Interesting attempted scam

[joosttx]

Yesterday, I got a DM on Instagram from a guy named Noah_Liam477. He said his son’s birthday was coming up and he wanted to commission a photo from me. I was honored and wrote back telling him just to pick one from my IG feed and I’d email him the file and he could print and frame himself at no charge. I literally told him to pay it forward.

He kept on insisting on buying something. So I offered him the book I made and I said pay me Venmo or PP. He asked to write a personal check. I said fine (at this point my ears perked up). They he said his child was going to write check from a child’s saving account which sends an encrypted file which is a check that I download and print up and cash and that his Mother was going to contact me with the details. <Blocked and Report>

[eippo1]

A reddit poster had a similar scam happen to him. He was asked for a commission and then overpaid via check by approximately $100.

The buyer then harassed them with threats that they need a check or Venmo back etc. Of course, the overpaid check will most likely bounce and if the artist sent them $$ back then they'd be out the money and get nada.

[C40_guy]

Either that or the file contains a virus.

But it seems like a lot of work to deliver a virus...

[tbike4]

OK sometimes a check needs to be written. Your share of an estate, etc..
The mention of a check just makes me run if a buyer mentions it. If checks did not exist anymore that is fine. I don't write them. The receiver takes 3 months to cash it. What a pain.

[C40_guy]

Buying a used car and a used SylvanSport Go trailer tomorrow, two separate face to face transactions. Both cash. Pockets bulging.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Either that or the file contains a virus.

But it seems like a lot of work to deliver a virus...

Probably both. He could of gotten me if he was a little more cool or if I was a little more greedy.

[bikinchris]

Originally Posted by joosttx

Probably both. He could of gotten me if he was a little more cool or if I was a little more greedy.

ALL scams need to have a rushed time table and or greed getting the mark to think they're getting something they don't deserve.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by bikinchris

ALL scams need to have a rushed time table and or greed getting the mark to think they're getting something they don't deserve.

Not really. I think a lot of the “Amazon refund” scams prey upon the kindness of others. I got lucky, errr privileged, because I offered to give away my photos for free.

[AngryScientist]

That's interesting. Was this person a follower of yours or did they come out of the blue?

I just watched the Netflix mini-series "The most hated man on the internet" and it's fascinating the lengths people will go through to hack other people for whatever motivation.

Glad you caught it before there was a problem.

[joosttx]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

That's interesting. Was this person a follower of yours or did they come out of the blue?

I just watched the Netflix mini-series "The most hated man on the internet" and it's fascinating the lengths people will go through to hack other people for whatever motivation.

Glad you caught it before there was a problem.

They friended me and then DM’ed me. They followed about 600 people and were followed by 400 or so people. He had one post. His account was private and he did not accept my friend request.

[IJWS]

"It's my son's birthday".....