Warning to fellow UK members!

[mike_uk]

Not been on here since end of Jan guys, had a bit of a bad time which I thought i'd better share and hopefully will give a bit of a warning to fellow UK members.

As some of you know i've been lusting after a Patek Grand Complication for some time now so decided to advertise my two Patek's for sale on eBay for near enough retail money and see how they faired. Had an email from a chap interested in the Aquanaut and wanted to come and view, so as he'd provided a landline telephone number and full name and address thought i'd let him come and inspect as he sounded very genuine.

Chap arrived, was very plesant and knowledgable about watches especially Rolex's and Patek's. Took about 20 mins looking over the watch and chatting and left a cheque for £500 as a deposit which we both agreed i'd not bank as he was going to pay with a bankers draft for the full amount 3 days later when he was coming to collect. Thought fine fair enough as I can check the draft out with the issuing bank etc before handing the watch over.

3 days later knock on the door from the buyer, obviously let him in with guard down this time as he seemed genuine and had been before. Came through into the kitchen and made him a coffee and was chatting about the new watch that i've been after for so long. Anyway hand him the cup of coffee and he turns on me, throwing the boiling cup all over me and making a grab for my throat and trying to kick my legs screaming at me to do as i'm f*****g told and not struggle. Next thing I know i'm slumped on the floor (i'm 6ft2 and built like a brick sh*thouse so god knows what he wacked me with) and he's kicking my thighs screaming at me to tell him where the watches are. Luckily before I knew what was going on next the builders who are doing our garage come back from lunch break and let themselves into the pantry and hear whats going on and run in, and the guy dashes off with one of the builders chasing him down the street.

Anyway as a result i'm black and blue and spent a night in hospital with concussion. Police are investigating it but not getting very far unfortunately.

Thought i'd post this up as a warning and share the details with everyone so if you are thinking of selling a watch just be blo*dy careful as the police say this isn't the first case of this happening and there has been 2 similar reported incidents since new year.

As a result my watches are no longer kept at home and are now in a safetly deposit box hidden away and we're looking at getting a big ass scary dog just incase :(

Be careful guys (and girls)

Owe the two builders sam and george my life, I know george is on here somewhere as he's a fellow rolex nut, so thanks buddy if you're reading this you're a blo*dy hero!

Mike.


Details:

"buyer"

Richard Fairless
12 Queensborough Terrace
London W2 3LB

Drives a Silver BMW 5 series Reg begining R5 *** (private plate but looked to be a 2004 on shape possibly a diesel from what builder said seeing it drive away)
Cheque was a Barclays Cheque, Chelmsford Essex Branch. Account No ****4594 under the name Mr R D Fairless

About 6ft, medium build, short dark hair, smart appearance, was wearing what appeared to be a real omega 007 (1st edition), very very clued up on Rolex and Patek.


If anyone has come into contact with this guy or thinks they know who he is, pm me with details. I'll be very discreet, and you'll be well looked after. Want this scumbag locked up for this.

[errol0_7]

Very sad to hear your tale, these scumbags spoil it for everyone.

[sleddog]

Wow....Quite the story....!

Good thing your OK is the most important part!!!!

A few things to ponder here...Never meet at your physical address, alway's in public!
Also, research the buyer to no end if a face to face deal is pending.....

Thanks for letting us in on the story!

[Jason71]

That is just terrible. Glad you are ok, and thanks for sharing your experience. If it helps just one person, then it was worth posting your experience.

[turboevo2]

Thank you for sharing and it is a good thing you were alright at the end and your watches was not taken.

[Jan Davis]

Sam and George deserve a steak dinner for saving your ass.

[Porsche]

Wow, I'm gobsmacked. Glad you're OK (if somewhat battered and bruised).

Hope they track down this cretin and put him in the Big House.

[The GMT Master]

Ever so sorry to hear this! There are some real scumbags out there, I hope they manage to track this one down

[toph]

wow. Glad you are ok. That is scary stuff.

R5 is not a private plate, R is the year in this case, just most are of the form R 111 AAA this one is just R 5 AAA. Try DVLA or police if you have the full reg?

Good luck with this

[Rolex Junky]

Originally Posted by sleddog

Never meet at your physical address, alway's in public!

x2

Be safe.

[liptonnr]

Originally Posted by Jan Davis

Sam and George deserve a steak dinner for saving your ass.

X2! I am glad you are doing well. Thanks for sharing this horrific tale!

[cornerstore]

Wow

[yankeeromeo]

Hi Mike,

Welcome, and sorry to hear your grief, I'm a regular reader and seldom poster.
Really concerned about your trouble and hope you're well.

Not that I normally publicise it but I am a detective within the metropolitan police, I hope you are getting the support from the investigators.

There appears many leads including
Partial index and model parametre searches on the vehicle.

Bank CCTV for person(s) obtaining cheque or bankers draft and also steps to be taken tracing the account holders home address
There also appears a possibilty of modus operndi with similar crimes

It's hard to believe this was a "heat of the moment" crime, and more than likely this is not a first.

Keep us updated be nice to catch this menace.

[wdalew5]

sorry to hear this!!!

Glock makes just the perfect tool to help handle situations such as this.......

[yankeeromeo]

Further more to help others can you give any more on his description i've tried to suggest things.

You've been great providing details but anything further may save someone not so lucky. You've coververed most of mandatory, Name, Age, Sex, Height (N.A.S.H)


With established the name of Richard Fairless
Approximate age?
Detailed build such as beer belly?
Smart dress, as in suit? collared shirt? Did he wear aftershave? Glasses worn?
Short hair what type... cropped? shaven? just well kept? Colour?
Any facial Hair?
Accent? London, Essex?
Ethnic origin? In your own words. for example, White Irish, White English, Black carribean, Black african, Asian.


He could be linked to the W2 or Essex area?
Where did the W2 address come from?
How did you originally meet him, were you advertising somewhere?

Silver BMW 5 Series
2004 model (approximately)
Partial VRM of R5 ***
diesel (possibly)

[spuds]

Sh1t.

That's seriously bad news.


Glad you came out of it ok though Mike & as a fellow Essex resident (& in Chelmsford regularly) I'll certainly keep an eye out for that car.... & the POS driving it.

[1675-David]

Wow Mike what an ordeal, I'm glad to hear you are ok. I really hope they get this guy because he's not just stealing watches he is causing a lot more grief that. Being a victim of this sort of thing can prey on your mind for ages while this POS just moves on to the next "job" without a care.

[mike_uk]

Thanks for the comments and kind words everyone! Means alot.

No further info from the Police as rang for an update this morning so guess just have to hope he slips up and gets caught asap before anyone else becomes a victim!

Mike.

[mike_uk]

Thanks for the replies, wish the officers dealing with it were as thorough as you!

Anyway i've added to your questions below so hopefully will give people more of an idea what this guy looks like.

Cheers,

Mike.

Originally Posted by yankeeromeo

Further more to help others can you give any more on his description i've tried to suggest things.

You've been great providing details but anything further may save someone not so lucky. You've coververed most of mandatory, Name, Age, Sex, Height (N.A.S.H)


With established the name of Richard Fairless
Approximate age? 30-35
Detailed build such as beer belly? Medium build, slight tummy but not a beer belly. Walked a little bit like he'd had an injured leg or foot not so long ago.
Smart dress, as in suit? collared shirt? Did he wear aftershave? Glasses worn? Was wearing smart trousers like from a 2 piece, dress shirt, silver/white gold cufflinks, no glasses.
Short hair what type... cropped? shaven? just well kept? Colour? Dark brown shaved hair looked recently done, say to a no 2 or 3.
Any facial Hair? Clean Shaven
Accent? London, Essex? Very very well spoken, like he'd been to a public school kind of accent.
Ethnic origin? In your own words. for example, White Irish, White English, Black carribean, Black african, Asian. White English


He could be linked to the W2 or Essex area?
Where did the W2 address come from? He provided the W2 address and seemed to know the area as we have a flat 4 streets away.
How did you originally meet him, were you advertising somewhere? Met at our house in Colchester in Essex. Had no problems him coming as he'd provided details before hand.

Silver BMW 5 Series
2004 model (approximately)
Partial VRM of R5 ***
diesel (possibly)

Reg number definately private plate as that model of car would be either **04*** to **08*** (i believe)

[yankeeromeo]

Thanks Mike you may just have saved someone else.

Last question how did you meet/make contact?
Were you advertising the watch for sale?

Glad you're ok mate.

[gregmoeck]

wow, you're lucky, i would for sure get an alarm system installed ASAP, watch your back for a while. There are so many scammers in the world, its very alarming.

[mike_uk]

Originally Posted by yankeeromeo

Thanks Mike you may just have saved someone else.

Last question how did you meet/make contact?
Were you advertising the watch for sale?

Glad you're ok mate.

Hope so! Would hate anyone else to fall victim!

Both occasions came to my house in Colchester. Messages through ebay first, then telephone conversations, then came to see it at the house once i'd had his details, contact number etc etc.

Police had access to my ebay and emails to try track his ip but don't think it came to anything!

Cheers,

Mike.

[akira23]

Wow! Glad your alright! As has been stated here....never meet at your home. A public place with lots of people... Due diligence! At least your safe....get that Alarm System installed ASAP!

Cheers!

[shoppy]

Crikey, I am glad you are ok. That is absolutely terrible what happened to you.. I hoe they get the low life.

[bayerische]

What a damn scumbag!

Glad you are OK. Things like this is wrecking the party for us honest people.

[jcherskine]

Scumbag of the highest order I would say.

Glad your now doing ok Mike.

It could have been so much worse if your builders had not been around.

Hope they catch this cretin.

[yankeeromeo]

I'm in the market for a daytona in summer and will certainly be taking some select friends for the meet.

I spoke to a guy on here called "Brett" seems very savvy. You may wanna speak to him if you're trying to sell the other mentioned watch in general topics. Think he sells privately regularly

[Matdaytona]

Glad your ok mike

[Jonathan007]

Mike!!!
Thats some ordeal!

It's just a shame mate, A shame you didnt hit him with something bigger than what he hit you with!!

Any way hope they catch the low life and you get to see him hang!!

[gone-rolex-mad]

Thats a really nasty thing to happen. Get well soon mate, and I hope the police get the guy and throw the book at him. All the best.