1) If the offer is too good to be true, don't accomodate them. Most likely, it's a scam.
2) Real/legit artists in this site won't approach you, they are advertising their services to interested people here (check the Creations section in forum). I know because I am one. Tis not because we are snobs; we're embarrassed to force people to hire us.
I did approach people before, but it's because they advertised their commission/request first.
3) These 'collab' peeps may also be legit (I mean, they are actually looking for someone to collab with, and not to bolt out once you gave money) but you might end up doing stuff for free and for arbitrary reasons known only to your collaborator. So tis best not to accept anything from them.
4) Last thing about people here; we're in one big sanatorium, so if someone approached you talking about "great opportunity" or "money making bullshit", take extra care because legit SHF citizens are a step away from crazy (good and bad kind), and not shrewd scammers out to milk your bank account.