Mass Scammer: Catherine Hu (MANY ACCOUNTS)

Posted 4 years, 11 months ago (Edited 4 years, 1 month ago) by Coffeewoof

Update: I am personally stepping out of this due to time, and mental health, but if others have information please continue to share it in the thread here! ! 

Scammer's Usernames:
Scammer has multiple accounts now I'm aware of and are actively scamming and stealing characters across them:

Here is a master list of their accounts across all platforms there are so many that this thread cannot possibly contain them all:
https://www.deviantart.com/artismypath/journal/SCAMMER-AND-ART-THIEF-ALERT-796133064

All DA accounts appear to have been banned via an IP ban

www.deviantart.com/darktaildev…
www.deviantart.com/catherinedr…
www.deviantart.com/catherinedr…
www.deviantart.com/blazestarwa…
www.deviantart.com/darkwatersy
https://www.deviantart.com/goldenpaws2019
https://www.deviantart.com/krafticat
https://toyhou.se/goldenpaws2019

https://www.deviantart.com/pallettecolor23

Www.deviantart.com/Eveningstar10

Www.deviantart.com/Blizzardstorm97

www.deviantart.com/shadewillow12 - not positive but likely them based off comments/behavior

https://www.deviantart.com/riverdream975

https://www.deviantart.com/lightningdawn15

https://www.deviantart.com/buggymenotty

Situation Summary: 

- Claimed other art as theirs.

- Tried to commission other people's OC's claiming they were theirs.

- Scammed with others adoptables they did not make and stole.

- Scammed and tried to scam with commissions (Mainly art).

- Scammed with ToyHouse Codes.

- Paying for adopts/commissions with PayPal and after asking for a charge back after getting the adopts/art.

PLEASE REPORT. DO NOT HARASS
"they're probably a kid who thinks this is just a game and doesn't get what she/he is doing is wrong" THIS IS WHAT I THOUGHT, but they've already stated that they scam because "no one likes them IRL" and they have scammed people for amounts of +$100 SO THEY KNOW THIS IS WRONG. And they don't care. 
Admission to scamming and master list of who, and what they've scammed from them can be found here:
https://www.deviantart.com/artismypath/journal/SCAMMER-AND-ART-THIEF-ALERT-796133064


Personal account:
So this took place over the course of 2 days, I was seeking a toyhouse code and posted in the toyhouse code chat that I was offering a headshot in exchange for one. This user, Creativecat (account now closed) advertised 40 codes in the thread and said they'd do the trade. I completed their headshot and gave it to them, and waited to be sent my code. I was sent empty messages before finally receiving a message this morning with an account THEY MADE and the password, instead of giving me a code.

When I try to message them, I'm informed they've closed their account. I Tried to log into the account the "gave" me and it was "banned for being associated with a permanently banned user"
So.
I've been scammed out of time and art with nothing in exchange.
This user isn't only scamming me however, they are currently on DA, charging inflated prices for codes they don't have.
Their DA username is: blazestarwarriorcats and is still active.

Here are the screenshots of the exchange in order:

Initial AgreementwK2jKat.jpg9L4SjBO.jpgPI1fkMX.jpgGiving them the headhsot9FUIO1y.jpgFirst attempt trying to get my code.
QyyC4Av.jpgSecond attempt trying to get my code.Kc9S8EA.jpgHere they are on DA replying to me, with the art as their icon.ihPz13W.jpgThis is what I receivedFGlOSax.jpgThem asking me not to change the email! And my response. After this interaction they closed their account and I could not contact them further.
b8aHzbj.jpgThem Advertising they have 40 codes on TH8BmIH2k.jpgHere they are charging inflated prices on DA for codes and scamming users there as well. I wasn't aware of this until after our encounter.5jVOrA1.jpgHere is another user saying that they've been scammed! Surprise surprise.


The conclusion of this is, I'm new to posting art on the internet and using Toyhouse, and DA. I don't know how to report users on DA, and this has taken a huge hit to my artistic trust of people. I feel ripped off, disappointed, and grossed out that some scammer is out there using my artwork against my will.
I'm hoping some of you can help me get this sorted and handled, I don't want to see other innocent people being scammed like this by this person!
How do I report a DA user? If you know how and would like to help please contact me.
I hate that I have to do this :<


Update: another user has been scammed and made a post, to see this interaction and more proof of this scam please see this post: https://toyhou.se/~forums/5867.service-reviews/100580.point-scammer-blazestarwarriorscat-creativecat

Update 2: over 10 people have came out that they were scammed by this person. They are still scamming people and DA admins are not handling the issue, please help me report this scammer by taking some time to report them to the admins so we can finally end this scammer. They also have a new scam going around so watch your backs!

Update 3: they're going by a new name on toyhouse and still scamming people.
Beware Heads up everyone this scammer is
firespirit2018 - account has been banned 4/24

Update 4: Theyre going by another name here on DA and playing coy: Catherinedrawzzz
Attenmpted to go under a new name on toyhouse: Spiritstar - has been banned.
Toyhouse has perma banned their IP and will be banning all accounts made with it.

Update 5: They have yet another new account, no suspicious activity on it yet but keeping an eye on it. https://www.deviantart.com/catherinedrawzz

Update 6: They are now going by stripetail101 on here, they have been reported. - account closed. 

Update 7: https://www.deviantart.com/darktaildeviant they are using a new name and pulling the same old tricks. They are now also stealing characters so beware.

All updates will now be posted at the top of the page to keep the most recent information the most readily available.

LaBelph

Yeah definitely just blow them off at this point, they're just going to continue even if it's not you they try to get codes from. 

WindWaken

Just wanna pop in to say I don't think dA staff is going to be doing anything about this. Reporting them is 100% the right thing to do but knowing how dA staff is I don't think much will come of it, esp because its involving codes to a completely different site. So I feel its a waste of effort.

I can't see them caring too much about people drawing art and not getting anything in return honestly. Just how it goes over there :c

And when you give points to someone on dA not through a commission widget, its considered a "gift" and dA will not get your points back or do anything about it. It's a gamble when you pay that way. Luckily it seems most people are on the up and up so it works out more often than not but ye.
Not sure how it works with comm widgets tho? (if those were used in any of these "transactions") I don't have a lot of experience with that cause I've always had my comms fulfilled when paying that way or got a refund from the artist if they were unable to complete my piece.

As for the potential paypal buyers, dA would most likely not step in there either cause at that point they'd view it as paypal's issue and not theirs.

Super sorry to everyone thats been conned tho! Wish people weren't like this and that dA staff gave more of a rip about people getting scammed like this. Luckily TH's staff are on top of it over here though C:

Shapeshifters

UPDATE: They have blocked me after sending me two notes assuring me they would return the code

Coffeewoof

Shapeshifters I've also been blocked them but only on their catherinedrawzzz account. I've also formally received a reply from DA and filed the proper form to take action against them for using my art as an icon, unfortunately still nothing on the scamming front.

Shapeshifters

That's unfortunate...I wish you the best :( You were scammed out of art and I was scammed out of points

Xen

Sourdoe

New account

https://www.deviantart.com/catherinedrawzz

Coffeewoof

Xen Thanks for the heads up! I added it to the post.

SoraDeathEater

B00-D1-A3-C-8-D2-E-43-EF-87-BF-7514-A858

They are back at it with a new account they have no content whatsoever on their account, they just made it and right away asked me for a code so obviously be weary of new DA accounts XD 

Mochi

OOF frick i accidentally gave them a code 

sX6Jk4N.png

KDS;PJASOIDF I FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT (ー△ー;)

pretty sure theyre Stripetail101 RIP

SoraDeathEater

Mochi do the codes match :o like that code that was given with the account? (Asking before I report them x.x )

x.x I also fell for that lie too... they joined as SpiritStar using my code... it's been taken down though

Mochi

SoraDeathEater yeah it matches .-.

wvFcbGI.png

at least we both can join in solidarity at being tricked OTL. also thanks for reporting them, im to anxious so i appreciate it 

SoraDeathEater

Mochi no problem x.x yeah I felt like a fool when I found out they were the same user... the account that I gave them the code for, was closed x.x so I'm sure they'll do the same for you c: 

(though I am being bothered by them on DA using fake/new accounts asking for TH codes... so now I'm not going to be giving them for free anymore ;n; )

Lilina

I'll just block them in case if they ask a code from me (Which, as of right now, I don't have any available code). Also, yikes, so sorry this happened to both of you. :^(

Mochi

SoraDeathEater yeah hopefully its closed soon. im sorry they keep being bothered for you on da, youd think da would like ip block them or something. i dont blame you for not wanting to give them out for free. 

Historia thanks for the condolences, im going to block them as well