Scammed By Josh Hoopes...beware!

Imagineer · 07-21-2009, 07:13 PM

Hi Everyone,

My name is David Willaim Daniel Thomas. I am an aspiring comic book writer who has been working busily to get my title, The Infinites, published.

In searching for new artist here a couple of months ago I was contacted by somone posing as Art Adams. Here is his blurb:

This message is from a Virgin Mobile customer. Enjoy.

------Original Message------
From: Arthur Adams <adamsarthur@rocketmail.com>
To: "Rtaillon@aci.ca" <Rtaillon@aci.ca>
Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 10:34:05 PM -0700
Subject: Commissions

Hey there up and comers......... I know you guys are familiar with my work but are wondering what am i doing applying? Not that im applying as i am offering the chance at using my services for a limited time for a very reduced rate. My good friend and agent both agreed to do this for a select few through out the different talent sites. Those with new and good stories. For those not familiar with my work can find me. Art adams art on various different web sites. Any questions let me know. Art

----------
This message is from a Virgin Mobile customer. Enjoy.

At the point I was at with The Infinites I thought the interest of a name artist was a Godsend.

For the purpose of this scam, Josh Hoopes posed as both Art Adams and his "agent" Joseph Jenkins. He was slick and professional and pushy with this con. As Art, he said that he had entered into a talent search agreement with Wizard magazine and that he would be able to promote my book via Wizard. He said that Wizard had placed him under a tight deadline for signing prospects and he needed the money right now! Along with his editorial contacts, "Art" assured me that publication would be the least of the hurdles. He was correct in that, just not in the way that I imagined...

From there he posed as his agent Joseph Jenkins, even going so far as to provide a forged driver's license with Art's picture on it. When I questioned him about the birthdate discrepancy between the license and what I found online he said the DMV had erred and that he had since corrected it. He said he used the out of date license as he did not want to reveal such highly personal info to a stranger. You gotta credit his prudence.

Sadly, the excitement at the possibility of bringing Art onboard a project I have laboured on for years got the best of me and I entered into a contract with this conman. That contract cost me $7, 080 USD. That was a severe economic blow that is going to take some while to recover from.

Worse yet, this filth has the first three issues of my series in full script form. This is my real worry. The characters and title are copyrighted and the name is trademarked but it's still a worry that he will disseminate my lifework's callously and recklessly. That's what hurts. That's what's scary. I've laboured long and hard to make The Infinites unique in comics and I know that it is. The prospect of seeing it bubble up under a pseudonym or in another thinly veiled form is too much to think about!

So, I appeal to my fellow creators...help me catch this bastard! He needs to be punished and put away before he can do more damage. Anyone who has leads on this snake, please let me know as I am putting together for the authorities her and in the US. And please let your local law enforcement agencies know!

Comics are my calling and my passion and I hate to see..I hate even the prospect of seeing...something so beautiful ravaged and raped by a thug like Josh Hoopes.

So I appeal to you one and all, let's band together to stop this wolf.

And please, please, please, if you come across a script entitled The Infinites, The Harrowing of MV4, please let me know and return my rightful property to me. To use it is to be party to Josh's crimes!

Thanks for your attention,

David William Daniel Thomas

goatfog · 07-21-2009, 07:35 PM

Yo should check out this link, and get in touch with Jamie Cottle.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2009/07/...-phone-number/

Morganza · 07-21-2009, 07:45 PM

I'm sorry for your loss Dude, I know how you feel, seems like there's always some A-Hole out there out to get you.

j giar · 07-21-2009, 07:58 PM

Sorry for your bad fortune, that just sucks. I hope this scumbag gets what he deserves. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the interview on the link...it may help make you feel a little better.

Deadfish07 · 07-21-2009, 08:13 PM

Seven grand? Damn!

Definately make sure you get your story to Rich Johnston over at BleedingCool.com because he's been warning people about this guy for a couple years now.

I wouldn't worry too much about your script. He probably already erased it and is going after the next person.

JAQ · 07-21-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imagineer

So I appeal to you one and all, let's band together to stop this wolf.

The one way to really stop him is to get him into court, which I'm afraid is up to you and/or a few dozen other people. You have him in breach of contract: Sue. He has committed fraud against you: Press charges. (And if the fraud involved the USPS at any time, you can press federal charges.)

ArchonComics · 07-21-2009, 08:20 PM

I just got an email recently from "Art Adams". I told him to eff of in not so many words.

powerbomb1411 · 07-21-2009, 08:23 PM

That does suck.

Few quick things.

#1 I wouldn't worry about him stealing your script. That would require him to do actual work. And even if he did try and do actual work, I don't see him having a chance to work with anyone in the industry anywhere once they find out who he really is.

Second, I've gotten a few e-mails from him as well.

Whenever you think you might be working with someone. It never hurts to do a google or yahoo search of their e-mail to find out what kind of interesting results can come up. You just never know, nothing could come up, or it might be an e-mail used by Josh Hoopes himself or the next guy that takes his place.

robbdaman · 07-21-2009, 09:10 PM

YOU NEED TO CONTACT A LAWYER! I am very serious about this, you are a victim of GRAND THEFT and FRAUD. This guy MUST be put behind bars for his actions. You need a lawyer and with his help you'll need to contact your state's Attorney General. There is verified information about this guy, as in Jamie Cottle has his address and phone number in Sacramento. I will make sure that he sees this and hopefully he can help you out but first and foremost you NEED to talk to a lawyer. Also you should check out and contact the people at Unscrewed http://www.unscrewedcomic.com/articl...6&query=hoopes as they have dealings with this guy before and a lot of other evidence against him.

dickieH8 · 07-21-2009, 09:29 PM

An acquaintance of mine is good friends with Art. When this topic first popped up( in a different thread, I believe) I took it upon myself to notify her. Hopefully this scumbag will find his ass sued not just by you for defrauding him, but by Art and his agent as well.

chaz

NewBabyProd · 07-21-2009, 09:30 PM

I haven't looked at the links, so I apologize if the answer is somewhere on them, but does the REAL Art Adams know about this?

NewBabyProd · 07-21-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBabyProd

I haven't looked at the links, so I apologize if the answer is somewhere on them, but does the REAL Art Adams know about this?

It looks like Chaz answered my question while I was still typing it out. Thanks.

armornsilverstreak · 07-21-2009, 09:36 PM

Imagineer,

This is Jamie Cottle from the Bleeding cool article. I can relate to how it feels to get scammed. Fortunately, I was saved any hardships when I managed to spot the tendencies he followed from Rich Johnston's published correspondences and that's what tipped me off to the "Joseph Jenkins" alias he was using with me. But, that doesn't mean I don't want to help.

Definitely, let Rich know about this. He can be contacted through BleedingCool.com. If any prosecution develops from this I will gladly offer the recorded conversation as evidence against him along with all his known aliases and testify against the guy. I don't care where the prosecution happens, I'll be there.

Send me an e-mail to Jamie.Cottle@gmail.com and I'll forward to you everything I have. Also, I'll be posting in my blog Thursday on www.RandRcomics.com about the warning signs I picked up on when communicating with him.

I know this is little solace after loosing 7,000 to him, but that much money gives you an option I don not. Legal action. Prehaps there are enough people harmed by him now that a suit can be filled against him. I hope this helps.

Jamie Cottle
www.randrcomics.com

artofsw · 07-21-2009, 09:52 PM

I can't believe you didn't pick up on it when he mentioned the license error. That should have been the first warning flag, Why would you need art adams anyway and handing $7,080 over to him without and any work is just plain stupid. If it really was art adams, he wouldn't ask for all the money, cause he has money, he works in the industry and his work sells. So pushing for money upfront, is your next sign that its a scam. If this is true and you really did lose this amount of money, I feel for you, Its a lot to lose.

But on the internet, anyone can be a thief, so trusting people like this should be a lesson to anyone, Until they can really prove who they really are. A driver license just doesn't cut, God anyone can fake that in photoshop.
When I hire someone, I don't pay until I at least see some work, and when I do work for someone else, I return the same loyalty.

chris stevens · 07-21-2009, 10:15 PM

$7 k?

you have to contact the law about this. that's a lot of money and combined with the false id he provided you, along with what is by now a well established history of theft and impersonation, there must be legal recourse for you.

one thing i'll say, and believe me i understand the appeal of working with arthur and how exciting the prospect of that must have been, but why in the world would arthur adams, a guy who could draw any book he wants to at any company and whose originals routinely sell for thousands of $$$, why would he be writing you(or anyone else)looking for work at such reduced prices?

it's a mean, cruel trick josh hoopes has pulled on people and i hope he gets his.

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07-21-2009, 07:13 PM	#1
Imagineer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 20	Scammed By Josh Hoopes...beware! Hi Everyone, My name is David Willaim Daniel Thomas. I am an aspiring comic book writer who has been working busily to get my title, The Infinites, published. In searching for new artist here a couple of months ago I was contacted by somone posing as Art Adams. Here is his blurb: This message is from a Virgin Mobile customer. Enjoy. ------Original Message------ From: Arthur Adams <adamsarthur@rocketmail.com> To: "Rtaillon@aci.ca" <Rtaillon@aci.ca> Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 10:34:05 PM -0700 Subject: Commissions Hey there up and comers......... I know you guys are familiar with my work but are wondering what am i doing applying? Not that im applying as i am offering the chance at using my services for a limited time for a very reduced rate. My good friend and agent both agreed to do this for a select few through out the different talent sites. Those with new and good stories. For those not familiar with my work can find me. Art adams art on various different web sites. Any questions let me know. Art ---------- This message is from a Virgin Mobile customer. Enjoy. At the point I was at with The Infinites I thought the interest of a name artist was a Godsend. For the purpose of this scam, Josh Hoopes posed as both Art Adams and his "agent" Joseph Jenkins. He was slick and professional and pushy with this con. As Art, he said that he had entered into a talent search agreement with Wizard magazine and that he would be able to promote my book via Wizard. He said that Wizard had placed him under a tight deadline for signing prospects and he needed the money right now! Along with his editorial contacts, "Art" assured me that publication would be the least of the hurdles. He was correct in that, just not in the way that I imagined... From there he posed as his agent Joseph Jenkins, even going so far as to provide a forged driver's license with Art's picture on it. When I questioned him about the birthdate discrepancy between the license and what I found online he said the DMV had erred and that he had since corrected it. He said he used the out of date license as he did not want to reveal such highly personal info to a stranger. You gotta credit his prudence. Sadly, the excitement at the possibility of bringing Art onboard a project I have laboured on for years got the best of me and I entered into a contract with this conman. That contract cost me $7, 080 USD. That was a severe economic blow that is going to take some while to recover from. Worse yet, this filth has the first three issues of my series in full script form. This is my real worry. The characters and title are copyrighted and the name is trademarked but it's still a worry that he will disseminate my lifework's callously and recklessly. That's what hurts. That's what's scary. I've laboured long and hard to make The Infinites unique in comics and I know that it is. The prospect of seeing it bubble up under a pseudonym or in another thinly veiled form is too much to think about! So, I appeal to my fellow creators...help me catch this bastard! He needs to be punished and put away before he can do more damage. Anyone who has leads on this snake, please let me know as I am putting together for the authorities her and in the US. And please let your local law enforcement agencies know! Comics are my calling and my passion and I hate to see..I hate even the prospect of seeing...something so beautiful ravaged and raped by a thug like Josh Hoopes. So I appeal to you one and all, let's band together to stop this wolf. And please, please, please, if you come across a script entitled The Infinites, The Harrowing of MV4, please let me know and return my rightful property to me. To use it is to be party to Josh's crimes! Thanks for your attention, David William Daniel Thomas

07-21-2009, 07:35 PM	#2
goatfog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 75	Yo should check out this link, and get in touch with Jamie Cottle. http://www.bleedingcool.com/2009/07/...-phone-number/

07-21-2009, 07:45 PM	#3
Morganza CAPTAIN AWESOME!!! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 925	I'm sorry for your loss Dude, I know how you feel, seems like there's always some A-Hole out there out to get you.

07-21-2009, 07:58 PM	#4
j giar Has nothing to add. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 5,968	Sorry for your bad fortune, that just sucks. I hope this scumbag gets what he deserves. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the interview on the link...it may help make you feel a little better.

07-21-2009, 08:13 PM	#5
Deadfish07 Mall Security Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hicksville, NY Posts: 1,763	Seven grand? Damn! Definately make sure you get your story to Rich Johnston over at BleedingCool.com because he's been warning people about this guy for a couple years now. I wouldn't worry too much about your script. He probably already erased it and is going after the next person.

07-21-2009, 08:20 PM	#7
ArchonComics Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 138	I just got an email recently from "Art Adams". I told him to eff of in not so many words.

07-21-2009, 08:23 PM	#8
powerbomb1411 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: TC Posts: 292	That does suck. Few quick things. #1 I wouldn't worry about him stealing your script. That would require him to do actual work. And even if he did try and do actual work, I don't see him having a chance to work with anyone in the industry anywhere once they find out who he really is. Second, I've gotten a few e-mails from him as well. Whenever you think you might be working with someone. It never hurts to do a google or yahoo search of their e-mail to find out what kind of interesting results can come up. You just never know, nothing could come up, or it might be an e-mail used by Josh Hoopes himself or the next guy that takes his place.

07-21-2009, 09:10 PM	#9
robbdaman Tilting at Windmills Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 444	YOU NEED TO CONTACT A LAWYER! I am very serious about this, you are a victim of GRAND THEFT and FRAUD. This guy MUST be put behind bars for his actions. You need a lawyer and with his help you'll need to contact your state's Attorney General. There is verified information about this guy, as in Jamie Cottle has his address and phone number in Sacramento. I will make sure that he sees this and hopefully he can help you out but first and foremost you NEED to talk to a lawyer. Also you should check out and contact the people at Unscrewed http://www.unscrewedcomic.com/articl...6&query=hoopes as they have dealings with this guy before and a lot of other evidence against him.

07-21-2009, 09:29 PM	#10
dickieH8 Charles Fetherolf Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Paltz, NY Posts: 282	An acquaintance of mine is good friends with Art. When this topic first popped up( in a different thread, I believe) I took it upon myself to notify her. Hopefully this scumbag will find his ass sued not just by you for defrauding him, but by Art and his agent as well. chaz

07-21-2009, 09:30 PM	#11
NewBabyProd Publisher Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bloomfield Twp, MI Posts: 178	I haven't looked at the links, so I apologize if the answer is somewhere on them, but does the REAL Art Adams know about this?

07-21-2009, 09:36 PM	#13
armornsilverstreak Is a daddy Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 314	Imagineer, This is Jamie Cottle from the Bleeding cool article. I can relate to how it feels to get scammed. Fortunately, I was saved any hardships when I managed to spot the tendencies he followed from Rich Johnston's published correspondences and that's what tipped me off to the "Joseph Jenkins" alias he was using with me. But, that doesn't mean I don't want to help. Definitely, let Rich know about this. He can be contacted through BleedingCool.com. If any prosecution develops from this I will gladly offer the recorded conversation as evidence against him along with all his known aliases and testify against the guy. I don't care where the prosecution happens, I'll be there. Send me an e-mail to Jamie.Cottle@gmail.com and I'll forward to you everything I have. Also, I'll be posting in my blog Thursday on www.RandRcomics.com about the warning signs I picked up on when communicating with him. I know this is little solace after loosing 7,000 to him, but that much money gives you an option I don not. Legal action. Prehaps there are enough people harmed by him now that a suit can be filled against him. I hope this helps. Jamie Cottle www.randrcomics.com

07-21-2009, 09:52 PM	#14
artofsw artofsw Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 101	I can't believe you didn't pick up on it when he mentioned the license error. That should have been the first warning flag, Why would you need art adams anyway and handing $7,080 over to him without and any work is just plain stupid. If it really was art adams, he wouldn't ask for all the money, cause he has money, he works in the industry and his work sells. So pushing for money upfront, is your next sign that its a scam. If this is true and you really did lose this amount of money, I feel for you, Its a lot to lose. But on the internet, anyone can be a thief, so trusting people like this should be a lesson to anyone, Until they can really prove who they really are. A driver license just doesn't cut, God anyone can fake that in photoshop. When I hire someone, I don't pay until I at least see some work, and when I do work for someone else, I return the same loyalty.

07-21-2009, 10:15 PM	#15
chris stevens Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: philadelphia Posts: 2,396	$7 k? you have to contact the law about this. that's a lot of money and combined with the false id he provided you, along with what is by now a well established history of theft and impersonation, there must be legal recourse for you. one thing i'll say, and believe me i understand the appeal of working with arthur and how exciting the prospect of that must have been, but why in the world would arthur adams, a guy who could draw any book he wants to at any company and whose originals routinely sell for thousands of $$$, why would he be writing you(or anyone else)looking for work at such reduced prices? it's a mean, cruel trick josh hoopes has pulled on people and i hope he gets his.