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Warning: Fraud Attempts! (Current Scammers / Thieves / Fraudsters).

Take a look at the email addresses and scams below. absolutearts.com collects them for anyone searching for these names on the Internet. Google and other searchengines will catalogue them for future reference. If you take a close look at the scams below they follow the same pattern (4-1-9, Advance Fee Fraud). Almost all of the scammers now come from yahoo.com email addresses (I wonder if yahoo even cares, and how much of their email traffic consists of criminal activity???). If you identify the email addresses these scammers tend to use the same type of email address: a name and year @ address. They follow the same concept each time... we often wonder why the scams have not changed over the last ten years. The so called "Nigerian" scam always follows the same guidelines. Someone is interested in your artwork and wants to ship it overseas. They will want to pay with a fake credit card or fake certified US bank cheque. The will pay more for whatever reason they come up with this week. You are then to Western Union them the difference. The cheque will turn out to be fake and you have lost the money they wanted you to send to them. This is a very classic scam and has not changed at all. The groups of scammers / criminals appear to be coming from Nigeria and the RIPE network. Take a look at the information below to find out if they are or have contacted you. Here is another excellent list of email addresses that are connected with fraud.

Update: October, 2005: absolutearts.com will list new cases that come to our attention and meet a certain criteria. There are so many attempts each day that you should be wary about shipping anything to Africa, especially Nigeria. Since 1995 World Wide Arts Resources / absolutearts.com has NEVER had a legitimate sale to the country of Nigeria. So, if they approach you with a Nigerian address you can almost guarantee that it is fraudulent. This is an unfortunate situation, but this fraud could be stopped if IP address providing companies such as RIPE network in The Netherlands would clamp down on that type of traffic. Just take a look at any of the cases below and you will get a better understanding of how these criminals are trying to scam. Any of the clickable links below will lead you to an actual example.

Further ART FRAUD alerts have moved to this new discussion forum. You can post your art fraud once you have been registered.

  • Dr. Rex Englewood or Sampon Thomas (February, 2006) - Same kind of spin...
  • Darwin Michelle (December 24, 2005) - Take a look at the new spin.
  • Helen Bryant (November 07, 2005) - Take a look at this more original example of fraud.
  • clarklife@gmail.com - Clark Mathias (October 08, 2005), 196.207.1.214, RIPE network Africa. Find out more
  • williamsugo12@yahoo.com - williamsugo (October 07, 2005), 195.166.242.109, RIPE network Africa. Fine out more
  • Solosammi3@yahoo.com - Solomon Gutie (October 07, 2005), 66.178.40.2, newskies satellite provider, presumably Africa. Find out more
  • cleflinkexpress@deliveryman.com - Ademola Kareem (October, 2005), unknown address. Find out more
  • womanshopltd@yahoo.com - Adeola (October 6, 2005), unknown address.
  • teekgates@hotmail.com - Olamide Gates (October 06, 2005) 66-178-40-2.reverse.newskies.net, Virginia, USA - Find out more
  • g_buba2005@yahoo.com - Genevieve/Wisdom Buba (August 20, 2005) 419 scam, RIPE network Africa
  • arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (Augst 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network Africa
  • chigiokeawelle_esq@lawyer.com - Cigioke Awelle (August 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
  • vivia_v@yahoo.fr - Vivian (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
  • arina_khadel2004@yahoo.fr - Arina Khadel (August 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, RIPE network, Africa
  • mercy02_inc@mail.austria.com - Mercy Cole (August 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, Lagos Nigeria
  • simonekabila@yahoo.com - Simone Kabila (August 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, RIPE network, Africa
  • lucasgantsha@excite.com - Lucas Gantsha (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.179.250.149, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
  • stephenbamba@yahoo.com - Stephen Bamba (August 16, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.62, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network, Africa)
  • merabel2010@yahoo.com - Mark Johnson (August 14, 2005) scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.145.179, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • e_baldry2k1@yahoo.co.uk - Eric Baldry (August 5, 2005) The same old scam... this time they have actually geared their message towards the arts and antiques. IP ADDRESS: core-dvb-r.skannet.com, Ibadan Nigeria
  • paul_kay64@yahoo.com - Paul Kay (August 4, 2005) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.7.9 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network again)
  • j4john_doh@yahoo.co.uk - John Doherty (August 04, 2005) seems like another scam IP ADDRESS: 81.18.36.83, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network).
  • cvoller01@yahoo.com - C Voller (July 2005) overpayment scam.
  • jude_williams01@oleco.net - Jude Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.67.50, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
  • matkoroma@yahoo.com - Mat Koroma (July 27, 2005), 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.18, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Ripe Network)
  • paul_williams_1981@yahoo.com - Paul Williams (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.71.32, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
  • illar_neanita2@yahoo.com - Villiran Nanita (July 27, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.134, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • gibkone@yahoo.com - Gibison Kone (July 25, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.255.59.94, Amsterdam, Nethlands (RIPE network).
  • brightdordzi@yahoo.com - fifi jones (July 24, 2005) fraudulent credit card, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.93.97, Amsterdam Netherlands (RIPE network).
  • cvoller01@yahoo.com - Voller (July, 2005) fraudelent money order scam, IP ADDRESS: unkown
  • ros4gueii@yahoo.com - Rose Guei (July 22, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.113.98, African Country.
  • john_kokone@walla.com - John Kokone (July 20, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network) (Nigeria)
  • vivianleo@oleco.com - Vivian Leo - (July 19, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.78.26, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • martin_joe1@yahoo.fr - Martin Joe - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.112.242, Afrinic network (African country)
  • paulwilliams2@walla.com - Paul Williams - (July 18, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.73.84, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • mm0jim0@yahoo.co.in - Martial Jim - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59, Amsterdam Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • james_kukou01@yahoo.fr - James Kukou - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.136.107.214, AFRINIC network (African country)
  • mr_umunnajames@yahoo.com - James Umunna - (July 17, 2005) 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.152.12, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • ken_biz101@yahoo.com - Larry Ken / Matin William - (July 16, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • sexyblkleon@hotmail.com - Larry Ken -(July 15, 2005) Fraudulent Art purchase attempt, IP ADDRESS: 82.193.43.56, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • alvugo_01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.111, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • lambert_k01@yahoo.fr (July 13, 2005) 419 scam, IP ADDRESS: 196.201.75.153, Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • mcahty5000@yahoo.com (July 13, 2005) Scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.153.198.145 , Amsterdam, Netherlands, (RIPE network)
  • evangelistmarky2k@yahoo.co.uk (June 14, 2005) 4-1-9 cashier cheque scam, IP ADDRESS: 216.139.164.94 Panamsat Corporation, Elenwood, GA, USA
  • lizy_k20051@yahoo.it (June 13, 2005) Lizy Kama, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • kalaharion@yahoo.com (June 09, 2005) Hendrix Taiwo, 4-1-9 scam, IP ADDRESS: unknown
  • davidjulious@yahoo.com (June 08, 2005) David Julious, 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.130: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • barr_james70@yahoo.com (MAy 27, 2005) Barrister James Obioma, or Barr James (this guy has been doing this for years...) - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • ceaserwilliams1@yahoo.co.in (May 27, 2005) Ceasar Williams - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS:80.179.236.210: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • pricepayee@hotmail.com (May 26, 2005) Abraham Collins - 4-1-9 Scam IP ADDRESS: 82.206.242.10: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • johnpaul_535@yahoo.com (May 25, 2005) John Paul - Credit Card Scam IP ADDRESS: 80.88.141.140: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • ben7k22001@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Ben Khumasi - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 198.54.202.210: Pretoria, South Africa
  • ahmedmohamedballa@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Mohamed Balla - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 212.199.254.190: unknown location
  • koffijkope@yahoo.co.uk (May 24, 2005) Koffi Kope - 4-1-9 scam IP ADDRESS: 80.248.64.59 Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • lordalfred101@yahoo.com (May 24, 2005) Lord Alfred - Cheque Scam IP ADDRESS: 192.116.155.248: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RIPE network)
  • dmarc@conexcol.com (May 23, 2005) Marc Duchene - Online Fraud IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.194: Nigeria. (google has Marc Duchene fraud attempts at other sites).
  • barrmarkphilip1@yahoo.com (May 23, 2005) Mark Philip Esq. - Nigerian Scam... IP ADRESS: Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • melizy_k2005@yahoo.it (May 23, 2005) Lizy Kama - Nigerian Scam... IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.8 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • jacklee_1979@yahoo.com (May 19, 2005) Jackie Lee - Certified Cheque Scam, IP ADDRESS: 213.185.106.3 - Nigeria
  • linda_smith00@yahoo.com (May 12, 2005) Linda Smith - Check Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
  • milolastore1@yahoo.com (May 4, 2005) Damilola Williems - Cheque Scam, Unknown IP ADDRESS
  • dube1_roy@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Dube Roy - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • CINDY_van0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Cindy Van - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • sandra_janet0002@yahoo.com (May 3, 2005) Sandra Janet - Same old scam, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.113 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • d1baker@yahoo.com (May 1, 2005) desmond baker - Typical Cheque Fraud, IP ADDRESS: 192.116.94.71 - Amsterdam, Netherlands, again.
  • bensonandbenson@yahoo.com (April 30, 2005) Benson - Typical Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
  • sandra_janet002@yahoo.com (April 28, 2005) Sandra Janet - Cheque Fraud, Unknown IP ADDRESS
  • nathaniel_gorski@yahoo.com (April ?, 2005) Nathaniel Gorski - Cheque Fraud. Unknown IP ADDRESS.
  • womanshop2005@yahoo.com (April 26, 2005) Miss Adeola Afolabi - classic fraud... (can't they get a little more creative???) - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.149, once again Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • acton_eric2000@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Acton Eric - classic certified cheque or money order scam - Unknown Address
  • shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
  • ash_garder@yahoo.com, afriukshippers@yahoo.com (April 7, 2005) Ashanti Garder, David William - classic fraud - Unknown Origin.
  • walex_addy@yahoo.com (April 6, 2005) wale adeniji - classic overpayment scam - Unknown Address.
  • shirley_treva@yahoo.co.uk (April 6, 2005) Shirley Treva - classic overpayment scam - IP ADDRESS: United Kingdom.
  • dashley0@juno.com (March 25, 2005) David Ashley - IP ADDRESS: 212.165.157.145 - United Kingdom
  • mrskokou@ozu.es, Williams Kokou, (March 24, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.99.166 , Africa.
  • zanna_madiga@yahoo.fr, Zanna Madiga, (March 23, 2005) - classic overpayment scam. - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.141 - Lagos, Nigeria
  • rsuth@sify.com, Ann Smith, (March 23, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
  • tango4all2003@yahoo.com, Tango Ugoh, (March 22, 2005) - stolen credit card - Lagos, Nigeria
  • james_key@mail.com, or larry_key@mail.com, (March 16, 2005) cashier cheque scam - 81.199.85.91 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • pastorjamesmaliburev@yahoo.com, (March 15, 2005) another version of overpayment scam - 80.255.59.94 - Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • moses_kerry@yahoo.com, (March 13, 2005) Moses Kerry - overpayment scam.
  • dannymills_03@yahoo.com, (March ?, 2005) Danny Mills - classic overpayment scam.
  • satagello_7@hotmail.com, (March 02, 2005)Caren Stagello - classic overpayment scam.
  • karbajanet@yahoo.fr, (February 21, 2005) Jeff - IP ADDRESS: 196.201.64.246 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • mary_gallery2003@yahoo.co.uk, (February 18, 2005) Mary Johnson - IP ADDRESS: 212.199.251.45 - Israel
  • kateadam00@yahoo.com, (February 18, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.176 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • benjamic2003@yahoo.com, moore_adams@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Dr Benjamin micheal / Mr. michell Aderson - Unknown IP ADDRESS or location
  • joeltobby@hotmail.com (February 17, 2005) Tobby Joel / Joel Tobby - IP ADDRESS: 65.172.4.250 - Fort Lauderdale, USA - Lagos Nigeria
  • banzarkunte@yahoo.fr (February 17, 2005) Barrister Kunte Banzar Esq - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.125.4 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • kateadam00@yahoo.com (February 17, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.178 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • kateadam0@yahoo.com (February 12, 2005) Mrs. Kate Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • woc343@yahoo.com (February 11, 2005) Mrs. Adams - IP ADDRESS: 192.116.137.169 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • magaret_bryne@yahoo.com (February 5, 2005)Magaret Bryne - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.52 - Nigeria, Africa
  • cyrilboile@yahoo.com (February 1, 2005) Cyril Boiley - IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.149 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • glory0022000@yahoo.fr (February 1, 2005) Miss Gloria Guei - IP ADDRESS: 213.136.116.27 - Ivory Coast, Africa
  • daniel_howard2005@yahoo.com Daniel Howard, (Supposedly, East Liverpool Ohio) Classic overpayment scam.
  • clany00002@yahoo.com (January 30, 2005) Mrs Clany - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.219 - MDS Solution Ltd customer, Nigeria
  • katebroom01@hotmail.com (January 20 - 26) Kate Broom - IP ADDRESS: Not Known - claims to be from Nigeria...
  • smith_1_2005_2006@yahoo.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
  • smith_1_2005_2006@keromail.com (January 18, 2005) No Name - IP ADDRESS: 66.98.134.34 - Houston Texas
  • willis_jacson@fastermail.com (January 10, 2005), Willis Jacson - IP ADDRESS: 193.220.26.20 - Lagos Nigeria
  • andersonfine@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Anderson Fine - Unknown Origin.
  • hammyx24c@yahoo.com (January 08, 2005) Keith Pinna - IP ADDRESS: 213.185.113.46 - Nigeria
  • john_peller@yahoo.co.uk (January 04, 2005) John Peller - IP ADDRESS: 81.199.85.11 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • simpatrading@yahoo.co.uk (December 15, 2004) Oliver Jiannan
  • smithdecor@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 11, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • jsmith4all@yahoo.ca (December 10, 2004) John Smith, IP ADDRESS: 217.194.149.146 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • dm_douglas9@yahoo.co.uk (December 10, 2004) Michael Douglas, IP ADDRESS: 62.56.189.175 - Togo Telecom, Togo
  • abel_smith22@yahoo.co.uk (December 6, 2004) Abel Smith, IP ADDRESS: 81.199.241.186 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • steven_gomo@yahoo.co.uk (December 1, 2004) Steven Gomo, IP ADDRESS: 193.220.188.94 - AFRIPA TELECOM COTE D'IVOIRE IS LOCATED IN ABIDJAN
  • ajibo23@yahoo.com (November 29, 2004) (aka: Ike Solomon, Tom Agustin Karen, supposedly NYC) IP ADDRESS: 81.199.84.38 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • abletoven@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria
  • ozbite_1@yahoo.com (November 21, 2004) IP ADDRESS: 213.181.81.66 - Lagos, Nigeria, Name: Danny Alvarez
  • bret_lewis@fastermail.com (September 23, 2004)
  • Taylor Claire - barrjames03@yahoo.com
  • Frederick Berry - festula_lala@yahoo.com
  • Kola Smiths - udcbn@hotmail.com
  • James J Green - afajide@fastermail.com
  • bob brown - kelvintaylor@post.cz
  • DONA ELVIS - dona_elvis79@yahoo.com
  • ALEX PETE - a_pete2004@yahoo.com
  • jennifer james - jenferjames@yahoo.com
  • GARY ROBILLARD - judeogommuegba@yahoo.com
  • elmanam menkasi - edomachinegun@yahoo.com
Please be careful with all artwork sales. Someone wanting to purchase multiple artworks at once has contacted many of our artists. The typical email begins:

"We purchase and sell artworks for our clients. One of them saw your advert and requested that we purchase the following from you on his behalf"

They then list three or four of your artworks and prices and end the email with:

"Please reply and let us know if they are still available and their present condition. THANKS."

Please be very leery of this type of email. Anyone wanting to buy multiple artworks at once and especially from a free/anonymous email account and a “form letter” type email may be fraud.

Furthermore, the scam will follow a typical pattern, also called the Nigerian Scam, including paying more than the asking price for the artwork and having the balance sent with the artwork. The buyer is usually overseas and states that someone in your home country owes them money and they want to use some of those funds to buy your artwork. Another variation is that the extra money amounts to their commission. They claim they will have their friend/business associate or themselves send you a money order or check and you are to deposit it to your account and send a check or Western Union transfer for the balance either with or before sending / pickup the artwork. The check or money order that you receive looks real and legitimate but is COUNTERFEIT. However, by the time your bank notifies you of this and reverses the funds out of your account it is too late as you have already either transferred money via Western Union or sent a check written on your account. These are unusual circumstances for an artwork purchase and almost always signals fraud.

All buyers should be willing to wait until the funds have completely cleared the bank before the shipment goes out.

Please be aware of the multiple attempts of fraud coming out of Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast or other African countries. Often the criminal will reside in Europe but their email accounts always raise flags. Some examples of criminal emails in the past have been:

UPDATE: What is the RIPE Network??
The RIPE NCC is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation that supports the infrastructure of the Internet through technical co-ordination in its service region. The RIPE network assigns IP addresses to African, Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Thus most of the scams seem to come from the RIPE network. Most of those always follow the same block of IP addresses. They must be assigned to countries like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, etc.! According to this article the 419 scam has become the third to fifth largest industry in Nigeria -- and we are talking millions of dollars each year!!!






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