I May Have Been Scammed Right Here On TRF

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by Czechman

Great news.... even better when you tell us you have the cash.

Thank God for stupid criminals.

I have found out that 90% are stupid.

[dmc]

Yea Baby.......................................

Mark this is the news I have been waiting on......................

Still Holding my breath on the wire transfer..............................

Hopefully that will come before noon tomorrow.............................

It seems that the balance has swung back in the favor of the good and just......

This just goes to show that a lot of good people can hope and pray for resolve and it can actually happen.


:danc e::dance :


In God We Trust...................

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Safetrends

Just because he gives the watches back his legal truoubles just began. He need to go to jail and do some time!

Once everything is back to me, I'll post some information regarding the legal issues in a case like this.

[motomc1]

bad...a success story like this is fantastic to read! Congrats!!!!!!!

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Once everything is back to me, I'll post some information regarding the legal issues in a case like this.

Doctor do not let him get away with this scam, he will do it some other since he thinks that all he has to do is give back the watches!

[Leasky]

Outstanding news!!

Lets hope the money being returned will be the cherry on the cake.

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

An investigator from the Richland County Sheriff's office just called. My watches have been turned over to them and shipped to me by the sheriff's office via FedEx and should be back in my possession in just days!!!! The wire transfer of $3,800 will follow late today or tomorrow. Yee haa!!!!

You honestly just brought tears to my eyes. I felt this whole time as if it were me who were in your shoes. I haven't been this happy in a long time, and I'm glad that it's directed towards you.

Congratulations and I wish you all the best for the coming new year.

[CBG1]

Really great news! Glad to hear of the pending resolution to this saga!!!

[1340jas]

Joey, what can I say but, fantastic news so far. Lets hope the cash arrives as well.
I can't wait to hear about the legal issues you had to face. It should be quite easy to resolve this type of issue in the UK legally. However because we have very lax immigration laws we have lots of foreign nationals who are impossible to trace.

[Sweramic]

I am really happy for you Joey! You are worth it if anyone!

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by 1340jas

Joey, what can I say but, fantastic news so far. Lets hope the cash arrives as well.
I can't wait to hear about the legal issues you had to face. It should be quite easy to resolve this type of issue in the UK legally. However because we have very lax immigration laws we have lots of foreign nationals who are impossible to trace.

We have in the United States laws protecting people from internet crimes and since the items went accross states lines the FBI was called into the case.

[joeychitwood]

I want to thank all of you for your words of encouragement and support. Specifically, I want to thank David SW for being the first guy to contact me last week, Matt Herrera for invaluable information regarding the law enforcement side of things, RebreatherDiver, CaveDiver, JJ Irani, deserted, Czechman, dmc, Normandy and jjbegens for extremely valuable background information. I'm sure that I'm forgetting some people, so please don't take it personally.

I can honestly say that I was never sure that I would get anything back, even up to this afternoon. I think I'll get the cash back, given that the officer in SC said he wanted to be notified if the wire did not come through. Law enforcement here in Detroit Lakes and in Columbia were remarkably helpful and friendly.

As I've mentioned before, I'll post a summary of events and some ideas about transaction safety in the next couple of days. Suffice it to say for now, it is CRUCIAL to act as soon as possible, rather than wait for a few days to see if things turn out when a transaction goes bad The other piece of golden advice is to buy a seller, not a watch. Certainly, new or first time sellers can be completely honest (and for the vast majority of sales here on TRF, that is true,) but some sort of references and verification process should be pursued by any buyer.

[PeteNYC13]

This is 90% great news... I can't wait for the other 10% when you have your watches safe at home, and the cash to go with it! Looking forward to reading that post!

Like many have said before, I have been reading this post since last Wednesday with feelings of anger & frustration - I have been logging on from work all day to see the latest - I am happy to see this post before I head home (and log on to check more updates as soon as I get in), it makes me believe that good things happen to good people. We can debate buying a watch from an unknown person another time, today is for being appreciateve that it seems to have worked out with a happy ending.

As a new member to the forum, besides driving my wife crazy with more and more Rolex talk, and knowledge, I am SO impressed with the many people that came to your aid with support both verbally and behind the scenes to help you resolve this. The story you posted about the Christmas Eve tragedy was heart wrenching - and to think, I just came to this Forum to meet people with a common interest and learn more about the watches we all obsess over. Who knew that this place would have such an emotional pull and prove that there are still lot's & lot's of really good people out there, all with exceptional taste in time pieces! :-)

Can't wait to hear that the watches are home and the cash is safely where it belongs.

-Pete

[Cocobaci]

Congratulations Joey!

Hopefully the watches are your original items, and this all can be a closed chapter to show others on here the pain of trusting a non reputable seller. I did the same with a business and I am still fighting for a resolution.

Mods, can something be done about this selling setup here on TRF? I am in Australia and if this happened to me I would have no chance at saving my a**.... There needs to be some form of verification process prior to being able to list, something that ties the seller to their home address or passport details etc.

All the best Joey! Chin up now and celebrate the new year with complete happiness!

I can finally stop worrying about your situation and stop checking my iphone every hour for updates.

P.S. From the pm's, I knew you would have a favourable outcome.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Cocobaci

Congratulations Joey! Hopefully the watches are your original items.

The officer in Columbia had photos, descriptions and serial numbers of the watches which I had sent him at his request, and he verified today that I was receiving my original goods. He was extremely professional and thorough.

My spouse, who was not too thrilled with me when I told her about the scam, was amazed at the number of views and posts in this thread. She saw people from all over the world expressing good wishes and support, and I think she was truly impressed by the wonderful people on The Rolex Forum.

[ousmanew]

C'est super fantastique, congrats Joey...Youpiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiidude:

[turillo]

Joey,

I'm a newer member and took an hour of my time to read this thread. Having been scammed before with a NON watch related internet transaction I know what you went thought and can only imagine how happy you were to get your watches back.

I applaud you and the rest of TRF for making this happen. You guys are awesome and define the meaning of community.

Enjoy the rest of your holidays and two SWEET Rolexes in good health.


Regards,

Turillo

[JJ Irani]

Excellent news, Mark...........I'm very happy for you!!!

Now next time you want to make any moves, PM me first!!

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Excellent news, Mark...........I'm very happy for you!!! Now next time you want to make any moves, PM me first!!

Thank you for that offer of advice. It may be a while before I look at buying another watch, at least on the internet, and my spouse will probably hit me with a club if I suggest it again anytime soon, but I will certainly take you up on your offer.

[Watchdog]

CONGRATULATIONS!

Just read the whole thread, anticipating the worse. However, it has a happy ending, and I am so pleased for you.

Sorry you had to endure the ordeal, but it seems as all will be resolved. There are some amazing people on this forum and some amazing dealers. We can't let the few idiots tarnish the reputation of this remarkable place.

[RolexPete32]

I am so glad for you. Let us know when the cash is back in your account as well and when you get the watches back in your hand as well so we can close this case.

Cheers.

[Cocobaci]

Well if you have verification of the watches being the original items it only makes things better! Honestly, you are lucky and thank god for the return of all your belongings. Unbelievable that this was all sorted. Lesson to learn with buying via non known members, thats for sure!

New years eve is going to be a very happy time for you Joey!

All the best.

[Brit78]

MANY congratulations Joey. I am so happy for you and hope that everything is returned as shipped.

[Duc-904]

OMG, I'm thrilled for you Joey!!! Honestly I thought you had about a 1% chance of getting anything back. This is HUGE!! A few lessons can be taken from this including your tremendous effort to see this through all the way.

WAY TO GO JOEY!!!!!!!!!

[inspires]

This is fantastic news! Buying the seller makes the biggest difference. What a team effort!

[flyinbrian]

Congrats, glad some dishonest thief did not get away with this. Here's one for the good guys.

[valentine]

RIGHT ON! congrats man!

[kcmo]

Well, first things first.....I've been calling you JOEY, so I'll now say, CONGRATS MARK!!!!!!!!!!

I am THRILLED to hear that you are getting your watches and money back! You are VERY lucky, as most of us who have been scammed never see our watches again. Finally, we see something GREAT happen to a victim of fraud!!!!!

I really do hope that the person responsible for all of this mayhem is held accountable!

[DAVIDSW]

Mark,
I am so HAPPY for you. I must commend you for your SWIFT action and the ENTIRE TRF FAMILY for thier show of support and the assistance provided in this horrible situation.

I will breathe a sigh of relief once they are in your possession.

Regards
DavidSW

[onkyo]

Great news Mark!!! I couldn't be happier for you. Somehow I knew you could do it. Again, congrats!

This should be a lesson to us all on TRF......