!! Theft/attack urgent - please read!!!

[rk748]

A message of warning to our community...

It is with deepest sadness that I am having to post this message but feel it only fair to hopefully prevent others through going the same ordeal.

A colleague of mine had posted some watch adverts on a site I am sure most of you will know , Chrono24.

He was approached by what appeared to be a legitmate buyer showing interest in some of the Patek's we had for sale , both a 5990 and 5712/1A. The gentleman met with my colleague on two seperate occasions in Bangkok and inspected the watches thoroughly like we all would in order to check authetnicity and make sure he was happy the goods were as described.

On the 3rd visit the buyer was supposedly going to make the transfer in front of my colleague and depart with both watches. What followed, I can only describe as simply horrific.

As my colleague opened a laptop in his hotel room for the client to go online and make the wire transfer, the buyer pulled a switch blade on my colleague and stabbed him multiple times, causing lacerations to the liver , neck and hand as you can see from the photos below, the hospital described this as an attempt to kill without a doubt - he has had over 50 stitches and a 5 hour operation to heal and repair the wounds. I know the photos below may be graphic for some but I feel its important the watch community see just how serious this attack was.

My colleague managed to fight him off despite losing his glasses and having poor eyesight but not before the gentleman made off with one of the Patek's , the 5990.

I have enclosed a picture below showing the empty box and serial number. Please - if you see this watch advertised anywhere or are offered it privately, please forward the information to myself immediately as this is being handled by the police currently and we need all the help we can to bring this scumbag to justice.

Fortunately my colleague has lived to tell the tale but this has come as a reminder to all to be on your guard at all times and to never be too confident and trusting - unfortunately our market and the value of the goods that we trade and love occasionally attracts the wrong folk and we must remember this.

I urge you all to be cautious in all transactions you carry out online and in person as I am sure you already are - this buyer appeared completely genuine and knowledgable of the watches and the Patek history - he was not simply a chancer or so it seemed.

The only information we have on the attacker is that he called him self 'John Abbos' and his email address is below

john.abbos@hushmail.com

Below is also a CCTV photo of the attacker , again please feel to distribute this around the community so that others are aware of him and protect themselves from the same circumstances.

If you do receive any contact from this person, please immediately report it to the police, as you can see from the photos below - he is a thief and (almost) a murderer and I want him caught and dealt with appropirately.

My contact details are below :

James Fraser
07742 769 776
jfraser16@gmail.com

Thank you for your time and as mentioned , please if you do know this person, have any information to offer or indeed get contacted by him plese get in touch - be safe out there.

Kind Regards

James

[Bluside]

Holy Cow! I hope your friend is OK. Very scary.

[alexthegreat123]

Horrible! Fast recovery to your friend! Meeting in police station is a must for deals in person over 10k.

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by alexthegreat123

Horrible! Fast recovery to your friend! Meeting in police station is a must for deals in person over 10k.

Exactly that or a bank ... Hope your friend recovers and somebody catches this guy good luck!

[Charlie_pace]

Originally Posted by alexthegreat123

Horrible! Fast recovery to your friend! Meeting in police station is a must for deals in person over 10k.

This is extremely scary. Well wishes to your friend.

Alexthegreat, this is a great idea.

[J!m]

Well I hope for the scumbag's sake he doesn't cross mine, or a select few other members of this community, who are quite handy with things that go bang in the night...

To all others: please do be vigilant! Do these high-value transactions in a bank, preferably one with an armed guard on duty. Maybe even slip the guard a $20 to not be surfing on his phone during the deal. You can't be too careful! Clearly this guy was well dressed and "looked the part". DON'T EVER TAKE THE CHANCE! no watch is worth dying over.

I'm glad to hear your friend survived. Total scumbag move that was clearly premeditated and he needs to hang for it.

I wish a speedy recovery to your friend and a speedy capture and justice for the would-be murderer. What a nightmare.

[sickened1]

Speedy recovery to your friend and I know for a fact that over there in Thailand, they kill you in an instant for a lot less than this so please be careful over there.

[southtexas]

WOW! Great to hear your friend will make a full recovery, and thank you for sharing the story. It is an important reminder to stay vigilant, as well as a lesson in how to conduct this business.


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[997.2]

That's sickening. I hope he is okay.

[superdog]

Wow. Terrible. I hope ur buddy has a fast recovery.

[bayerische]

Hope the bastard get caught.

[odesskiy]

Very sad story. Material possessions can be replaced, one's life and health cannot.

Any face-to-face transaction I am involved in is always conducted in a public place, not to mention that I am always carrying a firearm for my protection.

[crowncollection]

Terrible just terrible, I hope your friend make a full recovery. Thanks for sharing with us.


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[TheRolexKingofLV]

Horrible. For the rest of my life I'd be looking for that guy who did that to me

[dysondiver]

this has to be one of the worst cases of watch theft ive ever heard of , its so much worse than a mugging , hope the guy gets caught , and your friend makes a full and swift recovery.

[antbkny]

no meeting with strangers in private.
sorry about your friend, hope he heals quickly.

[joli160]

Horrible act, hope they catch him

[rk748]

Hi ALL ,

Thank you for your kind messages so far, I know my colleague is reading these in hospital and its undoubtedly helping his spirits , so please keep them coming :)

Importantly below is a photo of the empty 5990/1A-001 box showing the SERIAL number and exact details of the piece , PLEASE , if you are offered this watch or see it for sale contact me IMMEDIATELY.

Thank you!

[KenNethcole]

Sorry for your friend but always meet in a very public place for any ftf deal.

[michigan.watches]

Thank you for posting this. I'm terribly sorry to hear about your friend but glad to hear that he survived the encounter. This should serve as a stark reminder for those of us in the business that security should always be the number one priority.

In additional, I'm adding the serial number of the Patek to this text so it will show up in google search: 5928141/6073295.

[mjclark32]

Absolutely awful, all the best and hope they catch the POS

[Lordofrolex]

very scary

[watchwatcher]

Very sorry to hear this...hope the thief gets what's coming to him.

[droptopman]

So sorry to hear this. Wishing for a speedy recovery for your friend and also a speedy capture of the perpetrator.

[AbsolutelyROLEX!]

My prayers are with you both, i firmly believe in Karma, the attacker will be caught, eventually.....

[DeeTee]

This is horrible. I wish your friend a speedy recovery.

[justdate]

All the best to your colleague in hospital.

[nick c]

Wow this is crazy WTF

[123Blueface]

Wow! Horrible. Glad he is alive.

[UNLVino]

Wow - attempted murder for a watch - unbelievable world we live in. Hope the POS is brought to justice and your friend makes a full recovery.