Fake rolex traded, small claims court

[kdphan]

What would you do in this situation?

You find out the watch you traded for turns out to be a really good fake.
Communicate with the guy that the watch is indeed fake a few months later but he declines to do anything. He even acknowledges he "didn't know" its origin when traded and that it was the risk.

OK...


So I tried to communicate with him that he should take it back and he refused. Seems like he's been doing this to other people as well based on what I found on craigslist. He posted a similar ad explaining that he took it in as a trade and that the watch was from a "pawn shop" and so on. No papers.

I called him out on it and he took down the ad. And a week later I see the same ad up again with same details, different price, but new contact numbers.


I filed a small claims court case against him and his business since I knew who he was in the auto industry. He hasn't replied to my texts


What are my other options to make this dude stop his bullsh*t so nobody gets duped by him again in the future?

I've almost come to terms with losing $$, but not quite.

Your opinions are appreciated.

[Jostack]

Sounds like what he is doing is illegal. What would the criminal charge be on this? Consult a LEO?

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by Jostack

Sounds like what he is doing is illegal. What would the criminal charge be on this? Consult a LEO?

I contacted the police dept where the trade took place. They told me to file a case with small claims court.

[kdphan]

if anyone is interested in taking a look at the ad. I've already done a screen print of this ad and the previous ad.

he will be taking it down anytime now.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/jw...874099541.html

[trelane]

Sounds like maybe a question for the FBI, if there’s a pattern: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2320


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[Navarino]

God this listing smells so fishy

"watch looks to be genuine with original box set, box cover, and sleeve...includes authenticity seal..."

"I am selling as-is...final sale. being fully transparent and looking for an easy sale. I'm selling it LIKE I RECEIVED IT, at my OWN RISK. if you are not comfortable with that, this watch is not for you...."

"...I noticed the serial number in between lugs has been scratched/marred up"

These are all big red flags to me in addition to the price (and trying to sell it through Craigslist).

Wish you the best of luck with your small claims court endeavor.

[Jostack]

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/contact...ype=abuse_scam

Report to CL

[mattesq]

Originally Posted by kdphan

if anyone is interested in taking a look at the ad. I've already done a screen print of this ad and the previous ad.

he will be taking it down anytime now.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/jw...874099541.html

What a scumbag this guy is ....

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

God this listing smells so fishy

"watch looks to be genuine with original box set, box cover, and sleeve...includes authenticity seal..."

"I am selling as-is...final sale. being fully transparent and looking for an easy sale. I'm selling it LIKE I RECEIVED IT, at my OWN RISK. if you are not comfortable with that, this watch is not for you...."

"...I noticed the serial number in between lugs has been scratched/marred up"

These are all big red flags to me in addition to the price (and trying to sell it through Craigslist).

Wish you the best of luck with your small claims court endeavor.

Thanks.
Pisses me off that this dude is in the auto industry and has the audacity to try and scam people. I almost want to post a thread about him and his business on Audzine/VWVortex.

[Wobbly]

Originally Posted by kdphan

if anyone is interested in taking a look at the ad. I've already done a screen print of this ad and the previous ad.

he will be taking it down anytime now.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/jw...874099541.html

Reading that advertisement, alarm bells would be ringing.

Serial number marred and scratched.

[Rafabond]

This model does not carry the serial number between the tabs, it takes it inside the sphere. says that the numbers are erased or scratched. only with this information, nor crazy would buy it

[porschejeff]

Wow, so many red flags in that ad!

[timvbs]

Yikes. I would report the post to Craigslist. Outside of that filing a police report is probably all you can do. Be very careful out there lots of red flags there not to mention someone asking $5999 for a sub seems too good to be true - follow that instinct.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by Rafabond

This model does not carry the serial number between the tabs, it takes it inside the sphere. says that the numbers are erased or scratched. only with this information, nor crazy would buy it

yes indeed. It's the model number that's actually scratched.

[Navarino]

Originally Posted by kdphan

Thanks.

Pisses me off that this dude is in the auto industry and has the audacity to try and scam people. I almost want to post a thread about him and his business on Audzine/VWVortex.

Like many things, auto is a small world and word travels around quicker than some folks may think.

Just be careful on how you spread the word online. Last thing you need is him filing a countersuit against you.

[t65tampa]

I'm sorry it looks like you got ripped off. The photos look nicely done, but photos can be faked or copied easily. Your unfortunate situation highlights the importance of "buying the seller" and deals that are too good to be true, usually are. Small claims court would be where I would try to get some relief in your case.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

God this listing smells so fishy

"watch looks to be genuine with original box set, box cover, and sleeve...includes authenticity seal..."

"I am selling as-is...final sale. being fully transparent and looking for an easy sale. I'm selling it LIKE I RECEIVED IT, at my OWN RISK. if you are not comfortable with that, this watch is not for you...."

"...I noticed the serial number in between lugs has been scratched/marred up"

These are all big red flags to me in addition to the price (and trying to sell it through Craigslist).

Wish you the best of luck with your small claims court endeavor.

Originally Posted by Rafabond

This model does not carry the serial number between the tabs, it takes it inside the sphere. says that the numbers are erased or scratched. only with this information, nor crazy would buy it

Correct, the S/N should be on the rehaut. Only someone lacking in knowledge would scratch up the outside of the case in this manner. Only someone lacking in knowledge would post that on their ad. Only someone lacking in knowledge would buy this watch. Stupidity all around.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by Carry The Interest

Like many things, auto is a small world and word travels around quicker than some folks may think.

Just be careful on how you spread the word online. Last thing you need is him filing a countersuit against you.

Part of the reason why I have not disclosed the name.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by t65tampa

I'm sorry it looks like you got ripped off. The photos look nicely done, but photos can be faked or copied easily. Your unfortunate situation highlights the importance of "buying the seller" and deals that are too good to be true, usually are. Small claims court would be where I would try to get some relief in your case.

I didn't buy what was in the link I posted. But that's the seller's post on CL.

Very similar to what he posted awhile back when we traded.

[Seibei]

According to his add he is selling a fake watch. He is spelling it out, almost to the extent of saying it outright. If you buy a watch from someone who writes "I am selling as-is...final sale. being fully transparent and looking for an easy sale. I'm selling it LIKE I RECEIVED IT, at my OWN RISK. if you are not comfortable with that, this watch is not for you...." and expect a genuine Rolex, then I would say you were born yesterday.

I would just forget it and not make the same mistake again. Chasing this is probably not worth your time.

How much did you pay for the fake? Was it normal marked price for that particular watch? If it was, then take him to court. If not, then you should have known better.

[kdphan]

Originally Posted by Seibei

According to his add he is selling a fake watch. He is spelling it out, almost to the extent of saying it outright. If you buy a watch from someone who writes "I am selling as-is...final sale. being fully transparent and looking for an easy sale. I'm selling it LIKE I RECEIVED IT, at my OWN RISK. if you are not comfortable with that, this watch is not for you...." and expect a genuine Rolex, then I would say you were born yesterday.

I would just forget it and not make the same mistake again. Chasing this is probably not worth your time.

How much did you pay for the fake? Was it normal marked price for that particular watch? If it was, then take him to court. If not, then you should have known better.

I do not recall the same bold part when we traded last year, but he knows it's a fake so that's why he's adding that language.
At the end of the day, he's selling a fake watch.


When we transacted last year, the price wasn't far off from what it would go for. I trusted the guy as he's been around on the auto forums.

[007timer]

The link to the ad is not working.

You bought this from someone that you know?

Sorry to say, but the auto industry is not the most honorable industry hence the “used car salesman” label that’s associated with shady individuals.

It’s one thing that he truly traded you a watch that he was not aware was a fake. But to post multiple ads afterwards and claim ignorance is BS.

I had a bad experience with a fake watch and they assigned an investigator to the case and went to the District attorney. So small claims court would mean you paid very little for this watch that they would not take it up the chain past the front desk of the police station.

Either way. The seller is a POS and exposing him as such is the least that I would do if I knew who he was and where he worked. I earn my money the honest and hard way and will be damned if I don’t fight for it twice as hard as I earned it.


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[kdphan]

Originally Posted by 007timer

The link to the ad is not working.

You bought this from someone that you know?

Sorry to say, but the auto industry is not the most honorable industry hence the “used car salesman” label that’s associated with shady individuals.

It’s one thing that he truly traded you a watch that he was not aware was a fake. But to post multiple ads afterwards and claim ignorance is BS.

I had a bad experience with a fake watch and they assigned an investigator to the case and went to the District attorney. So small claims court would mean you paid very little for this watch that they would not take it up the chain past the front desk of the police station.

Either way. The seller is a POS and exposing him as such is the least that I would do if I knew who he was and where he worked. I earn my money the honest and hard way and will be damned if I don’t fight for it twice as hard as I earned it.


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The overall transactions is under $10k so local PD station would not take the case and told me to go small claims court route.

I was also thinking of contacting a local news station to see if they'd be interested in running this story. I have all the texts going back and forth with this seller as well as his CL ads with his original phone number listed.

[edweather]

Sorry, and I'm probably the idiot, but if someone contacted me "a few months" later, claiming I sold them a fake watch, I would be suspicious. Seller is obviously scum, but what took you so long??

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by edweather

Sorry, and I'm probably the idiot, but if someone contacted me "a few months" later, claiming I sold them a fake watch, I would be suspicious. Seller is obviously scum, but what took you so long??

Most ROLEX owners could not tell even a basic fake from genuine and surely not latest super fakes.
Sometimes its not till person has it serviced or shows watch to someone more knowledgeable

The link to the advert being removed is suspicion enough

[joli160]

Originally Posted by kdphan

Part of the reason why I have not disclosed the name.

If I was scammed I'd put his name everywhere in capitals and fat font. Nobody can expect to cheat and get away with it

[johnjm]

Buying a watch with the serial removed? I’m sorry, if one is that foolish then well...


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[acr]

The ad is taken down so I can't see anything. Is he local in your area or was the watch shipped to you? Do keep us updated with the situation.....

[circles]

Originally Posted by edweather

Sorry, and I'm probably the idiot, but if someone contacted me "a few months" later, claiming I sold them a fake watch, I would be suspicious. Seller is obviously scum, but what took you so long??

My thoughts also. It is horrible that the buyer got ripped off but lets be honest here; saying "a few months later" there was a problem? No. If a few months would have been ok, how about a year later? That's only a few more months. How about 2 years?

Its horrible and I feel for the buyer. Is the seller a scum? Yes.
But buying off of craigslist just wasn't very bright; if the buyer wasn't educated enough to make the call himself then not having it verified the day he bought it was mistake number two.

[batousai]

The seller is using that language now because he is trying to cover his arse. No doubt the buyer (OP) was naive, but I don't believe he posted this on here so we could openly light him on fire.

As with all things in life, you learn.

Sometimes it comes down to a matter of principle. If you can look past the loss and still want closure, you should absolutely take him to court if you can swallow the additional expenses and your time. At the end of the day, do what must be done to heal the wound.