18 March, 2026

Scam emails?

I have recieved two different emails, from two different names and at two different emails, this week on the same topic using almost the exact same wording. I feel like I might be dealing with scammers here. If anyone has any experience with this, I'd be grateful for input!

The first came through a new email address I've only used on Ko-fi and a new facebook page for a project I'm trying to get off the ground, there is no art posted at either site yet: "I hope this message finds you well. I recently came across your artwork and was truly impressed by your style and creative expression. I’m writing to inquire whether you currently have any original pieces or prints available for sale. If so, I would appreciate learning more about the available works, including pricing, sizes, and any relevant details. Please also let me know the best way to view your available collection. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you."

I responded that I only sell through print on demand sites, have no stock and will not sell originals online and got the response "send me your website" (I didn't. If they want something from me, they can hold a proper conversation and not make demands.)

This one came through the messaging here today, the sender is not an Art Wanted member: "Hello, I hope you’re doing well. I recently came across your work and genuinely admire your style and creative vision. I’m curating a small, digital art collection and would love to explore a potential collaboration with you if you’re open to it. Please let me know if this is something you’d like to discuss further. Best regards,"

Of course I'm interested in selling art through safe channels, and am open to collaborations, but not in dealing with scams. Any help with this is appreciated!

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10 Comments

Mark Peterson 19 Mar 2026

Sounds like scams to me... if ever in doubt I suggest to Ignore and delete. Scam emails are not uncommon on sites like this and others.

Min Wang 20 Mar 2026

I have received a similar style letter to purchase my art work a couple of times, but from a difference site I post my work. In both cases, it turned out that the offer was using bitcoin type payment that would include copyright usage. In checking further, I found out that they would only use "bitcoin" method and if I wanted dollars I would have to open a "bitcoin" type account do my own cash out. The part that I didn't like was the selling of my copyright, In the end, I told them I would only accept "dollar" payment and copyright was not included in the offer price. I never heard from them again.

Little Liz Happy Art 27 Mar 2026

Yes just delete them! If it doesn't seem right I don't even enter into a conversation with them anymore.

Min Wang 04 Apr 2026

Be careful. The possible buyer will be offering bitcoin, not cash. He or she will want the copyrights with any purchase. This is usually a scam.

Rod Savely 29 days ago

Hi - I received a similar inquiry from what appears to be a legit person - Randi Hipper - Mis Teen Crypto - and wanted to buy 5 pieces of artwork for $5000 each + 30% royalties - and I would still retain all rights and the artwork. But like the others have stated only paid with Crypto with Crypto Wallet - which I don't have. The setup on your end is simple — I would just need a high-quality digital file of the artwork, and I can guide you on the exact format so everything is done correctly.

This what she wrote. For payment, it’s done in ETH (cryptocurrency). After receiving it, you can either exchange it to dollars or euros and withdraw directly to your bank account, or choose to hold the ETH in your crypto wallet ????

You won’t need to share any sensitive banking details with me at any point, and I’ll walk you through each step so everything stays clear and secure.

Let me know if you’d like me to outline the process step by step.

You can check her videos out and on Fox Business News and another similar. She actually started out at 17 or 18 doing her own artwork as NFTs. Lives in NYC. Is it legit or not ? I'm not savvy enough in NFT and Crypto to know. I'd rather get paid a different way - PayPal? Thanks - Rod

Min Wang 29 days ago

The tip off is this.....ask them to cash out the Bitcoin and just forward cash to you. They won't do it. The other thing is, they only want an uncompressed original at a certain digital size. Although they say they don't need the copyright, supplying that non-compressed photo, you just gave them a clean photo so they can post it in other places or sites to resell and reproduce at their will.

Remember, they do not want the actual Original. But this is a scam to get you to open a wallet for Bitcoin. They will not pay you cash,,,,, stay away if you know nothing about bitcoin, protect your work first.

Rod Savely 29 days ago

Thank you, Min - much appreciated!

Michelle Gilsey 6 days ago

I just received the same email from the same girl, Randi Hipper. I have received other requests for my Art use as NFT's and I ignored them all. I do not know anything about Bitcoin or NFT's so I think I will back away and ignore this one as well. Unless, anyone on here has actually worked with this girl and found it to be successful. Thank you for listening and be safe.

Rod Savely 6 days ago

Thanks for replying, Michelle. I had eventually opted out on Randi's request as well but I did check out her website and seen the videos she had posted and how she was investing money into young people's artwork as NFTs. She did have dozens of pieces of artwork for sale as NFTs that young artists have done and Randi herself started out selling her own self - portraits as NFTs and made quite a bit. Maybe millions when she was 17 or 18 - she's now 23 and has been featured on finance news stories on Fox and NewsNation - those videos are online as well. She offered $5000 a piece for artwork and 30% royalty on sales. Of course payment would be done in Crypto - and like you, I don't have and experience in it the entire set-up and trustworthiness of it. She has videos on her website explaining how to set it all up. My son told me not to do it as he thought it was a scam. I felt somewhat vindicated the day after turning her down that an actor - Ben McKenzie - testified before congress explaining that the Crypto market was a basic Ponzi scheme and likened it to the card game 3 card monty - under which card is the money? Also that same day a few music artists and others cashed out on crypto and bitcoin complaining about the volatility of the market - probably after losing a bunch of money. I think if i did do it I would need to cash out immediately. Thanks again and take care.

Rod Savely 5 days ago

I went to Randi Hipper's website and posed the question if someone was impersonating her for this scam and haven't heard back but I'm pretty sure some is doing just that. I realized at 3 in the morning while sleeping that the endgame would be to get Social Security info especially since any payment over $600 would need a 1099 IRS form and would require all that information. I also posed the question on Google search and it did say that she was a popular one to impersonate since she is real and does buy artwork from young artists. I don't think any money would actually be sent since the 1099 info would be required first. Scammers ... ugh!!

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