Fake: Forgery, Lies, and eBay - Hardcover

Wilson, Kenneth; Walton, Ken

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1416907114 ISBN 13: 9781416907114

Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2006

Synopsis

A behind-the-scenes account of an art scam through which con artists used eBay's then-unpoliced auction system to manipulate bidders out of large quantities of money traces the author's transformation from an art trader to an Internet fraudster, shares the stories of high-profile scammers and victims, and describes how their activities changed eBay policies. 50,000 first printing.

About this title

Review

"Smooth, fast-paced tale of eBay chicanery. Highly recommended, read with confidence!!! (Probably wouldn't buy a painting from him, though.)"

-- Greg Beato

"Kenneth Walton's "Fake" really opens your eyes to the often unethical price-raising methods used by some sellers on eBay. Drop your mouse and read this book before you make one more bid!"

-- Doug Noble, "Mountain Democrat"

"Walton reveals the lunatic world of art speculation on eBay with a gripping tale of his own dizzying fall from grace. Insightful and darkly humorous, "Fake" is better than most thrillers, and more thrilling than any memoir I've read in years."

-- Dylan Schaffer, author of "I Right the Wrongs"

""Fake" is the real deal -- a vivid and illuminating sprint through the murky waters of online auctions, greed, and the makings of a con. Kenneth Walton's story is rapid-fire read for all, and a compelling primer for anyone thinking of buying or selling something valuable over the Internet."
-- Franz Wisner, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Honeymoon with My Brother"

"Fake is the real deal -- a vivid and illuminating sprint through the murky waters of online auctions, greed, and the makings of a con. Kenneth Walton's story is rapid-fire read for all, and a compelling primer for anyone thinking of buying or selling something valuable over the Internet."

-- Franz Wisner, New York Times bestselling author of Honeymoon with My Brother

About the Author

Kenneth Walton was a lawyer when he began selling art on eBay in 1999. Over time his online sales tactics grew increasingly fraudulent, culminating in the $135,805 sale of a forged Richard Diebenkorn painting in May 2000. The story of this infamous auction, first broken by an investigative report published in the New York Times, ultimately resulted in his prosecution by the federal government for placing shill bids. He was sentenced in June 2004, is no longer a lawyer, and lives in Northern California. This is his first book. You can visit his website at www.kennethwalton.com.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1416907114
• ISBN 13: 9781416907114
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 296