I have been scammed please HELP

[chaosiwe]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Buy a Rolex online from a private seller in another country? Don't be silly, there a million ways it can go wrong but only way it can go right.

Go to your local grey dealer and buy over the counter.

I have done this few times. Bought quite expensive watches (the latest was VC 4500) at this forum being in another country. You just need to do a proper due diligence, buy the seller, not watch as they say

[Bxtek]

You mentioned that you talked to your bank. Maybe you can request to talk to someone higher up and find out your options? I'm surprised that they are not able to do anything at all. I would also contact your local law enforcement and see what they can do about helping file a report. So sorry to hear this has happened to you. I hope you're able to work it all out.

[Bill2e]

This entire post has very few details.

Please post ALL info if you expect anyone to be able to help you.

[Solo118]

Maybe the mods can assist? At the very least offer insight why he has been banned.

This is so upsetting, I had nothing but good experiences both buying/selling with private members. I am a little nuts and sell pieces often, and when I do sell to a member I make sure to give them a better experience than any dealer can offer so I can build my reputation for the next sale and this puts a bad taste in the mouths of buyers that want to deal with private sellers.

I think you should also look up his info to get his home phone #, cell #, email # if you do not have it already. Contact him, you really never know the story. If you do not get in touch, like others said reach out to the police station near him to see what they can do, if anything. Lastly if you have any friends/family anywhere nearby maybe they can check in on him in person, again you really never know what the story is.

[WatchEater666]

I am not big on blaming victims but you can't just go around wiring people on a forum without checking references, etc...

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

I am not big on blaming victims but you can't just go around wiring people on a forum without checking references, etc...

+1. It takes two to scam: a scammer, and somebody who just is not really really careful with their money. For those who’ll read this sad string, The time for help is before the purchase, and doing due diligence, seeing who the person is, checking the who’s who section, etc. I just checked that section and don’t see reference to this seller. I’m sorry, I just don’t get it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ali1009]

I'm not overly convinced this is a genuine thread. If it is I can only sympathise. nonetheless who parts with 14k to a private seller based in another country. There are probably loads of private and grey dealers in Spain who could have offered you the same watch at that price, hence I have my suspicions on the OP.

You have to be naive to part with that kind of money without even speaking to anyone for advice.

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by Ali1009

I'm not overly convinced this is a genuine thread. If it is I can only sympathise. nonetheless who parts with 14k to a private seller based in another country. There are probably loads of private and grey dealers in Spain who could have offered you the same watch at that price, hence I have my suspicions on the OP.

You have to be naive to part with that kind of money without even speaking to anyone for advice.

Maybe

[piratfisk]

Stated facts recap (to the best of my ability)

1- Buyer (SPA) wired USD 14000 to seller (USA).
2- Buyer did(?) not do any due diligence/research on seller.
3- Seller is not a TRF "Trusted Seller."
4- Seller is currently banned from TRF due to unknown reseasons.
5- Buyer spoke with personal bank: Funds are gone/irrecoverable.
6- Buyer is unable to submit a police report in foreign country.
7- Buyer did not use a secure platform (like C24 with escrow services).
8- Buyer only has seller's email address; seller is unresponsive to attempted contact.

If those are the facts, then I would be on the phone with my bank wailing & doing everything possible to try & stop the payment. I would call one of the US Government's several overseas offices (have one in Madrid: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/international-offices). Short of that, IDK what to tell ya...

[Wrathchild]

JeromeL was a user on this forum? Can an admin find this user?
OP, can you confirm that JeromeL is from this site??

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

JeromeL was a user on this forum? Can an admin find this user?
OP, can you confirm that JeromeL is from this site??

An advanced search will find him, as long as he has posts on TRF.


https://www.rolexforums.com/member.php?u=287316

[rolexRV]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

JeromeL was a user on this forum? Can an admin find this user?
OP, can you confirm that JeromeL is from this site??

Yes, the listíng was from JeromeL. Just one week ago


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[The OG Beef]

Not enough info here to make sound advice/judgements. That said, once you wire money it’s gone - zero chance of retrieval. Also, since you voluntarily sent the money, there is little the police can/will do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by The OG Beef

Not enough info here to make sound advice/judgements. That said, once you wire money it’s gone - zero chance of retrieval. Also, since you voluntarily sent the money, there is little the police can/will do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OG is correct.

[TickTockChuck]

Originally Posted by The OG Beef

Not enough info here to make sound advice/judgements. That said, once you wire money it’s gone - zero chance of retrieval. Also, since you voluntarily sent the money, there is little the police can/will do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My thoughts too. Shouldn't rush to judgement. At the same time wiring that much money anywhere is so risky, especially private sales. There must be an escrow service for this?

It's funny how the buyer takes the brunt of the risk. Reminds me of when I bought some hifi equipment privately years ago and the seller shipped it before I had a chance to pay. When I asked him why, he said it seemed unfair for the buyer to take the risk all the time. I found that intriguing, but never had a repeat of that.

Good luck to the OP all the same.

[Xky]

I’ve seen a few of these threads on here now where people are getting scammed by sellers on TRF. seems way too easy for scammers to scam people on TRF.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Xky

I’ve seen a few of these threads on here now where people are getting scammed by sellers on TRF. seems way too easy for scammers to scam people on TRF.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I propose to just get rid of the buying/selling listing and just talk about watch collecting as a hobby/enthusiast.

[espanol]

Act fast. Call the local PD to the address given. Explain the situation, and give them the address. If it's a small town, they might investigate it given the $ amount.

I recall reading a thread from years ago where this exact scenario played out. OP had an address, OP called local PD, local PD did a house call, interviewed the occupant, occupant fessed up to some online 'relationship' where she gave her bank details as a 'mule,' she (likely) took a small commission and sent the funds overseas to the scammer. OP ended up getting the money back as the lady didn't want trouble with the law, and claimed it was an "honest mistake."

Since it was a wire, your only hope in this is to get the local PD on the line ASAP, and hope they're willing to take time out of their incredibly busy schedules to help.

[quartzcrisis]

Here is the listing on Watch Recon: https://www.watchrecon.com/detail.php?cid=6938453

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by quartzcrisis

Here is the listing on Watch Recon: https://www.watchrecon.com/detail.php?cid=6938453

Wow
Maybe this is real. Man, find this guy!

[brandrea]

I’m very sorry to read this OP.

You’ve been a member here for a good number of years, and I’m sorry to hear this has happened to you.

[OTX]

Contact your bank fraud department and see if they can help you. Tell them everything that happened and although I know they are not required to do anything, they might help.

[Patekfinder]

OP,
As someone who has been scammed for a lot of money before, I want to offer my thoughts to you. I know you probably worked very hard to save up for this watch and to be taken advantage of and victimized in the way you were is just reprehensible. I am so sorry this happened to you. My advice is to try to come to terms with what happened and eventually reach a period of acceptance because you own emotional health is the most important thing. Again I am so sorry this happened.

Also, I can’t recall if you are in the US or not, but if you’re in the US please discuss this with your accountant when you file your taxes. There is a special IRS provision where victims of scams can write off and/or deduct 95% of the loss on their taxes IF the scams were related to an investment. Being that watches are considered by many as an alternative luxury investment vehicle, you should be able to justify this and qualify for the deduction if you planned to purchase the watch for investment purposes. The IRS rule on this is 2009-9 and most accountants have NO IDEA about this, so please read 2009-9 yourself and you’ll likely have to explain it to your accountant to ensure he files the proper paperwork. The rule specifically referenced victims of “Ponzi” losses, but applies to virtually any form of loss resulting from scams/criminal activity resulting in the investment loss.

If you are in Spain, I’m sure there is something similar for you to recover a portion of the funds through your taxes but talk with a pro.

This is not accounting advice and you should speak with a tax professional.

[Roger Lococco]

I’m betting this has a happy ending and is a false alarm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I’m betting this has a happy ending and is a false alarm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

With the additional information, I am even more convinced this is a false alarm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

With the additional information, I am even more convinced this is a false alarm.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not a chance. The OP transacted with a banned member.
That in itself is super risky. The reason most accounts get banned is they were phished. This was a high risk transaction to begin with even if account wasn’t banned as you are talking about a guy with little history/reputation. So for me, I wouldn’t send an unknown 14 dollars let alone 14k. This should never have happened and sadly a costly lesson to the OP. With all of the trusted sellers in the community I have zero idea why anyone would roll the dice with so much money. The only reason people do it is to try to save a few dollars which ends up costing them a lot more in the end. So it sucks but should have never happened if one exercised proper caution and care.

[rolexRV]

I have his name, email and address can I share
It here?

[rolexRV]

I would have been more covered with a sales contract?


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

[waterman1]

I’m sorry this has happened to you. Did you get his phone number during your email/text exchanges? Have you attempted to phone the seller?

[waterman1]

I mean the buyer….