Anyone got scammed before?

[watchenthusiast6]

Hey TRF,

It's been 3 weeks since the I got scammed. I didnt really want to post it right away on here because the wound was fairly new and it still hurts to think about it. The story is, I posted my watch for sale on Craigslist, on my way home this guy calls me stating he is ready to meet and buy and if the watch looks legit we will do the transaction. We meet at a grocery store where there is a bank so that I can verify whether cash is legit. He arrives I see that he has a Submariner Hulk on so I immediately complimented him on his watch. He then tells me he just came from various AD's trying to sell his watch and they were only offering him $4500. I told him what a coincidence that I wanted to get a Submariner Hulk. I offered him my 16610 Submariner plus 1500 I automatically disregard what intended to do is sell my watch. So we walk out of the grocery store, to show his wife the watch, he inspected the watch, asked the right questions. He had his family in his car too. So I assumed that this guy is legit. I was so blinded with the Submariner Hulk that I forgot about my watch. I looked at his watch, looked legit however I didnt have a watch maker open it up. He was playing it off that, he has a friend who will help him sell it but this is right now deal. So we then made a deal right then and there. I told him I wasn't planning on buying a watch and I don't have cash on me. So we drive to the nearest ATM and I tried withdrawing cash, since its the weekend the bank closes early. Also ATM wouldn't let me take more than $800. So to make a long story short, he was ok with me giving him just $800 and meet up the next day for the rest of the money. After our transaction, he has my watch plus 800 and I have his Submariner Hulk. Few minutes later I just decided to look up a nearest watch dealer/repair to have the watch verified, this is already late afternoon almost 7PM. I speed to the closest watch dealer and had the guy verify. The sales man in the back who I talked to examines the watch saying this watch is legit he did all the test, so I was really happy. But then he was like let me have my watch guy in the back open it up just to make sure. So he opens it up examines it and right away he was like "Go get your money" As soon as he said that, my heart just dropped to the floor. So ran out called the guy who I did the transaction with and called him saying I have the rest of the money lets meet at the bank, He said ok. I driving there in disbelief and I call him again once, twice, third time "no answer" Thats when I knew I just lost my real watch and extra cash. I didnt even bother going back to the bank because I knew he wasn't coming back.

Told my wife and family what happened it wasn't a good weekend at all. Good thing my wife is very understanding and of course she was pissed that I was careless and didnt tell her what I had intended to do. But she got over it. Moral of this story is for few thousand dollars you can let your wife and kids witness a scam. I know that his wife is probably part of this because thinking back to it she couldn't look at me in the eye. All she was saying is "up to you" I see his son and little girl in the back so I didnt think of anything. The watch is a very good "Fake" even my watch guy was saying wow, from naked eye this is legit. He even said the bracelet is real but movement is China, exactly how the movement is but of course no a Rolex movement. The layout everything is the same. I thought of trying to sell it because its such a good fake but I don't have the guts to do such a thing. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing the fact I scammed someone. I have recovered from this already even though few thousand poorer but I know that I didnt do anyone wrong. No matter how much I am starving, I wouldn't be able to cheat someone like that. Let this be a lesson from a fellow watch enthusiast. If its too good to be true back up a bit and double/triple check. I was blindsided that I scored. Got greedy. But hey life goes on and I will be fine.

[JP Chestnut]

Doing a F2F with someone who doesn't have impeccable references can end up a lot worse. You lost a watch, but you avoided a home invasion robbery. Think a little bit more next time.

This:

Originally Posted by watchenthusiast6

I thought of trying to sell it because its such a good fake but I don't have the guts to do such a thing.

Wouldn't have crossed my mind.

[amg55]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune and thanks for sharing your story. It's sad that there are some people out there that will go out of their way to set up such a scam.

Have you reported to the police with your serial number? You never know, your watch may turn up in a pawn shop somewhere and there's a slight chance that it could make its way back to you. Some member on here may be able to offer advice on reporting to Rolex as well. If the watch goes in for a service, it will be noted..

[japenney]

Sorry this happened to you. Good lesson to be learned tho. Buy from AD or buy from someone who has the appropriate references.

[FremStar]

Horrible story, sorry this happened to you. Yes, I have been scammed before. Recently my wife tasked me with getting last minute tickets for Justin Bieber at the Prudential Center. Not wanting to pay $3,000 for 4 last minute tickets I turned to Craigslist and was able to negotiate 4 tickets for $1,000. Long story short my wife, our 2 nieces and my wife's sister get to the gate and were advised the tickets were fake. Needless to say they were able to get tickets at the box office. I can't comment on what transpired with the scammer but lets just say I will never use Craigslist ever again. JP Chestnut is right you avoided a home invasion type situation. I thought I was a savvy shopper but lets just say that there are scum humans in this world...

Pics of the fake tickets...


It's a tough pill to swallow with a watch, however, all will be well. What goes around comes around. You can turn that negative situation into a positive by helping unsuspecting people out.

[sensui]

I'd definitely go to the police with whatever information you do have and file a report. I'm a bit sick too from this as I'm with my wife and kids all the time.... Disgusting the family is in on it. Sorry for your loss but chalk it up to lesson learned and no physical harm done.

[Danny83]

Craigslist has turned into a scam, Always buy and sell on the forums Subs are easy to sell. Do you have surveillance footage? Post his pic or car online. Throw the watch he gave you away lesson learned.
My cousin was robbed for 22k cash because of a car he found on Cl. I told him it was a scam but he still went.

[911Cab]

Originally Posted by amg55

Sorry to hear about your misfortune and thanks for sharing your story. It's sad that there are some people out there that will go out of their way to set up such a scam.

Have you reported to the police with your serial number? You never know, your watch may turn up in a pawn shop somewhere and there's a slight chance that it could make its way back to you. Some member on here may be able to offer advice on reporting to Rolex as well. If the watch goes in for a service, it will be noted..

Excellent & constructive advise. My sympathies but look at the bright side you were unharmed and the money you can always make back. An expensive and important Lesson learnt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dmitrii_]

Sorry to hear this happened to you, but I immediately thought to myself; wouldn't you want the box and warranty cards for the hulk?

Was he going to bring that along the following day when you gave him the rest of the cash?

[watchenthusiast6]

Originally Posted by dmitrii_

Sorry to hear this happened to you, but I immediately thought to myself; wouldn't you want the box and warranty cards for the hulk?

Was he going to bring that along the following day when you gave him the rest of the cash?

Actually yes we were suppose to meet that Sunday same spot so that I can give him my box and he gives me the papers and all. But once I called him that night and told him I have the rest of the cash. He probably knew that I knew.

[watchenthusiast6]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Horrible story, sorry this happened to you. Yes, I have been scammed before. Recently my wife tasked me with getting last minute tickets for Justin Bieber at the Prudential Center. Not wanting to pay $3,000 for 4 last minute tickets I turned to Craigslist and was able to negotiate 4 tickets for $1,000. Long story short my wife, our 2 nieces and my wife's sister get to the gate and were advised the tickets were fake. Needless to say they were able to get tickets at the box office. I can't comment on what transpired with the scammer but lets just say I will never use Craigslist ever again. JP Chestnut is right you avoided a home invasion type situation. I thought I was a savvy shopper but lets just say that there are scum humans in this world...

Pics of the fake tickets...


It's a tough pill to swallow with a watch, however, all will be well. What goes around comes around. You can turn that negative situation into a positive by helping unsuspecting people out.

Sorry to hear man, that feeling you feel when you find out you got scammed and lost money is the worst feeling. But then again good thing we are safe and YES no more Craigs for me.

[kngzfrd]

Sorry to hear about that! Definitely go file a report at the police department of "grand theft by trickery". There should be cameras everywhere you had been at, and you never know if his plate might have been caught on one of them. Keep the watch, as the police might want to book it as evidence. Like other have said, the important thing is that you and your family are safe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BrazenC5]

That sucks hard, but hey, consider it "tuition" in the school of hard knocks. Thats what I tell myself when I take a loss. :)

[sco]

Ouch, that is tough to read... I can understand getting caught up in the moment. It happens, but as others stated at least you are ok.

[DeeTee]

Do you mind posting picture of the watch.
Does the dial look like the real one?

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

do you mind posting picture of the watch.
Does the dial look like the real one?

x2.

[james1787]

After / If you report the theft to the police, If you watch was insured I wonder if there is a way to recoup your losses?

Good move on not trying to sell the fake one, especially if you were to try to sell it as real. That would just lower yourself to his level.

[1William]

Report the loss to the police and ensure the watch serial numbers are entered into NCIC. Most Pawn Shops inventory is run against this data base when items are taken into shops.
Report to Rolex as stolen. Good chance the watch will turn up again. Don't kick yourself for being human and making a mistake. Just learn from it and make a different one next time.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by james1787

Good move on not trying to sell the fake one, especially if you were to try to sell it as real. That would just lower yourself to his level.

This

To the OP ,can you prove/report the serial numbers of your watch and the Hulk to the Police?

[AK797]

Sorry to hear this, I just wrote on another thread that I saw a recent fake Hulk and it looks almost exactly the same as a real one so there is no way unless you are a replica expert to know now on most Rolexes. If your watch doesn't have a display-back, I would only buy once a watchmaker has seen the movement, just from the front no one can tell any more.

[htbilgic]

Very frustrating. I'm sorry to read this.

[Knappo 1307]

His face has to be all over the surveillance video, from the bank to the parking lot. You should have enough ammo to get you started.

[Corsair66]

Sorry to hear that you were taken in like that. One simply must be more careful. Never allow the momentary greed for an apparent good deal to sway you into circumventing the usual due diligence practices.

Not that it matters at all, but there's no way to know whether the woman and kids you saw were his family. Either way, they were just a con man's window dressing. Successful window dressing, at that.

Be careful out there...

[watchenthusiast6]

Originally Posted by 1William

Report the loss to the police and ensure the watch serial numbers are entered into NCIC. Most Pawn Shops inventory is run against this data base when items are taken into shops.
Report to Rolex as stolen. Good chance the watch will turn up again. Don't kick yourself for being human and making a mistake. Just learn from it and make a different one next time.

I thought about going back to the grocery store and telling them about my scenario and going to the ATM where I withdrew the money to see if they have a camera footage of the guy but I didnt do it because there is really no hard evidence that he has my watch like there is no contract, pretty its whats i said/he said. However I do have the original receipt of the watch and the serial number etc. What is NCIC? maybe I can report it as stolen.

[watchenthusiast6]

Originally Posted by AK797

Sorry to hear this, I just wrote on another thread that I saw a recent fake Hulk and it looks almost exactly the same as a real one so there is no way unless you are a replica expert to know now on most Rolexes. If your watch doesn't have a display-back, I would only buy once a watchmaker has seen the movement, just from the front no one can tell any more.

Yes I agree, fakes now are really good. Ive seen fakes out there that once you hold the watch you knew its fake but I telling you this one is quite good. Two watch dealers has already said this watch looks legit. I will take pictures of the watch and upload it later. The only best bet is to verify with a watch dealer. Naked eye wont do it anymore.

[watchenthusiast6]

Originally Posted by james1787

After / If you report the theft to the police, If you watch was insured I wonder if there is a way to recoup your losses?

Good move on not trying to sell the fake one, especially if you were to try to sell it as real. That would just lower yourself to his level.

No this watch isn't insured at all, I bought this watch to flip so no need on insuring it. Also I have more pride than that, I can't sell something fake. Id rather be broke than make a few bucks scamming other people. Also I believe in karma "what goes around, comes back around" even harder on people who did the scamming and greater to those who got scammed. :thumbs: Ill be fine, ill sleep good at night and I don't have to watch my back wherever I go. Tell you this, this is a small world and if I see that guy who knows what i will do. haha.

[Knappo 1307]

I'm going to say this again, try asking someone to look at the surveillance video. You should be able to get a license plate number.

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

I'm going to say this again, try asking someone to look at the surveillance video. You should be able to get a license plate number.

Agreed!
Very strange story.
No reporting to police! No follow up, say photo to get car number plate!
No photos of the Hulk?
No claim to home insurance?
No reporting to Stolen Register?

Strange thread IMHO

A

[jvmartin]

The only thing that doesn't make sense is you were meeting the guy at the bank to conduct the original transaction but then you said it was the weekend and the bank was closed anyway...

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by jvmartin

The only thing that doesn't make sense is you were meeting the guy at the bank to conduct the original transaction but then you said it was the weekend and the bank was closed anyway...

And that

Nothing add op here! Even a watchmaker working after 7,00 PM!
PLUS
With mobile number tat initially worked, police can trace him in minutes