BogusArtFair.Info

Apparently, the IRS is handing out tax refunds to all people---not only citizens of the U.S.

I received an email from the "IRS", saying that I was eligible for a tax refund. The email took me to the address http://www.aussiereptilegallery.com/coppermine/include/faq.php, which the host (SiteGround.com) has deactivated since the email was sent. Although I'm very curious about the contents of the webpage, I'm very happy to see that the host responded so quickly. The email was sent to me this morning!

Click "Read More" to see the email

This came through my email last week:

I saw your discussion board post about art scammers. I just had a scam
attempt. I wanted people to be aware of it. It is from one of the same
people listed on your message board. Here are the emails I received from
this individual: tina_brown100@yahoo.co.uk

Here's another shipping scam email, from a "Tina Brown", which was sent via the Artists Space's Artists File Online website. Although websites like that are good for artists who want a small web presence, the artists are usually targeted for scams because there are so many in one place.

Notice the request for information on multiple paintings, all of which are irregularly sized, and someone who is moving overseas.

Art News Blog provides an update on a reader who was targeted for a scam.

Art News Blog reports that some of the people commenting on the blog have received scam emails. What's funny about it is the comments were from a page about art scammers!

Another website, ArtScams.com, offers some good pointers on avoiding scams.

(hat tip: Art News Blog)

This is an email I got yesterday, to an address that I don't distribute widely...except online!

---

Subject: I WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU.
From: jameszekiq1@yahoo.com
Reply-To: jameszeki@netbg.com
To: undisclosed recipients (i.e. he sent it bcc several persons!)

My Dear Friend,

I am making this contact with you in good faith. I got your email address from the foreign department in our ministry of foreign affairs office. I am working with the (Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc. 2 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island Lagos)

The Gallery Owe blog has been updated again with some more news stories, including another from Georgia Straight.

Here is a very thorough article on what to do when your stuff gets stolen online:
http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/what-do-you-do-when-someone-steals-your-content/

I was recently asked to investigate whether the Public Art Competition for the North-South Light Railway in Cologne is legitimate. They have an open, international call for artists to submit applications for public art as part of their railway project. What flagged this as a possible scam was "The financial means for the competition, including the realisation of the art works, amount to 1.75 million euros.".

Although that does seem like a large sum for public art, the call does appear to be legitimate. Cologne really is working on expanding their public rail system, and the websites appear to be legitimate. Although the total is 1.75 million euros, that's split among 8 stations, working out to an average 218,750 euros per station (minus whatever they're taking out of that to pay the staff organizing the competition). Artists are encouraged to participate, but to continue to be careful and protect their rights and finances. The call can be found here.

Update July 7th: The call is only open to citizens of EU or EU-associated countries.