I May Have Been Scammed Right Here On TRF

[joeychitwood]

I agreed to buy a 16618 Submariner from TheRolex88. It is pictured and described in this ad:

FS: Rolex 18k Gold Submariner 16618 All Blue

I wired cash to him Monday morning. We agreed to ship each other watches involved in the trade before Christmas Eve. I shipped two Rolex watches via FedEx Overnight in trade to him Monday morning. Someone signed for the watches at his address Tuesday morning. The total transaction was for $12,000.

I've have made repeated attempts to contact him by phone and email, but have heard nothing since Sunday. It is now Wednesday. He had no problem communicating with me when he was interested in getting my money and my watches.

What do I do now? I continue to send emails and make phone calls, all of which go to voice mail. How long do I wait before I initiate action, and do I lose valuable time by waiting? I need some advice.

[Mosco]

Where is he located?

[Nicko]

He is banned here,,,OMG, let' hope everything works out.

[subfanatic]

I just saw that...my stomach hurts and it's not even my money. i really hope this works out. He was told to have pics of the paperwork days ago. I was interested in that Sub as well.

[miked]

Originally Posted by Nicko

He is banned here,,,OMG, let' hope everything works out.

Good god, I hope everything works out.....if he was banned here how the hell was his rubbish on the sales corner?
I was lazy and only viewed the first page, looks as though everything worked out and i am glad to hear it!!!

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by miked

Good god, I hope everything works out.....if he was banned here how the hell was his rubbish on the sales corner?


I was lazy and only viewed the first page, looks as though everything worked out and i am glad to hear it!!!

Yup, you were. Got the chronology all wrong as well.

[Prince]

TheRolex88 has been banned, but I don't know who did it.

[subfanatic]

Lol-x did a spot check for some paperwork that would go with the watch, he did not produce.

[valentine]

columbia, SC? lemme see what I can do. I used to live in SC. like david said. lets get together and get this HANDLED.

[Numismatist]

He was active in the last 24 hours of TRF. Strange.

[DAVIDSW]

Originally Posted by valentine

columbia, SC? lemme see what I can do. I used to live in SC. like david said. lets get together and get this HANDLED.

I called his local Branch Monday just to check up and the account number matched his name but I could not get a confirmation on his address matching the account....

[RebreatherDiver]

I am assuming you have his name and bank account number?

Contact the South Carolina State Attorney General and get the proper forms to start a formal complaint.

Secondly, I would call the police in the town of his address and ask them if this is considered a internet theft. If they agree, I would ask to file formal charges and have them make a visit to make contact with the individual.

I would also start getting paperwork together for private litigation and be ready to sue him civilly.

In the mean time, I would gather all communication that is pertinent to your transaction, ask the carrier (FedEx or US Mail) for a copy of the signature card. Moreover, since he is now banned, I would ask TRF for any information they can share on his whereabouts.

I am very sorry for your loss, this is a horrible time to be taken advantage of. I am not sure how to offer a solution to this, other than having a first selling transaction be less than "X" amount, and then be labeled as Level 1 seller, and offer different level's of sellers as reputation grows.

Wish it was in NC, I could pick up the phone and have a cruiser over at the house by noon.

best of luck,

Tom

[valentine]

DUDE! no way! I'd get the authorities and your bank, etc involved ASAP, and where is he located?

[valentine]

BTW. report the serial numbers of YOUR watches as stolen ASAP

[DAVIDSW]

Take action IMMEDIATELY...

I also agreed to buy the 18k sub from him.... I told him I would fly out there and do a face to face deal with him... He said he was out of town and could not do it.... I was not comfortable with it at all so did not send him payment..

His references were not good at all and his communication was not consistent

Andrew Hayes
404 Waterville Dr
Columbia SC

This is the address he gave me...

Lets get together guys and see what else we can get on this guy

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by DAVIDSW

Take action IMMEDIATELY...

I also agreed to buy the 18k sub from him.... I told him I would fly out there and do a face to face deal with him... He said he was out of town and could not do it.... I was not comfortable with it at all so did not send him payment..

His references were not good at all and his communication was not consistent

Andrew Hayes
404 Waterville Dr
Columbia SC

This is the address he gave me...

Lets get together guys and see what else we can get on this guy

Again, I wish for the best of outcome on your situation.

Something that has always bugged me is that folks on Ebay when leaving feedback, even after agreeing to not follow through with the purchase, leave positive feedback as if they had purchased the item. Then a week later, the item is for sale again.

As I quote DavidSW above, to no fault of his own, he did not feel right about this situation. In my opinion, it is in the best interest of all forum members to share these contacts and/or bad feelings about newbies on this forum. If it is a misunderstanding, then it can be rectified at the end.

I for one lost a Rolex on this forum, my fault completely, and I shared it with everyone about my situation. The delivery address was in Phoenix, Arizona, and to this day there has been no follow through by the authorities. It is also known that Phoenix is a zestpool for criminal activity, thus my problem did not seem to rise to the attention or top of the list for the investigators.

On the other hand, I feel that there are some great law enforcement in South Carolina and your outcome should be different. My hopes are that justice will do you right on this one.

However, if something was to happen to this individual, whether "deserved" or by accident, many folks on this forum are offering harm. Folks, please, do not communicate this on an open forum as there could be consequences. Please be careful, anyone can monitor this thread without been a member.

Again, I hope nothing but the best for you in this situation.

But like in my case, it may not be now or in the near present, but at the end they will pay for their mistakes!

[SLS]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

....However, if something was to happen to this individual, whether "deserved" or by accident, many folks on this forum are offering harm. Folks, please, do not communicate this on an open forum as there could be consequences. Please be careful, anyone can monitor this thread without been a member...

Agreed, violence is not going to solve anything, just make matters worse.

Sorry to hear this Joey and Good luck.
Scott

[DAVIDSW]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Again, I wish for the best of outcome on your situation.

Something that has always bugged me is that folks on Ebay when leaving feedback, even after agreeing to not follow through with the purchase, leave positive feedback as if they had purchased the item. Then a week later, the item is for sale again.

As I quote DavidSW above, to no fault of his own, he did not feel right about this situation. In my opinion, it is in the best interest of all forum members to share these contacts and/or bad feelings about newbies on this forum. If it is a misunderstanding, then it can be rectified at the end.

I for one lost a Rolex on this forum, my fault completely, and I shared it with everyone about my situation. The delivery address was in Phoenix, Arizona, and to this day there has been no follow through by the authorities. It is also known that Phoenix is a zestpool for criminal activity, thus my problem did not seem to rise to the attention or top of the list for the investigators.

On the other hand, I feel that there are some great law enforcement in South Carolina and your outcome should be different. My hopes are that justice will do you right on this one.

However, if something was to happen to this individual, whether "deserved" or by accident, many folks on this forum are offering harm. Folks, please, do not communicate this on an open forum as there could be consequences. Please be careful, anyone can monitor this thread without been a member.

Again, I hope nothing but the best for you in this situation.

But like in my case, it may not be now or in the near present, but at the end they will pay for their mistakes!

I contacted him on Friday and noticed on Saturday that Steve (LOL-X) had requested paperwork to be provided. That immediately set off a red flag. I will consider myself lucky for seeing the paperwork request by Steve.

Several TRF members did contact me about him and I told them exactly what I tell everyone that asks me about sellers. REFERENCES ARE A MUST No references NO DEAL.

Regards
DavidSW

[SLS]

Originally Posted by DAVIDSW

I contacted him on Friday and noticed on Saturday that Steve (LOL-X) had requested paperwork to be provided. Thta immediately set off a red flag. I will consider myself lucky for seeing the paperwork request by Steve.

Several TRF members did contact me about him and I told them exactly what I tell everyone that asks me about sellers. REFERENCES ARE A MUST No references NO DEAL.

Regards
DavidSW

Agreed. He was also selling a Z serial TT Serti dialed Sub for $5450 with an anchor, the price seemed to good to be true and the anchor with a Z serial was certainly suspicious.
Scott

[joeychitwood]

Also info on my Submariner:

Rolex Style 16613 Serial Number: X49XXXX

Taken by
Andrew Hayes
404 Waterville Dr
Columbia SC
and
Hayes, Curtis A
404 Waterville Dr
Columbia, SC 29229-8131

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by SLS

Agreed. He was also selling a Z serial TT Serti dialed Sub for $5450 with an anchor, the price seemed to good to be true and the anchor with a Z serial was certainly suspicious.
Scott

I didn't think the price of $12,000 was out of line, given the number of similarly priced 16618 watches on ebay.

[Pep04]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I agreed to buy a 16618 Submariner from TheRolex88. It is pictured and described in this ad:

FS: Rolex 18k Gold Submariner 16618 All Blue


I wired cash to him Monday morning. We agreed to ship each other watches involved in the trade before Christmas Eve. I shipped two Rolex watches via FedEx Overnight in trade to him Monday morning. Someone signed for the watches at his address Tuesday morning. The total transaction was for $12,000.

I've have made repeated attempts to contact him by phone and email, but have heard nothing since Sunday. It is now Wednesday. He had no problem communicating with me when he was interested in getting my money and my watches.

What do I do now? I continue to send emails and make phone calls, all of which go to voice mail. How long do I wait before I initiate action, and do I lose valuable time by waiting? I need some advice.

I would contact the authorities in both your town and his. And right before Christmas!

Good Luck

[Numismatist]

AGREED! Report it ASAP to police and postal authorities.

[joeychitwood]

OMG! The email address on the FS ad is now different than it was before. I feel like an idiot! $12,000!

[subfanatic]

I feel for you, hoping this is taken care of.

[1000ftSub]

Wow, 12,000 bucks!!!!!

[AWATCH]

I am so sorry to hear this, DON'T WASTE A SECOND, go after the guy NOW.

Good luck

[1000ftSub]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

I am so sorry to hear this, DON'T WASTE A SECOND, go after the guy NOW.

Good luck

indeed.

[RebreatherDiver]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

OMG! The email address on the FS ad is now different than it was before. I feel like an idiot! $12,000!

can you post the original email address? I have someone that is a master in digital forensics and information security, perhaps I can pass on the info?

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by RebreatherDiver

can you post the original email address? I have someone that is a master in digital forensics and information security, perhaps I can pass on the info?

His original address was:

therolex4me@gmail.com

I see that I was wrong about him changing addresses. I was thinking his address was TheRolex88@gmail.com, but apparently it wasn't.