Scams And Phishing

Happened to me yesterday. thank for spreading the word.

great post, thanks Abbie

if in doubt, always ask in the forum before answering a weird request or search the discussions

also helps to search the net with the wording they use, this is how I figured fast that someone offering me a paid job is trying to scam me (they offer photographer jobs, painter jobs, other art related jobs)

Thank You
These two scammers emailed me for NFTs via Fine Art America.
If you get an email from them just block.

Alavez Jaden

Tyson Richard

What about Zellie? Disregard,,,google warns against it!

Scams, Scams everywhere! I just recently got an email with just about what you have stated. They want to offer you $$$ and want several pieces and they ask are these prints are still available. NFT's get these all the time on Facebook in private groups too.

Please don't fall prey to these scammers.
Lana

This seems to be a repeated question about whether it is a good idea to deal with these requests yet a reading of Abbie's Post clearly answers the question.

"Artwork to purchase... This always makes me laugh. This is a sales site. Your work is there fully priced. Ready to purchase!!! They do not contact you."

The reason I'm asking this question is that I did do my research and read about premium accounts, and I quote:

"Your Premium Website

To help you sell online, you've now got your own website!

https://susan-spitz.pixels.com

This is the most powerful print-on-demand website you'll find anywhere online."

I received an email with this wording...
"Subject:
APPEAL TO BUY YOUR ARTWORKS

Message:
I would love to purchase your artworks, its unique appearance and your creativity behind them is really captivating. I’d love to know if they are available for sales because I’d love to add them to my collection"
Would this be a scam or something allowable on FAA?
I am confused about the wording of the Premium membership and must not be reading it correctly.

@Sussn - Yes, that is a scam. I received an email with almost the exact working a few days ago.

@ Bill Swartwout Thanks, Bill, I thought it might be a scam. I appreciate your help.

Yes, just had an "offer" from Alexander Estes, who wanted to buy 4 of my artworks for $2800/each - explained NFTs would be used. I was suspicious. Glad this info is on the forum!

I have had two such scams in the past week. I answer that my work is available on Fine Art America.

@Donna and Suzy, I'm so glad we have this forum also. It's a shame so many are out there trying to scam us. I will reply that he may purchase my work on Fine Art America if he's interested. Thanks and happy creating!!!

Thank you Abbie. Thank you everyone :)

I think from the response to this subject matter, "Scammers," it is evident (DO NOT) engage with any of them, as you will be deceived and ripped off!
I don't understand why FAA does not vet these emails and just block them totally.

I received a request this week by a Mr. Austin. Wanted to purchase several items. Okay, please do. LOL

Hi!! I just got this....
I replied that all my purchases are through Fine Art America.

fineartamerica.com
From:
donotreply- at - fineartamerica.com
To:
lyndasprowl@aol.com

Fri, May 10 at 9:48 AM

From:
Angelica Grullon
angelicagrullon994@gmail.com

Subject:
ARTWORK PURCHASE REQUEST

Message:
Hey there!
I just wanted to say that your artwork is seriously amazing! I love how you've managed to bring your ideas to life in such a creative and skilled way.
I'm interested in buying a few of your artworks for my exhibition, about 5-10 artworks, but I'm only interested in buying them as NFTS.
Could you let me know what's available and how I can make it happen?
New Message from this person
Angelica Grullon

From:
angelicagrullon994@gmail.com
To:
lyndasprowl@aol.com

Do you accept zelle payments then

Thanks for all this important information, Abby. They just said they liked my work and wanted to purchase some images from me. I didn't answer them but plan to tell them to go through FAA for their purchase. They didn't mention "how" they wanted to pay, it didn't get that far. Well, I'm glad I posted so now when this happens in the future, I will know what to say.

NEVER reply to these spammers, by sending you mail here they don't have your email but as soon as you reply they get your email to be used for more spamming and scamming

I had so many offers for NFT´S that i will be a millionaire by this moment... never liked them and never trust them.
Why so many scammers around the world ?
It's very sad

This happened to me this week. I have yet to have my first sale on FAA and I only have 24 followers. I think scammers go after artists/sellers like me, with few followers and not much exposure (although I am working on it). They probably assumed that artists with fewer followers are desperate and therefore easy targets. It's totally unfair. I mean, I am also on Behance and I get the same scams.

.Valerie, just ignore and delete them, keep active on the site, promote your work off site on Social Media, persevere and in time the sales will come.

Thanks a lot. I just got an email from someone wanting my artwork for NFT. Definitely scam. I needed confirmation and you just gave it to me. Thanks again. Donna Anglesano

I have been involved in this process and artists who don’t understand the process are being approached by platforms, not people. They say they love your artwork but give vague information and guild you toward the platform of their involvement. Then you find out there are costs involved in this process and indeed other issues which are pollutants and have energy issues. There is rarely cash involved and your art will be sold over and over again and YOU receive a small commission. You don’t have control after that. You can blockchain copyright your work on other sites, but frankly this is a scam to get you to invest the $150 or more per piece of artwork. I have found there really isn’t anything better than selling your work directly or through a gallery. This intangible for of art, feels as valid at trading with pebbles. Don’t get scammed


The other scam is SEO optimization on your website. They prey on artists who aren’t very tech savvy .

I've received a couple of emails.

Thanks for posting this @Abbie Shores and fellow artists for sharing your experiences. Art or an artist should never been scammed - thanks for the awareness!

This year 2025, I have been approached several times by personages purporting to be art buyers, but who wish me to create NFTs for them. The initial approach is varied, sometimes via instagram, sometimes by email, but the common link when I delve further is that the images they wish to action are all here on FAA!
They all wish me to use obscure pieces of software to mint the nfts; such as AXCREED AXIEARTES VIGNIFY - there are many others.
They also suggest that the financial side should be handled by further obscure software of their choice.
To attempt to delve further I have been converting pounds sterling into ETHEREUM using COINBASE which is one of the few valid money/crypto handling applications here in the UK - they are certified by all the financial validation that is reliable.
COINBASE allowed the transfer of small amounts of ETHs to AXCREED to facilitate the minting of my NFTs. Sure enough they were immediately “bought” by my “client” and I was amazed as my ETH balance rose rapidly with the payments received. It now stands at 27ETHs (enough to pay off the mortgage).
BUT, aye here’s the rub - AXCREED require a other larger gas payment to them to facilitate the “undoing of the blockchain” or whatever, to facilitate them moving ETHs back to COINBASE, where I feel sure, if they were to arrive, I could easily convert back to pounds sterling, pay the capital gains tax due to our Chancellor of the Exchequer and pay off the mortgage!
COINBASE refused the transaction mentioned above, but without a reason, and suspended my account for 28 days.
I assume that privacy, confidentiality etc here in Britain and the EU prevent them heading towards potential litigation!

I too have had approaches from Sophie Parker, mentioned elsewhere on this thread; and recently Ethan who uses a similar message format.

I would be fascinated to see advice, comments, experiences from your good selves, or if nothing else, just to heighten awareness of the sophistication of current scammers.
Sincerely yours
Peter Brighouse
Manchester,
England

Hi Peter,

I've seen an uptick in scammers contacting me over the past few days. I'm getting about one a day now. The first red flag is usually that the email contains flowery (probably AI generated) language complimenting my art, but never saying anything about specific titles or subjects. Terms like "NFT", "token", and "digital collection" are usually the next red flag.

They are all scams. The gas fees are what they are after. That's how the scam grabs money.

There is still is some legit NFT trading going on, but real traders are trading NFTs that already exist on sites like Rarible, Superrare, Nifty Gateway, and Foundation. They don't go out looking for artists to convert their works to NFTs.

Daniel

Hi Daniel
Yes indeed!
Yet the gas fees do not amount to that much in the great scheme of things. Unless the scam brings in plenty in a short time span.
One of the things that helped me stay alert was the fact that Sophie wanted the same NFTs that Sabrina, Ethan and others were after!
The best bit for me was that luckily the price of Ethereum continues to rise, so my unused crypto in COINBASE has covered my small minting losses when I came to withdraw back to pounds sterling.
I just wonder where on the blockchain my NFTs reside!
Ha haa

I just wanted to share this ever so clever, almost got me scam... Lol that I somehow accidentally received in my normal mail from the FBI kash patel: as we all know he uses a gmail address and I got one from an outlook account. And its confusing as the first part says I owe a ton of money. But the second part seems to say that they will give me money? They seemed to have confused their scams.



FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.

Dear Beneficiary,

We hope this notification arrives meeting your good health and mind. (FBI) Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant investigation agencies here in the United STATES of America have
recently been informed through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you have an overdue payment in tune of USD 10.3M in Citibank.

It might interest you to know that we have taken our time in
screening through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and have finally confirmed that your payment/transaction with Citibank is 100% genuine and hitch free from all facets and of which you have the lawful right to claim your fund without any further delay. Having said all this, we will further advise that you go ahead
in dealing with the Citibank, Washington, DC accordingly as we will be monitoring all their activities with you as well as your correspondence at all levels.



NOTE: There are numerous scam emails on the internet, imposters impersonating names and images. We therefore warn our dear citizens to be very careful with any claim email you receive prior to these
irregularities so that they do not fall victim to this ugly circumstance anymore. And should in case you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming that you have a payment with them, you are
to STOP further contact with them immediately in your best interest and contact the real bank (Citibank) only where your fund is deposited, with the below information:


Bank Name: Citibank
Address: 1218 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.
Attn: peter Babej
(Remittance Director)
E-mail: babejpeter15@gmail.com
website: www.citibank.com
phone: +1(202)984-2422


Contact the bank today and furnish them with this information below
for processing of your payment/funds
accordingly.

FULL NAME:
CURRENT ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP CODE:
DIRECT CONTACT NUMBER:


NOTE: In your best interest, any message that does not come from the above email address with phone number should be infeed and avoided immediately for security reasons.

Meanwhile, we will advise that you
contact the Citibank office in 1218 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036. immediately with the above email address and request that they attend to your payment
file as directed so as to enable you to receive your payment/fund accordingly.


Ensure you follow all directives from Citibank as this will further help hasten up the whole payment process in regard to the transfer of your fund to you as designated. Also have in mind that the Citibank
equally has their own protocol of operation as stipulated on their banking terms. All modalities have already been worked out before you were contacted and note that we
will be monitoring all your dealings with them as you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about.

All we require from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us to be on track with you and Citibank. Without wasting much time, we will want you to contact them immediately with the above email address and phone number to enable them to attend to your case accordingly
without any further delay as time is already running out.

In case you need any more information in regard to this notification, feel free to get back to us via email so that we can brief you more as we are here to guide you during and after this
project has been completely perfect, and you have received your payment/fund as stated.
Thank you very much for your anticipated cooperation.

BEST REGARDS,
Kash Patel
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
J. Edgar Hoover Building
601,4th Street,
935 Pennsylvania Avenue,


NW Washington, D.C.


20535-0001, USA


---Mike Savad

Mike Savad

I get emails like this above all the time so bin them

The awkward wording of that message raises many red flags to me, Mike. (I retired from a job that required a considerable amount of formal writing. It helps me avoid falling for many scams.)

The first thing people receiving an unsolicited message like this should ask themselves is whether it even makes sense for them to be contacted by the entity in question, and then whether the thing proposed is something likely to be handled by that entity, and whether it is something likely to involve you. If it seems to come completely out of nowhere, that is another red flag. Do not allow yourselves to be hoodwinked by flattering or threatening language, or fortuitous subject matter.

If it comes from an entity with whom you have had or presently have business dealings, double check everything without responding, including the spelling of names, addresses, phone numbers, and even zip codes. If you are able to view email headers, check to see if the actual email address matches the one from which the message is supposed to have originated.

Above all, do not start clicking any links or opening attachments that arrive in an unsolicited email or text message. Doing so is a great way to find your device infected with viruses, spyware, or worse - the perpetrator taking control of the device and demanding a sizable ransom before they say they will release control of the device back to you - and they may not do so, even if you pay them.

Thank you for the info. Someone tried that with me 2 weeks ago.

Another one for the collection.

From:
David James
davidjames04289@gmail.com

Subject:
Art Purchase

Message:
Hello David C S Smith
I hope you're well. My name is david james, the creativity in your artwork is truly inspiring. It's refreshing to see such a unique approach.
I'm impressed by the way you've used color. It's captivating, and I would love to explore the possibility of purchasing some of your work to feature in our collection.
I am looking forward to the possibility of working together.
Best regards.

David- i got the same one a couple if days ago.

Is this the kind of thing you are talking about?

"I hope you're well. My name is Joan sharron , The creativity in your artwork is truly inspiring. It’s refreshing to see such a unique approach.
I'm impressed by the way you've used color, it's captivating and i would love to explore the possibility of purchasing some of your work to feature in our collection. I believe your art will resonate with the audience."

Yes

Got this today, FAA removed the comment but I checked Instagram to see if this was a legit person and it is NOT..... SMH

Big Boy 4014 Steam Bernard Kaydon Posted Yesterday at 10:33 PM We are interested in your ART pictures and your photography wish we can buy this we purchase landscape and and sky and lake pic explore lets vote for you on media kindly text on INSTAGRAM (bernadkay) ON TELEGRAM (@bernadmanager) on our Snapchat (mandegomezsteve).

Why send that you WISH you could buy it......?? Then want me to post the image so you can lift it and use it as your own??? No no no....

Is the email promoting RWAs and tokenization of your artwork online a scam? The email used the name of a legitimate gallery, White Cube gallery. I assumed it was a sam and deleted. Thought others should know.

Recently got targeted by an AI bot scrapper, I noticed a lot of artists post here, If I also post on FB/IG should I be taking more precautions than reducing to 70% quality and watermarking?

Thank you FAA for noticing and removing comments like this:

Spam Do Not Reply DELETE
We are interested in your landscaping pictures and your photography wish we can buy this we purchase landscape and and sky and lake pic explore let’s vote for you on media kindly text on INSTAGRAM 👉(Bernardchri9) ON TELEGRAM...

They try anything, even making a profile on FAA with the name: Spam Do Not Reply DELETE

They did not make a membership with that name

I changed it to that name when I deleted them so people would know not to click

I’ve gotten three emails wanting to purchase my art from this website for NFTS. It’s very annoying and frustrating. How do we make these stop?

Is anyone on Fine Art American doing NFTs?
Surely by now there are artists doing this without being scammed?

I received this email this morning.


Hello Kathryn Foster

I really love your artworks!! So beautiful and unique,! You really put a lot of effort into these arts and wow! It really shows on them. Are they for sale as NFTs,

Warm regard
Gundolf


Does this appear to be a scam?

I received these two emails recently and these are scams, asking for purchasing my artworks. Emails from the Visitors.

1 )
From:
Jane Celina
janecelina321@gmail.com

Subject:
Art Purchase

Message:
Hello Nishma Creations,

I hope you're well, The creativity in your artwork is truly inspiring. It’s refreshing to see such a unique approach.
I'm impressed by the way you've used color, it's captivating and i would love to explore the possibility of purchasing some of your work to feature in our collection. I believe your art will resonate with the audience.

Looking forward to the possibility of working together.

Best regards.


2)
From:
Ruben Rodriguez
repsreuben@gmail.com

Subject:
Adding your art to my collection

Message:
Hi Nishma Creations Art

I saw your artworks on fineartamerica I’m interested in buying your artwork .Your work really stands out, and I’d like to add it to my collection. Can you confirm its availability Thanks,

Best regards
Ruben Rodriguez

Kathryn Foster

All NFT's are a scam, or used for scams.

Scam, right?

Verification ALERT 1 Day AgoReply | DeleteSubject: Urgent: Notification of New Sale and Verification Needed Dear Seller, Congratulations on your new sale! PAYMENT ID: 48291 STATUS: PAID Unfortunately, your account is temporarily restricted, and you cannot manage your sales or receive payouts. To lift these restrictions, you need to link and verify your payment information. Best regards, Fine Art America To begin the verification process, please click the following link: (If the link is not active, copy and paste it into your browser's address bar.) faa.s83va291r.com/216136901

Bill, if you look at the “stickies” at the top of the forum you’ll see one about verification. It is, indeed, a scam.

Just received this email also!! Since it's from here where we sell the art.... it's kind of obvious to not be legitimate.

From:
Ruben Rodriguez
repsreuben@gmail.com

Subject:
Adding your Art to my collection

Message:
Hi Theresa Ruby Art

I saw your artworks on fineartamerica I’m interested in buying your artwork .Your work really stands out, and I’d like to add it to my collection. Can you confirm its availability Thanks,

Best regards
Ruben Rodriguez

There is a Paul Lovering with a beautiful pixel website here on FAA. I hope his account was not hacked.

From:
Paul Lovering
paulloveriing@gmail.com

Subject:
Art purchase from Fineartamerica

Message:
Hello Laurie,

I’m truly impressed by the individuality and depth in your work. Each piece reflects a rare balance of creativity and craftsmanship that immediately drew me in. I would love to learn more about your artistic process and the inspiration behind your creations.

I’m also very interested in the possibility of acquiring one of your works to add to my collection. Please let me know a suitable time for us to connect.

Thank you for sharing such remarkable artistry with the world.

Warm regards.

I assumed all of this, but it's nice to make sure that I now know how not to fall for scams.

Laurie, I doubt it.. look at the email

paulloveriing@gmail.com

paullover i ing

Too many i's

If you do not check, then you just assume it is him

From:
Amado Behm
amado.behm@msn.com

Subject:
Hi lauriesintuitiveartpixels.com Administrator.

Message:
Hello,

We have reviewed your website and would like to inform you that we can help you achieve the 1st position on Google in a short time and at a very affordable cost.

If you’re interested, please contact us on WhatsApp at +1 683 757 2738.