Sat 5 Jan 2008
Israeli art student scam in Melbourne?
Posted by Matt under Colourful stuff (content warning) , Wacky moment of the weekLast night I was having dinner when there was a knock at the door. A very skinny, dark skinned kid about 20 was at the door. He claimed to be an Israeli art student (from Tel Aviv university. But that uni doesn’t offer art on it’s curriculum page) selling paintings, only ‘he wasn’t allowed to sell his own work’. His English wasn’t too bad.
Strangely for an Israeli guy he didn’t seem to know about Caufield and Balaclava - two of the biggest Jewish areas in Melbourne. He said he was staying outside of Melbourne.
The whole time he was showing us his paintings, it was in the back of my mind that I’d heard this story before. Then I found this link from 2004. The elephant painting in this article was in this art kid’s portfolio. Small co-incidence? There are a whole bunch of articles about possible Mossad spy activity in the US and a bunch of Israeli art students being deported. Some were caught at DEA building and military areas. Very, very suss.
Like the link above, the guy told me someone would be in touch about having it framed. This is not something i’m looking forward to.
If any of you guys here of Israeli art students going door to door in Melbourne, please comment here. I am dying to find out what is going on. Because clearly they’re not art students. But why would they be repeating this scam in Melbourne?
At best it’s second-rate art sold at a premium. At least according to this New Zealand article again from 2004, suggesting there’s nothing more sinister than that. I suspect as they’re suggesting, it is simply art of no value mass produced in China. Mostly copies of the real deal.
Would be very interested to see if there are any more occurrences of this…
Follow up 11/02/08: after 8 comments, 1 email and a link to this page from a Russian site, this is a proven scam. Even the Northern Territory Police have issued a warning. This scam is being worked from Russia, to Arizona, to Auckland and everywhere in between. Thanks all for the continued feedback. Please keep it coming!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
In phoenix, Az (United States). Just happened to me about 3 hours ago!!! Felt suspicious, so I came to surf the net. Not sure why I was targeted. May be they are targeting people at random. Will report to police.
Zoe
January 10th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
It happened to us here in Brisbane earlier this evening. Lovely young lady, very convincing. I was just about to hand over a cash cheque (several hundred dollars) for 3 paintings but got quite suspicious and I told her I’d think about it. Luckily I remembered something I had seen on TV. We contacted the local police but they’re unaware of the scam but are looking into it.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Happened to us last night (14/1/08) in the Hills district in Sydney! We live in a quiet cul-de-sac in the burbs - not sure why they targeted our area. We were suspicious (I asked lots of questions and while very pleasantly answered, they were a little evasive and blamed lack of information on ‘bad English’), but we liked the artwork.
Our guy claimed he was on a ‘project’ from the Israeli art school he attended and they travelled round the world offering the ‘unique’ chance to buy quality art done by up & coming art students. He said he was staying at Bondi (no where near where we live). (He also sounded more French than Israeli!)
He tried to get inside a few times by saying he’d bring different prints in so we could see them on our wall - not sure if he was trying to case the place and come back later and break in. He was also pushing his ‘framer friend’ who could supposedly do professional work for cheap prices if we gave him our phone number to give to him.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Interesting the exact same thing occured at our house in Newcastle last night. A young Israeli art student selling painiting. he was very friendly and even did some juggling for our kids before trying to sell paintings. He said he was with a group of 95 students selling art world wide for an art project. Cost $ 200 for a painting or 2 for $ 350.00. He was not the artist as they are not allowed to sell their own works. Said if we give him name an phone number someone will contact us to frame the pitcures.
I have no idea what is going on. Maybe he is legimate and it is just our untrusting nature that meant we did not by one.
January 18th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Last night, a young woman came to our door in Flagstaff Hill, a suburb of Adelaide. She carried a portfolio of paintings she wished to sell us. She said she was part of a group of 75 “International” Art Students. I asked where she came from and she replied, “Israel.”
The paintings looked like cheap reproductions that she was selling for $100-200 because “art galleries were charging too much”. Thanks to computers and digital cameras, almost any art can be transferred to canvas very cheaply.
I’d heard about Israeli art students in the US and Canada, associated with the young Israelis reported dancing and celebrating as the first plane hit the WTC north tower on 9-11. Later they were detained by police and explosive residues were detected by dogs and connections to Mossad were revealed. A few months later they were deported to Israel.
Israeli art students had been reported living very close to the so-called “Arab hijackers” in Florida and others were attempting to gain access to secure US federal facilities.
Are they just cover for Israeli spying? I don’t know. A few years ago two Israelis were caught in New Zealand trying to steal the passport of a helpless handicapped man and they spent a few months in prison. Are Israeli “art students” polling Australian neighbourhoods in search of opportunities to steal passports, ascertaining goyim gullibility, or merely selling cheap art at double or triple the cost? I don’t know…but I certainly didn’t need cheap art on my wall for $200, unframed.
January 29th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I’m in Quakers Hill (2763) and we had them come here. I figured it was probably a scam with mass produced paintings being sold marked-up, but I also liked some of the pictures so thought - well if they are a price I’m happy with, why not?
However we got suspicious when discussing Van Gogh and were told he died in the 70’s……..hmm and then that his Cafe Terrace painting was in the Louvre museum, which I know isn’t coz I’ve been there!
Once I read the terrorist stories online (freaksihly identical speech and description of process) I called the Suspicious hotline number here and spoke to a lovely old man who kept saying - oooh really?????????? and he took down the details to add to the files.
Then I called our local Police and reported them as suspicious.
I don’t think it’s linked to the terrorist thing, I rekon they’re just illegal immigrants trying to make a quick buck.
We managed to get one of them on webcam video!!
Although I really did like the picture of the Tour de France………………..
January 29th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hi,
I had a similar incident yesterday. The guy selling the paintings looked more of a spanish origin that israil. He claimed to be a student. Any way i got 2 paintings from him. It was clear to me that there was more than what meets the eye. He was really suspicious. I got his telephone number and called him today. He answered the phone. He also gave me acontct number for a guy who does frames.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Orchard Hills NSW Wednesday 6 February. A skinny dark skinned woman, early 20’s claiming to be an Israeli art student selling paintings of her co-students. Said her name was Yaara & gave the mobile phone number 0401 165 825. Was not allowed to sell any of their own work. Had a good range of paintings, landscapes, abstract, etc., and yes she did have the Tour de France painting too. Spoke with a VERY French accent. Said she had a mobile framer who would come to the house if we bought. Said she was leaving for New Zealand at the end of the week.
February 21st, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Hmmm ok well now they are in Ballarat, Vic! I just had two people come to my door, a tall young man with an beautiful accent and a young short pretty girl. Again it was the 75 international students selling art. They said they were leaving Ballarat in the morning to continue travelling. The art was gorgeous and I was tempted, but my husband is the art freak and he was working and isn’t home until midnight. Hmmm wondering now if I escaped a nasty scam?
February 21st, 2008 at 7:19 pm
We’ve had two visits in our leafy cul-de-sac in Sydney’s inner west. Last year a pretty Irish girl, tonight a pretty French one. Sorry but I’m just not that gulllible.
I suspect they are simply backpackers getting paid a commission to hawk grossly overpriced ‘art’ door-to-door, and if we investigated we’d find ads in the paper or somewhere aimed at recruiting these people. If the pics are mass produced it would have to be pretty lucrative for the people operating the scam and it’ll be a while before the world is onto it.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
March 6, 2008
We just had a young girl hawking these paintings in Chandler, Arizona. A new twist is that she said it was just her and a girlfriend. She wanted in the house…um, yeah, no. She said each painting was $150. Also, she claimed the paintings were hers and some friends from Tel Aviv. We didn’t buy any. Debating on calling the police.
March 9th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I had a similiar occurance happen the week before Christmas. A young man with a strong accent came to our front door selling us paintings that his fellow students had composed (the artwork was priced between $150 - $200, and he mentioned that art was too dear to buy from art galleries). He had roughly 30 paintings with him that he stood on a stand to present to us.
He did also mention that he was waiting to be picked up by his friends and was staying in Sydney. I enquired about a website or an email address, and he said that one had not been developed as yet. I did not purchase any of the pictures and did not take or give any details to him. The next week a girl came to our front door with the same artwork.
Perhaps some kids trying to make money.
Who knows?
March 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
The Tel-Aviv Art student scam has reached Chandler, az. I just had one here at about 6:30 p.m. I smelled scam, so I called the authorities.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
We are in Perth, Western Australia, and we just had a similar incident. 2 young girls, said they were part of an international art group, going around selling their oil paintings. I would like to know if this really is a scam. They said someone would give us a call back who could do the framing.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Yes its a scam…but no it’s nothing to do with Mossad etc…I had a similar experience in New Zealand a couple of years ago when Orlia Mirov (a cute young israeli girl) turned up on my doorstep. After awhile (4 weeks after I started dating her….) she confessed that most students in israel are aware of the scam and try to use it to fund trips around the world. There is a supplier based in Australia who provides the guys in Australia and New Zealand and they pay about $40 - $50 (NZ dollars) per print. If your looking for your money back by all means e-mail her at orliaa@walla.co.il.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
THESE ART SOLD IN GALLERIES FOR THOUSENDS IS THAT MAKES GALLERIES A SCAM ?
JUST GIVE THEM A BRAKE , IT’S BETTER TO BUY FROM THEM THAN SPENDING 10 TIMES AND MORE IN GALLERIES.
YOU WOUNDN’T LIKE TO SPEND 5,500$ IN VEGAS GALLERY (LIKE SOMEONE THAT I KNOW) AND THEN MEET THESE GUYS AND UNDERSTAND YOU’VE COULD BUY SAME KIND OF PAINTING FOR MUCH LESS!
WELL I GUESS THERE’S A CAPS LOCK FREAK WHO CAN’T SPELL IN EVERY PACK ISN’T THERE!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Well i don’t know folks , i have seen thier art before… I think that whether it’s been painted by them or someone else it’s still looks good and thier price are much reasonable than everywhere else .
March 16th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Door to door is a great way to make money for young people.
We are all loves oil painting. Aren’t we?
It’s better than buy stupid things at the mall
March 18th, 2008 at 6:03 am
They just hit Brisbane - same story, same (I suspect) mass produced “art”. Many paintings familiar from cheap outlets here
March 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Hey i was working as a gallery-framer before , my boss always told me he gets the art from students and yet he offered the paintings for a retail price of at least a grand for a piece !
some galleries selling the same kind of art , so i guess it’s better (and cheaper) to get your decor from these dudes. still they’re selling thier reproductions for much less than thier recommended retail price. and just so you know - an original one of a kind piece will cost you not less than your annual income.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Yes, now is Brisbane. Pretty young Israeli girl saying she’s from a company called Mondyam (which has an Israeli website, pity we can’t read Hebrew!).
March 25th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I had a visit last night (March 24 2008) from a young French man, Pierre, selling paintings. He claimed to have won a prize of a trip to Australia from the Paris Art School. The prize did not include accommodation, so he had to sell his paintings. In a gallery he would charge $1300 but he was limited in selling them door to door by law, for $250.00. I liked some of the paintings and hecame into the hallway to try them on the wall. I didn’t buy anything, but in speaking to a colleague who lives in a neighbouring suburb, that she was visited lasrt week by two ‘French’ girls with a similar story. I reported the incident to the police as I wondered if they were looking for places to break into at a later time. The police were going to follow up on the matter.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Just had a young woman here at Lindfield. Said she was from Brest in France and had gone to an art school in Paris. She said she was staying at Manly backpackers.She said that the paintings were $200 but usually sell for $500 in galleries. Some were of Provence and others were of Africa. Some traditional and others very modern.We didn’t buy any.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:26 am
We live North of Sacramento, Ca and I just had a guy show up at my house today selling the art. He told me the same story except he said he painted some of the pictures. I guess they go every where.
April 10th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
April 8 2008
In response to your israeli art scam, to let a bit of light on your questions it is a scam as far as price goes to a point. we were targeted and bought three prints which we love and look great, however they are not original pieces they are reproductions some more than others. You can look on ebay and see them for sale as low as $50.00.I do not know what they sell for once bidding is done.Do your research on the net. There is an isreli power seller which sells alot of the prints on offer and im sure you can buy them cheaper that way. The quality appears great and you can really smell the oil, however I am not an art expert. The framer does come in and frame them at reduced price compared to retail outlets and is very polite. we probably did pay art gallery prices but if you likr the prints bargain diligently with the price.
April 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Hi Everyone - These “students” have just hit Carindale in Brisbane. I bought one of “their” paintings (Venice scene) for $220. But you know what? I like it and I have artwork from art galleries and they do cost much more! However, I have cancelled my credit card to be on the safe side and did not give them my details. Also got “Avi From Israel”’s mobile phone, and to be cheeky, I rang it infront of him. Tee hee, he nearly sh*it himself! But the mobile number is legitimate - 0415 507 292. I told him I didn’t need a framer and both (a girl, “Julie”) were not invited into the house. The way I see it, I have just helped some international backpackers have a better holiday in Australia, so I won’t bother calling the Police. Funny thing is, they were both so nervous I had to have a laugh!!! Hope doing the wrong thing is worth it for them…
April 16th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Hi,
Feel a bit ill reading all of these posts. We are in Kalgoorlie 6430 and were targeted tonight. Just thought to Google door to door painting scams after the hubby said ” There’s nothing suss about what we just did is there?” We are a bit naive I guess and were totally won over by the sweet, honest, french sounding 26 year old hawker by the name of Carine. We had neither the money or intention to buy art at 6:30pm on a Tuesday when you are dealing with the kids but I guess she is very practiced in the subtleties of sales. We bought 4 canvases for $600!!! A lot of clams for us, but I had just purchased a print for $160 as a wedding pres and thought what a steal. Happy I guess? with our purchases but will definitely steer clear of of using ‘their’ framer after reading the posts and very regretful of giving our contact details. I will be ringing the local paper first thing in the morning to suggest an article on these goings on before more Kalgoorlie residents part with their hard earned cash.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:08 am
I just bought two for $ 150.00 each. They are worth the money….I guess the scam part is the israel student story which I did not believe anyway. The frame girl just came by and she has the frames in her car..they are much cheaper than the stores..still a good deal!!.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:16 am
The Oils are from China and are massed produced originals. The average cost for the 20×24 is $5.00. The art is consigned to the kids for $75.00. I owned one of the larger art factories in the US and ran into the owners of this worldwide scam. It is amazing how they have sold all over the world saying the same pitch.
April 17th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Hi there,
It actually happened to us couple nights ago, here in Brisbane. A young woman name Emily (not sure if it’s her real name) came to our house and told us from Tel Aviv and all… showing several paintings, very persistent. We happen wanting to buy an art work for a birthday gift so we ended up buying one of it.
And then she was offering a discount if we buy more than one, which we declined and then she called her supervisor, David, who eventually came and gave more discount. At that moment I got suspicious. However we ended up only buying one worth $170 They even had this phone number which they refer it as their office. (02) 66803264 and an ABN 55626494798.
Not sure if this details are all true.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I got scammed too! I bought but don’t mind the painting in fact i love it! A Paris street with the Eiffel tower in the middle in blue and white tones. Would have preferred the honesty and still would have bought. They were selling for $200 but i only paid $150. I figured she (Juliette)a pretty young woman with green eyes was working her way around Australia and was making some quick money. She said she was a French art student traveling around and has been to Sydney already and seen Bondi, Manly and the Blue Mountains. She said they were planning on going to the 12 Apostles this weekend. No offer of framing.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Hey there! I am in Aberdeenshire,Scotland, UK and I just had the Israeli art student thing happen. I did buy one though knowing that it was kind of a scam. I really liked the painting I bought but then thought I would check others experiences. He used the lavatory( I kept an eye) and he also had a glass of water( I have his finger prints, ha,ha!)He asked for my telephone number and said only if he gave me his, which he did and made him show me it on his mobile phonebook! He looked confused and I think he left wondering who scammed who! He said a framer would be in touch. I said , ‘oh do you frame as well as paint and interior design’ and he seemed uncomfortable with my questions and said that he couldn’t speak great english! I just wanted to give him a run for his money and mine!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
A nice young lady called Nofar came around to my place last night (Sunshine Coast Qld). The paintings were really nice. She said she could take a small cash deposit if we didn’t have the money and later we could transfer money to her. I asked for her number in case I decided to buy one later. She said she didn’t know her # but offered to ring my phone so I’d have her number. It was 8pm and I think all our lights were off as we were putting the kids to bed, I wondered whether it was a front to break-in, though the area where I live is not very rich, neither are we so she lucked out there. She said they were travelling around Australia, about 75 of them from Israel. Where can we buy these nice China rip-offs for $5 - I want one!
May 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I was scammed last night 05.05.08, in St Clair NSW (Australia). Young Russan man came to my door to sell me some very nice art work. I am an old art student and really admired the paintings. But after paying for one painting total $180.00, the Russan gentleman about 20years old kept pushing to buy more. I did think maybe it is a scam, but I did get a nice picture out of him.He kept telling me I could just leave a dept and get back to him later. But I live alone and was worried about if it was a scam, I could be robbed and be home alone at the time. Just hope nothing bad happens now that I have made a purchase.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Looks like they are in the western suburbs of Sydney NSW again. The first time around January it was youngish south american male and on Sunday (11th May) it was a dark skinny Isralie male from tel aviv - also youngish.
Thanks to this site i have now been giving this some thought and will be more wary next time - im sure they will be back again !
May 15th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Well we had them here in Jindalee last night - we didn’t have the cash so they offered to come back. I got concerned when they said that we could drive to the ATM ! Despite that we bought one that we loved tonight when she returned.Sweet girl - Gwen came back tonight without the guy from the previous night. Checked and it is an oil painting and is on canvas ie not glazed posters. They said they were students from a French art school on scholarship with their teacher backpacking around Australia. We had been backpackers - know how tough it is .I am not sure if they painted the pictures themselves as he tried to tell us a picture of obvious trees by a waterway was an abstract picture of the Pinnacles in WA ! which we had been to so pretty much knew what we were looking at.Though we are still happy with the price and the picture - now just worried that they might come and rob the place !
When Gwen left she had to walk around the suburb for another 45 minutes ( at 7pm ) until her ride came back - which I was a bit concerned about. She looked tired and broke like most backpackers so maybe we helped her a bit . I hope it is nothing more than that.
May 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
They have hit england!! bought some paintings in Berkshire last year from a door to door israeli student… very strange!
May 19th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Yes we unfortunately became one of their victims a month or so ago in
Mt Gambier,South Australia,we found we were scammed in a news article a couple of days after the framer had been.
The worst part for me was the lies,so much so we have removed the paintings from the wall. The boys seemed so genuine,we invited them into our home, made them coffee and gave them something to eat, talked about our cultures & even offered to take them out for a meal.I did find it strange though that one of them was struggling to make eye contact most of the time.Sadly I guess this is the way of the world these days,through it we did learn a valuable lesson,from now on it’s once bitten twice shy.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
2 Guys name Ethan and Matt came to my house in Birkdale Qld last night and scammed me out of $2500. Took plenty of time and care going around my house, designing a new look in my new home. I asume that the reason they may have targeted me is that we are in a new home and that they knew that I may be in need of some paintings on my wall. They took the time to say the right things about my interior design and aranged pictures on walls to see how it looked. I always swore that I would never be taken by these type of people, but they knew the exactly what to say, and how to say it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I live in Townsville & I had a visit from these so called artists last night. Same story, a young guy & girl selling art for students back in Israel. Thing is that they sounded kinda French! The art was very nice & I was interested in a painting of 2 blue elephants for $140. I was a bit suspicious & told them I would have to think about it. I discovered my elephants “original” on the internet, a guy in the U.S. posted it on there after being scammed. They called me back today & when I told him about my discovery he said oh, maybe it limited edition! I told him I thought he was lying & that he should tell the truth..he abruptly said goodbye & hung up. My relatives in Ballarat actually purchased one of these paintings 3 months ago.
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Just had a guy at my door tonight in The Gap Brisbane - after he said “I am a French Art Student’ and proceeded to show his ‘works’ - I angrily said “I am not interested” and slammed the door shut. Afterall - it’s dinnertime!!! Now I read these posts, I am glad I did!!
May 26th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Monday 26 May 2008
Since I am posting - obviously been ripped off too! Tonight in Highfields just north of Toowoomba Queensland Australia. Same deal as everyone else same price. We like the paintings and my husband handed over the money which was really weird that we even had cash on us. Instantly after he left I felt sick that he was probably casing the place and would come back to rob us! at least I am sure after reading this that that wont happen they were just after the quick buck from very gullible idiots!
Will be ringing local police to inform them tomrrow.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
GREFFR GRFFER
May 31st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
We’ve just had two fellows selling paintings at our home in western Brisbane. After seeing the paper work, I thought I’d do a quick check. I don’t know if it is a scam or not, but I like the paintings I bought.
In the conversation there was nothing suspicious, Gabrielle told us about the project, how they travelled in different parts of the world bringing art to people in their homes.
It wasn’t until I invited my parents over, (my father has a very good eye for art and design) that Ethan, noticed my mothers necklace that has her name in Hebrew letters. He read the name and asked if my mother was jewish. She isn’t, but this was the first indication that these fellows were Israeli. My parents have traveled to Israel and they were able to talk about a number of places they had been.
The paintings are definitely oil and not digital photos put on canvas. I’ve done these myself. The painting I’ve purchased have texture (in the paint itself) and have an oil paint smell. They might be copies but they are very good in my opinion.
We did ask if they were one off originals and we were assured that they were not.
I believe we got good value as we had been considering actual prints from an art store that were certainly more that the ~$170 we paid per painting. I think it was a fair exchange.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The other night on the Gold Coast a very nice young Israeli fellow came to my home and I bought a painting from him for $160.00, he explained it was not an original but a copy and was painted by a student. It has a strong oil paint smell and two white paint smudge marks at the top of each corner as if it had just been painted. A friend has said it is a painting but of course a copy and asked me if I liked it, I think it is beautiful and even though I could not afford it I do love my painting and I guess that’s all that matters.
June 8th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Yes we too had the same thing happen in Keperra in Brisbane a few weeks ago (May 2008) - a french male art student came door to door selling original paintings for $200 each. We had him inside for coffee - he seemed like a sweet kid. We bought one - a naked lady - very lovely - and although I felt a little sick when I read this I agree that it was fairly reasonably priced, we still like it. The only worry is whether they might come back to our house at a later date but I agree with some of the other people, I think it is just a scam to make some money, I don’t think they will come back at a later time (I hope). They probably do an area in a few weeks and then leave.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I actually worked as a sales person selling paintings door to door.
In total I think the customer gets a good deal.
NO they do not cost $5 they cost more then that, but there is profit in it like any product.
Regarding the story I can truly say that in general it feels like the customer actually asks for the art student story, as it is the only thing that gets you the customers to listen, and the guy/girl get to show you their product. After 5 days per week of hundreds of doors slamming in your face (some times in a rude way) well some times it’s easier to say you are an art student and actually talk to the people then to get another door in your face.
So in total just remember that the guy/girl is already having a harder time then most people.
do not believe the story but if you like the art (and it is really an artist sitting and painting this art with oils) i will not recommend to pay more then 190$ (gallery’s do sell reproductions for much much more).
If you did not find what you are looking for you can check this website : http://www.rtgallery.com
I have already ordered from them and the quality is great.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am
We live on the Gold Coast, Queensland and were targetted with the art student - Iraeli girl selling paintings about 2 years ago. And yes we did buy paintings and we did get them framed also. I guess we were fooled like many others.
June 12th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
They were in Wilston, Brisbane tonight ~6pm.
Girl who did the talking with a guy. I’d seen her earlier by herself walking down the street - I thought she was a student heading to uni. Bit suspect that they waited until after sunset before door knocking.
They were apparently French? Girl quite tan, shoulder length sun-streaked thick brown hair. Green top. Guy short, skinny with closely shaved head and stubble - looked a bit rough. Dark shirt with writing on it. They were carrying two A1 folders/portfolios - one green, one blue.
I was busy and had no money anyway. Asked for a business card or something but they didn’t have one. After they left, I got concerned that maybe they were casing the place. Lucky we’re the poor people in the street
nothing worth stealing here.
Then when I returned home around 8:30pm, they were sitting at the end of our street(dead end)in the dark. Looked suss so called the police. Better to be safe than sorry. I think they were gone by the time the cops arrived.
June 16th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
French student “Manu Charrier” (did the tour de france painting, the square apple tree and the 2 nomads) came tonight in Toowong Brisbane with a colection of his friends paintings. $200 a painting. Nice pieces, smelt real but all the paintings looked too familiar. Probably reasonable value but if I am going to buy a copy would prefer to buy one I selected.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:50 am
This exact same thing happened to me last night on the Sunshine Coast Qld.It was around 6.30pm and i had not long got home from work when and Israeli girl knocked on my door with all these paintings in tow.Strangely i was stand offish the whole the time but still proceeded to purchase one,that i cannot work out as i was suspicious the whole time as she showed me no identification at all.I am kicking myself now at how i handled the situation last night and wish i had of slammed the door in her face to begin with.Alas i guess we learn from our mistakes and all i can do now is enjoy my painting(which by the way does have a strong oil smell as mentioned in other messages) and cut my losses and move on.I am still deciding weather or not to report it to the authorities.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Grange, Brisbane today @ 4pm and I invited him back when my husband was home @ 8pm. Stupid stupid us bought two for $550 but luckily I paid by cheque and therefore now have the paintings but cancelled the cheque. I am more than happy to hand the paintings back should he come knocking again. I had a tall ‘french’ bloke, though husband was suss on him being French. He said he paints under the name Claude but real name Louis and we bought a black and white Canal of Versailles and then a blue Tour De France painting by Anne - apparently real name Christine. I seriously feel extremely stupid and whilst I always do silly things like this my husband doesn’t so I blame him
June 25th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Last night a student called “David” knocked on our door at around 8pm offering us about 10 works of art at about $100~$150 a piece. I carefully inspected each one whilst carrying a conversation and then picked the piece that I thought most caught my eye. Then I went back inside to get the $100 he wanted for this piece that his “friend (signed by Leony)” had painted - a group of colourful musicians.
All through this I didn’t even suspect that it could have been suspicious. Only after the deal was done did I then Google it, just in case. And of course this came up! Along with all the other comments as recent as the 22nd… Silly me.
“David” also clamed to have served his stint in the Israeli army and that he was not a religious Jew, only going to Synagogue for special occasions.
Well, that was my story. The painting is still rather nice though. I think I will display it.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I have just been hit in Canberra, Australia.
These guys really do get around huh?
Had a student looking type come to my door, said he was from israel studying art here, in his first year. and proceeded to show me the portfolio of artworks. none of them were priced over $200 though. I asked him to exchange details so i could think about which one i wanted and get in touch with him. So i have his number at least. and i ahve rung it and gotten his voice mail, same guy.
but what’s more concerning to me (the art was nice, i didnt buy any but wouldnt feel too ripped off i did) is that he might have been casing my house for a break in. I would like to know if anyone has suffered any further consequences from these door knockers? has anyone been broken into after theyve come past?
June 25th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
UPDATE: Have since reported my suspicious visitor to the local police. turns out they were aware of him cause one of them got done themselves! haha. he said he wasnt too dissapointed cause he still got a painting he really liked but felt a bit silly. as far as they are aware there have been no follow up break ins linked with this incident as i explained this was my main concern. so im relieved to know that i shouldnt be expecting a break in soon.
Although i must say, to the people who have been ripped off for thousands… you should really be a bit more cautious of handing out your money so freely. i couldnt imagine handing out that sort of figure for some paintings that i havent researched.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:49 am
6/23 - Hit in Kanas, US. We bought some paintings, became suspicious and found this site as well as others. I cancelled the check and we have contacted authorities. I called back the Israeli art student who painted all of these wonderful paintings. I let him know we were aware of his fraudulant sales tactics . . . of course he pretended offense and said he would be by to pick them up. I told him we were waiting to hear from the police and more than likely, he would be able to pick them up from them.
June 28th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
well I feel both stupid and relieved! I haven’t bought a painting.. yet. Avo (a French sounding Israeli) came around selling the same art student story ( he did say that he had done a couple of the pics). I liked one of them but didn’t have money on me so he left the pic with me and arranged to come back in an hour. It’s been a couple of hours now and I haven’t seen him again. While I’ve been waiting I decided I didn’t like the pic as much as I originally thought and was suspicious about a few things: he didn’t seem to know some common art terms, blaming not knowing English; not selling just his own stuff; and I couldn’t understand why he would target this area to sell art as it is largely industrial and state housing. It all seemed a bit weird so I thought I’d do a bit of an “art scam” internet search and found this site. If he comes back I’ll be giving him his picture back. Fortunately he was intimidated by my dog so if it was a set up for a burglary then hopefully they’ve been put off!
June 29th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This is really really nice !! to see that people are so active about the legal side of operations.
The person you see at your door might be a traveler , the one i’ve bought paintings from made a pencil portrait of me in 30 minutes - a good one !
These paintings are hand painted and they’re sold in gallery’s around the world for 900$-10,000$.
I guess in total people get a good deal, as every one knows nike make their shows in china and it cost them around 3$ but can you buy a real nike for less then 100$ ? and if you go to the mall you will pay for the same nike 200$ cuz of the rent.
In total it is up to you if you buy or not.
i still like the pieces i got, who ever made them i sure they worth every penny .
July 1st, 2008 at 7:38 pm
You know guy’s, I am reading all of these comments.
I think if you look at the general picture what Nick said before is probably the most true.
We all try and make money what ever we sell, and I guess door to door is a hard way and so they need a larger profit to compensate for the trouble.
I think if you payed $150-$190 you got a good deal, I saw paintings in gallery’s in cains that for sure where not original but where still sold for over $3000.
Anyway in the end I decided to order from the website ( RTgallery.com) Nick told us all about and I am happy with the 2 Van Gogh’s and Monet that I got.
Thank you Nick for the good tip
Joe.
July 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Wow,
Scam? Someone has still painted these pictures. I have five and love them all. Yes I am concerned about the same old, casing the house thing but as far as art go’s it sound like most of you should visit one of those two dollar shops, you might find what you are after in their. What do you expect for $150-200?
July 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Wow,
Scam? Someone has still painted these pictures. I have five and love them all. Yes I am concerned about the same old, casing the house thing but as far as art go’s it sound like most of you should visit one of those two dollar shops, you might find what you are after in there. What do you expect for $150-200?
July 5th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
They’re in the East riding of Yorkshire, UK now!!
I had a girl come to my door last night using them same story, she was trying to get a cheque out of me but I couldn’t afford to buy paintings at them moment she wasn’t happy but tough I’m not giving cheques to complete strangers because of the risk of identity theft for starters. I knew from the start she wasn’t teling thr truth.
Even if you get the paintings they’re all still scam artists because they lie and I’d be worried about them targeting vunerable old people etc. I reported the incident to the police.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:39 am
The only people I think that are getting scammed here are the poor Chinese sweat shops that are producing these paintings! Regardless they are all authentic, copies or not, they are still actual oil paintings! Victims are the people that are doing the painting, cheap are the people that are complaining. I agree with Scott (July 4th) if you are worried you are getting ripped off then you should visit the 2 dollar shops. I absolutely love my two paintings and could not be more proud that I got such a deal (2 for $260.00). I will buy more when they come around again!
July 11th, 2008 at 4:29 am
That happened here in San Jose, Ca last week!!! We were going to have them at another building tomorrow!! We almost bought the tour de rance painting!!
July 12th, 2008 at 12:48 am
They come through Green point near Gosford on the 08/07/08 saying they were from Israel
We loved most of the Paintings and decided to buy 4 of them but told them they would have to wait till the end of the week to pick up the money. I started to worry about who I was giving our money to and had a look on the Internet and found this article that describes what happened and describes the paintings that we had shown to us. So I called the police on 131 444 and they are coming tomorrow to check out what is going on. Every one of you people should do the same because you have no idea what you are funding how would you feel if you found out you were supporting another terrorist attack like what happened in Bali or 9/11 how would you feel if your finger prints were pulled off cash found on a suicide bomber or even a drug runner selling ice or heroin. If there is nothing nasty going on here then why all the lies and why wouldn’t they advertise in local papers and have a website. I would have been mighty upset if i had these paintings hung in my house and a visitor had pointed out that i had been scammed. So PLEASE call the police 131 444 and turn the tide on these scum bags weather you like the paintings or not and of course you are going to like them after all they are world famous paintings well copies of any way.
July 13th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
We bought 2 paintings which are pretty damn good. The price was good. The weird things are, thes guys drive around at night in vans knocking on peoples doors, the guy who sold to us said he was from Israel but couldn’t spell Israel in english.???? When he came to pick the money up, he had no receipt book. When you hand money over , you expect a receipt yes? I wrote one myself. The deal was done but he wouldn’t just leave. He was just stalling for some reason.I got a phone call tonight asking to make an appointment to stretch these paintings. I declined as my partner is heavily pregnant. I asked for a contact number to maybe get it done in the future, but he wouldn’t saying we wouldn’t be able to catch him as he is ‘mobile’ all the time.
I don’t know if this is a scam or just a very unprofessional business for travelling students in Oz.
are there any connections with the customers they target? jobs etc?
maybe we are just paranoid. i like the paintings though.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Happened to me today in Tullamore in Ireland, a girl named Alinoe (Ellenoe?) claiming to be from Israel selling pictures. Her English wasn’t great, she used a word ‘beautiful’ a lot
trying to emphasize in front of my housemate that she was not that bad looking. She was even cheeky enough to ask for bank details, she would accept cash or check, wanted 110 euro for a painting. Also she had a contact who could speak English better than herself, it was all very suspicious! I usually smell scam from a distance so we sent her away wishing good luck.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:38 am
A young French man came to my door last night, (Perth) very pleasant, quite good English. Said he was in Australia for 12 months traveling with his art teacher. Spoke of the Bozart Gallery ??? Paris where he said he shows his art. I became very suspicious when the paintings looked all too familiar and the signatures varied or no signature at all. I didn’t buy anything as I like original art but I tend to agree that if you can get the price down and you really like it, buy it.
July 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hi there,
happy to read all these reactions.
A young Russian (sounded more Israeli) guy visited us yesterday evening (we are living near Amsterdam, The Netherlands). He tried to sell oil paintings from co-students for a cheap price (120- 150 EUR). We didn’t like his collection so he called his Team Leader to drop by. Indeed….we found 3 paintings which we really like. A couple called “Woman in Red” and “Woman in Green” and anotherone from Africa. By the way, they also had the “Tour de France” in collection :). Well, we didn’t have enough money at home so they just left the paintings with us and will pick up the money today. In total we have to pay 360 EUR (70 EUR discount included). I think I’ll talk to them this afternoon when they come to pick up their money. I like the paintings but I don’t like them lying to me. Promoting art students, hahahahahah, cheap copies fron China.
Will let you know more this afternoon….
Cheers
Dani