If you post artistic or creative photos on social media, you may have already received a message like this: "I love your photos. I would like to use one as the reference for a painting. I am willing to pay you well for permission." It sounds flattering, maybe even exciting. It is a scam.
Fraud investigators and consumer protection agencies have flagged this scheme as an increasingly active threat. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a consumer alert specifically about scammers posing as artists who contact social media users and offer to pay for permission to paint their photos. The goal is not to compensate you. The goal is to steal your money.
The overpayment fake cheque scam is not new, but the artist photo variation is a newer and effective twist. Consumer protection agencies, banking associations, and fraud watchdog organizations across multiple countries have issued standing warnings against fake cheque overpayment scams, noting they take many forms and target anyone selling goods or services online. Documented cases have involved photographers, visual artists, and everyday social media users who lost thousands of dollars through the same overpayment mechanism.
How the scam works
The approach follows a predictable pattern:
- A stranger contacts you by email or direct message, presenting themselves as an artist or art enthusiast
- They express admiration for your photos and offer a generous payment for the right to use one as the basis for a painting
- They send a fraudulent cheque for an inflated amount, which appears to clear at first
- They then request you send back the excess funds, often framed as covering "art supplies" or other incidental costs
- Once you forward the money, the cheque is identified as fake by your bank
- The bank reverses the transaction and holds you responsible for any funds already withdrawn or sent
It can take up to three weeks for a cheque to fully clear. That window is exactly what scammers rely on to pressure victims into forwarding money before the fraud is detected.
Importantly, waiting for a cheque to clear is not sufficient protection. Banks may release funds within days as a courtesy, while fraud verification takes much longer, and you remain liable for the full amount.
Why this scam works so well on ordinary people
This scam does not target professional artists or photographers. It targets anyone who posted a photo they are proud of, which is most people.
When someone shares a picture on social media, whether it is a landscape, a sunset, a candid moment, or something they simply thought looked good, they are sharing something personal. A stranger responding to say the image is beautiful enough to inspire a painting is an unusually powerful compliment. It does not feel like a setup. It feels like genuine recognition from someone who noticed something special.
Scammers exploit this deliberately. The flattery comes first and it lands hard, because the victim is not a professional seeking validation. They are an ordinary person who took a photo they liked and shared it. Being told it has real artistic value creates an emotional connection before any mention of money is made.
By the time something starts to feel off, there is a psychological barrier working against the victim. Accepting that it is a scam means accepting that the compliment was never real, and that the photo was not as special as it felt. That is not an easy thing to accept, and scammers know it. The longer a victim stays engaged, the more that emotional investment works in the scammer's favour.
Red flags to watch for
- Overpayment offers with vague or unconvincing explanations
- A request to forward the excess funds back to the sender or to another account they control
- Refusal to communicate by phone or video call, though this alone is not a reliable indicator. AI-powered deepfake video and voice tools now allow scammers to impersonate real people convincingly in live calls. A willingness to video chat does not confirm someone is legitimate
- Do not assume polished or professional writing means the message is legitimate. AI tools allow scammers to produce flawless grammar and convincing language. The quality of the writing alone tells you nothing about whether the sender is genuine
- A very broad or flexible price range with no interest in specific works
Urgency around transferring funds before payment has fully settled
The moment someone offers to send you a cheque and then asks you to forward a portion of it elsewhere, that is a high-alert situation. Legitimate buyers do not structure payments this way.
How to protect yourself
- Never deposit a cheque from someone you do not know and do not forward any portion of funds before the payment has been fully verified by your bank
- Verify the identity of anyone contacting you about a purchase or licensing opportunity and ask for a video call
- Search the sender's name and any associated business name online before responding
- Conduct all financial discussions through traceable, documented channels and do not rely on messaging apps or email alone when money is involved
If you have already been scammed
Reporting the scam matters. Only a fraction of fraud victims ever report what happened to them. Each report helps authorities build a clearer picture of fraud activity and can assist investigators in identifying patterns tied to specific fraud networks operating internationally.
If you believe you are a victim of this scam, report it to your national fraud reporting agency and your local police. Notify your bank or financial institution immediately, as some transfers may be reversible if action is taken quickly. Change passwords on any accounts the scammer may have accessed, and monitor your credit for any unauthorized activity.
In Canada, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. In the United States, report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In the United Kingdom, contact Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040.
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