By Morinville News Staff
Morinville – Police are cautioning residents that a knock on the door from someone selling art may not be what it seems. The Morinville RCMP Detachment received two separate complaints June 17 of unknown individuals going door-to-door selling paintings.
Police are warning residents about a scam known as the art student scam, which involves mass-produced paintings or prints that are misrepresented as original works of art. In the art con, the sellers are usually young people pretending to be art students trying to raise money.
Police are asking residents to be cautious and to report any suspicious door-to-door activities.
Several Morinville residents have taken to Facebook to warn their friends and neighbours about the door-to-door sellers.
South Glens resident Kelly Patterson said she knew about the tactic prior to the seller’s arrival. “I was aware of the scam, so when they showed up with their collection of oil paintings, I simply said, “No Thank-you, I was just in Paris and purchased a painting there,” Patterson said. “They didn’t argue the point and went on to the next house.”
RCMP are asking anyone with information about this scam or any other activity suspected to be a scam to call the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4520.
If anyone has any information about this scam or any other possible scam, they are asked to call the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4520.
