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I was targeted by AI scammer
2 years ago
The short version of what happened:
AI-using scammer tried to sell me $120 commission art, that uses stolen pieces as their bases
I gathered as much information from the scammers before blocking them
& reported all the details of them to Furaffinity, Furry Nexus -discord server, and PayPal on bases of Fraud
The scammer:
lylatheartisthttps://www.furaffinity.net/user/lylatheartist/
"her" named associates / part of "her team":
freyaisartistichttps://www.furaffinity.net/user/freyaisartistic/
Kattievibeshttps://www.furaffinity.net/user/kattievibes/
Alternative account created and uses “Lyla’s art"
Seren – under suspension at moment
From the help; a shout-out to
Footpad 's & other's helpful shouts on scammer's page helping to avoid and see through their dirty tricks Footpad confirmed there are not know falling victims to this scam.
below his journal gathering user targeted by the scam, including my first comments 6 days ago
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/10723323
Longer version of the story:
6 days ago I was noted on FA by the scammer “Lyla” with an offering to make xmas art of Kadjá & Rova, my characters. "Lyla's" account gallery was empty, also the note writing was weirdly off already, but I accepted the offer out of curiosity. Quickly in our discord conversation I see that the art is AI produced from the awkward body/item positions, hovering elements and weird alignment of backgrounds.
Going back to check "Lyla’s" page again I notice in the shouts a comment to journal warning about the scam – Ssssoooo - I decided to gather intel and find out as much as possible from the scammers before blocking them.
During our discussions I found other “associates” with the exact art and without her credits or mentions of her. I noted the “Freyaisartisic” about missing credits on the art, but "she" seemed to be part of the scheme after all. I am posted with new art examples that are Favorited in “Lyla’s” account – done by new account of “Seren” unsuprisingly, but by the time of writing this journal this account has been suspended.
This point I was luring the scammer to give her paypal details – I consider this a type of fraud, therefore I reported this to paypal as well. Nevertheless, using non-paypal associated email I managed to get a copy of their invoice containing their supposed address and dummy company. I hope paypal can trace their personal detail with the account and use it to shut them down financially.
With invoice details in my hands and my real paypal email save - I bocked the scammer, and their other accounts on my discord and FA
All my details, screenshots and invoice copy were sent to Furaffinity, Furry Nexus -discord server, and PayPal on bases of Fraud
You might have seen the Furaffinity made their news update about Scammers and their tactics
What a happy coincident :)
In truth - I firstly reported on Furry Nexus-discord server days before the news post, my report to FA's official ticket system is timed roughly the same time as the news update. I can't take all the credit & one of the Footpad's commentators or any other scam victim might as well been reporting before me. Regardless -
Still I do feel satisfied having been there to kick the ball in right direction - fighting against the scammers.
Be wary of direct notes & messages asking to do art commissions way before you have ever seen or contacted them yourself
Do not trust sellers with empty galleries
Block & to say "NO" whenever you have to
Be vigilant, be safe
Let's keep AI -using scammers out of this website
-
I tried using an AI to see how its art was and it was crappier and less coherent than the scammer's. More than AI art, it's AI shitpost what I saw.
I want to believe that it's traced instead of AI generated, honestly.
After I pointed out "Frea's" art wasn't hers, I demanded to see her skills (She offered the suspended account piece) - The speed, disjointed extra limb, and completely new style maked me suspect they use AI one way or another.
More huge red flag was that noted "Freya" did not care "Lyla" was showing her art as *their own*. All their messages seemed scripted and doggy.
Whatever they were using, it's not honest drawing or marketing, for sure
Cause i keep getting the "I like your character, you want to commission me?" messages. and the person cant even answer a question like "which character do you like"
Started the Rova & Kadjá coupled in the note title, and later they were referenced "I noticed your other character Kadjá" with the actual "á" that I write her name. So the first note seemed AI-scripted, and well refined at that. I have mentions of leaning toward romantic scenes, my character names & references visible in my gallery.
But all that got out the window in discord. They completely forgot the description of their own picture's idea + character names are never mentioned again. Plus their conversation could not stand any direct guestions like you said - Still the start was above the average spammer level writing in first note
"a happy chritsmas for Rova & Kadjá"
"Hello! I hope you're doing well, before moving further let me introduce myself, I'm Lyla and I'm a commission artist. While browsing FA, I stumbled upon your character "Rova", I saw your gallery and laid my eyes on your mesmerizing artwork, I also saw your character's name, Kadjá. She is wonderful, and they both look very fascinating together. I have an idea that I'd like to share with you, I hope you won't mind me sharing it with you.
The idea is to imagine ''Kadjá'' will be decorating the Christmas tree in her lounge while Rova is holding her waist from behind showing her love, his head will be resting on her back, and his facial expression will be romantic, there will be a sofa in their lounge and a window beside that tree, and it will be a daylight ambiance. Kadjá will be standing on a small chair, as you know Christmas is coming and I believe it will look fascinating with your characters and I would love to bring this imagination to life.
we could also add some clothes as well,
Hope you like this idea, i would be happy to hear back from you well, I've attached my Discord too if you've any type of confusion about this idea do let me know about it, and I can share the reference images as well. This will help us understand the concept more comprehensibly."