Door-to-door salespeople posing as artists from Israel and selling cheap paintings at inflated prices are swindling the Illawarra, with one man losing $300 in the scam.Lake Illawarra police Sergeant John Klepczarek said they had received two complaints this week from residents who had paid excessive sums for the artworks. Sgt Klepczarek said the residents reported that two men of Israeli appearance had knocked on their doors over the weekend, professing to be struggling artists.The residents were shown portfolios of work, which the drifters claimed were original, hand-painted canvases. But on closer inspection, the artworks were actually print transfers that had been stuck on to a light linoleum backing, resembling canvas.One resident purchased a work for about $200 and after later being told it was a fake, called police.Another resident handed over $300 to the scammers after they promised to return with the original work. He has not heard from them since.Sgt Klepczarek said the Israeli art scam had been operating for years and incidents had been reported internationally.Yesterday, the Mercury spoke to a Kiama woman who bought a painting from a young "Israeli" female who knocked on her door a year ago.The woman handed over $180 for an unframed work. When told the painting was a fake yesterday, she said it didn't matter because she still liked it.Anyone with information is urged to contact Warilla police on 4295 2662 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.