Scammed by a face to face buyer of my Rolex

[ian6988]

I just got scammed by a face to face buyer. Buyer paid cash and we did the transaction inside a fast food place. I counted the money right on top of the table. This guy was like a magician. He was able to switch the bundle of cash with a slight of hand. When I got home to check to cash again it was only $100 bill on top were it was visible thought the envelope’s window and the rest were $1’s . I learned an expensive lesson today.

Posting photos of the watch and serial number just in case someone here sees it for sale. I was the second owner of the watch and the card wasn’t under my name.

Filing police report and insurance claim tomorrow morning.







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[KY..]

He was able to touch the money after you had counted it?
Well that sucks, sounds like the old shell game is still alive and kicking…
At least you know what he looks like and can give a description to the police…
Good luck!

[1William]

Interesting. Sorry that it happened and hope you can get it sorted out.

[chro.nic]

The same scam was described by a member on the Canadian Forum in November. He was paid in cash, counted 80 $100 bills and when he got home he found one $100 bill in the front and the rest were newspaper clippings!!

.nic

[GGGMT]

I guess I don’t get it: how does buyer have access to the $$ after it’s already counted by seller?


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[JBZ]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

I guess I don’t get it: how does buyer have access to the $$ after it’s already counted by seller?


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Probably something along the lines of, "here, let me put it back in the envelope for you."

Sorry to hear OP - that's just lousy.

[Danny83]

Unbelievable!! but Op after you count the money you needed to put it away immediately. What would have happened if he was not able to switch it?

[Donkos]

A week ago, my wife in Croatia also wanted to sell a Rolex at a meeting.The seller had 2 versions of banknotes with him.Some are good for testing in the exchanger, others are fake for the final return.After checking in the exchanger, he asked to go to the bar for the transfer.At the bar, he took her to a hookah room and there in the dark he wanted to give away counterfeit money.
Be careful..here are many scammers in our lives

[swaini3]

Sad news. Thanks for sharing OP.

[ian6988]

Originally Posted by JBZ

Probably something along the lines of, "here, let me put it back in the envelope for you."

Sorry to hear OP - that's just lousy.

Exactly what happened and my best guess on when he did the switch.


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[Razorsedge1]

That sucks. On the bright side at least it wasn't a Daytona....

[freefly]

OP: Sorry to hear that. Tough lesson for sure.

Exactly why I avoid cash deals if possible. If a buyer insists on paying w/ cash, I will meet them at my bank and have the teller count it, deposit it, and give me a receipt prior to handing the watch over.
If that isn't agreeable to the buyer, then no deal. That eliminates the chances of slight-of-hand switches, as well as the motivation for any post-sale/off-site follow-and-rob attempts if they can't pull off the switch.

Also, I know you posted pics, but you might list the SN across a few different fora, to increase the chances of it showing up in a web search by any savvy prospective buyers.

File that police report asap as well, and be sure they have the SN and enter into the NCIC database. This will flag it at most pawn shops.

[MyLexRX]

Horrible

[asiparks]

that sucks. You counted the money out yourself, then handed it back to him ?

[Al1969]

Do you have any personal info on the scammer? Name, email, phone number, picture ID?

Perhaps this wasn’t the first time he was running the scam and there may be others.

Best of luck OP in recovering your property.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by freefly

OP: Sorry to hear that. Tough lesson for sure.

Exactly why I avoid cash deals if possible. If a buyer insists on paying w/ cash, I will meet them at my bank and have the teller count it, deposit it, and give me a receipt prior to handing the watch over.
If that isn't agreeable to the buyer, then no deal. That eliminates the chances of slight-of-hand switches, as well as the motivation for any post-sale/off-site follow-and-rob attempts if they can't pull off the switch.

Also, I know you posted pics, but you might list the SN across a few different fora, to increase the chances of it showing up in a web search by any savvy prospective buyers.

File that police report asap as well, and be sure they have the SN and enter into the NCIC database. This will flag it at most pawn shops.

This was the approach i used for my last sale. This way you know the money is genuine, no miscounts, no need to have eyes like a chameleon to see the watch and money. Plenty of cctv, then hand over the watch with a release doc. signed by both parties.

[PBJ1925]

OP sorry to hear about your experience. Hopefully you'll be able to recover the Explorer and/or insurance able to keep you whole.

[puckybadger]

Not certain insurance will pay.
Any video available from the fast food place?

[cszy67]

Sorry to hear of you being robbed. If you could provide more details it may help others.

[El Cascarrabias]

Originally Posted by cszy67

Sorry to hear of you being robbed. If you could provide more details it may help others.

Agree!

Can you give more details as to how the money moved hand to hand?

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear this OP.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by El Cascarrabias

Agree!

Can you give more details as to how the money moved hand to hand?

Sorry to hear this.

Also, perhaps I missed it, but where did this happen?

[77T]

I am sorry this happened to you. By now you have the police report, so file the theft with RUSA.

Hopefully you will make a few more posts here with the actual serial number in the post. This help raise it in Google search results.

I have done face-to-face deals before - only with trusted members here, though.

In the wild…Once a smooth one suspends your disbelief, a well planned “pass” is possible with just a tiny misdirection.

Hopefully some good fortune will come your way and a recovery happens.


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[BNA/LION]

SCAMMER Suck!

I hope the scammer gets what he deserves, Karma is a Biotch!

[101031-28]

OP, I am so sorry this happened to you. When I sell, I meet the buyer at a banking institution of my choice and have the teller count, verify the banknotes and immediately deposit in my account. Did you count the bills and handed them back to the buyer? I don't understand how he could switch them once they were in your hands.

[jinikari01]

This is terrible. But I'm still confused about this whole situation... So you counted your money and handed it back to the scammer... Why? Should have gone right into your pocket, no?
Anyway, I'm just curious how insurance would cover this situation?

[Pumphry Bigelow]

That is really horrible. I am just curious though, I am trying to understand what the police could or would do at this point. It was a private transaction, and you were not held up at gunpoint, so at this point, if they would catch the guy, he could just say that he did give all the money at the agreed upon price, and that you are the one trying to rip him off? It is he said she said at this point. It is a horrible way to look at it, however, that is how these scum bags think. Just wondering if I was missing something here.

[_Tape_]

I'm so sorry about what happened to you, this is how I handled my transaction, just an info you

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=849031

[ExplorerI]

Originally Posted by Pumphry Bigelow

That is really horrible. I am just curious though, I am trying to understand what the police could or would do at this point. It was a private transaction, and you were not held up at gunpoint, so at this point, if they would catch the guy, he could just say that he did give all the money at the agreed upon price, and that you are the one trying to rip him off? It is he said she said at this point. It is a horrible way to look at it, however, that is how these scum bags think. Just wondering if I was missing something here.

Fraud charge perhaps. Probably turns in to more of a civil matter.

[_Tape_]

Originally Posted by ExplorerI

Fraud charge perhaps. Probably turns in to more of a civil matter.

yes it will definitely be a civil matter which is nerve-racking to say the least.