A Papamoa resident is warning people not to fall for a painting scam doing the rounds in the Bay of Plenty.
Sharon Hyslop contact SunLive in hopes of her story would make other wary of people selling things door to door.
One of the paintings being sold back in 2011. Right: A painting listed on a Chinese website.
'I had a foreign guy knock on my door last night selling paintings. I told him I had no money but he insisted that I buy one and I could put money on his bank account.”
Sharon agreed to buy one in hopes of getting rid of the man.
'I then went online to see if it was a scam. And yes indeed it is, there are Israelis doing a scam all across the country.”
Sharon says she will be reporting the matter to police today.
In 2013, foreign backpackers were busted going door to door posing as gifted artists to sell cheap, mass-produced Chinese prints.
The well-rehearsed confidence trick has been tried around the world for more than 10 years.
The scam last hit the Bay of Plenty back in 2011 with foreign tourists asking $300 for the oil paintings even though the same pictures are available on the internet for $6.50 each. Read more here.
If people are approached by someone wanting to sell a painting, they're advised to report the incident to their nearest police station.
Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.
4 comments
Been here but no pressure
Posted on 21-03-2015 11:51 | By Murray.Guy
A young lady with a strong accent called on our home early one evening last week. She was carrying a portfolio of paintings and asked if we would be interested in looking with a view to purchase. A 'no thank you' had her immediately thank us for our time and she left.
Is there a problem?
Posted on 21-03-2015 12:36 | By Mike Kuipers von Lande
Let the buyer beware. If you like the painting and are prepared to pay the asking price, what's the problem? Is it any different than buying something for $100 in one shop and then seeing the same item for $60.00 in another? Do you complain to the police when this happens? Surely people can tell the difference between a painting and a print? As long as these people are not dealing in stolen items I would rather see the police tackling gangs, violence, drugs and (genuine) fraud rather than saving people from pictures they can always refuse to buy.
take their photo
Posted on 21-03-2015 14:10 | By CC8
and forward it to immigration...get the bank account number too if you can
Dead right CC8
Posted on 21-03-2015 18:20 | By GreertonBoy
Any time anyone offers you anything door to door or in shop car parks.... all of the usual scams, take photos of them, their vehicles, their associates and never be intimidated into buying something you don't want....
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