Supposedly, this guy is a scam artist who targets bands, primarily bands that are on MY SPACE, though he e-mails the band through their website. He e-mailed both Saratoga Faire & The Spirites Consort with the same proposal (which raised suspicions, which is why we googled his name).

We decided to alert other bands who also might be inclined to google Dipson's/Ben's name.

Dipson/Ben also tried to scam another band from Saratoga Springs that we know personally.

One was from bass player Andy Calder from Montana. You'll find it on Andy's blog here:

"I forget to mention an interesting thing that happened a few weeks ago. It turned out to be an attempt to scam me..."

Here is the e-mail that we received in its entirety (looks a lot like the e-mail from the preceding link except the town has changed--he didn't even try to change the house & street number):

hello,
how is business over there
My name is DIPSON KOIKI I am presently in the UK here i work as a
videographer & Priest.
The reason why i am contacting you is that my wife sharron will be
Celibrating her 40th Birthday Party soon, precisely on the 22th-24th of september
2007,please check your avalability for this date becouse I will like
you to
take care of the Music aspect of the event.
I came across your profile and am impressed with your
services,experience,your kind of music of course is okay by me.
The venue address of the event is 207 east 2nd street ,LARCHMONT NY 10538

We are expecting about 80-100 guest & its going to be an indoor party.
The party starts 12pm-5pm according to our program of the event.

You are to start performing when it is 1pm till the end of the party.
There will no be any dance from guest nor familly for any reason what
we
only need from you is for you to just give us interesting music.

All expenses would be taken care of by me;Please I want the best
service from you, because she is my only wife & i love her so much.
So your best production is needed at this occasion.

Pls Let me know your CHARGES to work for 4 Hours on that day,1pm -5pm
when the event will be ending,moreso let me know how you plan to
move down here with your electronics?

I will want to put it to your notice that i will take care of your
hotel only if requested from you,please let me know how many of you
will be comming for this event?

I hope to read from you soon & also to have your service QUOTE
which will only include your travel,feeding, and your service fee.
I look forward to your response and also your price package so that
i can make quick arrangement of paying you a deposit payment so

that you can book my wife event on your calendar.

Pls email me back asap.
Best Regards