[met]

Recent multiple sale posts from a new account reminded me* it's been some time since we last heard from the lowlife thief and fraudster, Jason Zenga.

There was a depressing predictability with which he would always reappear, like a turd refusing to be flushed. It made me wonder how long our current grace period will last for, and whether we might be living on borrowed time.

Given the substantial number of people Zenga managed to defraud in the past, including on this forum, a fresh thread may be helpful in discouraging complacency within our ranks.


What follows is for the benefit of anyone needing a refresher.



JASON ZENGA

Apparently born on 9 or 22 September 1979, and now in his early forties.



1.  Other names, possible aliases, past girlfriends, wives and/or cohorts


-  Jason Robert Zenga
-  Jason R Zenga
-  Jason Zeng / Jason Zenag
-  Jason Ciccarello / Jason Chicarello
-  Jason Mattarazo

-  James Dakin

-  Juliann Cyhan / Juli Cyhan [Fellow scammer at Art Asylum Boston, and mother of his child (or one of his children), a son born in 2012.]

-  Dorine (Coello) Zenga [Wife or ex-wife.]

-  Crystal Mello

-  Renée Moschella / Renée Moschelle

-  Leah Cefalo

-  Nicole Francis



2.  Known previous occupations


(i)  prolific scammer and failed gallerist at Art Asylum Boston in Lynn, Massachusetts;

(ii)  prolific eBay scammer;

(iii)  Los Angeles-based failed DJ (albeit self-described as "internationally acclaimed") with different stage names: High Def* / High-Def*, Zenga*, and DJay-Z*; and

(iv)  possibly works or has worked as a framer***.



3.  Known city residences (past and present)


-  Los Angeles, California (last known location)

-  Boston, Lynn, Quincy, and Fitchburg, Massachusetts



4.  Known email addresses previously used for scamming


-  [e-mail]

-  [e-mail]

-  [e-mail]

-  [e-mail]

-  [e-mail]

-  [e-mail]



5.  Known telephone numbers previously used for scamming


-  [phone]

-  [phone]



6.  Known eBay user IDs previously used for scamming


-  juliz1215*

-  silvercity11*

-  sweet_art*

-  caligraffiti09

-  jaycole1218



7.  Known or probable usernames on the Urban Art Association


(i)  darkcity [darkcity; registered in February 2016; post suggesting he was communicating under the name James*];

(ii)  godspeed [Registered circa 2015; deleted account];

(iii)  missnicole12 [missnicole12; registered in November 2013];

(iv)  deltaone [Registered circa 2012; deleted account]; and

(v)  blackice [Registered circa 2011; deleted account].



8.  Some UAA threads related to Zenga


(i)  JASON ZENGA/DARKCITY SCAMMER
Thread started in July 2016
urbanartassociation.com/thread/140632/jason-zenga-darkcity-scammer


(ii)  JASON ZENGA - Kaws Running Chum Silkscreen Set - darkcity
Thread started in July 2016
urbanartassociation.com/thread/140476/jason-zenga-running-silkscreen-darkcity


(iii)  Collection For Sale (JASON ZENGA!) Kaws, Banksy, retna etc
Thread started in May 2016
urbanartassociation.com/thread/138863/collection-jason-zenga-banksy-retna


(iv)  Leah Cefalo / Godspeed
Thread started in June 2015
urbanartassociation.com/thread/131112/leah-cefalo-godspeed


(v)  Who is Godspeed?
Thread started in May 2015
urbanartassociation.com/thread/129547/who-godspeed


(vi)  MissNicole12 = Jason Zenga
Thread started December 2013
urbanartassociation.com/thread/111633/missnicole12-jason-zenga


(vii)  For Sale: HowNosm storm predictions
Thread started November 2013
urbanartassociation.com/thread/111250/fs-hownosm-storm-predictions


(viii)  For Sale or trade: Jose Parla WTL & 184TH ST.
Thread started November 2013
urbanartassociation.com/thread/111594/trade-jose-parla-wtl-184th


(ix)  Jason Zenga = THIEF
Thread started in February 2013
urbanartassociation.com/thread/103898/jason-zenga-thief


(x)  Beware: Jason Zenga strikes back!!!
Thread started in July 2012
urbanartassociation.com/thread/97441/beware-jason-zenga-strikes-back


(xi)  Art Asylum Boston / Jason Zenga scammer is BACK!
Thread started in May 2012
urbanartassociation.com/thread/96101/asylum-boston-jason-zenga-scammer


(xii)  For Sale: Breaking up entire collection
Thread started in January 2012
urbanartassociation.com/thread/91300/fs-breaking-entire-collection


(xiii)  For Sale: RETNA HPM "Got Paint II"
Thread started in September 2011
urbanartassociation.com/thread/87309/fs-retna-hpm-got-paint


(xiv)  Kaws running chum print set
Thread started in March 2011
urbanartassociation.com/thread/68661/kaws-running-chum-print-set


(xv)  Art Asylum Boston - Jason Zenga Investigation
Thread started in September 2010
urbanartassociation.com/thread/69369/asylum-boston-jason-zenga-investigation



9.  Some Kidrobot Forums threads related to Zenga


(i)  SCAMMER ALERT: ART ASYLUM BOSTON!
Thread started in September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120127061534/http://forums.kidrobot.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=164642


(ii)  NEW COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ART ASYLUM BOSTON
Thread started in September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120127002044/http://forums.kidrobot.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=164474


(iii)  Arkiv Instant exclusive You choose the color!
Thread started in March 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120126225013/http://forums.kidrobot.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=156776


(iv)  anyone ever order fmor ART ASYLUM in boston b4?
Thread started in November 2009
web.archive.org/web/20120127002018/http://forums.kidrobot.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=150093


(v)  (WARNING! Watch out for Art Asylum Boston! (re: KAWS)
Thread started in July 2009
web.archive.org/web/20120126232449/http://forums.kidrobot.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=140551



10.  TheGiant.org thread related to Zenga


Banned under the username 'artasylumboston' in 2009 "for reasons of Community Trust".

Art Asylum Boston: Fakes, Theft and Sketchy Things
Thread started in March 2009
forum.thegiant.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=21192&start=25



11.  Some of the many blog posts related to Zenga


(i)  Fakestencils.blog
Work Stolen by Jason Zenga
Post dated 11 February 2011
fakestencils.blogspot.com/2011/02/work-stolen-by-jason-zenga.html


(ii)  The Life Vicarious Blog
Jason Zenga, Juliann Cyhan: Not in jail, getting married?
Post dated 11 December 2011
web.archive.org/web/20120313031613/www.thelifevicarious.com/the_life_vicarious/2011/12/jason-zenga-juliann-cyhan-not-in-jail-getting-married.html


(iii)  The Life Vicarious Blog
How Art Asylum Boston lost their leverage.
Post dated 7 October 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120313043424/http://www.thelifevicarious.com/the_life_vicarious/2010/10/how-art-asylum-boston-got-to-this-point-website-down.html


(iv)  The Life Vicarious Blog
Art Asylum Boston's Art 4 Hearts PayPal problem.
Post dated 30 September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120903105155/http://www.thelifevicarious.com:80/the_life_vicarious/2010/09/juliann-cyhans-and-art-asylum-bostons-art-4-hearts-problem.html


(v)  The Life Vicarious Blog
AAB's Jason Zenga and House of Pain's Everlast weigh in.
Post dated 29 September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20120502104939/http://www.thelifevicarious.com/the_life_vicarious/2010/09/aabs-jason-zenga-and-house-of-pains-everlast-weigh-in.html


(vi)  Posters and Prints Blog
More Jason Zenga + Art Asylum Boston Theft & Fraud Information
Post dated 28 September 2010
www.postersandprintsblog.com/postersandprintsblog/2010/9/28/more-jason-zenga-art-asylum-boston-theft-fraud-information.html


(vii)  Posters and Prints Blog
Art Asylum Boston Rips Off Everlast From House Of Pain
Post dated 20 September 2010
www.postersandprintsblog.com/postersandprintsblog/2010/9/20/art-asylum-boston-rips-off-everlast-from-house-of-pain.html


(viii)  Tomopop.com (collectible toy culture blog)
Art Asylum Boston: scammers extraordinaire?
Post dated 28 September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20111203185650/tomopop.com/art-asylum-boston-scammers-extraordinaire--14806.phtml


(ix)  Freshnessmag.com
KAWS WEIGHS IN ON ART ASYLUM BOSTON CONTROVERSY "NO ASSOCIATION"
Post dated 24 September 2010
www.freshnessmag.com/2010/09/24/kaws-weighs-in-on-art-asylum-boston-controversy-no-association/


(x)  Collecting Street and Graffiti Art Blog
ART ASYLUM BOSTON CAUGHT IN A QUAGMIRE !
Post dated 24 September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20121209013926/http://collectingstreetandgraffitiart.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-asylum-boston-caught-in-quagmire-of.html


(xi)  Collecting Street and Graffiti Art Blog
ART ASYLUM BOSTON TANGLES WITH GRAMMY AWARD WINNING RAPPER
Post dated 17 September 2010
web.archive.org/web/20100923131137/http://collectingstreetandgraffitiart.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-asylum-boston-tangles-with-grammy.html




12.  Traits and modus operandi of Zenga (typical of many long-term fraudsters)


(i)  displaying superficial charm and faux sincerity; reasonably articulate and highly manipulative; compulsive liar; quite capable of coming across as legitimate by association — by giving the false appearance of having close ties with well-known artists and reputable professionals; willing to share his knowledge of contemporary art and the art market in order to gain trust; displaying relative calm when challenged in written communications;


(ii)  using multiple aliases and an assortment of email, forum, or eBay (and probably social media) accounts when selling and scamming — even pretending at times to be female;


(iii)  not averse to relying on fabricated stories that involve sick children and charity to lower people's guards and defraud them more effectively;


(iv)  carrying out a few legitimate transactions to build a reputation and establish goodwill, before reverting back to conning people — including by selling counterfeits, selling the same pieces more than once to different buyers, not actually sending to buyers the artwork they paid for;


(v)  at times being cagey about revealing where he's actually located or specific details of his past;


(vi)  claiming he's had issues with PayPal, to persuade buyers to use a payment method that is less secure for them, e.g. bank transfer (or possibly one that invalidates PayPal's buyer protection, such as multiple PayPal invoices for a single item purchased);


(vii)  being proactively keen and communicative before receiving the sale proceeds, but frustratingly difficult to get hold of afterwards (not answering calls or responding to messages seeking updates);


(viii)  delaying shipping (these delays often being protracted), having to be repeatedly chased for tracking details instead of volunteering this information to buyers, providing multiple excuses for the delays (some of them implausible or nonsensical), lying about having shipped items, and giving false tracking numbers; and


(ix)  achieving relative success when it comes to online negative-content suppression to help cover his tracks, including by harassing those who call out his thieving, and issuing threats or take-down notices to get inconvenient posts, threads, links and web pages (detailing his past scamming) removed from search-engine results pages.



13.  Photos of Jason Zenga


Please bear in mind that many of the images below are now over a decade old. Note as well their moody pretentiousness. And stench of narcissism.


Message to collectors:

If this individual appears on screen at the beginning of your Skype or Zoom chat with a seller, you have been duly warned.



Can this be true?
Tell me, can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?



Yeah, on the catwalk, on the catwalk, yeah
I shake my little tush on the catwalk



Would you cry, if you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul tonight?

[irl1]

Photo I.D for new accounts is the only way to stop a lot of scammers

Passport or licence only

Yes there are fake ones out there but this would be a way to stop a lot of them

[Chris JL]

May 27, 2021 8:24:17 GMT 1 irl1 said:

Photo I.D for new accounts is the only way to stop a lot of scammers

Passport or licence only

Yes there are fake ones out there but this would be a way to stop a lot of them

Platforms do tolerate inappropriate behaviour due to distorted incentives.
Eg eBay keeps online people that make a business of selling fakes because they bring fees, Facebook keeps online white nationalists because they bring clicks ie revenues, social forums keep online “despicables” because … etc etc …

[Hubble Bubble]

Great post, met.

Many thanks. I'd forgotten all about him!

[Sundowner]

Great post met . I nearly got swindled when buying some fake Elms Lester Parla prints from 'Nicole' - luckily I was able to get Paypal to send my money back. Will try and dig out the images I was sent of the fake stamps.

[Zippy]

Thanks Met.
A thorough and detailed post. A reminder to us all when buying and selling.

[Reader]

"Would you cry, if you saw me crying? And would you save my soul tonight?"

hahaha, those photo comments.

[dotdot]

thread should be sticky for at least one reason.

goes without saying -> JZ is one of many - if there is a quid/buck to be made there will be a small queue of people willing to take it from ... those who might not know what exactly they are getting into...

thanks for info met , as per.

The sinking feeling which goes with the purchase of a fake or selling to a scammer is not one I'd wish on anyone here.

[Terry Fuckwitt]

Great detailed post met and well worth the time put in. If it saves one person getting scammed, that is a good result.

[Forbidden Love]

Didn't any criminal proceedings come against him? I thought they had at one point?

[startimeash]

Great thread, thank you!

[Fake]

I was one of the artists he scammed. Selling our works and never paying out.
Jason Zenga contacted me at some point asking me to remove a post like this I made on my blog at the time. I told him to F*** him self.
I am sure posts like this will hurt him and google results are stopping him from getting a normal job.

Note to self: Never mess around with "Met"

[Javier]

Love the poetry of referring to such a kind of person as "a turd refusing to be flushed". Bravo Met

First of all thanks for the detailed information, second a question to the air...

Isn't there a way where all the knowledge about scammers could be shared? Sure we all have met at least one at one point or another (in my case just one, but I'm a bit newbie), and we could avoid others to be scammed too. Of course, in a way that didn't go against privacy laws, and at the same time don't allow them to know they have been discovered or would change Nicknames and so...

[riddle]

Well done Met.

[.dappy]

May 27, 2021 14:00:34 GMT 1 Javier said:

Love the poetry of referring to such a kind of person as "a turd refusing to be flushed". Bravo Met

First of all thanks for the detailed information, second a question to the air...

Isn't there a way where all the knowledge about scammers could be shared? Sure we all have met at least one at one point or another (in my case just one, but I'm a bit newbie), and we could avoid others to be scammed too. Of course, in a way that didn't go against privacy laws, and at the same time don't allow them to know they have been discovered or would change Nicknames and so...

... there used to be a 'Not So Good Dealings With ...' Thread that included Jason Z and a number of other persons and scammers ...

... it used to be here:  Art For Sale > Member Sales Feedback > Not So Good Dealings With ....

... but the link I have for it no longer seems to work!  ... its disappeared ...

... maybe another member could have a search? ...  although I cant find it ... hhhmm ...

[Javier]

May 27, 2021 15:58:17 GMT 1 .dappy said:

May 27, 2021 14:00:34 GMT 1 Javier said:

Love the poetry of referring to such a kind of person as "a turd refusing to be flushed". Bravo Met

First of all thanks for the detailed information, second a question to the air...

Isn't there a way where all the knowledge about scammers could be shared? Sure we all have met at least one at one point or another (in my case just one, but I'm a bit newbie), and we could avoid others to be scammed too. Of course, in a way that didn't go against privacy laws, and at the same time don't allow them to know they have been discovered or would change Nicknames and so...

... there used to be a 'Not So Good Dealings With ...' Thread that included Jason Z and a number of other persons and scammers ...

... it used to be here:  Art For Sale > Member Sales Feedback > Not So Good Dealings With ....

... but the link I have for it no longer seems to work!  ... its disappeared ...

... maybe another member could have a search? ...  although I cant find it ... hhhmm ...

Can't find it either...

But in my case, the scammer was on eBay, that thread can be useful, but in a dreamworld there should be anything else...

By the way, it took me weeks, but he was banned from eBay (and now is back with a different name)

[Chris JL]

May 27, 2021 16:39:51 GMT 1 Javier said:

May 27, 2021 15:58:17 GMT 1 .dappy said:

... there used to be a 'Not So Good Dealings With ...' Thread that included Jason Z and a number of other persons and scammers ...

... it used to be here:  Art For Sale > Member Sales Feedback > Not So Good Dealings With ....

... but the link I have for it no longer seems to work!  ... its disappeared ...

... maybe another member could have a search? ...  although I cant find it ... hhhmm ...

Can't find it either...

But in my case, the scammer was on eBay, that thread can be useful, but in a dreamworld there should be anything else...

By the way, it took me weeks, but he was banned from eBay (and now is back with a different name)

Can’t find it either. Let’s start a new one if nobody can locate it? I have a few names myself to add to the list :-)

[Philpenn]

May 27, 2021 11:50:51 GMT 1 Forbidden Love said:

Didn't any criminal proceedings come against him? I thought they had at one point?

This. Never heard of him suffering any repercussions. Always held out hope that Everlast is or at least knew people who settled shit streets style. But again, never saw anything of the sort.

[dunc]

I swear he's a spit for Shepard Fairey!

[gorkie]

All I can think of is Don't F**k With Cats

[Shoeless]

May 27, 2021 9:28:41 GMT 1 Sundowner said:

Great post met . I nearly got swindled when buying some fake Elms Lester Parla prints from 'Nicole' - luckily I was able to get Paypal to send my money back. Will try and dig out the images I was sent of the fake stamps.

Almost bought 184th and WTL from him back in 2011. Because of posts like this, I avoided him.

Still have all the pictures he had sent of prints and COAs.

[sgolby]

I tried to help someone he screwed out of serious $$$ in Japan a while back. F*cking cuck.

[sgolby]

Also can we talk about how he and the guy from fyre festival look like they use the same skin care products?

[Skizz 82]

Considering how long it must have taken you to write this thread, thanks met! For this I appreciate Forums, because driven by passion many users provide time and knowledge for the benefit of others

[Meskell]

I'd listen to a met podcast. Just sayin'.

[Jeezuz Jones Snr]

Thanks Met 👍👍 great detailed post fella and history on the guy. Karma will get him, something not nice will happen to him down the track 😉

[Javier]

May 27, 2021 20:34:42 GMT 1 gorkie said:

All I can think of is Don't F**k With Cats

Who’s opening a Facebook group?

[avec art]

much gratitude for the diligent work involved. Now if we could only do the same for Jose

[iamzero]

Note to self... avoid angering Met.

[pyker7]

Hey Guys/Gals , if you are still looking for Jason Zenga you can find here on this channel each week. He's now went from the art world to the prop / Star Wars world...


www.youtube.com/c/RogueOne6