Fraud Alert! - Scam Alias: Dave Frank

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.

This one wins the prize of being the most badly composed scam email I've ever received. He asks for a painting that's not even mine! Plus, I've never seen a scammer use so many different names in one email - Dave Brown, Dr. Dave Frank and Frank Dave. Incredible!

I tried a suggestion from a Wetcanvas forum post to ask the scammer what he liked about the paintings he wanted to buy. It was an interesting experiment but not effective for sending the scammer on his way.

From: dave brown [free4allwe@yahoo.com]

Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 12:04 PM

To: anima@artbyanima.com

Subject: Enquiry

My name is Dr Dave Frank from NORTH CAROLINA,I am interested in buying some of your art work,they are all beautiful.I want to use them as a decoratives in our new house in the LONDON. I am interested in buying these Art works from you.

Solare
Original Oil Pastel on Canvas
20" x 20"
Black gallery-wide edge

Girl with Feather
Oil 16 X 20

Kindly get back with the total price of the selected Title Art works excluding shipping cost,I have informed a shipping company that will be shipping some of our other house decors. I will be glad to pay you bank transfer. I am looking forward to hearing from you on how to proceed. Best Regards,
Frank DAve

From: Anima

Sent: Thu 3/22/2007 1:22 PM

To: dave brown [free4allwe@yahoo.com]

Subject: RE: Enquiry

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your interest! Please tell me what is it about my painting Solare that you love? I'm always interested in feedback. I do not have a painting called Girl with Feather. If you want prices on my artwork please go to my website www.artbyanima.com.

Thank you and have a great day,

Anima

From: dave brown [free4allwe@yahoo.com]

Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 1:06 PM

To: Anima

Subject: RE: Enquiry

I am in receipt of your mail,thanks for your swift responce towards the purchasing of your Exotic work (Solare).I have been to your site and i was impressed on your fascinating set of striking amazing pantings in your gallery. Solare,posses a sexy beautifull lady relaxing in a neat lovely garden.While celestial body is another spiritual sensual perfect work.

Celestial Body,

Solare

I can make payment via international money order .About the shipping,i will handle that by my self as i have a private shipping company moving my other interiorr decors and furniture to my new home.Kindly let me know where to go from here.
Regards,
DR Dave Frank

I couldn't believe this guy's response! Between him and the other extremely aggressive scammer I went back and forth with this month, I came up with this canned response for every suspicious email I get. When I sent it to this scammer, I never heard from him again.

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