BEWARE - Tony1 (Alex) from Romania is a THIEF

[zbrock06]

It will turn out ok because we will not give up until it does. Someone will be held accountable for this. Many of us are working hard to stop, fight, and get our money back.

[zbrock06]

Is it possible to get IP addresses from past sessions? Tony1 claims that his account was hacked (bullshit), his tone, language has not changed. I have emailed him directly and through PM, which the language has not changed.

If we can get IP addresses from past sessions, we can verify the IP address from past successful transaction time frame to the newly hacked time frame and determine if his account was really hacked.

[bmpwatch]

I really hope the OP can contact fedex and get the package rerouted....would be amazing news

[Porsche958]

His accounts were definitely not hacked, he was the same person I negotiated the first deal with; He knew about the Datejust that I traded him for my wife, he knew that he shouldn't use EMS/USPS this time as the Datejust took weeks to arrive, he knew quite a few things that while you could gather from email, one wouldn't be able to easily recount it verbatim and as quickly as he did if he were truly a victim of hacking/social engineering, I just highly doubt that entire scenario. What I do know is that I'm going to do everything I can to get my money back and after I do, I'm going to buy the damn 216750 in polar white like I originally planned.

[zbrock06]

That is exactly as I thought!! We will get him. His world is getting smaller and smaller with less places to hide.

[Lucky777]

Originally Posted by bmpwatch

I really hope the OP can contact fedex and get the package rerouted....would be amazing news

When I realized I got scammed last year I tried having the package re routed, but FedEx told me only the sender can change this...not sure if things have changed

[FNFZ4]

It appears that a lot of scammers lately have a new MO. Deal with reputable sellers to get their feedback, make a few good sale (small dollar item) then take a few people and disappear. My only advise is never wire money to a different name. if you are dealing with Alfred, then wire money to Alfred or Alfredo. If you are dealing with a guy with a company, as for the name of the Beneficiary.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by FNFZ4

It appears that a lot of scammers lately have a new MO. Deal with reputable sellers to get their feedback, make a few good sale (small dollar item) then take a few people and disappear.

While I understand there are more expensive brands, Alex did trade and sell watches valued at several thousand dollars each (e.g. Rolex, IWC...etc), which in most cases, would be reassuring. These events are definitely surprising, though perhaps less so in light of the unearthed previous run-ins with the law.

[Porsche958]

Originally Posted by Touring

While I understand there are more expensive brands, Alex did trade and sell watches valued at several thousand dollars each (e.g. Rolex, IWC...etc), which in most cases, would be reassuring. These events are definitely surprising, though perhaps less so in light of the unearthed previous run-ins with the law.

Right, keep in mind I had a successful trade with him regarding a Rolex which he did send just a few months back, this wasn't my first deal with him. So in short, this could have happened to anyone and at this point I would consider the current system we have here to be compromised. There needs to be a trusted intermediary party that facilitates the transaction, like an escrow house. This will protect both sides, because as of now I am reluctant to deal with anyone but an AD, which is a shame.

[kier333]

Unfortunately I think you will find it rather difficult to get the authorities involved, or more to do anything in Romania. I spend time there and corruption is still high amount goverment officials. Romania is part of the EU, but like a lot of Eastern Europe seems to be stuck in a time warp in my honest opinion. Do you know exactly where you posted the watch, ie what city as I could possibly check out the address.

[kier333]

Originally Posted by Audemars Piguet

Geoff you talk nonsense, the people in Romania is like in any other place, makes no difference, good guys and bad guys, you should stick to that person and not the others and the best thing for a person involved in this scam who lost more than €15000 is to came here and resolve this issue, Romania is a very peaceful country, no guns to every corner and bad people or gypsy as you described. You know what country have the biggest embassy in Romania? USA! You will be impressed if you see it! There is even a division specialised in this internet fraud in the Romanian police. So coming here is the best you can do, you go to the US embassy and you get all the possible help, to the Police and best you can do here is to go with your story to the TV and all the authorities they will take action instantly. By taking all this with the legal steps is taking forever, is not that you should not do that, but this is what the scamer expect you will do. I mean for example if I am frauded by a US scammer and I am in Romania he will not imagine ever that I will take the flight and spend 1000$ to recover my goods, he will imagine that I will make a claim and he will be bothered in 6 months or 1 year with some guestions and that's it. The guy sells watches in Romania on similar websites with this one, so many things can be done if the victims came here, don't waist your time, time goes only in the favour of the scammers every time.

I disagree with your statement about the goverment assisting in helping the OP recover a watch they never received. I guess it's possible if the OP was to bribe someone, failing that I doubt anything other that a report filled out then filled will be all that would happen.

I personally would see if the watch does arrive it appears the sellers has always had decent feed back, and to be fair most Romanian people (although they get bad press) are decent law abiding citizens.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by kier333

I personally would see if the watch does arrive it appears the sellers has always had decent feed back, and to be fair most Romanian people (although they get bad press) are decent law abiding citizens.

I guess you missed the part about selling the same Patek to multiple people.
It's not going to arrive anywhere.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I guess you missed the part about selling the same Patek to multiple people.
It's not going to arrive anywhere.

Exactly and still trying to sell it again to more outside of here!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Porsche958

Right, keep in mind I had a successful trade with him regarding a Rolex which he did send just a few months back, this wasn't my first deal with him. So in short, this could have happened to anyone and at this point I would consider the current system we have here to be compromised. There needs to be a trusted intermediary party that facilitates the transaction, like an escrow house. This will protect both sides, because as of now I am reluctant to deal with anyone but an AD, which is a shame.

The system as you call it is anything but compromised. The fact is that Tony1 had 6 transactions here over 1 year. He was not a well known, well established trusted seller. There are plenty of people who have had thousands of successful transactions over the years without a glitch. We allow people to buy and sell watches here as an accommodation. As for a 3rd party or escrow service that is quite silly IMHO and will never happen. How about dealing with the likes of a true trusted, established and very well known seller with nothing but pages upon pages of great feedback? What always gets people in trouble is when they shop price and go off the reservation. For every one time someone decides to ship a watch or send a wire to Romania from here in the US there are thousands of great transactions with great people who WE ALL KNOW that have taken place without a glitch! If it makes you more comfortable to deal with an AD...Cool to for it! As for this happening yes it is a bummer but it is also the exception not the norm...fact. People have choices to make and the less risk in that choice the better as far as I am concerned. Let's keep things in perspective. There are plenty of ways to minimize ones risk and plenty of us can attest to that. Why has this not happened to most of us? Think about it.....With that may everyone's 2014 be better than 2013!

[afnios1]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

The system as you call it is anything but compromised. The fact is that Tony1 had 6 transactions here over 1 year. He was not a well known, well established trusted seller. There are plenty of people who have had thousands of successful transactions over the years without a glitch. We allow people to buy and sell watches here as an accommodation. As for a 3rd party or escrow service that is quite silly IMHO and will never happen. How about dealing with the likes of a true trusted, established and very well known seller with nothing but pages upon pages of great feedback? What always gets people in trouble is when they shop price and go off the reservation. For every one time someone decides to ship a watch or send a wire to Romania from here in the US there are thousands of great transactions with great people who WE ALL KNOW that have taken place without a glitch! If it makes you more comfortable to deal with an AD...Cool to for it! As for this happening yes it is a bummer but it is also the exception not the norm...fact. People have choices to make and the less risk in that choice the better as far as I am concerned. Let's keep things in perspective. There are plenty of ways to minimize ones risk and plenty of us can attest to that. Why has this not happened to most of us? Think about it.....With that may everyone's 2014 be better than 2013!

well said Ken,
in 1997 i paid an ad for a bn audi,few days later i saw him on tv news as he had scamm many buyers including me.I do understand the feeling of loosing money for nothing,the pain it gives but,in this alex case i can only tell that my feeling is on a happy end.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Porsche958

There needs to be a trusted intermediary party that facilitates the transaction, like an escrow house.

This will protect both sides, because as of now I am reluctant to deal with anyone but an AD, which is a shame.

Like Escrow.com?

You are all welcome to use such a party but there's an obvious "I received a brick in the post" loophole to skew the balance too far in one direction.

[Porsche958]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

The system as you call it is anything but compromised. The fact is that Tony1 had 6 transactions here over 1 year. He was not a well known, well established trusted seller. There are plenty of people who have had thousands of successful transactions over the years without a glitch. We allow people to buy and sell watches here as an accommodation. As for a 3rd party or escrow service that is quite silly IMHO and will never happen. How about dealing with the likes of a true trusted, established and very well known seller with nothing but pages upon pages of great feedback? What always gets people in trouble is when they shop price and go off the reservation. For every one time someone decides to ship a watch or send a wire to Romania from here in the US there are thousands of great transactions with great people who WE ALL KNOW that have taken place without a glitch! If it makes you more comfortable to deal with an AD...Cool to for it! As for this happening yes it is a bummer but it is also the exception not the norm...fact. People have choices to make and the less risk in that choice the better as far as I am concerned. Let's keep things in perspective. There are plenty of ways to minimize ones risk and plenty of us can attest to that. Why has this not happened to most of us? Think about it.....With that may everyone's 2014 be better than 2013!

All valid points, I suppose my perspective is biased in that 1 of my 3 deals here went sour, but I understand that I am statistically an anomaly in the grand scheme. My suggestion of an online escrow could be facilitated by one of the many trusted members you touched on, and they could even charge for this service, I don't see why it is totally out of the realm of possibility, specially for less known sellers and buyers to utilize. With that said, ditto, I hope 2014 will be a much better year than 2013! :)

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

Like Escrow.com?

You are all welcome to use such a party but there's an obvious "I received a brick in the post" loophole to skew the balance too far in one direction.

Not if a trusted seller here was willing to act as escrow agent (for a percentage of the sale; a flat fee; something to make it worth his time and risk?) for the watch itself while the funds are transferred and confirmed as received. I can see problems with this concept as well, but it's a thought.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Not if a trusted seller here was willing to act as escrow agent (for a percentage of the sale; a flat fee; something to make it worth his time and risk?) for the watch itself while the funds are transferred and confirmed as received. I can see problems with this concept as well, but it's a thought.

Or better yet just deal with a trusted member like one of the many here with pages and pages of references and never a deal gone bad! This is a discussion forum and we will never be a sales forum. The sales forum is an accommodation and at your own risk. Again deal with a Tony G aka Justrolexes, DavidSW, or one of the other very well known solid sellers or an AD and take the risk out of the equation...or deal with an unknown or little known and have at it! Again the few times we see issues is when people go off the reservation and often times it is looking for that great deal!

[southtexas]

Fair enough!

[dysondiver]

it would be nice if the package could be stopped in time , i cant even imagine trying to get the local post to do it on new years eve , let alone a different country ,,, but it would make a very good start to the op's new year.
good luck , ill keep watching fingers crossed for everyone else too.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

it would be nice if the package could be stopped in time , i cant even imagine trying to get the local post to do it on new years eve , let alone a different country ,,, but it would make a very good start to the op's new year.
good luck , ill keep watching fingers crossed for everyone else too.

Let's hope the OP got hold of FedEx and got it stopped.

[socalwatchcollector]

Connor hit the nail on the head here.. I've purchased many watches from sellers on here without headache. Wheaton 76, Mosco, and have done numerous transactions with OCrolexguy to name a few. If I have the slightest bit of doubt I will use Paul over at Watch Expo here in Newport Beach to broker the deal and tack on a little extra for handling it. There are no doubt plenty of others who would do the same thing.

Bottom line there are "real trusted sellers" here that do transactions on a daily basis and to let a bad apple or two ruin the bunch is ridiculous. To just send a wire or ship watches to someone that only has a few feedback is ignorant to say the least. I would go out on a limb here and say most of the reputable sellers on here all know each other and do business back and forth so it wouldn't be hard to select one of these reputable "trustworthy" sellers.

I myself like many of you on here a "watch addict" so it isn't easy sometimes to pass or hold off when you see something you want but you have to use your damn head in today's day and age. My 2 cents like it or leave it ..

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by socalwatchcollector

Conner hit the nail on the head here.. I've purchased many watches from sellers on here without headache. Wheaton 76, Mosco, and have done numerous transactions with OCrolexguy to name a few. If I have the slightest bit of doubt I will use Paul over at Watch Expo here in Newport Beach to broker the deal and tack on a little extra for handling it. There are plenty others who would do the same thing.

Bottom line there are "real trusted sellers" here that do transactions on a daily basis and to let a bad apple or two ruin the bunch is ridiculous. To just send a wire or ship watches to someone that only has a few feedback is ignorant to say the least. I would go out on a limb here and say most of the reputable sellers on here all know each other and do business back and forth so it wouldn't be hard to select one of these reputable "trustworthy" sellers.

I myself like many of you on here a "watch addict" so it isn't easy sometimes to pass or hold off when you see something you want but you have to use your damn head in today's day and age. My 2 cents like it or leave it ..

Looks like you've been busy in the 1 1/2 month you've been here?

[socalwatchcollector]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Looks like you've been busy in the 1 1/2 month you've been here?

LoL Nah had another screen name , Had Welsh delete it. It had a company name attached to it that I sold all shares out of. Their new counsel was bird dogging me about it. But yes I was a busy bee on that one as well. The addiction is too much to handle sometimes....

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by socalwatchcollector

LoL Nah had another screen name , Had Welsh delete it. Had a company name attached to it that I sold all shares out of. Their new counsel was bird dogging me about it. But yes I was a busy bee on that one as well. The addiction is too much to handle sometimes....

Got it.

[Brit78]

I really hope that everyone gets resolution on this issue. It is a real shame that a bad egg can hurt so many people.

As many have stated, buying the "trusted" seller should be the starting place for any transaction facilitated through a forum such as this. While some of us may not all quite have the sheer volume of feedback from the big dog trusted sellers, there are still many of us that are upstanding legitimate people to conduct business with. My personal philosophy, for what it's worth, is I always try and make it a point to speak to my transaction partner on the phone. I believe this is the least I should take the time to do when asking a relative stranger to wire me large sums of money. Part two, I ask my transaction partner to reach out to one of the big dog sellers directly and have them vouch for me. We have all conducted business together at one point or another. I am always happy to vouch for them and they for me. It is a professional courtesy and part of what makes this forum a wonderful place to hang one's hat. And don't even get me started on the lifelong friends I have met courtesy of this place.

Whew, I don't often chime in on topics like this but felt compelled this time around. I certainly wish all of the affected parties all the best in recovering their hard earned money/timepieces. As for everyone else, Happy New Year and here's to another wonderful year on this excellent forum

[SL1229]

Originally Posted by Brit78

I really hope that everyone gets resolution on this issue. It is a real shame that a bad egg can hurt so many people.

As many have stated, buying the "trusted" seller should be the starting place for any transaction facilitated through a forum such as this. While some of us may not all quite have the sheer volume of feedback from the big dog trusted sellers, there are still many of us that are upstanding legitimate people to conduct business with. My personal philosophy, for what it's worth, is I always try and make it a point to speak to my transaction partner on the phone. I believe this is the least I should take the time to do when asking a relative stranger to wire me large sums of money. Part two, I ask my transaction partner to reach out to one of the big dog sellers directly and have them vouch for me. We have all conducted business together at one point or another. I am always happy to vouch for them and they for me. It is a professional courtesy and part of what makes this forum a wonderful place to hang one's hat. And don't even get me started on the lifelong friends I have met courtesy of this place.

Whew, I don't often chime in on topics like this but felt compelled this time around. I certainly wish all of the affected parties all the best in recovering their hard earned money/timepieces. As for everyone else, Happy New Year and here's to another wonderful year on this excellent forum

+1 I've bought a piece from Brit78 before (Tudor midsize), and one day, I hope to sell one of my pieces on this forum in order to purchase something else. It's just unfortunate that one person can ruin it for ppl with lesser feedback (like myself) in the future...

[jcd]

Originally Posted by SL1229

+1 I've bought a piece from Brit78 before (Tudor midsize), and one day, I hope to sell one of my pieces on this forum in order to purchase something else. It's just unfortunate that one person can ruin it for ppl with lesser feedback (like myself) in the future...

Agreed. Very sad. I'm looking at trading mine to one of the big sellers here if they can find the piece I want. It would be hard to sell mine outright because I haven't ever sold one here and ebay scares the crap out of me. And it's also scary to post a WTT ad because of all the scams.

This is a fun hobby, but there sure seem to be enough people out there trying to take all the fun out of it as well as our money.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by socalwatchcollector

LoL Nah had another screen name , Had Welsh delete it. It had a company name attached to it that I sold all shares out of. Their new counsel was bird dogging me about it. But yes I was a busy bee on that one as well. The addiction is too much to handle sometimes....

Thought your name was familiar.