Online sales from new and our family of collectors helped our gallery so much during 2020 and COVID. But as with any industry and even the good guys - nonprofits & churches - there are unethical players who make a living at scamming and taking advantage of others. Art galleries and working artists have joined the list of targets for scams. I knew a little about this trend, as one of my regular arts industry reads - Red Dot Blog posted this article “Anatomy of a Email Art Scam” April 2020 providing great detail and insight.

I’ve received various versions of this initial approach to purchase from our website as well. After a few email exchanges, my memory of the Red Dot Blog post would be triggered, and sadly I’d realize that is was not a legitimate inquiry. I am copying and pasting my latest email scammer exchanges to help spread the word to others to be aware…It’s no longer just buyers beware.

EMAIL EXCHANGES BELOW I’ve underlined sections that seem to be consistent in this type of email scam, and you’ll note throughout the inquiry unusual wording (unless English is your second+ language). But that alone doesn’t necessarily mean the inquiry isn’t genuine as we’ve shipped worldwide.
***See my final reply at the bottom and I haven’t heard anything further, yet.

On June 12, 2021 at 6:29 PM,
Squarespace <form-submission@squarespace.info> wrote:
Sent via form submission from Area 61 Gallery website
Name: Ann Kessler
Email: ann.kessler64@outlook.com
Subject: "Tomorrow's Breakfast" by Cindy Procious 16x16” Oil on linen panel, wood frame $2400
Message: Hello There,
My name is Ann Kessler from Seattle WA. I actually observed that my husband has been viewing your website on my laptop and I guess he likes your piece of work. I'm also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, You are doing a great job. I would like to purchase '' "Tomorrow's Breakfast" by Cindy Procious 16x16” Oil on linen panel, wood frame $2400 . as a surprise to my husband on our anniversary. Also, let me know if you accept CHECK as mode of Payment.
Thanks and best regards
Ann Kessler

From: Keeli Crewe, Gallery co-owner, Area 61 Gallery
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 3:49:12 PM
To: ann.kessler64@outlook.com <ann.kessler64@outlook.com>
Subject: FYI Regarding Cindy Procious Painting
Hi Ann,
When is your anniversary? (need to know timing to ensure we have time to receive a check, for it to clear, and ship it.)
I also need to know the address where the painting will be shipped, so that I can get the insured/art pack/shipping quoted.

Better Option, once I determine shipping costs, I can invoice you directly from our sales system, SQUARE, and you can pay with a credit or debit card online without ever providing your card information directly to us (it will not be saved in our system for additional security protections - plus if you use a credit card, preferably one that would give you travel or rewards points, the billing won't be seen for a month after the charge, so that can help with the surprise.)

Please provide the information above and we can move forward from there.

Keeli Crewe, Gallery Director/Co-owner
Area 61 Gallery | area61gallery.com
HOURS: 12 Noon-6pm Fri., Sat., Sun., & Mon.
Or by appointment TU-TH, call (423) 648-9367 to schedule.

721 Broad St Suite 100 | The Maclellan Building
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Area61gallery.com
SoundCrewe.com
IG & FB: @area61chattanooga

On Jun 12, 2021, at 8:05 PM,
Ann Kessler <ann.kessler64@outlook.com> wrote:

Hi Keeli,
Thanks for your response, our anniversary is about 3 weeks away.I must tell you I intend to give my husband a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece . Also If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to Canada soon and our wedding anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise one. I am buying the piece as part of gifts to him (quickly before someone else grabs it). i will authorize a CHECK to you for the payment.
As regarding shipping, you don't have to worry about that in order not to leave any clue to my husband for the surprise.My shipping agent (who is also moving my Truck and my Properties) will contact you to arrange for the pick-up of the piece (this is to avoid my husband receiving it,if been shipped directly to my address would ruin the surprise for this event). You both have to sign a proof of pick up at the most. So as soon as you receive the CHECK and it clears in your bank, my shipping agent will get intouch..
As regarding payment, I would like to inform you, that my husband handles the family credit card/bank and PayPal transaction. So i would authorize a CHECK to you for the payment.
Regards,
PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your FULL NAME as you want it to appear on the CHECK, ADDRESS (PHYSICAL ADDRESS PLS..FedEx does not deliever to P.O.BOX ) where you want the CHECK delivered by courier service including your ZIPCODE and MOBILE NUMBER, so the CHECK can be sent at the earliest.

From: Keeli Crewe
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 5:29 pm
To: Ann Kessler
Subject: Re: FYI Regarding Cindy Procious Painting

Already provided - included in previous emails. This all seems highly suspect. Maybe you can find something in Canada.
Keeli Crewe, Area 61 Gallery

On Jun 12, 2021, at 8:39 PM,
Ann Kessler <ann.kessler64@outlook.com> wrote:

How won’t i request for proper information when you didn’t specify how you want the name to appear on the check? Keeli Crewe / Area61 Gallery.
Its alright if you feel uncomfortable to proceed.
Ann Kessler

From: Keeli Crewe
Date: 6/13/2021
To: Ann Kessler <ann.kessler64@outlook.com>
Subject: Re: FYI Regarding Cindy Procious Painting

I would love to support local artists with sales of their work - and especially this lovely piece of Cindy’s. However, the full name of the gallery, address, etc. and the info you keep requesting was available in all the email correspondence, and on the website from which you first initiated the desire to purchase.
Your subsequent information requests and trucking agent etc. follow a script that all of the art community has been warned about.
I’m not sure why anyone would target artists who share their creative gifts and rarely receive the true value of their contributions and hard work put into each piece. Plus, the air of distrust created by this type of “purchase request” when trying to run an honest, legitimate small business that supports creative livelihoods is heartbreaking.

I plan to post our entire email correspondence on our public blog. If I’m wrong about this, I truly hope you support local artists in your current town and the one to which you relocate.

Keeli CreweArea 61 Gallery | area61gallery.com
HOURS: 12 Noon-6pmFri., Sat., Sun., & Mon.Or by appointment