Fake Artist Job Scam

I'm like 99% sure this is a scam although it doesn't show up on any scam search engines that I have checked. Here is the original email from [email protected]:
"
My Name Is Donald Baechler, I am an artist . I attended the Maryland Institute college of art btw 1974-1977. I am Mainly into depicting of childhood imagery and nostalgic ephemera like grammar school primers, old maps, and children’s drawings, or purposely cliché motifs such as a skull, a rose, a globe, and a soccer ball. I had recent solo exhibitions at Cheim & Read, NY, The Kunsthalle Merano, Italy and The Museum der Moderne, Rupertinum, Salzburg. Baechler’s work is in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and The Centre George Pompidou, Musée National d’Art Moderne, Paris among other institutions worldwide.



I am Seeking a part-time personal assistant to perform various Errands and tasks including incoming and outgoing phone calls, organizing files, and processing my billing paperwork. An ideal candidate, Self-Motivated, Eager and Computer skills are preferred. Experience is not necessary. You were referred through the chamber of commerce to career builders whom help me reach you. They help students work and study at the time so therefore get them employments to people like me who need to employ someone partime. For more understanding please visit http://www.artnet.com/artists/donald-baechler/ to see my painting on sales so you know what I generally do. My paintings are very simple but unique and Vintage.



Guideline and benefits are five-hundred dollars weekly and and this employment is only opened to individuals 18years and above as there is no signup fee required. I mainly deal with art works and painting so there is nothing to worry about and no heavy materials are involved at all. Only personal letters, Art materials and bill payments. I wish I could meetup right now to discuss this employment but I am currently away on an Auction house exhibition and wont be back to the states until end of June so there will be no interview. upon my arrival we shall discuss the possibility of making this a long term employment if you work for me perfectly while I am away. If you apply and I accept you, An advance payment will be made for all the shopping and errands you will make for me within a week. You will only work about 2-3hours day which isn't bad and makes you do other things as well.



You can also visit the link below to see the reason why I am out of country for now as I have a contemporary exhibition this MAY.



http://www.artnet.com/auction-houses/st ... -may-2015/



If you agree to work for me as my PA, How will you want your Name to appear on payments? Please send the following:-



Full name

Cell#

Alternative email address:-

Occupation

Age



I do not need your address or other details for your own comfort-ability until my arrival if you understand what I mean. I will send you an email with first task after you email me the details if interested in working for me.



Thank you!
"

What's interesting and a little devious is that all the links are legit and Baechler is a legit artist, I googled him. Just thought I'd warn others about this potential scam that I can't find any previous experiences regarding.

The writer of the email has not attended any college in Maryland. He is West African and probably has not left West Africa. The format is a typical personal assistant scam script. He wants you to receive stolen money and forward it to him or buy merchandise with it and send him the merchandise.

Von is right - 100% scam. He could also be looking to use you to accept payments from other victims, also called a money mule.

No legitimate employer would hire someone site-unseen without a face-to-face interview. Always meet potential employers before taking a job!

Thank you for posting to warn others!

A variation of the money mule scam. The E-check will be from an account that does not belong to the scammer.

Telephone number used for text messaging (405) 586-0480 .

First of all I am very sorry for the late response to your Application. However I very much appreciate your expression of interest in Torlano galleries Personal Assistant Position you Applied for. Its is my belief that your Confidence and knowledge would contribute significantly to the success of accomplishing the assignments I will have you complete. There for I am pleased to confirm in writing offer to you as my Personal Assistant.
This offer Includes $500 Weekly Pay
Extra $50 for run around
Your job appointment will begin with Immediate effect while your first assignment commences Today upon delivery. You will receive the weekly pay as discussed in previous email, along with any possible bonuses.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT
======================================================================================================================
Your first assignment will be sent through your Email (Electronic Bank Check).E-Check is simply a check delivery service that endorse and guarantee check delivery through E-mail instead of waiting for check in the Mail.No stamps, No envelopes, No going to the mail box - Just log in to your e-mail and click a link to download and print thecheck.
Once the check has been printed it can be cash or deposited immediately.
All You will only need to purchase a Business Check Paper for printing of the check, it's sold for ($10) at any Stationery store's,Office Depot or Staples.I will re-reimburse you for the cost of supplies.Get the Business CheckPaper today then email me . Please Note that you need a Printer OK?.
In order for you to receive your fee, take the payment to your bank and have it DEPOSITED in your bank account for 24 hours and the funds would be available the very next business day.Email me a copy of the Deposit Slip If you can and make an ATM deposit if it happens that you didn't receive the package on time before the bank closes so that the funds can be available the next day to complete the assignment on time. Once funds are Deposited I will send you the Instructions
Please do respond that you got this email.
Regards

As expected the check is drawn on an account that does not belong to the scammer. The account information is either phished or stolen which makes the check worthless.
For more information on fake checks and who is responsible
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0 ... ndyourbank

Two fake checks were received for a total of $1790

Note: Sturges Manufacturing is a legitimate company and is not connected to this scam in any manner. The scammer is just using their name in an attempt to add legitimacy to the scam.

Just as expected, the scammer wants money sent via Western Union or Money Gram to a third party who is probably the scammer himself.

I see the closest moneygram is at <removed> can you make it there please? I wanted you to moneygram $500 to a supplier via moneygram at walmart and purchase canvas

​​MATSOBANE MATLALA ..location pretoria South africa last name or surname is ​MATLALA please send $500 now and send me ref ... OK? make sure its spelled correctly...and send it as money in minutes transaction OK? are u taking phone to text along with you? then purchase canvas of 16" or 20"