Impersonators, thieves, scammers.

[DevilEvil]

Hello all,

For those who don't know me, I'm a RO spriter & mapper. And there is an issue that concerns not only me, but the whole RO community.

In the past, RO world was full of thieves that stole artists' private works and there are people that have even stolen credits (common thing nowadays). But now it's much worse. There are several people selling artists' works, usually charging 400% more and stealing credits. Usually, they impersonate RO-artists such as Usako, YukiTsuki and me. Nobody of us sell other artists' material, and in the case of Usako, she already left RO world.

I have warned people several times in other communities but this problem haven't been solved. It's still there and people seem not to search for what they are buying.

So I will give you some advice for the next time a purchase is made:
- First of all, never check the "Gift transaction" cell. You are purchasing a product, don't ignore this. If you realize that you have been scammed (sometimes those thiefs don't even give the material you purchased), you can make complaint later.
- Ask for the author’s name. Who is the one who made it? When you get the answer, search for the author in google, and contact him if you can.
- If you are buying something from a well-known person, try to contact him by other means (in example, search for him in a forum and send him a PM, to make sure it is the same person you are talking with)
- Analyze how much you are paying. A map that has been sold to several people cannot cost more than 120$. People usually sell their maps for 10$~70$.
- If you are going to pay more than 50$, try to get all the information possible.
- Always save all MSN logs, e-mails, etc. They may be a source of information in the future.
- If you are making an important transaction, get the IP of the seller if you can. Luckily, you will be able sue him.
- Search for reviews and other customers. Their opinion is also important. Take other’s experience.
- Analyze seller’s behaviour. Nobody makes incredible offers and forces you to buy his material.

The problem is serious. It concerns the whole RO community and the artists’ community. A lot of exclusive and private works have been sold and many server admins have been scammed. Maps like my Sleepless Beauty have been sold by 250$, and I always sold it by 60$ or less, with indoors included. Obviously I’m pissed off, but this is not the problem here. RUNE material includes a lot of exclusive designs, and they are being sold by unknown people. Will Wong was one of them, but there are much more people selling other’s works nowadays.

Don’t ignore this post, because if you get scammed, nobody will be able help you. I tried to help giving permission to use my material to those scammed people who already paid for it. But I can’t get their money back. So please, be aware when you are going to pay for something. You may pay much more and will not be recognized as a customer by the real author.

Best regards,
DevilEvil

(Not sure if this should go in this forum, if not, please, move to the appropiate forum, but dont delete. It contains important information and I noticed some users from here have already been scammed because of lack of information)

[Pandora]

Hi there, I use a few of your sprite (which I got from Rune back when it was still up), nice work ^^

[Roan]

Thanks for the information, ill be sure to follow these tips if i was to ever buy someones work.