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estiroseIf you don't know about the art scam... it's when someone makes a comment on an AO3 fic and either during that comment or a followup wants you to commission paid fanart. (This is apparently also happening on FFN... I probably have some fics that are still on there and getting spam comments.)
"I have some ideas related to your story can I share them with you?"
- Likely scam. It's always possible that this is just an awkward person that wants you to write a fic for them, but I've never gotten a "Oh, no, I didn't mean that! I'd just like to see you write xyz".
"I’m into concept design, and it sparked some ideas in my mind I'd love to run by you. If you're cool with it, maybe we can exchange discord or insta handles?" (A reply after a vague first comment)
- Scam. The moment someone mentions any kind of art work (concept design, comics, artwork), it almost always means that they want to do paid artwork of some kind - especially if they're asking to go off AO3.
"(fic y) inspired me so much that the visuals came alive in my mind. If you’re okay with it, I’d love to create an artwork based on your story."
- 99.9% chance of scam, though there's a vague possibility that they just meant to ask if you're okay with fanart. But likely this would have turned into a "hey, let's communicate on discord or instagram!".
"I got some visual ideas while reading this story and am sure you would love them if you gave me a chance to discuss about it"
- Scam. Fanartists don't have an entire discussion with the author of the fic. They make the art first and then let the author know.
"I'm a professional artist, and my specialty is transforming written stories into comic book form"
- Scam. No professional artist is going to transform work without asking for money. In this case, the scammer also asked to go off AO3 - as usual, a red flag.
"I have some ideas related to your story can I share them with you?"
- Likely scam. It's always possible that this is just an awkward person that wants you to write a fic for them, but I've never gotten a "Oh, no, I didn't mean that! I'd just like to see you write xyz".
"I’m into concept design, and it sparked some ideas in my mind I'd love to run by you. If you're cool with it, maybe we can exchange discord or insta handles?" (A reply after a vague first comment)
- Scam. The moment someone mentions any kind of art work (concept design, comics, artwork), it almost always means that they want to do paid artwork of some kind - especially if they're asking to go off AO3.
"(fic y) inspired me so much that the visuals came alive in my mind. If you’re okay with it, I’d love to create an artwork based on your story."
- 99.9% chance of scam, though there's a vague possibility that they just meant to ask if you're okay with fanart. But likely this would have turned into a "hey, let's communicate on discord or instagram!".
"I got some visual ideas while reading this story and am sure you would love them if you gave me a chance to discuss about it"
- Scam. Fanartists don't have an entire discussion with the author of the fic. They make the art first and then let the author know.
"I'm a professional artist, and my specialty is transforming written stories into comic book form"
- Scam. No professional artist is going to transform work without asking for money. In this case, the scammer also asked to go off AO3 - as usual, a red flag.
no subject
Date: 2025-07-30 01:10 pm (UTC)Gotta give them this, a few sounded as if the senders had actually taken a look at the story they were "commenting" on -- but if I wanted artwork that I can't produce myself, I know enough fan artists I could ask on a quid-pro-quo basis.
Reported a few to the support team, with links and copypasted texts and all, to no reaction. (Big surprise there, right? I miss the days when Ffnet had a forum and actual, live mods ...) Warned the scammers a few times that not only were they violating the site's TOS, but that what they're offering was in effect monetizing fanworks and/or solicitation, both of which are illegal (afaik). That usually shut them up. It's been a while since I received the last message, but usually a reply of "No. Go away." is enough to stop further contact. (In any case, I don't do social media except DW/LJ and Facebook, so I couldn't comply even if I wanted to. Which I don't.)
Still, the nuisance factor is high in that kind of crap.
no subject
Date: 2025-08-01 03:57 am (UTC)I have yet to have a comment where it's specific to the fic. I have had one that sounded like a vaguely positive comment and then they tried to sell me their crap when I replied.
I honestly hate that I have to look at each comment and wonder if this is going to turn into a scammer....