Have you ever received a message from a stranger on Instagram offering to buy your artwork as an NFT for $10, $20, $30k plus? I have and I have done some research to try and uncover if I have been a potential target of a new scam that's been circulating the platform. This is what I found out:
In this scam, the scammer offers to purchase your artwork as NFTs for a hefty amount of money, usually in the thousands of dollars. They might even offer to buy several images, including those that are just practice pieces. As an artist, receiving an offer like this can be tempting, but it's essential to be cautious and do your research before accepting any offer.
To make NFTs, you have to mint them using gas, which can only be done through a website that offers minting services. The scammers will then provide you with a website to go to, which they claim is a legit site for minting NFTs. The catch is that the website they provide is a fake mint (NFT) site, and the only purpose of the scam is to get you to pay the minting fee.
Once you join the fake site and pay the minting fee, your money is gone, and there's no way of getting it back. If you uploaded your artwork, it's gone too. The scammers won't contact you again, and their profile might have disappeared as well. This is why it's crucial to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to this scam.
If you receive an unexpected offer of much money from someone you don't know, it's best to block and delete their message. Replying to their message will only prove that you're a real person and may lead to the circulation of your details to other crime rings.
It's also worth noting that these scam messages usually have flaws in English, which should raise red flags. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don't give up your hard-earned money for a promise of money in the future. As an artist, you should be paid fairly for your work, and you should never compromise your safety and security for a quick buck.
In conclusion, stay vigilant, be cautious, and do your research before accepting any offer, especially if it's from a stranger on Instagram. If you suspect that you've been targeted by this scam or any other, report it to the relevant authorities immediately. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.