We’ve all been there: the dreamy invite promising VIPs, collectors, and $100K. Too good to be true — because it is. Disappointed, yes. But I reply like a pro. To whom?
He follows me. A curator and collector with an impressive collection. His face shows up at good exhibitions. He likes my work. It felt... trustworthy.
But it wasn’t the message itself that raised red flags: it was the Gmail address.
So I asked him directly. He replied with one word: "FAKE."
And honestly, I’m not even angry. It reminded me of the old internet classics - the African princess inheritance email, the Bitcoin scammer with the webcam, the “Hi Mom, here’s my new number” text.
These scams have always been there: shifting shape, staying just believable enough.
And with them, there are always people who fall for it.
Artists who want to believe. Who trust. Who hope.
Because some messages still look like opportunities.
I’m sure the real ones exist too.
But they’re harder to recognize — soft around the edges, blurred by everything else.
Whisp away like smoke~
Yes, but for a moment, it felt almost real.
He follows me. A curator and collector with an impressive collection. His face shows up at good exhibitions. He likes my work. It felt... trustworthy.
But it wasn’t the message itself that raised red flags: it was the Gmail address.
So I asked him directly. He replied with one word: "FAKE."
And honestly, I’m not even angry. It reminded me of the old internet classics - the African princess inheritance email, the Bitcoin scammer with the webcam, the “Hi Mom, here’s my new number” text.
These scams have always been there: shifting shape, staying just believable enough.
And with them, there are always people who fall for it.
Artists who want to believe. Who trust. Who hope.
Because some messages still look like opportunities.
I’m sure the real ones exist too.
But they’re harder to recognize — soft around the edges, blurred by everything else.
This one was a scam — but not a stupid one.
We’re pretty sure you’ve seen messages like this too — maybe in your inbox, or through friends.
👉 Have you ever received an art scam like this?
Or worse: What if the scammer was your supposed gallerist, art dealer, or even a client?
We’re looking for real stories.
Artists for artists.
You can comment, reply, or write us directly — we’ll keep it anonymous if needed.
Let’s talk about the things we usually brush off.