Need Help Possible Scam

[saint777]

Anyone know peterhansen1? i received a DM from him regarding a watch im looking for (Tudor 79170). He sent me pictures and a video.

His location says Rapid SD, but he said he is in West Virginia. The email address he is using is [email protected].

If anyone can help verify i appreciate it.

Thanks
Saint

[Welshwatchman]

His few posts here all resolve to an IP address in Brooklyn, New York.

[rolex5150]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

His few posts here all resolve to an IP address in Brooklyn, New York.

dont forget a person can just use a VPN and look like they are anywhere.
(Virtual private network)

[Fredrik]

Do a reverse lookup of the pictures he sent you or post them here.

[lear60man]

If you google '[email protected]' you will get Zero results. That screams throw away email address used for bad reasons. Most people have a digital footprint from real names, screen names and email addresses.

Big red flag....walk.

[haven_seeker]

Originally Posted by lear60man

If you google '[email protected]' you will get Zero results. That screams throw away email address used for bad reasons. Most people have a digital footprint from real names, screen names and email addresses.

Big red flag....walk.

I just want to chime in - I've been using the same email address for 20 years but keep a very small digital footprint...you won't find my email on the internet anywhere either, but I wouldn't let that be a deterrent from doing business with me!

[lear60man]

Originally Posted by haven_seeker

I just want to chime in - I've been using the same email address for 20 years but keep a very small digital footprint...you won't find my email on the internet anywhere either, but I wouldn't let that be a deterrent from doing business with me!

True, its just one red flag. My second sentence is the rest of the 'must do' list. Your screen name has a lengthy digital footprint relating back to this forum and some others. That would indicate a that you have a vested interest in this community from a buyers standpoint.

[saint777]

He just sent me an email with the pic. I should just use PayPal, if anything goes I can always do a charge back.




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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by saint777

He just sent me an email with the pic. I should just use PayPal, if anything goes I can always do a charge back.




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Any you are willing to risk your money on that?

Why are you so desperate to buy this watch?

[freefly]

Originally Posted by saint777

He just sent me an email with the pic. I should just use PayPal, if anything goes I can always do a charge back.

That is an obvious photo-shop job.

[saint777]

Hi have been looking for this watch for sometime, and the price is good.

But I might just pass on it.




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[Noonan]

Originally Posted by saint777

Hi have been looking for this watch for sometime, and the price is good.

But I might just pass on it.

Dude, use your head and run away. "Might" pass on it?

[saint777]

@freefly gore can you tell? I checked the pic it looked pretty good. Shadows on the pic looked good.

Unless these &$@&!$& are getting really good.




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[Jayreynolds]

As someone who uses photoshop on a daily basis as it's part of my job, I can tell you 100% that isn't photoshopped

[freefly]

Originally Posted by Jayreynolds

As someone who uses photoshop on a daily basis as it's part of my job, I can tell you 100% that isn't photoshopped

Well, as someone who deals with PS for a living, I suppose I would defer to your evaluation.

However, it looks very, very similar to the countless scams using "post-it note" PS jobs that have started to plague the watch forums and eBay. The early ones were very easy to spot, but the scammers have gotten a lot more PS savvy over the last couple years, and have improved their skills, which include shading/shadows, layer integration, configuring tools to render/flatten/equalize images and/or soften "paste" layers to look natural. They have also gotten very good at PS-ing the hands to reflect a specific time that a prospective buyer might request. All of the above has been confirmed by seeing/finding several of the original "host" images that scammers have used for their "work".

On this particular image, the shadow of the crown/pushers appears to have perspective and contrast issues. The "seem" in the alligator pattern between the lower lugs/bracelet and the post-it appears out of place, and doesn't follow the lighting pattern. Also, the shadow at the very bottom of the post-it note appears to have a complete lack of "spill" onto the leather that it is sitting on.

[bezler]

Originally Posted by freefly

Well, as someone who deals with PS for a living, I suppose I would defer to your evaluation.

However, it looks very, very similar to the countless scams using "post-it note" PS jobs that have started to plague the watch forums and eBay. The early ones were very easy to spot, but the scammers have gotten a lot more PS savvy over the last couple years, and have improved their skills, which include shading/shadows, layer integration, configuring tools to render/flatten/equalize images and/or soften "paste" layers to look natural. They have also gotten very good at PS-ing the hands to reflect a specific time that a prospective buyer might request. All of the above has been confirmed by seeing/finding several of the original "host" images that scammers have used for their "work".

On this particular image, the shadow of the crown/pushers appears to have perspective and contrast issues. The "seem" in the alligator pattern between the lower lugs/bracelet and the post-it appears out of place, and doesn't follow the lighting pattern. Also, the shadow at the very bottom of the post-it note appears to have a complete lack of "spill" onto the leather that it is sitting on.

Thanks for this great post. I looked at all the details you mentioned, and damn, you're right on every one. I never would have spotted this, but now I've learned that it's all possible with a little focus and determination.

Thanks for teaching us to be sharper observers!

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[Mills_]

Yeah, I won't speak to whether the seller is a scammer or not, but I would bet real decent money that it is not a photoshopped photo. Too much detail on the marker pen (look at the 7s with different fading) and who would remember to put in a shadow for the iPhone on the bottom of the notepad...

[Alcan]

A word of caution. If using PayPal DO NOT use "Sending to a friend" to save fees, use only "Paying for an item or service" or your transaction will not be covered by PayPal's purchase protection. Also, use a credit card as your funding source.

I (and several others) got burned here buying a watch from a previously good seller who went bad. PP did nothing to help but my CC company finally was able to reverse the transaction.

[GLADIATOR]

Originally Posted by Mills_

Yeah, I won't speak to whether the seller is a scammer or not, but I would bet real decent money that it is not a photoshopped photo. Too much detail on the marker pen (look at the 7s with different fading) and who would remember to put in a shadow for the iPhone on the bottom of the notepad...

As someone who uses photoshop on a daily basis as it's part of my job, I can tell you 100% that isn't photoshopped

Agreed +1

[freefly]

Originally Posted by Mills_

Yeah, I won't speak to whether the seller is a scammer or not, but I would bet real decent money that it is not a photoshopped photo. Too much detail on the marker pen (look at the 7s with different fading)

The writing on the post-it is not PS'd. The typical scam involves a real post-it/piece of paper with real handwriting, which is then PS'd in its entirety onto a (stolen) host image of a watch.

Originally Posted by Mills_

who would remember to put in a shadow for the iPhone on the bottom of the notepad...

Maybe, but as above, one of my concerns is: Why doesn't that shadow extend beyond the border of the post-it note?

[77T]

Originally Posted by freefly

The writing on the post-it is not PS'd. The typical scam involves a real post-it/piece of paper with real handwriting, which is then PS'd in its entirety onto a (stolen) host image of a watch.



Maybe, but as above, one of my concerns is: Why doesn't that shadow extend beyond the border of the post-it note?

Your suspicions are well-founded. IMO the photo is a fake.

OP: the fact that you have zero feedback on this guy is your #1 problem in this matter. Remember, buy the seller first.




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[CorradoBrit]

Just facetime the seller and see the watch in real life. Then pay only with Paypal using CC and offer to pay fees if the seller baulks

[saint777]

Allan and Corrado that’s what I was planning to do.

Thanks
V


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[Humble michael]

And don’t forget to let us know what happens:-) tks

[Beauregard]

If you feel the need to post then you already question his validity. I think you already know the answer...

[V72]

R H side of the post it looks suspect imo.

[saint777]

I asked the guy to send me a PayPal invoice and I will pay through PayPal.

He said he doesn’t have PayPal and he would like to use his friends account and he would like me to send it via friends/family...

I told him to F off....


Thanks all for your inputs...




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[77T]

It may be time to alert a Mod about this member. The fake photo should be the red flag, but that last part is super suspicious.

A WatchOut thread in that section could warn other members, too.


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[porschejeff]

Face time to see the watch and ask him to set the watch to a specific time (and date).

[indi]

The same peterhansen also contacted me about the watch im looking for.
Fraud for sure. Beware.