There’s another of these designer scams happening now, under the name VEEHAUS; just wanted to put it out there so that people can Google for it (as I did).
Here’s the initial email I received. Mine came from a “Paul Lowery,” but I’m sure they’ll use other names over time.
Hello, I’m Paul. I’ll like to know if you offer design services, do let me know.
I replied and asked for a call and what he was wanting (he said a catalogue), and he replied with this:
It is detailed; it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cell number for easy communication.
The company is really based on sales of furniture such as ottomans, desk lamps, sectional, buffets & sideboards, counter & bar stools, kitchen cabinet, sofa, office chair, accent tables, king bench bed etc.
The company name is VEEHAUS
My website is under fabrication which would be registered soon.
The full text content and all images for the catalog will be submitted to you by the project consultant you’ll just handle the layout.
The brochure should be 24 in pages (including front and back cover) because i have lot information, approved and crosscheck text and images.
The size of brochure should be 8.5 x 11.5.
I’ll want you to add to add my mission, value, vision, etc to the catalog, I’ll have it sent to you.
So, this seems relatively legit. We exchanged numbers (he texted me), and here’s what he sent:
NOTE: he did actually call me. Never had that happen before with one of these scams. But it did this time. He had a very thick accent, but did actually call.
From here, I assume this will go nowhere. If I were to continue, I’m sure I’d eventually find out that Paul:
- Might have a disability. For whatever reason, this flavor of scam seems to feature a lead player with a disability, and there’s a LinkedIn profile showing someone in a hospital bed with a similar name.
- The project manager won’t be able to take payment
- I’ll be sent too much money, it will actually show up in my account, and then I’ll be asked to send some to the project manager. Once sent, after a week or so, the money sent to me will disappear from my account and the real money I sent will be lost.
Just wanted to put out a warning.
Update: Another similar scam
On Oct. 23, I received the following email, another scam along exactly the same lines:
Hi ,
The company is based on importing and exporting of Salon Equipment such as Dryer,hair cream,Weavon,Hairdressing,Clippers, i need a best of the best layout design for it. Can you handle that for me ?. so i need you to check out this site but i need something more perfect than this
if its possible .http://instaserve.in/... I have a private consultant that has the text content and logo for the site . the site would only be information, so i need you to give me an estimate.
1. I want the website to be informational only with 12 to 15 pages .
2. I want only English language
3. I don’t have a domain yet but i want the domain name as Hi5supply4u.com
4. you will be updating the site for me.
5. i will be proving the images, logos and content for the site.
6. i want the site up and running before ending of next 3 month.
7. My budget is $8000 to $12,000
8.Are you the Owner
I received the exact email from a Paul Wade. How long ago was this inquiry?
It was the same day I posted it.
I just received an email from a Jeff Tweed with exactly the content noted here. So glad I googled VEEHAUS and found your information. Thank you!
Thanks for updating with the new name!
I received the same email from Jeff Tweed ([email protected]) on Sept 9. He told me he was in Delaware for health reasons and would not be able to meet with me (red flag). His new furniture company, Veehaus, needs a logo and catalog. His website is in the works. He sent a very long, elaborate explanation of the company and mission statement. I was a little suspicious so I asked him a LOT of questions and he always had an answer within minutes. He wanted to pay me with credit card (another red flag). When I asked him if he could pay the 50% deposit via PayPal, he told me he’s had some issues with his bank and he’s limited to certain services (BIG RED FLAG). He was insisting that I open an acct with QuickBooks or CardConnect. Obviously there was some kind of scam about to happen. I hope nobody has been duped by this scumbag.
Ditto! Jeff Tweed contacted me on Sept 9. He insisted I set up a QuickBooks acct so he could pay via credit card. It seemed fishy to me. I declined.
Been contacted by Jeff Tweed, Henry Rowe ([email protected]), Brown Vance ([email protected]) w/Oakwey, Steven (5394444373) already. Brown Vance was the first one to contact me and got to the same level as the above and declined because it was fishy. Putting all of them out there for when others search.
Thanks, Matt. Appreciate you updating this thread. I know when I searched, there wasn’t much out there: the more of the names are here, the more people will find something when they Google for whether this is a scam.
I just got the same email from a paul phelps. Claimed to have lung cancer and could not pay his project consultant because he was about to have surgery
I received the same email today but the name was Moore James and the email [email protected], i googled VEEHAUS and find your info.
THANK’S FOR SHARING IT.
I received exactly the same email and texts from Jeff Tweed [email protected] on 11/16/2019
“Here’s what I’m looking to have done.
it’s a newly established company so I’ll be needing brand Visuals
The company is really based on sales of furniture such as Ottomans, Desk lamps, Sectional,
Buffets & Sideboards, Counter & Bar Stools, Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench bed, etc.
The company name is “Adornium”
My Website Is Under Fabrication Which Would Be Registered Soon.
The Full-Text Content And All Images For The Catalog Will Be Submitted To You By The Project Consultant You’ll Just Handle The Layout.
The Brochure Should Be 44 Pages (Including Front And Back Cover) Because I Have Lot Information, Approved And Crosscheck Text And Images.
The Size Of Brochure Should Be 8.5 x 11.
I’ll want you to add to my mission, value, vision, etc to the catalog, I’ll have it sent to you. ”
—
Then on a separate email, I received the following
“Hello, I trust this email finds you well. Below are more details for the project.
Adornium is a modern and stylish brand name
Adornium meaning, from adorn – to make more beautiful or attractive.
Tag line ” Adding comfort to your home”
Our Furniture Are Guarantee Of beauty, comfort And Convenience’ That’s What It Should Mean To My Customers.
What Makes Adornium Uniques to customer is just the name. Classic yet modern with feeling of luxury.
PURPOSE OF BUSINESS: The purpose of my business is to bring modern furniture that will provide beauty and comfort for everyone.
WHO MY BUSINESS SERVES: My customers and others who are willing to patronize Adornium.
I am thinking “Corporate Friendly” as an overall look for the logo. Too much so-called classiness
will give the impression that Adornium and products are not easily attainable and perhaps too
expensive.
MISSION: To serve consumers and industrial market segment with a leading-edge product that will satisfy their needs in functionality, comfort, and style.
CORE VALUES: Our custumers are our values. We put them first in evrything we do.
TARGETS;
Our main customer will be from the age of 27-29 and I will like to target their income demographics. ( I would say a younger demographic with an eye for style, and available dollars to purchase nice stuff)
I want my company to be perceived as Professional, I want them to know that we offer the best prices.
For colors, I would like Teal and Brown (let me know what you think about that).
In the Next Decade, I would like my company to be known worldwide for now it’s the USA only.
Main Competitors are: Alexandro Furniture & Mattress
and Direct Home Furniture.
Important elements that I would like to stress are Beauty and Glamour, Friendly, Modern, High Quality.
For logo inspirations, you can look at brands like America Signature Furniture, Crate&Barrel, West Elm or Williams Sonoma.”
I said I can give a solid estimate but I can only give a rough estimate for the catalog without knowing the content. I also suggested that to work on the logo first and when we have the content, we can work on the catalog, which he agreed. But he said he can pay the deposit of the whole thing (logo and catalog), so I sent him a contract and the invoice via Wave.
He signed the contract with his address, which I believe is fake. Then he said he was in Delaware for a medical purpose and will pay with a credit card. And the rest is the same as Lori above. He said he cannot pay via Wave because he has some issues with his bank and is limited to some services (red flag) and asked me to send invoices via Quickbooks or Clover Card Connect.
At this point, I thought it was fishy but I sent an invoice from Quickbooks.
After a few more texts from him, he said this (copy and paste):
I got in touch with the consultant but I am having a little issue with him concerning our contract agreement, I’d signed the agreement to make cash or bank deposit to him for his payment but due to my present condition I was diagnosed with lung cancer and will undergo a surgery soon so I’m limited and won’t be able to do that.
Kindly send me an invoice of $9350 in which $3150 will be your payment for the job and $6000 you will help me forward to the project consultant so he can release the raw files for the catalog to yo, you can keep the $200
Once I make the payment and you have the funds in your possession then you can help me forward to him. I will balance upon job completion. Thank you.
Well this is bizarre. I just received the catalog and logo request from someone named Moore James. Exact same scenario as the originally entry. Thought I’d look up the company, VEEHAUS, and stumbled across this.
Thank you for posting!
Thanks for putting this on the web. I just received the same. They are probably getting our information from Yelp. Here’s what I got.
On November 8, 2019 at 8:29 PM Moore James wrote:
Hello, I’m Moore James. I’ll like to know if you offer design services, do let me know.
Design service
Regards,
Moore James
I received an email for design services from a Paul Wade with a company called Adornium. Something seemed odd so I googled the company and came across your Scam Alert.
This is what I received in the email —
Here’s what I’m looking to have done.
it’s a newly established company. Do drop your cell number so we can discuss better.
The company is really based on sales of furniture such as Ottomans, Desk lamps, Sectional, Buffets & Sideboards, Counter & Bar Stools, Kitchen Cabinet, Sofa, Office Chair, Accent tables, King bench bed, etc.
The company name is “Adornium”
My Website Is Under Construction Which Would Be Registered Soon.
The Full-Text Content And All Images For The Catalog Will Be Submitted To You By The Project Consultant You’ll Just Handle The Layout.
The Brochure Should Be 44 Pages (Including Front And Back Cover) Because I Have Lot Information, Approved And Crosscheck Text And Images.
The Size Of Brochure Should Be 8.5 x 11.
I’ll want you to add to my mission, value, vision, etc to the catalog, I’ll have it sent to you.
I got the same email from 3 different potential clients including VEEHAUS. So glad I didn’t go any further. Do these scumbags think that ripping off graphic designers will make them rich? What a joke!
Jeff Tweed pulled this on us this week. Kept dodging calls and wanted to start right away… As soon as he said he had lung cancer and wanted us to increase the invoice amount to pass cost to his content creator. We passed.
If any potential client doesn’t want a call to chat about the project. Big red flag.
I neglected to mention in the original post: he actually did call me. But yep, lots of other red flags as well.