Do your dd! Even with trusted rolex botiques ! Almost lost $32k.

[Deroya]

Bottom line up front – The actual trusted boutique in question here (BODYBUMP aka Oscar/International Watch Vault) did NOT attempt to scam me.

Posting in 2 forums sections for awareness (general and watchout) as this is very serious.

I am still in a bit of shock since this happened last week but have taken time to reflect. I am a 10-year TRF member, bought and sold on here many times. I decided to sell a few of my personal watches as of late, and took it to TRF to post them, but also reach out to some trusted dealers listed as “boutiques” to see what they would offer for quick sale. I wrote a canned email with info on all my pieces to all of them. “Bodybump” was one of the several, who appeared to be a HIGHLY trusted seller on TRF as well as a heavy social media presence and active store. (Still listed as a boutique today).

I emailed the email on his most recent posting, but also the SAME email that matched his IG/FB business accounts. I was responded to normally with fair dealer prices to which I decided to move forward with. We agreed on a deal via email for him to buy 3 watches for $32.5K and I told him to text me to move forward with the label etc.

I boxed up the watches, and prepared them for shipment and before I sent the invoice for the label, I decided to do some extra DD. Regardless the fact he emailed me from his real account, and he was an established TD on TRF. It was here some things started to not add up. The biggest catch I had was the phone number he was texting me on was different than what was listed on his ad/social media pages, I would not have caught this if the area codes were the same. Further digging revealed his state for shipping was different than what I matched his business to.

I asked this person texting me, why is the # different? And they stated that was a business phone # and he was texting me on his personal line. I asked him to text me from the business phone to verify this and he stalled/diverted the conversation.

I then texted the business #, and the REAL Oscar verifies it was NOT him the whole time and his email must have been hacked? We exchanged a dozen or so emails over 2-3 days on his REAL business email account and the scammer I guess deleted everything in and out? The scammer also texted me fake drivers license info. I can share screenshots of all of it for anyone interested. I notified mods on the forum immediately and the dealer himself who apologized and said he would work out the hacking problem.

Regardless--- This SMALL detail prevented me from taking a $32.5K loss. The real Oscar seems awesome, but please….TRIPLE check everything, even if they are trusted “boutiques”. Do anything you can to ensure you are dealing with the actual dealer, because this would have been a catastrophic loss for me, and I would hate to hear it happened to someone else.

Stay safe out there.

[S’portEye]

Deleted

[hutch300]

Wow. I am so happy this worked out for you. I think this is one of the benefits of know what a dealer sounds like so you can know when you talk on the phone. Guys like Tim at Fog City have an instagram where you know its Tim. I think its a scary world out there and the extra effort can really make the difference. Thanks for sharing OP.

[GGGMT]

Whoa. That is a nasty story!


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[996marty]

Thanks for posting to alert others to be careful who you deal with. But if it was me I would never be handling over something with so much value to effectively someone I don’t know without meeting them. Hindsight is a great thing in situations like this and it’s a worry to know people are out there looking to rip people off given half a chance.

[Deroya]

Originally Posted by 996marty

Thanks for posting to alert others to be careful who you deal with. But if it was me I would never be handling over something with so much value to effectively someone I don’t know without meeting them. Hindsight is a great thing in situations like this and it’s a worry to know people are out there looking to rip people off given half a chance.

While I understand what you’re saying, this wasn’t some random user on this forum. This was via email to a TRUSTED boutique to which TRF promotes as such… One of the 8 or so listed?

It is a well known fact you can deal with them in confidence since I’ve been using this forum. Many people front watches to these dealers and when they receive the watches, they wire funds after inspection.


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[Andad]

Have you reported this to the mods?

[interestedwatcher]

I have only sold a few things on here, but I have had multiple emails and PMs trying to 'phish' me, and multiple attempted logins to my email. It's why 2FA on everything is very important - and even then it sounds like they can find a way to just intercept your email from time to time... Always be careful.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Thanks for sharing this incident with us. Glad you dodged a bullet there.

A timely reminder of the importance of doing due diligence.


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[PBJ1925]

Thank you for posting, glad you were able to avoid a potentially painful scam.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Andad

Have you reported this to the mods?

Yes - that was mentioned in the narrative.

This is puzzling because if Oscar's email was hacked, then there must be many more people in peril.

The OP goes into detail, but the best due diligence is for the seller to have 2FA enabled and use PMs as a secure measure.


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[hojlund]

there are always risks of buying fake, or losing money trading with a grey dealer. buy your watch from an AD is the only safe way to go, and brings you peace of mind.

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by hojlund

there are always risks of buying fake, or losing money trading with a grey dealer. buy your watch from an AD is the only safe way to go, and brings you peace of mind.

Someone on here almost got done by a fake invoice scam by an AD in the UK.


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[Torshalla]

Thanks for sharing. And glad you avoided a nightmare


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[rajurama]

Thanks for sharing these phishing scams are here to stay and will get even more sophisticated, we must be vigilant in anything and everything online specially where $$$ is involved.

[inadeje]

Wow! A bizarre case of impersonation where the scammer had covertly gained access to the real persons email.

I am glad your spider senses kicked in OP.

[Carguy87]

Scary; glad it all ended ok!

[Son Goku]

Really happy this worked out for you and thank you for sharing to raise awareness!

[Bladeshot]

These are sophisticated scammers. Glad you figured it out in time!


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
@bladeandwatch1 on IG

[Old Expat Beast]

From what I can see, Bodybump doesn't use his Boutique space and hasn't listed any watches for sale here since March 2020.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

From what I can see, Bodybump doesn't use his Boutique space and hasn't listed any watches for sale here since March 2020.

Have to agree Adam and its always up to the buyer to research any sale to anyone on forum or retail shop before parting with his/her money so all buyers be fully aware.

[Henrimontgomery]

Which is why Rolex CPO is not going away

[Andad]

Old age Paul.

[Deroya]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

From what I can see, Bodybump doesn't use his Boutique space and hasn't listed any watches for sale here since March 2020.

You are correct, something I didn’t notice at first… again though… he’s still listed as a “boutique” though inactive for several years, and the email I contacted him on matches his profile on here and elsewhere he does business.

Not sure why his boutique is still listed as active on here if he hasn’t sold on here specifically in a while.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Deroya

You are correct, something I didn’t notice at first… again though… he’s still listed as a “boutique” though inactive for several years, and the email I contacted him on matches his profile on here and elsewhere he does business.

Not sure why his boutique is still listed as active on here if he hasn’t sold on here specifically in a while.


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You'd have to ask Steve (Lol-x), as mods don't deal with the Boutique listings and who gets to list there. Maybe send him a PM.

Just FYI, I merged both your threads into one (here) and left a permanent redirect to it in the Watchout section.

[brandrea]

Geepers, that’s crazy. I could’ve easily fell for that had I been in your shoes. Glad you averted the scam OP

I’ve only ever done face to face transactions except for one purchased through a gray dealer here.

Although face to face has its drawbacks, I think I’ll continue that way if it’s a watch I can’t get from an AD.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

From what I can see, Bodybump doesn't use his Boutique space and hasn't listed any watches for sale here since March 2020.

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree Adam and its always up to the buyer to research any sale to anyone on forum or retail shop before parting with his/her money so all buyers be fully aware.

Yes - I agree guys. An aspect I didn't elaborate upon adequately is worth repeating...

The OP reached out to Oscar using email and also used text messaging. The OP wanted to sell some watches.

So the entire episode happened outside of the TRF realm. Then, when the alleged ruse by the scammer fizzled it was reported here.

Nobody can PM Oscar via TRF because his mailbox is full. The 64,000 dollar question is whether Boutiques that are idle for years, as well as their listings, should be eliminated to avoid such situations.

Oscar's been a tremendous supporter of TRF so this isn't any slam against him. Just a question we hadn't thought about perhaps.

PS: Oscar hasn't been active on any FB/IG sales platform since May 29th -
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[JSCP]

Lucky! Glad you did all the right checking.

There are only a couple of trusted dealers here that i “trust” from experience.

Sometimes a lower offer from a 100% checked dealer is bet.

[enjoythemusic]

Wow, great catch OP! Glad you discovered the anomaly.

[Deroya]

Originally Posted by 77T

Yes - I agree guys. An aspect I didn't elaborate upon adequately is worth repeating...

The OP reached out to Oscar using email and also used text messaging. The OP wanted to sell some watches.

So the entire episode happened outside of the TRF realm. Then, when the alleged ruse by the scammer fizzled it was reported here.

Nobody can PM Oscar via TRF because his mailbox is full. The 64,000 dollar question is whether Boutiques that are idle for years, as well as their listings, should be eliminated to avoid such situations.

Oscar's been a tremendous supporter of TRF so this isn't any slam against him. Just a question we hadn't thought about perhaps.

PS: Oscar hasn't been active on any FB/IG sales platform since May 29th -
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It started here on TRF, I found his boutique on here and emailed him via the info listed on here.


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