Scammers STINK! That includes Michelle Campbell!

Here's what I got in the old inbox this morning:

On 8/29/10 9:05 AM, "Michelle Campbell" wrote:

Good day to you.

I am so excited that I came across of your work on internet search,I am interested in purchasing these creative artworks from you.....................

"Foil Two" and "The Attack "

Let me know their various prices.and how much discounts are you going to give?I will be happy to have these selected artworks hung in our new home in South Africa.As well, I want you to take out the shipping cost.I have been in touch with a shipping firm that will be shipping other house decoratives.

We are traveling from our Seattle home to our new apartment as soon as possible.On Paying for the artworks, I will be glad to pay you with a Money Order or Cashier`s check in US funds that can be easily cashed at your local bank,please let me know on how to proceed for the payment of the creative artworks.

I will await your advise on how to proceed.Have a wonderful day.

Take care,
Michelle Campbell

So at first I'm a little suspicious.  Hopeful but suspicious.  Why? Mainly because she claims to be interested in two major art purchases when she moving out of the country. Who does that? And she wants a discount AND she wants me to waive the shipping? OKAYYYYYYYYY....no.

So at this point you may be wondering why I haven't deleted this email already. Well,  I actually have had some very "cheeky" yet legitimate requests from clients before so I wasn't totally put off.  Also,  I'm hyper-focused on my studio's bottom line lately.

The question is: Is this a legitimate inquiry or is it a scam?

Trying to think positively,  I spent the whole afternoon, mentally drafting my response. I was about to send my reply and try to work with this person (with the caveat that I couldn't ignore the shipping cost..WTH?) when I thought to check out her online presence.

I searched for the name "Michelle Campbell" in the Google search engine and came across several posts. "She" has been making the rounds. But "she" is not alone. Apparently, there are lot of STINKO scammers trying to take advantage of artists. Like we don't have enough to deal with...!

The first blog I came across about this specific scam was Lori Woodward Simon's.

Here is another good site to learn more art scammers:
http://stopartscams.blogspot.com/

There is a lot of information out there. So fellow artists take the time to look. It can save you some serious head and heartache!