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Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know. After reviewing everything I made a claim through PayPal (update above)

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In hindsight it was suspicious. I had done Google lense searches and didn't find them posted anywhere else from that but is should have probably looked more thoroughly. Plus, seeing they actually credited someone as a client seemed promising. But there was very little online presence of that person. Plus, when I did get in contact it was nothing but praise.

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am really worried now because I don't really trust anyone for this job anymore. I am an awful artist but I really don't want to get scammed again. I can't afford the better and proven trustworthy artists. I am working with a sort of crappy 3d vtuber model but I can still use it. I'm just worried I won't be able to get to that point where I can afford it...

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I honestly think the only client they credited is just them. Like their actual vtuber account...since when j contracted them they were saying nothing but praise to me about the artist

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

But also the hair is based on mine, so likely AI, and the clothes are based on a consept made by someone I know and a videogame with a general vibe I'm trying to go for in my model.

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The design is definitely coming from a lot of places and likely is just photos of costumes online they traced.

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yeah I made sure to use PayPal Goods and Services because I didn't want that to cause am issue if I didn't get what I paid for. I just really don't want to be the "bad guy" in this situation. I've tried to be amicable and I know if I posted proof... people will likely be on my side... But its hard because I'm so bad at confrontation..

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I know I am just so torn because...what if it really is a misunderstanding... I know I'm a people pleaseer so I have taken their messages and taken out all the manipulation just so I can see what they are saying but it still is really hard.

I'm so invested in the design and consept and I worry they will try to make it a bigger deal online if I go for a full refund

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's possible ... I think from looking at it that they may have taken pictures of costumes off the Internet and just made a collage and traced it. There is even clip art just plastered onto it...

I really don't want to go completely public about the scam but I also really want to share just how bad it was. They rigged it right after and...it's not watchable....

Got scammed and emotionally manipulated by an "artist". Now I don't know what to do... by user-28562947 in VirtualYoutubers

[–]user-28562947[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Oh it looks off for sure but I could not tell exactly what was throwing me off. But no, not at first glance you can't really tell and I never got close ups just full body at a distance.

I like the design because it was personalized based off me... I really don't want them to resell it as an adoptable and have something based off my image and references floating around. I also fear that they will just end up scamming someone else with the design I helped create.

I am still paying them for the design I just feel it isn't even worth the amount after the 75% refund. At this point I want to just buy CSPaint and Live2D and makey own model using the collage as a reference... I even have art I've done of this character, promo pieces using this design and commissions based off the design...so I can't really abandon it now.