Attempted Rolex theft in my own home

[thesharkfactor]

I can't believe I am writing this. This sort of thing only happens to other people.

I'm selling a 16613 at the moment, I have it listed on FB marketplace. I got a message from a chap called Lewis who made a near offer and said he'd come along the next day.

I knew something was off the moment I laid eyes on him. he came into my house, took a glance at the watch - there was no buying process, he just said it was fine he'd take it. He offered cash or bank transfer, I asked for bank transfer, so he handed me his phone with his bank app open and asked me to enter my payment details (yes lots of red flags, I'm all over this guy pages ago), I handed his phone back, he says he's sent the payment.

At this point his accomplice has walked into my home, unaccounced, she had been waiting in his van before, and now she has my watch on her wrist.

I check my bank acc, no payment received. Immediatly I ask for the watch back. She says/pretends she is struggling to undo the clasp. He helped her and I reach out and grab it, put it in my pocket. What's wrong he asks, it's not going anywhere until I have clear payment I tell him.

Well, he proceeds to argue with and gaslight me with bullshit about how he has paid, I saw the payment go, I even put my details in myself, etc.. how it's a Saturday it'll be taking a little longer, I need to call my bank..he's not waiting ofr 2 hours for payment to clear, it's my problem the payment hasn't come into my acc, not his, he has paid I saw him pay and he wants the watch.

This is all going on in my home guys he's yelling at me in my lounge, that I'm trying to scam him.
I was on my own, full on fight or flight mode, he would not accept my argument that the watch stays with me until I see clear payment in my account.
At this point I 100% know he is a scammer.

This is young guy early 30's with an early female 30's accomplice, both heavy Irish accents and expensive branded tasteless clothes, from the travelling community. Very agressive, very forcefull, would not take no for an answer, would not back down. I'm thinking there is going to be altercation because I am not letting this happen. I was terrified though.

I'm a car dealer. I never let a car go without clear payment and that is something that is easily traceable, so I would never let this slide. So I held my ground.
When he realised I wasn't going to let the watch go, he told me he would give me cash instead if I would send the bank transfer payment back when it arrived, but he wanted ID before he trusted me to leave cash.. then he gave me £1000 in 20's which was all correct, once I had counted that he tried to give me the ££££ balance in counterfeit Irish bank £50's.
When I told him those are fake he started yelling at me that I didn't know what I was talking about, I should take one to a local shop right now etc. At this point I told him again that I wasn't comfortable dealing with him - and he just grabbed the fake cash and left. He told me he had a photo of my ID an I need to return his transfer.

I reported it to the Police. No payment ever arrived from him.

This guy came into my home and tried to pay with a fake banking app. I saw his balance go from £18k to £11k, he made me put my details in so I could see that. I was not fooled by him but others could be, especially with the pressure he applied to make me hand over the watch.

I can't believe THESE SCAMMERS ARE BLATANTLY COMING INTO YOUR HOME NOW.

I'm worried because this scum knows I have watches here and he has a photo of my ID to do with whatever he likes.

This was a horrific experience, it's taken me 2 days to calm down. I'll never try sell a Rolex alone in future. Take care folks.

[The OG Beef]

Sorry you had to experience this. ALWAYS do deals with strangers at a bank, police station etc.


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[whiskyrolex]

Never sell at your home.

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by whiskyrolex

Never sell at your home.

THIS. That would've been my first thought. Now he knows where you live.

[Rolexken]

Really sorry you had to go through this, but it makes you think the offer you would get from eg. Watchfinder would be a better option than risk this happening.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Why would you conduct a sale in your personal home with a stranger? Common sense would dictate meeting in a public place, no? Glad it ended with the watch remaining in your possession.

[xrole]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Why would you conduct a sale in your personal home with a stranger? Common sense would dictate meeting in a public place, no? Glad it ended with the watch remaining in your possession.

This, this and triple this. OP was very naive and I am very happy to read that he was not dealing with a complete psycho.

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Secondly has anyone actually used a police station to conduct a transaction, where I come from they don't really like being a platform for a retail transaction.

Absolutely not. I could imagine meeting outside a bank or police station as there is generally CCTV and it's a short distance to report something. But... inside? It would be pretty damn weird.

[Raj24v]

Two golden rules you broke.
1) selling from your home. Alone.
2) dealing with that community. Known for scams/theft and frauding people.

[Harry-57]

This is why I seldom sell things privately and never let prospective buyers in my home. Such business is always conducted somewhere else. I'm glad they backed off and made with the legs. I hope you have good home security.

I've sold two watches to WF and traded one at The Swiss Watch Co. No hassle, no anxiety, fair offers, no scams.

[Marcjvr]

Cue all the people up on high horses who will now proceed to tell OP what he did wrong, which he clearly knows in hindsight at this point


Op, sorry it happened to you. Sucks that there are people like that out there and I can totally understand how you must feel.

May be time to contact a security expert to see what layers you can add to your home to give you piece of mind

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Cue all the people up on high horses who will now proceed to tell OP what he did wrong, which he clearly knows in hindsight at this point


Op, sorry it happened to you. Sucks that there are people like that out there and I can totally understand how you must feel.

May be time to contact a security expert to see what layers you can add to your home to give you piece of mind

No high horse, but I find it remarkable in this day and age that someone would even consider trying to sell a small and valuable item in this way. I've got a car that I'll eventually need to sell and it will only be a few thousand US dollars but I've already been thinking about the safest way to sell it and how I want it to go down and where.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Oystersteel92

No high horse, but I find it remarkable in this day and age that someone would even consider trying to sell a small and valuable item in this way.

Really, this is a major culture difference. There is no way in hell that I'd buy a Rolex from a guy in a car park or shopping centre, there is zero option for banks or police stations, this is just not a thing here in the UK, you'd be asked to leave and conduct your business elsewhere.

Private sales are conducted from the sellers home here in the UK, attempting to sell from a public place is a red flag for fraud, theft or ambush.. there won't be a single UK member here will contradict this either.

[Podmornica]

Yeah, selling a Rolex these days will likely get you robbed or injured, or possibly both if not dealt in a police station.

No wonder grey dealers are paying 30-50% less than a market price these days .. If they pay anything at all that is, since they are now usually offering a consignment only due to watch market crumbling .. But that's the price for a sellers piece of mind ..

[Nico81]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

Yeah, selling a Rolex these days will likely get you robbed or injured, or possibly both if not dealt in a police station.

No wonder grey dealers are paying 30-50% less than a market price these days .. If they pay anything at all that is, since they are now usually offering a consignment only due to watch market crumbling .. But that's the price for a sellers piece of mind ..

Wjere did you get that stat that
Grey dealers are paying 30-50% less then market?


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[Rolex1982]

Jezus, what a story. Glad you came out of it ok physically. Hope you feel better now. Also keep in mind when posting photo’s made with your phone that there could be GPS coordinates included in the photo. So if you post a picture of your watch proudly, that it could contain more info than you want.

[GreatScott]

It scares me you put your bank info in his phone

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[Goatrope]

This is crazy. Glad you’re ok, OP. Sorry you had to go through that. I hope it’s over, but I’d be worried they’re plotting still. Damn. Scary.

[PIL]

Sorry to hear about your experience. However, selling such an asset on FB marketplace and in your home begs for trouble. Glad you were not physically hurt

[fullcourt]

as others have said, only transact this type of deal at a bank or police station. you should contact your bank and make sure nothing has been compromised, since they have your id and bank info.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by fullcourt

as others have said, only transact this type of deal at a bank or police station. you should contact your bank and make sure nothing has been compromised, since they have your id and bank info.

Sound advice.

[brandrea]

Another, “never do sales out of your home”.

Glad you weren’t harmed OP

[Kreyzhorse]

That's scary stuff and thankfully it didn't turn out worse. I'd alsoo speak with your bank if you gave him your account information.

[thesharkfactor]

I sell cars from home so it's natural for me to deal with folks alone at home. I have never had a problem before in near 20yrs of doing business this way so I had no qualms whatsoever about dealing from home and I have sold Rolex from home a few times before to lovely people, but I will in future be more cautious.
Also, I never spoke to the guy on the phone before he came, I would have identified he was a scammer before the call was up and probably prevented it going any further.

Yes, rules were broken and that's what happens when you let your guard down.

Considering getting a dog for protection.

[eightball76]

Go to your bank asap, he’s got all your details

[dukie748]

I would be concerned that he has a photo of your ID, and your bank details.

Have you informed the bank?

[espanol]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I can't believe THESE SCAMMERS ARE BLATANTLY COMING INTO YOUR HOME NOW.

I’m really sorry this happened to you, but you invited a stranger and scammer into your home. Please don’t make that mistake again.

[rockysw]

Very sorry to hear that. I am in Scotland too, and somehow I am feeling it bit more than usual given I guess this has happened closer to home.

[BillA]

Glad to hear that no bodily injury happened to you.

[Watchsama]

FB Market and at home... Yikes...

[SDGT3]

Put a hold on the bank account. Also, check your watch carefully to see if it's the same watch. I know it sounds unusual, but the first thing that came to mind was that she switched the watch whilst it was on her wrist.