I got scammed in the Rolex Forums. Here is my story.

[asabet]

On October 8, I wired $13,750 to a scammer who posted an ad for a Batman here on the Rolex Forums. In retrospect, I'm pretty sure he was using a hacked account.

If you want to hear my full story including the steps I took to try and get my money back, with some success, I made a video about it here:

https://youtu.be/Q7zVohIYsQI

This was a really stressful experience, and it was embarrassing for me to make that video, but I think some here many find it to be a helpful to avoid making the mistakes that I made. Also, if someone does get scammed as I did, I think the video could be helpful in reviewing the steps I took to try to recover funds.

[GGGMT]

Nice try trying to get people to hit your link

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Nice try trying to get people to hit your link

There's no need for comments like that.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

There's no need for comments like that.

You think that’s a legit link?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

You think that’s a legit link?

Yes, I just watched some of the video.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

There's no need for comments like that.

Maybe link is legit — seemed fishy to me. No offense intended.

[brandrea]

Thank you for posting here OP. A cautionary tale in two ways:

1. Members of this forum, be careful with your account.
2. Buyers always beware.

[Knappo 1307]

Sorry to hear OP. Did your account also get banned and then reinstated, since you logged in under the scammers link?

[JodyHighroller]

Very happy that you got a good majority of your funds back! Take that win. I laughed at the scammer’s second email asking what this game is about lmao. I think you keeping a cool head, being proactive, and not calling him out immediately allowed you to retrieve a good amount of your money back.

I’d recommend a cliff notes version as some may not be able to watch the full YouTube video. I made it about 40 min through and it was a nice listen.

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Sorry to hear OP. Did your account also get banned and then reinstated, since you logged in under the scammers link?

He never logged in using that phishing link. He just showed what it typically looks like when others get their account credentials stolen. That PM is pretty generic in what most get on here.

[asabet]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

There's no need for comments like that.

Thank you. I read the rules carefully before posting.

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thank you for posting here OP. A cautionary tale in two ways:

1. Members of this forum, be careful with your account.
2. Buyers always beware.

Thank you, and yes!

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Sorry to hear OP. Did your account also get banned and then reinstated, since you logged in under the scammers link?

As Jody mentioned, I didn't login via the scammer's link. My account was not banned.

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

Very happy that you got a good majority of your funds back! Take that win. I laughed at the scammer’s second email asking what this game is about lmao. I think you keeping a cool head, being proactive, and not calling him out immediately allowed you to retrieve a good amount of your money back.

Thank you! Yes, the email and some of the texts from the scammer were pretty funny!

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I’d recommend a cliff notes version as some may not be able to watch the full YouTube video. I made it about 40 min through and it was a nice listen.

Thanks, that's a good idea!

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

Very happy that you got a good majority of your funds back! Take that win. I laughed at the scammer’s second email asking what this game is about lmao. I think you keeping a cool head, being proactive, and not calling him out immediately allowed you to retrieve a good amount of your money back.

I’d recommend a cliff notes version as some may not be able to watch the full YouTube video. I made it about 40 min through and it was a nice listen.


He never logged in using that phishing link. He just showed what it typically looks like when others get their account credentials stolen. That PM is pretty generic in what most get on here.

Are you sure? https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=769579

Edit: rereading your thread, it looks like you just clicked on it and didn't sign in. That's good.

[Pongster]

Will wait for the cliff notes version.
Glad you got some of the money back. Curious about this part as some say impossible with a wire.

[asabet]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Will wait for the cliff notes version.
Glad you got some of the money back. Curious about this part as some say impossible with a wire.

I probably won't be making a cliff notes version. Would like to do it, but I don't have time. The take-home points are as follows:

1. Watch out for phishing PMs that trick you into logging into a fake site that looks like a known site. These can be used to steal your login. I believe this is how the scammer got control of the account at Rolex Forums which he used to list the watch.

2. Don't send wire payments unless you are 100% certain the seller is legit. I will never send wire payment again unless I am dealing with an established, professional dealer.

3. If you get scammed on a wire payment, there is a possibility to get some money back, but time is of the essence. Immediately call both your bank to initiate a claim. Then call the recipient bank. If the recipient bank fraud department won't talk to you, ask for their global security and investigations department. Insist on talking to a supervisor if they don't let you talk to anyone. Then file a report on the IC3 (FBI) website, call your local FBI field office, and file a report with your local police department.

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by Pongster

Will wait for the cliff notes version.
Glad you got some of the money back. Curious about this part as some say impossible with a wire.

Yep. I never click links that I have no clue what they are. If he doesn't want to share in writing instead of forcing me to click a link then I guess I will never know what happened. Scam or not.

[RegisTimepieces]

Originally Posted by asabet

On October 8, I wired $13,750 to a scammer who posted an ad for a Batman here on the Rolex Forums. In retrospect, I'm pretty sure he was using a hacked account.

If you want to hear my full story including the steps I took to try and get my money back, with some success, I made a video about it here:

https://youtu.be/Q7zVohIYsQI

This was a really stressful experience, and it was embarrassing for me to make that video, but I think some here many find it to be a helpful to avoid making the mistakes that I made. Also, if someone does get scammed as I did, I think the video could be helpful in reviewing the steps I took to try to recover funds.

This has been a very helpful video for me, I really appreciate you posting this-- I recently just went through an almost identical scam trying to buy a Batman (https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=774993).

Unfortunately I did not realize it was fraud until about 9 days after the wire went through. My bank investigation department is on it but not hopeful. Also I came in contact with someone (Carnoustie96) who got scammed on the same watch.

[tike71]

https://youtu.be/Q7zVohIYsQI?t=460

This would have been the first red flag in my book. That particular writing style is just so common with international scammers, especially the use of the word "kindly".

Also, it is scary how quickly you sent the wire OP. There were multiple red flags you ignored.

[asabet]

Originally Posted by tike71

https://youtu.be/Q7zVohIYsQI?t=460

This would have been the first red flag in my book. That particular writing style is just so common with international scammers, especially the use of the word "kindly".

Also, it is scary how quickly you sent the wire OP. There were multiple red flags you ignored.

Yes, I was very careless in this case. Have certainly learned my lesson!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by tike71

...That particular writing style is just so common with international scammers, especially the use of the word "kindly".

Damn, I use “kindly” in my email quite a bit

[It's Hedley]

Excellent summary of your experience OP. Way to keep a sense of humor about the entire incident. At least no one was hurt physically in this particular crime. While losing any money to a thief is bad, it could be a lot worse. Be safe out there everyone!

[asabet]

Originally Posted by It's Hedley

Excellent summary of your experience OP. Way to keep a sense of humor about the entire incident. At least no one was hurt physically in this particular crime. While losing any money to a thief is bad, it could be a lot worse. Be safe out there everyone!

[214270Explorer]

Yes. I too will not click links. Better safe than sorry.
You should see what I get in my standard email every few days. Scary.

[vtsakiris]

The video kept me on my toes...

Good lesson learned , thanks for sharing.
Good outcome.


as above ▲▼ so below

[asabet]

Originally Posted by vtsakiris

The video kept me on my toes...

Good lesson learned , thanks for sharing.
Good outcome.


as above ▲▼ so below

Thanks for checking it out and for your comments. I'm very happy with the outcome!

[swaini3]

wow OP. you got lucky. thanks for posting, it takes courage to do that and for keeping your cool and playing along with the scammer. Hope you get the rest of the money back.

[DarthSimon]

Amin,
Thx for video. Shame you had to loose 3k. Unfortunately the BLNR will cost you 16,000 now with the loss.... Thank god you got most of it back.

Tons of scammers looming around this forum lately. Someone tried to email me a few days ago, saying he was a trusted dealer, trying to sell me a bunch of watches.

[mae71]

Nice try on the fishing link

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by mae71

Nice try on the fishing link

Nice try on being capable of reading a thread.

[JodyHighroller]

After 30 min, finally figured out how to embed!

[JodyHighroller]

Video is now embedded for those who prefer not to click the link!

[CarrJ]

Wow. Great video.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk