Door slammed on ‘original’ art scam

By Narelle Coulter
BERWICK and Pakenham residents may have unwittingly become embroiled in an international moneymaking art scam.
Over the past month young people passing themselves off as Israeli art students have been knocking on doors in the area offering original oil paintings at discount prices.
Berwick resident Melinda Cranston said the friendly appearance of an ‘Israeli art student’ who knocked on her door initially allayed any fears she had about inviting her in.
“A nice young girl knocked on the door with a folio of oil paintings. She looked harmless and said the paintings were for sale to help students at a university in Jerusalem,” said Ms Cranston.
“She said there was an exhibition opening in Sydney where the paintings would sell for $1500 to $3000, but she was happy for us to pay between $150 and $250.”
It was only after Ms Cranston logged onto the internet to get a value on a comparative painting did she discover evidence of a similar scam operating in New Zealand and Canada.
According to the Consumers’ Institute of New Zealand three backpackers were prosecuted in the Dunedin District Court in 2003 in relation to a similar art scam. In three weeks the trio had made $15,000 in fraudulent sales.
The paintings involved in the New Zealand scam were mass produced in South East Asia.
Backpackers were recruited in cities around New Zealand to pose as Israeli art students. For each painting sold they received about $60.
Pakenham resident Leigh Mackay had a similar visit from an ‘Israeli art student’ three weeks ago.
“A dude rocked up in his early 20s with a case of paintings. He sounded foreign but when I asked him where he was from he began talking really strangely so I couldn’t understand him,” said Mr Mackay.
“He seemed so friendly and so nice I invited him in. He showed me the paintings, which were really nice. He said in a gallery that would sell for $600 but I could have it for $150.”
Mr Mackay said the young man used sales techniques he recognised from a previous job with Foxtel.
“He shook hands with me straight away and was almost through the front door. He knew what he was doing.”
Mr Mackay later found a painting similar to one he was considering buying for sale on auction site eBay for US99 cents.
“If I was genuinely helping students out I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t like the thought it might be a scam,” he said.
Neither Ms Cranston nor Mr Mackay bought any of the paintings but they fear neighbours may have fallen for the scam and now be in possession of virtually worthless artwork.
Consumer Affairs Minister Marsha Thomson said anyone who believes they have been conned by these doortodoor salespeople should report it to Consumer Affairs Victoria.
“CAV is aware of this type of scam and warns consumers not to hand over their money.
“In most cases these painting are not worth the money the salespeople claim,” said Ms Thomson.
“While there is a cooling off period under the Fair Trading Act, don’t allow yourself to be pressured into purchasing from any doortodoor salespeople.
“Always take to the time even if it is a couple of days – to verify the salesperson’s identification and the authenticity and true value of the product they are selling.
“If you have any doubts, don’t be afraid to shut your door, especially if the salesperson won’t take no for an answer.”