The great art scam - I think

I'm fairly certain I have been scammed, but I'm still trying to work out how. The whole thing revolves around this picture I did in 2007, above, called Keeping Abreast.

It has, along with some of my other artworks, been for sale on Saatchi Online since it was done, without a peep of interest, until the other day, when I received an email through the site from someone asking if it was still available.

I replied that yes, it was and then I received another email from the buyer asking if he could send his personal shipping service to collect it. He also asked for my name, address and telephone number in order to raise a banker's draft to pay for it.

Now at this point my suspicions were raised. It seemed like an awful lot of trouble to go to for an A5 sized piece of work by an unknown artist. That and the fact that my correspondent's English seemed to be deteriorating progressively with every passing word.

I forwarded the email to my art dealing friend James in New York for his opinion.

James didn't reply, so on the basis that just about everyone I deal with online turns out to be essentially honest I sent Lester Hathcote, my buyer, my contact details.

And I realised straight away that I'd been a fool. Blinded by flattery, dizzy with the thought that someone would actually want to pay money for my art. But Lester Hathcote is no more real than Bugs Bunny, of that I am certain.

A fact reinforced by James' belated reply, telling me that it was obviously a scam, that the bloke's English was terrible for one thing.

But by then it was too late. Lester has my address and phone number. What he's going to do with it I can only guess. He's probably cloning a dozen SIM cards as I write.

James's reaction to my security lapse cannot be repeated here, other than to say it involved a lot of colourful language and ended by asking if I had a brain.

And now I'm left wondering exactly what Lester can do with the details I gave him. I mean it's not like he has my pincode or anything. All the same, it's a bit disconcerting.

Having looked at my Saatchi profile, Lester would also have my year and place of birth.

I have of course informed Interpol and MI5, just in case.

I wait with baited breath.

PS: I have posted the email conversation with Lester below, to show you what a fool I have been and also as a warning to others not to be hoodwinked by the flattering words of a scam merchant. Especially when he can't write. I have, of course, crossed out my address this time round.

LESTER HATHCOTE TO ME

I just saw your ad on saatchi today.I am
interested in it.Please let me know if it
is still available for sale and what your final
price is.Hope to hear from
you soon. ....

Thank You

ME TO LESTER HATHCOTE

Hi
Thanks for your interest. Yes, the artwork is still available.

LESTER HATHCOTE TO ME

Thanks for your response,i saw this masterpiece and i love it so much,i reside in Southern
England,Poole to be precise,but am in South Africa right now for an Exhibition on the Soccer World
cup Going on now .But i can arrnage with my Personal Assistant to make payment
immediately we agree on a solid term.

I am interested in immediate purchase of the piece,but before i proceed on this transaction i will
like to ask some question as follow:

1. Would you accept a (Bank Draft/Money Order) as a mode of payment?
2. What is the final asking price you can go at last?
3. Will you let our shipping company to come to your location for the pick up of the Artpiece
because we don't want you to worry yourself about the shipping of the item,my private shipping
company will be responsible for that.
4:if you agree with my terms,kindly send me your FULL NAME, CONTACT ADDRESS,TEL # to mail out the
payment to.I am ready to purchase this if you are ready too and i want you to assure me that i
would have this Artpiece because i really love it and i wish i hang it in my home in Poole.

Thank you and am expecting your earliest response to this offer.

Kind regards
Lester Hathcote

ME TO LESTER HATHCOTE

Lester.
I want to make sure you are aware of the size of the piece. This is an A5 sized artwork in a frame which takes it up to size A4 in total. It could easily be packaged securely and shipped via Royal Mail.

You are welcome to send your shipping company to collect the item but I suspect this will be at substantial additional cost to yourself.

The final asking price is as previously stated (£125 shipped framed, £100 shipped unframed) but I will deduct £10gbp if you arrange your own shipping.

I prefer to be paid via Paypal. This protects both of us and is a convenient and instant payment method. I am sure your assistant would be able to set up an account for you. You can set an account up with your hotmail address and pay me using this gmail address. It really is that simple.

Please let me know if you will be able to do this. If you would prefer me to deal with your assistant directly please pass on my email to her.

Kind regards

LESTER HATHCOTE TO ME

Hello,

We dont operate paypal .we only operate on checks and we wait upon the check to clear before we can proceed .
Kindly get back to me .

Lester

ME TO LESTER HATHCOTE

Lester
The address for sending the banker's draft / postal order to is:

Graham Hutson
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx

Tel: xxxxxxxxx

The price for the framed artwork is £125 shipped
Unframed: £100 shipped

If you wish to arrange collection the price will be:
£115 framed
£90 unframed

Feel free to call to arrange collection.

Please allow a day or so for the banker's draft / postal order to be paid in.

Kind regards
Graham Hutson


LESTER HATHCOTE TO ME

Good Morning Braham and are you and your family? Regarding to the purchase of the artwork,i have forward your details to the accounting Dept of where i work and they will be mailing to you the payment as soon as possible. When u have it to proceed to cash it and deduct your money from it .The balance will be wire to my handler to they can make arrangement for the pick up in your place.

I will be waiting to read from you

Lester

ME TO LESTER

Thanks Lester. Where do you work?

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