alk
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Feb 20, 2019 4:42:54 GMT 1, First the Cliffs:
I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper.
YaY!
Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries.
I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis.
Everything looks shady AF.
The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory.
The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes.
I tell Artnet my findings.
Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction.
I LOL.
more pics and stories coming
First the Cliffs: I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper. YaY! Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries. I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis. Everything looks shady AF. The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory. The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes. I tell Artnet my findings. Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction. I LOL. more pics and stories coming |
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alk
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Feb 20, 2019 4:51:10 GMT 1, Let's start w Waterscapes Gallery
Ok so I have a mailing address...lets use google maps and take a look
Eh....that's a little weird... ok lets check out the CEO Marcus Willis
/
yah nothing on linkedin check out....none of the museum he lists even exist...also the last 20 years of his resume is missing, almost certain that's not his picture.
Let's start w Waterscapes Gallery Ok so I have a mailing address...lets use google maps and take a look Eh....that's a little weird... ok lets check out the CEO Marcus Willis / yah nothing on linkedin check out....none of the museum he lists even exist...also the last 20 years of his resume is missing, almost certain that's not his picture. |
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alk
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Posts โข 223
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Feb 20, 2019 5:17:02 GMT 1, So I email Marcus Willis through Waterscapes, and he responds.
He claims to be in Perth, but it's odd because it would be 4-5am in Perth but he is rapid fire responding. So I trace his email IP and they are being sent from London.
So I see on Waterscapes website a link to some other auctions...BOOM I hit the Motherload!
www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/6454/waterscapes-gallery-ltd/
Condo's for everyone. He offered me Laughing Portrait for "about $48k". Funny thing is I remember this Condo from 2016. I was offered it direct from Skarstedt for $50k and it was sold during Art Basel HK.
I didn't move fast enough...obviously a big regret.
Ok so obviously everything is too good to be true.
But let me keep digging because there is this sick part of me hoping there is some truth to this and I can still score this piece.
Dig some more, and I find someone attached to Waterscapes Gallery who isn't Marcus. Let's just call him Tim.
So I msg Tim on FB
Tim was really cool, I actually feel bad for him to see what looked like a nice business he had started being tainted this way.
Also checked out the NZ business register, Waterscapes was registered by Marcus in Nov of 2018, no where near the 20 years or whatever he claims he was in business.
So I email Marcus Willis through Waterscapes, and he responds. He claims to be in Perth, but it's odd because it would be 4-5am in Perth but he is rapid fire responding. So I trace his email IP and they are being sent from London. So I see on Waterscapes website a link to some other auctions...BOOM I hit the Motherload! www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/6454/waterscapes-gallery-ltd/Condo's for everyone. He offered me Laughing Portrait for "about $48k". Funny thing is I remember this Condo from 2016. I was offered it direct from Skarstedt for $50k and it was sold during Art Basel HK. I didn't move fast enough...obviously a big regret. Ok so obviously everything is too good to be true. But let me keep digging because there is this sick part of me hoping there is some truth to this and I can still score this piece. Dig some more, and I find someone attached to Waterscapes Gallery who isn't Marcus. Let's just call him Tim. So I msg Tim on FB Tim was really cool, I actually feel bad for him to see what looked like a nice business he had started being tainted this way. Also checked out the NZ business register, Waterscapes was registered by Marcus in Nov of 2018, no where near the 20 years or whatever he claims he was in business. |
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alk
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Feb 20, 2019 5:34:35 GMT 1, So I asked Marcus Willis to provide some paperwork for the piece I won on Artnet.
He shows me this.
dumb dumb made a typo on his fake invoice, spelled the name of his street wrong
nothing like having a Condo shipped to a Edmonds metal factory
So I feel like a champ dodging this bullet.
I give all my evidence to Artnet.
And here is their response
Well they obviously give no F's about my money, after all this evidence I provided they tell me to escrow and I have 30 days to return if I can prove it is not authentic.
Even after I showed them all this evidence they didn't even look more closely into the seller, only response was that the seller and the work had been vetted by their process before.
I was also told the seller had done business with Artnet before and Marcus told me he has Big Boss by Condo also coming up for auction on Artnet.
So just a heads up, if you had made any purchases from Waterscapes Gallery, you better start asking questions.
They tried to get me....but not today.
So I asked Marcus Willis to provide some paperwork for the piece I won on Artnet. He shows me this. dumb dumb made a typo on his fake invoice, spelled the name of his street wrong nothing like having a Condo shipped to a Edmonds metal factory So I feel like a champ dodging this bullet. I give all my evidence to Artnet. And here is their response Well they obviously give no F's about my money, after all this evidence I provided they tell me to escrow and I have 30 days to return if I can prove it is not authentic. Even after I showed them all this evidence they didn't even look more closely into the seller, only response was that the seller and the work had been vetted by their process before. I was also told the seller had done business with Artnet before and Marcus told me he has Big Boss by Condo also coming up for auction on Artnet. So just a heads up, if you had made any purchases from Waterscapes Gallery, you better start asking questions. They tried to get me....but not today. |
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JL Broooks
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February 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by JL Broooks on Feb 20, 2019 11:11:43 GMT 1, This is mental - well done for the detective work and hopefully dodging a total scam of a deal. It looks like the bank he wants you to pay to (Garanti Bank) is a Turkish bank (which is strange, the gallery being in NZ). Also all the things he is writing about the gallery and himself..incredible.
Did you get out of the deal with Artnet in the end? Really hope so!
This is mental - well done for the detective work and hopefully dodging a total scam of a deal. It looks like the bank he wants you to pay to (Garanti Bank) is a Turkish bank (which is strange, the gallery being in NZ). Also all the things he is writing about the gallery and himself..incredible.
Did you get out of the deal with Artnet in the end? Really hope so!
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Fake
Artist
Junior Member
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July 2008
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by Fake on Feb 20, 2019 11:31:51 GMT 1, Wow! Shame on Artnet!
Wow! Shame on Artnet!
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alk
New Member
Posts โข 223
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Feb 20, 2019 14:30:05 GMT 1, This is mental - well done for the detective work and hopefully dodging a total scam of a deal. It looks like the bank he wants you to pay to (Garanti Bank) is a Turkish bank (which is strange, the gallery being in NZ). Also all the things he is writing about the gallery and himself..incredible. Did you get out of the deal with Artnet in the end? Really hope so!
Oh yah forgot to write about the bank but yah Turkish bank w not a single branch in NZ, yet the Gallery is using it for itโs business account?
Iโm not giving Artnet a penny. They can take me to court, but doubt they will. They have a non existant case and isnt worth the legal fees.
This is mental - well done for the detective work and hopefully dodging a total scam of a deal. It looks like the bank he wants you to pay to (Garanti Bank) is a Turkish bank (which is strange, the gallery being in NZ). Also all the things he is writing about the gallery and himself..incredible. Did you get out of the deal with Artnet in the end? Really hope so! Oh yah forgot to write about the bank but yah Turkish bank w not a single branch in NZ, yet the Gallery is using it for itโs business account? Iโm not giving Artnet a penny. They can take me to court, but doubt they will. They have a non existant case and isnt worth the legal fees. |
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pada1
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August 2012
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by pada1 on Feb 20, 2019 15:17:14 GMT 1, Great investigation and shocking to see that Artnet is not looking at it more closely. They can't hide behind any disclaimer if they have been informed at some point.
Trust is their business... and they are dodging.
I guess it doesn't have give them good publicity now.
Great investigation and shocking to see that Artnet is not looking at it more closely. They can't hide behind any disclaimer if they have been informed at some point.
Trust is their business... and they are dodging.
I guess it doesn't have give them good publicity now.
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moron
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,711
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September 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by moron on Feb 22, 2019 16:12:27 GMT 1, First the Cliffs: I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper. YaY! Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries. I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis. Everything looks shady AF. The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory. The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes. I tell Artnet my findings. Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction. I LOL. more pics and stories coming
It would make a good story in some art review journals etc etc and artnet could lose a lot of business.
First the Cliffs: I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper. YaY! Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries. I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis. Everything looks shady AF. The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory. The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes. I tell Artnet my findings. Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction. I LOL. more pics and stories coming From what it looks like, artnet could be accused of trying to defraud you if they enforce or try to force you to send money to this person. It would make a good story in some art review journals etc etc and artnet could lose a lot of business. |
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cnrdvln
Junior Member
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February 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by cnrdvln on Feb 25, 2019 15:15:26 GMT 1, amazing work fair play - it's a lot of money so you need to do your homework
amazing work fair play - it's a lot of money so you need to do your homework
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haring85
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Posts โข 82
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July 2013
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by haring85 on Feb 26, 2019 12:09:08 GMT 1, Just for the record. Simon Lee Gallery sent me an email offering me the "original" of this piece. I contacted them saying that there was an exact one on Liveauctioneers being offered by this Waterscapes guy. They didn't know anything about it but confirmed the original buyer who bought it from a reputable source is certainly not the Waterscapes owner and the piece is not the same they were offering.
I checked a piece he sells (not sure if this one or another Condo) closely with the high res image of the authentic one sold at Christie's. It is very close to exact but there are some minor differences, particularly in the margins.
Just for the record. Simon Lee Gallery sent me an email offering me the "original" of this piece. I contacted them saying that there was an exact one on Liveauctioneers being offered by this Waterscapes guy. They didn't know anything about it but confirmed the original buyer who bought it from a reputable source is certainly not the Waterscapes owner and the piece is not the same they were offering.
I checked a piece he sells (not sure if this one or another Condo) closely with the high res image of the authentic one sold at Christie's. It is very close to exact but there are some minor differences, particularly in the margins.
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 6, 2019 14:55:02 GMT 1, Thanks alk for posting this, you saved me from losing a lot of cash.
It looks like he is living in the U.K for sure.
He is using the name Mark Willis with artnet and liveauctioneers.
BEWARE of this Mark Willis guy as i have lost a deposit of 1,000 dollars on a piece of art i purchased from him.
Lucky for me i saw this when it was first posted but i could not make a comment until i was sure.
He is using a few bank accounts, so beware buying on artnet, ask if the seller is Mark Willis.
Do not purchase from Waterscapes Galley on liveauctioneers.
He has been reported to the U.K police, the Irish police who have reported him to Interpol, the Dutch police (for bank fraud), and the F.B.I (For bank fraud).
I have just received a link from him to another place he is selling art.
www.artprice.com/store/Waterscapes-Gallery-Ltd#!?page=1&order_by=sort_dt&order=desc
Thanks alk for posting this, you saved me from losing a lot of cash. It looks like he is living in the U.K for sure. He is using the name Mark Willis with artnet and liveauctioneers. BEWARE of this Mark Willis guy as i have lost a deposit of 1,000 dollars on a piece of art i purchased from him. Lucky for me i saw this when it was first posted but i could not make a comment until i was sure. He is using a few bank accounts, so beware buying on artnet, ask if the seller is Mark Willis. Do not purchase from Waterscapes Galley on liveauctioneers. He has been reported to the U.K police, the Irish police who have reported him to Interpol, the Dutch police (for bank fraud), and the F.B.I (For bank fraud). I have just received a link from him to another place he is selling art. www.artprice.com/store/Waterscapes-Gallery-Ltd#!?page=1&order_by=sort_dt&order=desc |
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 6, 2019 14:59:39 GMT 1, Edit
Edit
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WOOF
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March 2014
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by WOOF on Mar 6, 2019 15:07:54 GMT 1, Looks like a bond villain.
Looks like a bond villain.
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 6, 2019 15:10:04 GMT 1, Mark Willis is also using this company bank account to collect his funds.
Global Collect BV
This company collect payments for their customers through ING bank in Holland.
Mark Willis is also using this company bank account to collect his funds.
Global Collect BV
This company collect payments for their customers through ING bank in Holland.
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viz
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September 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by viz on Mar 6, 2019 15:40:16 GMT 1, Although your point is right, be careful as publishing such details on here could be a double-edged sword and cause you some problems as I believe it might break some laws...
Although your point is right, be careful as publishing such details on here could be a double-edged sword and cause you some problems as I believe it might break some laws...
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Fast Eddie
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November 2018
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by Fast Eddie on Mar 6, 2019 16:22:24 GMT 1, Informative thread. Thank you.
Informative thread. Thank you.
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 6, 2019 18:36:51 GMT 1, Although your point is right, be careful as publishing such details on here could be a double-edged sword and cause you some problems as I believe it might break some laws...
Although your point is right, be careful as publishing such details on here could be a double-edged sword and cause you some problems as I believe it might break some laws... Thanks |
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 6, 2019 21:50:45 GMT 1, Beware of buying art from this guy
Beware of buying art from this guy
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 8, 2019 15:11:37 GMT 1,
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mlwells04
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June 2015
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by mlwells04 on Mar 8, 2019 16:20:38 GMT 1, I would at least black out the passport numbers
I would at least black out the passport numbers
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moron
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,711
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September 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by moron on Mar 8, 2019 17:58:07 GMT 1, The passport is just about expired anyway and the guy probably looks a lot different today.
The passport is just about expired anyway and the guy probably looks a lot different today.
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moron
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,711
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September 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by moron on Mar 8, 2019 17:59:30 GMT 1, First the Cliffs: I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper. YaY! Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries. I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis. Everything looks shady AF. The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory. The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes. I tell Artnet my findings. Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction. I LOL. more pics and stories coming
"I tell Artnet my findings.
Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction."
Report Artnet to the police.
First the Cliffs: I won an auction on Artnet for a George Condo work on paper. YaY! Artnet sends me wire instructions, direct to the seller, Waterscapes Galleries. I google the seller Waterscapes and find the CEO Marcus Willis. Everything looks shady AF. The mailing address of Waterscapes is an abandoned factory. The actual founder of Waterscapes Gallery website informs me he sold it to Marcus about a year ago, and that Marcus is using it as a front to scam people, to his protest and without his consent. Shame really bc the original owner seemed like a nice guy w cool pieces, all waterscapes. I tell Artnet my findings. Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction. I LOL. more pics and stories coming
"I tell Artnet my findings.
Artnet tells me they have rigorously checked the seller and artwork, and I am legally bound to complete the transaction."
Report Artnet to the police. |
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alk
New Member
Posts โข 223
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March 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by alk on Mar 8, 2019 18:10:25 GMT 1, The passport is a comical photoshop job, so no need to worry about the details on it.
But I received this email from artnet... lol
The passport is a comical photoshop job, so no need to worry about the details on it. But I received this email from artnet... lol |
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irl1
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 9, 2019 17:07:02 GMT 1, I would at least black out the passport numbers
I would at least black out the passport numbers Thanks its a few weeks out of date now |
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moron
Junior Member
Posts โข 2,711
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September 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by moron on Mar 11, 2019 0:54:45 GMT 1, The passport is a comical photoshop job, so no need to worry about the details on it. But I received this email from artnet... lol
I notice other Condo drawings are basically copies or very close to other early Picasso drawings. Looks like his art is a mishmash of a rip off of Picasso mixed with De Kooning.
The passport is a comical photoshop job, so no need to worry about the details on it. But I received this email from artnet... lol That Condo drawing is just a copy of Picasso's early drawings sketches a sin the way the figures are drawn. I notice other Condo drawings are basically copies or very close to other early Picasso drawings. Looks like his art is a mishmash of a rip off of Picasso mixed with De Kooning. |
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irl1
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December 2017
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JL Broooks
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February 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by JL Broooks on Mar 26, 2019 9:06:42 GMT 1, Wtf..that is absurd. Thanks for giving the forum a heads-up on this one. And this is also exactly why I would never buy anything expensive from the good old ones, except it being directly from an extremely reliable source / gallery. Provenance is number one.
Wtf..that is absurd. Thanks for giving the forum a heads-up on this one. And this is also exactly why I would never buy anything expensive from the good old ones, except it being directly from an extremely reliable source / gallery. Provenance is number one.
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irl1
Full Member
Posts โข 9,274
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December 2017
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by irl1 on Mar 26, 2019 9:38:58 GMT 1, Wtf..that is absurd. Thanks for giving the forum a heads-up on this one. And this is also exactly why I would never buy anything expensive from the good old ones, except it being directly from an extremely reliable source / gallery. Provenance is number one.
Wtf..that is absurd. Thanks for giving the forum a heads-up on this one. And this is also exactly why I would never buy anything expensive from the good old ones, except it being directly from an extremely reliable source / gallery. Provenance is number one. I'm on top of this guy now. Can't say too much but it is his real name. |
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Swishhh
New Member
Posts โข 403
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February 2019
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PSA Marcus/Mark Willis from Waterscapes Gallery and Artnet, by Swishhh on Mar 29, 2019 1:34:00 GMT 1, Truly sad you can't even trust Artnet, but you are a damn private detective to figure all of that out. Well done.
Truly sad you can't even trust Artnet, but you are a damn private detective to figure all of that out. Well done.
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