..Is this a scam? EDIT - IT'S A SCAM!!!

APHOTICMOTH

Edit - found info on it. it's a scam https://www.artstation.com/artwork/6NakeV Here are others that got scammed. Beware!

It's been a long time since I've posted here. much has changed, my art subjects have changed and I don't know if it's right for me to post here anymore.. I do miss the forum though..

I thought this would be the best place to ask. I'm asking this for my sake, but others can learn from this too yeah?

Is this a scam?

They found me through artstation where I don't have a single human piece in the whole gallery....
First email:

"Hello, my name is Reese and I am an academic event organizer but I am hearing impaired, I hope my disability would not affect our dealings. I found your page on Artstation while searching for the best artist for this project. I need the service of an artist or an illustrator/cartoonist to work on a project for an upcoming workshop, I will give the idea of what I need to be illustrated/drawn and you can get back to me with the price to get it done as against my budgeted price. I will pay your fees up front if you do not mind.

Best regards,
Reese Cruz:"

I responded that I too struggle with hearing and read lips so I don't take calls unless absolutely needed and am happy to talk over e-mail, said it depends on what they have in mind..

Second email:

"Hi Cassandra, thank you for your interest in this project. These illustrations are to be used for the presentation at an event organised by The Alexander Group located in Maryland which is known for providing professional and caring services for family’s hearing health and the title of the project is:
PANDEMIC: PRECAUTION AND PREVENTION

The attendees are students between the ages of 18-25, I require your service to illustrate the under-listed scenarios, and please make it a horizontal (Landscape) presentation, cartoon styled, colored images but plain background.
The illustrations should fit on a standard letter size - ("8.5 x 11") and delivered in PDF format and I want exclusive right/perpetuity to the images, also note that these illustrations will be handed out to the participants in a printed form.

The workshop will be in two phases.

We have 4 illustrations in phase one to be finished in 6 weeks.
Also 4 more illustrations in phase two which means all should be ready in 12 weeks and available for submission before the main event.

Below is the outline of the illustrations for phase one:
*A group (not more than 7) maintain a safe distance from others (at least 1 meter).
*A group (not more than 7) getting vaccinated.

A group (not more than 7) of young and old people in a line and social distance.
The cemetery with tombstones and a caption that says " Died of Disbelief''

Below is the outline of the illustrations for phase two:

A group (not more than 7) of male and female health workers wearing a mask.
A group (not more than 7) washing their hands using soap and water.
An elderly woman taking the vaccine sitting on a chair.
A sick female patient on a hospital bed in a hospital setting.

My budget for the job is $600 per illustration, let me know if that's fine. If it's not, please get back to me with the price quote, and what would be your preferred mode of payment? I'm proposing a certified bank draft, a cashier's check or bank certified check considering the amount involved.
I look forward to reading from you soon.

Many thanks,
Reese "
They asked for humans with 0 in that folio and didn't mention seeing any of my rare human art, and the check thing feels weird.

LauraA

@CLCanadyArts Thanks! Yes, this one is going around in various forms. I searched it after I got one. The person is always somehow speech disabled, discouraging you from insisting that you talk with them in real time, and they usually want something for a workshop/presentation. Ironically, there is often a phone number given as well, which is the same for various people.

The more people that know this, the better!

APHOTICMOTH

@LauraA And it hurts because I really do have hearing problems and refuse to speak over phone unless absolutely necessary because I truly do read lips, and noone likes hearing me say, what? Can you repeat that? over and over... I also prefer text because there is also a record of what was said.I've lost work over it, and thought hey, here is someone that understands the struggle. Not.

Just all around crummy.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@CLCanadyArts yup, wherever they use the disability card, I immediately know it's a scam. Real people with disability don't do that. Also, in what way can their hearing disability affect the project? I swear, these scammers arr shameless and uncreative.

APHOTICMOTH

@Nyrryl-Cadiz by not wanting to take a phone call/voice meeting.. Some pros/companies insist on it. I've literally lost work over this because I insist on text because I struggle hard with hearing.

willicreate

@APHOTICMOTH Have you had any experience with the current generation of voice-to-text apps? There are some that work in real time.

APHOTICMOTH

@willicreate Not really. Not sure how that would work over phone or like zoom. I struggle even watching twitch streams of artists drawing and chatting. A super crisp clear mic helps but that is pretty rare, especially with a phone or zoom call.

willicreate

@APHOTICMOTH Just a quick check, but it looks like Zoom offers this service. Works on mobile too. https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/11990620676621-Using-call-live-transcription

Yeah, with mics it would require a good quality one... I use a pro gamer headset with mic. Don't suppose that would work for you?

APHOTICMOTH

@willicreate said in ..Is this a scam? EDIT - IT'S A SCAM!!!:

pro gamer headset with mic.

Bookmarking that, thank you.

I have sennheiser studio hd 280 pro headphones and a mxl 990 mic. I live in my headphones. Without them it's way more of a struggle to hear people talking.

I actually just got a referral to an audiologist to try and get some help with my severe tinnitus and hearing loss. Fingers crossed on that. Been struggling for about 25 years.

willicreate

@APHOTICMOTH Glad we can turn this scam story into a helpful one.

My mother has hearing loss, so I have some understanding with what you're going through. Searching for the best device is hard... Hope the audiologist will be of more help.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@APHOTICMOTH that's very interesting. I'm sorry that has happened to you but that's also different from this situation. when you're the one supposedly hiring and have the power to choose the mode of communication, it just becomes very fishy when you feel the need to mention your disability.

APHOTICMOTH

@willicreate For sure. Thanks for the audio to text thing for zoom. One streamer I watch has auto closed captions always on and I am super grateful for it, doesn't always translate well but better than nothing.

LauraA

@APHOTICMOTH I can certainly see how you thought it was a customized request and that made it more credible to you. That's even worse, because they send these messages to everyone, not just people who really do have disabilities. So they are impersonating disabled people, which is low.

Furthermore, they are taking advantage of the hopes artists have at the beginning their careers. We artists have to be tough and discerning all the way around. Hang in there and keep doing good work! There are legit clients are out there!

APHOTICMOTH

@LauraA Yeah people really don't care when it comes to scamming. Makes it harder on people when they really do have issues. Makes people skeptical of everyone.

I didn't get my hopes up too much. I definitely don't have a career and at this point I don't know if I even have the energy for one. Just been doing little freelance stuff. But hoping at least other people see this thread and don't fall for it.