anima@artbyanima.com

Subject: Interested In Your Works!!!

Hello,
Good day to you over there, My Name is Dr.James Hamilton presently based in England and i am working with the World Health Organizaction Aids Department and i do almost travels to almost every part of the world.

I got your contact through a Canadian friend of mine who felt your works appreciative informing me that you are really doing a great job in the Art Industry.

So, i will like to buy some of your Furniture works into my new location. however i will like you to send me your price list and your website if available so that i can be able to choose from your beautiful works for my new house.

I will be contacting a Private shipping company that will be shipping them along with our other house decorations. the shipping company will Pick-Up these items once i made the payment for the purchased items.

I will be looking forward to your response on how to proceed.

Thanks and God Bless you as I await to hear from you soon.

Wishing you a nice day.
Regards.
Dr.James Hamilton

Have you been targeted by the Nigerian email scam? Share it with other artists on this blog or leave a comment.

Labels: fraud and scams