AON Member Anton Gunter Issues Warning Over Shipping Scam Targeting Artists
A Midlands businessman is warning artists and small companies across the region to be vigilant after reporting an increase in shipping scams.
Anton Gunter, managing director of Global Freight Services in Telford, said that over the last 12 months the firm had become aware of a significant increase in the number of international fraud cases involving the shipment of valuable artwork.
He is now warning artists across the Midlands to be on their guard and said other small businesses should also be mindful of similar scams.
“Artists up and down the UK are being targeted by fraudsters portraying as genuine art collectors,” he said.
“It’s the biggest scam we’ve seen in the shipping industry for many years and we want as many small business owners as possible to be aware.”
Fraudsters involved in the scam are contacting artists and, in some cases, placing orders for artwork worth thousands of pounds.
They are then convincing artists that they have organised shipment of the goods through a genuine freight company and are requesting artists then make an up-front payment to reimburse the transportation costs.
Mr Gunter said: “We have been contacted by numerous artists across the UK who have fallen victim to this type of deception, and we want to make sure it stops.
“As a company you should never arrange for goods to be shipped before receiving payment from a customer or until you are in receipt of a legal document which outlines when payment will be made
“And, if businesses are ever asked to reimburse costs for a shipment which has been arranged directly by the customer, this should set alarm bells ringing and they should seek advice.
“We know from conversations we have had with artists that this type of scam has left many of them feeling distressed and concerned and we hope by raising awareness we can reduce the number of victims.”
Global Freight has been working with businesses for more than 20 years helping to import and export goods to and from countries all over the world.
It has a successful track-record when it comes to assisting artists who require their work to be shipped abroad.
For more information visit https://www.global-freight.co.uk/.
Any artists or businesses concerned they may be at the centre of a shipping scam should contact the police or Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
For more information please contact Amy Bould or Jo Cunningham at Be Bold PR on 01952 898121 or [email protected] or [email protected]
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About AerOceaNetwork (AON):
Since 2002 we have been running AerOceaNetwork (AON). We are a non-exclusive group of like minded independent international freight forwarders who want to excel in their markets. At the same time we are building our good name around the globe. Our global forwarding members meet annually to develop their cargo business pipelines and establish personal ties, which quite often even develop into lifelong friendships – another intangible benefit of joining our group of forwarding professionals.
We target positive people who run progressive international logistics companies for our forwarding network membership. We aim to stick to that membership profile and build on it for the future. Everyone benefits from this.
Before becoming our forwarding network member, prospect applicants are required to provide references of other international freight forwarding agents who they’ve worked with over time. We check these shipping references for financial ability, operational capability, mutual sales development & follow up, and communication skills (both in ability as well as response time) as well as other pertinent information. Only companies who pass this process can be offered membership in our group.
