American Rolex Robber who preys on California in person sellers

[Modiferous]

The Rolex Robber from northern California has been tied to at least eight such thefts all over California. Generally he tries to take the watch in a way that results in a simple grand theft (no force or violence involved), but is not above grabbing it and running too (which results in a robbery case).

His victims have included both individual private sellers and established watch dealers.

His basic M.O. is to contact sellers of high end watches on
eBay
Craig’s List
RolexForums
Chrono24

and any other online venue for watch sales

and transition / switch the contact to telephone. Once he has the seller’s phone number, he likes to switch from text to a voice call, and during a series of phone calls will try to make the seller feel at ease about meeting him in person to purchase the watch.

Common themes presented by the African American buyer include:

That he lives in some part of Northern California, such as Monterey, Lake County, etc.
That he is a collector, buying the watch as an investment
That he already owns some expensive timepieces, generally talks about Audemars, or Rolexes
Mentions that he is married, and has a child, usually a daughter, who is involved with some kind of team sport like softball or baseball.
The Rolex Robber often mentions that it is hard to buy Rolex watches directly from the dealer, and likens this to the lack of availability of brand new Ferraris from the Ferrari dealership.

Variations on the above refer to a “niece” instead of a daughter
Has mentioned a Daytona that he inherited from his father
Has mentioned a deceased brother who owned a Daytona

Has claimed to be in the cannabis business, as a middleman between growers and dispensaries,
also has claimed to be in the construction business.

Is very knowledgable about watches. Likes to ask if the watch has ever been “polished” and about how he prefers watches that have never been polished.

Early in the process he will offer to text you a picture of his ID, which is something that he generates online that looks quite real, but is completely fake. The ID appears to be on some kind of wood grain table or floor.

Past fake IDs he has used:









He will ask for your ID in exchange.

If the seller asks for some kind of verification of funds, the Rolex Robber will text falsified images of a bank account sometimes from Chase, or Bank America, verifying funds.





Has also claimed to bank with Wells Fargo.

The phone numbers that he uses generally belong to TextNow, you may verify this by running the number through:
https://www.phonevalidator.com

and the emails are generally @protonmail.com or @proton.me

because both of these mediums are hard to trace. (He has also used Gmail.)

Once the Rolex Robber has the seller’s trust, he will propose meeting at a jeweler to have the watch authenticated, and generally mention that his bank is close by and that he will go with the seller to the bank to get a cashier’s check once the watch is checked. He sometimes mentions bank wire as a form of payment too.

Invariably this jeweler he picks for the authentication will be one without a guard or locking door, and typically on the lower end as far as what kind of jewelry or watches are sold there.

The robber who has shown up for at least the below two thefts:

2015 Platinum Day Date 40mm ref 228206 with ice blue index Motif dial
(Robbed in southern California – February 2023)
Theft described here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=892296

and a
18K Patek 5711 Nautilus (5711/1R-001)
Movement: 5888179/6061301
(Stolen in northern California – June 2023)
Theft described here:
https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...&postcount=242

was
African American, male, age estimated low 40s, about 5'9", long salt and pepper black dreadlocks hair, brown eyes, facial hair, slight to medium build.

and this is a picture of him:



although he has shown up much more shabbily dressed too, for example dressed in a tan ski jacket style vest, with worn tennis shoes.

The detectives working the case have a theory that the person who makes contact and talks on the phone to set up the meeting is different from the one who shows up to rob, but this is only a theory.

The Rolex Robber definitely does work with other African Americans who have been at the scene, to act as spotters and lookouts.

Here is an image captured of one of his spotters

[Modiferous]

The watch that was stolen from me February 2023 by this guy is the following:

Rolex Platinum 40mm Day Date President MOTIF ice blue dial
Ref.
228206

Serial
288746F1

(2015 year)




It was stolen with the box, but not the papers.

Contact me via PM if you come across this watch, are contacted by the African American Rolex Robber, or have any information about the robber or his crimes. I will put you in touch with the police detectives handling the cases

[Antwon412]

Seems kind of weird to keep saying “African American”……..

[Nads786]

Wow this is a sophisticated robbery and this guy really knows watches. I really really bad for people who have experienced this heist. It's really a sad state of affairs.

[LA_LEC]

Originally Posted by Antwon412

Seems kind of weird to keep saying “African American”……..

Why? They prefer that to "black". Accurate descriptions while perhaps not PC are necessary.

[omar-rye]

He used a picture of Mase for his fake ID

[omar10213245]

Um, it's okay to say "black male".

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

Why? They prefer that to "black". Accurate descriptions while perhaps not PC are necessary.

lol no, not the people of color who aren't complete clowns. "black" is totally acceptable, just as "white" is totally acceptable.

[worldofoyster]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

Um, it's okay to say "black male".

agreed.

[Carguy87]

Been seeing an uptick of these fake ID’s used in attempted fraudulent automotive purchases too (had two at my dealership within the last 30 days) these ID’s are much better than fakes of the past but there are ways to tell they aren’t legit. Easiest one is that the word “California” and the words “drivers license” on a real Cali ID are the same shade of blue; on these fakes they are a bit different. Also too the blue in the background of the photo is lighter and more of a teal than the real blue California photo background.

If anyone ever has a concern on a fake ID feel free to PM me I can give it a look. Stay safe out there!

[DC116710LN]

Really sorry to hear that you were the victim of theft OP. I hope the police catch this guy

[jb335]

I’m sorry this happened to you and I wish you the best with recovering your property. Glad there is a detective assigned.



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[OTX]

That’s unfortunate. I hope they catch this scumbag and his gang. Best of luck getting it back!.

[Cambo]

Sorry to hear….thanks for giving us the specifics…perhaps it will save someone from the same fate. I truly hope you get your watch back.

[Barada7]

It’s unfortunate you needed to highlight the person's race in your post. I am asking if you could be so kind as to edit what could be misconstrued as an aspersion on an entire group rather than just an individual’s identifying characteristic.

[Wee-Willie]

Originally Posted by Antwon412

Seems kind of weird to keep saying “African American”……..

If it is true..SAY IT!!!

Thiefs need to be diverse & politically correct????

[Catatafish]

We don't know his true citizenship or cultural geographic upbringing but Black Male, age range, height, and weight is probably sufficient, once.

There is an unnecessary repetitiveness to it as written. Alleged watch thief is pretty safe and sufficient, especially given all the details and photos.

Thanks for the heads up. And IBTL.

[Space1970]

The title of this thread is an embarrassment to the forum IMO

I cannot imagine anyone would have felt the need to title it 'Caucasian Rolex Robber who preys on California in person sellers'

Awful thing that happened to the OP and I hope the guy is caught and punished but the pictures show what he looks like

[WS9D]

We live in a silly world now where any verbiage the OP would’ve/could’ve used would have been questioned and criticized. Maybe we should just thank him for the info, especially those of us in CA.

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by WS9D

We live in a silly world now where any verbiage the OP would’ve/could’ve used would have been questioned and criticized. Maybe we should just thank him for the info, especially those of us in CA.

It seems the PC “police” here are more concerned with how the perp is identified rather than the thief being caught. Ridiculous!

Thanks for the info OP.

[Hollie_Rollie]

That’s crazy and thank you for the write up.

The Mase fake id is hilarious though .


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[Cwall12345]

Thank you for the information and for editing your post.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

Why? They prefer that to "black". Accurate descriptions while perhaps not PC are necessary.

As an European, this is very strange. Just say he’s an American citizen. Nobody here goes “the Franco-Greco dude”.

[Swilder916]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

He used a picture of Mase for his fake ID

Omg I thought the same thing!! Then I thought.... "no way...he wouldn't use Ma$e!!?"




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[Swilder916]

Originally Posted by Space1970

The title of this thread is an embarrassment to the forum IMO

I cannot imagine anyone would have felt the need to title it 'Caucasian Rolex Robber who preys on California in person sellers'

Awful thing that happened to the OP and I hope the guy is caught and punished but the pictures show what he looks like

I actually do agree with this... it could've just said Rolex Robber...

A scum bag is a scum bag.


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[S’portEye]

This thread went exactly where I knew it would. Instead of being focused on what happened and trying to help, some just take issue with the wording. Let’s blame the victim for his description of the criminal. IBTL

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Al1969

It seems the PC “police” here are more concerned with how the perp is identified rather than the thief being caught. Ridiculous!

Thanks for the info OP.

Exactly this.

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

This thread went exactly where I knew it would. Instead of being focused on what happened and trying to help, some just take issue with the wording. Let’s blame the victim for his description of the criminal. IBTL

Agreed, the crime here is the theft by this dirtbag, not the description of said dirtbag

[Actor07]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

He used a picture of Mase for his fake ID

I was thinking the same thing.

I hope he gets caught.

Just think, if he used his time and intelligence in pursuing an honest living, he would have made more than enough money to buy those watches several times over.

It never ceases to amaze me of how petty criminals expend hundreds or thousands of hours to steal from hard working people when they could buy these same watches by expending considerably less time and make an honest living to afford these watches.

Trust me, he will be caught and will spend a long time in prison.

The risk of extensive jail time (decades) is not worth the reward of the cost of a watch at most 50-70k.

Criminals are not the brightest of individuals.

I'm sorry for the trusting sellers.

We need to enforce tough prison sentences but that's another subject matter entirely.

[Actor07]

Originally Posted by swilder916

i actually do agree with this... It could've just said rolex robber...

A scum bag is a scum bag.


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