The Daily Dot
"These people are relentless": Woman warns of a new scam where people ask to us…
“This been going on for YEARS!”
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New 'Art Project' Scam Targets Social Media Users: Warning Issued After Attempted Fraud
A new online scam targeting individuals with requests to use their profile pictures for 'art projects' has been reported. A social media user, jend961, shared her recent experience as a warning to others. She recounted being contacted by an individual claiming to be an artist who sought permission to use her profile picture for an art project. After initial verification of the 'artist's' profile, which appeared legitimate with numerous art pieces, the scam escalated. The alleged artist then requested jend961's full name and email address, promising a commission via an e-check, explicitly stating that no bank information was required. Recognizing this as a classic scam tactic, jend961 confronted the individual, after which the scammer's account was reportedly deactivated or blocked. This incident highlights a growing trend of online fraudsters employing deceptive artistic pretenses to solicit personal information, potentially leading to financial fraud or identity theft. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited requests for personal details, especially those involving financial transactions or commissions.
