I think I just got scammed?

[david46]

I purchased a watch from a TRF member. I responded to the classified posted by Tenementhall, for a Batgirl. I wired the money and he said he shipped the watch. He used USPS overnight priority. I expressed my concern about using that method but he assured me that he had used it before and it would be fine.
I checked the tracking he provided and the USPS website said a label had been created but not entered into the system. Told him I was upset and he said that it would just show up. So I have now contacted USPS and they confirmed it was not entered into the USPS system and they did not have the package. I asked for the shipping receipt and he said he trashed it that it wasn’t necessary and the watch would show up this coming Monday. The ad is still up and not indicted sold. Yes I checked his TRF references. He will not respond to my email's and said he didn’t like my attitude. I would love to have to apologize after receiving the watch. Appreciate any feedback.

[cop414]

This is possibly a compromised account. Contact your banking institution and attempt to have your payment reversed.
The account in question has been closed here.

[david46]

Thank you for taking action. appreciate the advice and have already contacted the bank and law enforcement.

[RTG]

Fingers crossed he is just an A-hole and not a scammer. Can you post a link to the ad in question?

[1665fan]

Scammed for sure……that sucks

[1665fan]

Scammed for sure……that sucks

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by RTG

Fingers crossed he is just an A-hole and not a scammer. Can you post a link to the ad in question?

Add seems to have been removed. This is the latest add showing for this user.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=910014

If he's a scammer, shouldn't he be banned?

[Michael1968]

Scam in my opinion

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Add seems to have been removed. This is the latest add showing for this user.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=910014

If he's a scammer, shouldn't he be banned?

I’ve already banned him. The ad you list was prior to the members account being compromised but I pulled that one just in case.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by david46

Thank you for taking action. appreciate the advice and have already contacted the bank and law enforcement.

In Pa our state AG’s office has a department dedicated to just these types of crimes, not sure if your state has this but wouldn’t hurt to reach out to them.

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by cop414

I’ve already banned him. The ad you list was prior to the members account being compromised but I pulled that one just in case.

Got it. Thank you cop414.

[fnomis]

I posted on your other thread, sorry to hear you were scammed.

[david46]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I wish I would have been smart enough to detect the email change, didn't even think to ask. I have notified every possible entity that could help me. let me just say that any chance for recovery is extremely remote.

[77T]

Was your bank unable to reverse the wire?


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[TitleistFan]

I had a similar situation happen a couple years ago on another watch forum. A long time seller had his account hacked and a scammer listed a watch under his user name. He provided a tracking number as well but the watch never arrived and he did not provide any other information as proof of shipment. Eventually he stopped comunicating with me.

So i contacted my bank to get the wire reversed, but that generally isn't possible with wire transfers as I/you willingly sent the money. Then I contacted the police and file a report of theft/fraud with them, unfortunately there isn't much they can do. After 2 years my bank refunded my money as the wire was considered fraudulent. Hopefully your story has a happy ending.

[Calatrava r]

Why would anyone throw the shipping receipt away before the package arrives?
You knew at that moment.

[Al1969]

OP, any update?

[david46]

My bank has not recovered any of my money. I have spent many hours filling out law enforcement forms with no feedback. Other agencies have not even responded to my messages. I think this type of crime is going to get worse. I thought I was smart to avoid the scammer mentioned in another thread in this section. Sorry to the non established casual sellers, I would never buy again. Stick with the high level gray’s.

[Titleistek]

Hey man I feel you. I was in contact with him for the batgirl as well. I just got scammed my “Mike I”. He goes several postings.

[orangeguy]

In case you haven't done it, contact the receiving bank and tell them what happened. I believe they are obligated to check into it.

As a rule, I will zoom or facetime with the seller to see the person and the watch. So far, thankfully, I've had good luck with TRF sellers.

[david46]

My banks (chase) won’t give me any information on the receiving bank. They are handling the investigation and will let me know in 6 to 8 weeks. I also gave the wire transfer information to the FBI and the Postal Service criminal division.

[Sunny_Submariner]

Originally Posted by david46

My bank has not recovered any of my money. I have spent many hours filling out law enforcement forms with no feedback. Other agencies have not even responded to my messages. I think this type of crime is going to get worse. I thought I was smart to avoid the scammer mentioned in another thread in this section. Sorry to the non established casual sellers, I would never buy again. Stick with the high level gray’s.

I'm so sorry to hear that you got scammed; there are truly some terrible people out there and I hope that you get your money back (somehow).

I have a hot take, but take it for what it's worth: I would just go directly to the AD and skip all gray market dealers. If you are spending a ton of money, just get it directly from the source and be secure with the fact that it is real and you are the first owner.

[TunaTuna]

Wow this is heartbreaking to hear. That's a tough chunk of change to lose.

Yea buying a decent priced watch from a random seller is risky, you have taught many a lesson. Sorry it happened

[MrBlahBlah]

Originally Posted by Sunny_Submariner

I'm so sorry to hear that you got scammed; there are truly some terrible people out there and I hope that you get your money back (somehow).

I have a hot take, but take it for what it's worth: I would just go directly to the AD and skip all gray market dealers. If you are spending a ton of money, just get it directly from the source and be secure with the fact that it is real and you are the first owner.

Wow, if it was only that easy. Just pick it up from an AD? What planet do you live on?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Sunny_Submariner

I have a hot take, but take it for what it's worth: I would just go directly to the AD and skip all gray market dealers. If you are spending a ton of money, just get it directly from the source and be secure with the fact that it is real and you are the first owner.

Seems like you may have missed a few headlines over the past four years!


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[thephillywatches]

Sorry to hear, but yes buyers need to be aware. Always ask for a reference, FT, and/or ZOOM to verify. Sorry for your luck, its a few thousand dollar lesson.

[Brich436]

Originally Posted by TitleistFan

I had a similar situation happen a couple years ago on another watch forum. A long time seller had his account hacked and a scammer listed a watch under his user name. He provided a tracking number as well but the watch never arrived and he did not provide any other information as proof of shipment. Eventually he stopped comunicating with me.

So i contacted my bank to get the wire reversed, but that generally isn't possible with wire transfers as I/you willingly sent the money. Then I contacted the police and file a report of theft/fraud with them, unfortunately there isn't much they can do. After 2 years my bank refunded my money as the wire was considered fraudulent. Hopefully your story has a happy ending.

Just saw this post (I know its old) and there IS something the police can do if you report this immediately. They can execute a search warrant on the bank account of the scammer (most use national banks which have branches all over). Once the bank receives the warrant they will freeze the funds and then the police can seize the funds as proceeds of illegal activities.

The key to this is to act fast to report the fraud and you have to have an aggressive law enforcement agency that is willing to take these steps but it is possible.