Looks like I’m about to be scammed

[Bobthe]

I’m hoping the seller who got verified by two references on this site is not going to rip me off.

The seller is jhmessing <jhmesing@gmail.com>

who claims his full Name: Larry Gregg Smith

The funds for the deal with Larry were wired from Australia on the 27 Sep to his account.

Bank name : 1st Tennessee Bank
Bank Address: 14499 S Dixie Highway Miami, FL 33176

On the 4 Oct Larry emailed me that the fund have still not hit his account.

For 2 days I have not been able to get a hold of Larry by email or phone. And mobile call I get “call rejected”

I am starting to get worried as my bank has told me the transfer from our side shows as there are no issues.

Any recommendations? If he doesn’t respond in the next few days what action can I take?

Regards

[offrdmania]

Im sorry about the unfortunate circumstances OP. But as the old saying goes, "buy the seller, not the watch".

I hope you are able to recover your funds and here is a link to another reference of the same screen name.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...ight=jhmessing

[CorradoBrit]

That address is for branch of Capital Bank. Not looking good I'm afraid. Classic case of stringing you along until they had access to the funds.

Three high value, desirable Rolexes on Timezone, with attractive pricing at the same time. Screams suspicious. Worth reaching out to the receiving bank, but sorry to say you waited too long.

Mods here should be informed of the username of the so called 'references', to avoid future scam attempts.

Seems to me 90%+ of the listings for desirable watches on Timezone and Chronocentric are scams. Dealing on those sites is rarely going to end well.

[Bobthe]

Another one of life’s tough lessons. I have been scammed.

He provided the following references;

username: Matt Andrews
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...PPQQdcL&typo=1

username: jharris888
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...40di8cD&typo=1

They can vouch for me also have something to say about me.

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by Bobthe

Another one of life’s tough lessons. I have been scammed.

He provided the following references;

username: Matt Andrews
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...PPQQdcL&typo=1

username: jharris888
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...40di8cD&typo=1

They can vouch for me also have something to say about me.

Matt Andrews banned. Not sure when or why

jharris888 still active and selling on TRF......

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Bobthe

Another one of life’s tough lessons. I have been scammed.

He provided the following references;

username: Matt Andrews
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...PPQQdcL&typo=1

username: jharris888
https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?...40di8cD&typo=1

They can vouch for me also have something to say about me.

Dammit so sorry to hear this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nwbusa]

jharris888 banned too...

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by nwbusa

jharris888 banned too...

Banned yet his FS ads are still active.

[PRD]

He stole jhmessing’s username on time zone. Then he listed an email as jhmesing@gmail.com instead of the real jhmessing’s email of jhmessing@gmail.com (note he just left out one “s” in the email address.) He is scamming you I am really sorry. I talked to the real jhmessing who has lots of sales and positive feedback and he confirms this guy trying to sell watches is not him.

[rootbeer7]

Too late now and OP I hope some good comes out of your situation, but with private sales, I’ve found WhattsAp or FaceTime video calls very useful in identifying that at least the person has the watch and will communicate live. I’ve sold 2 highly desirable pieces this way and everyone felt more confident. Wishing you the best.

[lear60man]

As a warning to others, always google someones email address. In this case a simple cut and paste yielded a brand new email addy and that should be a red flag.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by lear60man

As a warning to others, always google someones email address. In this case a simple cut and paste yielded a brand new email addy and that should be a red flag.

and reach out to local members for advice, do your research everyone

[lx384]

I was also interested in his watches. So I went to check his previous posts to see if the email address is consistent with the current one. As I suspected, there is one "S" short in the new email. I contacted him on his previous email address on 28 Sep, to let him know that his account is probably hacked but did not receive any response. I thought he would at least do something about the fake ads. Sadly, that didn't happen. And sadly, OP fell victim to the scam. I sincerely hope you get your money back.

[Laszlo]

It shocks me how you read over and over about these scams and wiring money to a small time dealer or individual hobbiest. There should be a sticky. Wiring money to a very reputable trusted seller is one thing but any other exception should be avoided. I never, ever wire money to anyone. Regardless of any circumstance whatsoever... it’s riddled with risk.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

It shocks me how you read over and over about these scams and wiring money to a small time dealer or individual hobbiest. There should be a sticky. Wiring money to a very reputable trusted seller is one thing but any other exception should be avoided. I never, ever wire money to anyone. Regardless of any circumstance whatsoever... it’s riddled with risk.

It’s been a sticky since 2006, you can lead a horse to water...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=9423

[Bobthe]

Originally Posted by cop414

It’s been a sticky since 2006, you can lead a horse to water...

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=9423

This old horse read all the sticky posts and the amazingly even the watchout post about “jhmessing“ (a while back) yet still fell victim to these scammers.

The issue was the new name and email used when searching didn’t show up on rolex forums or google other than their Timezone history. The reference checks was what really upset me and caught me as both users showed history of good trading with live listings on the FS classifieds.

I wanted to believe it was a real deal, this should be a lesson for others.

I am to blame, the deal was too good to refuse but was not real, one needs to learn from this and take it on chin. Trust is hard to gain and this time cost me $16500.

If it happens again then this horse needs to be called a donkey.

Thank you for the support, tomorrow is a new day.

[importstunna]

Sucks to hear, OP. Keep your head up!

[subtona]

Sorry to read this. Have to leave it in the hands of Karma.

[Bobthe]

Jharris pm.PNG

Matt A PM.PNG

[cop414]

That old horse thread has been edited and updated 63 times since its original posting trying to keep information on scammers up to date. We do our best.

[dori]

I’m so sorry to hear this is awful. Hope the scammer will fall on his face and break all of his teeth. Really really sorry for you and hope that things will work out somehow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jharris888]

Hi,

Just to weigh in here... Unfortunately, I am very real, but my account was hacked for an undetermined period of time (possibly a week while this deal went on). I've since recovered it with Stephen Smith and the Mods here, but sadly, for you, I was not the person making the reference check.

It's sad that scammers prey on people who sell often with good references and take advantage of new pledge members.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Hopefully you are able to recover some, if not all, of your money.

[jharris888]

Originally Posted by CorradoBrit

Banned yet his FS ads are still active.

I replied above, but sadly it wasn't me making the reference check. My account was hacked while this deal was happening and has since been recovered.

[jerry017uk]

This is so sad. This scammers need to get a life!

[Joeushki]

I recently had the exact same type of scam with a BallmanMilli@gmail.com ...Eric Williams..Manmilli was a user name.

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by Joeushki

I recently had the exact same type of scam with a BallmanMilli@gmail.com ...Eric Williams..Manmilli was a user name.

That account is actively selling on WUS

[Joeushki]

I cant find any For sale posts by him..

Link me.. please

Originally Posted by CorradoBrit

That account is actively selling on WUS

[Joeushki]

Manmilli has been banned from WUS..

[Mandy01]

Originally Posted by Bobthe

I’m hoping the seller who got verified by two references on this site is not going to rip me off.

The seller is jhmessing <jhmesing@gmail.com>

who claims his full Name: Larry Gregg Smith

The funds for the deal with Larry were wired from Australia on the 27 Sep to his account.

Bank name : 1st Tennessee Bank
Bank Address: 14499 S Dixie Highway Miami, FL 33176

On the 4 Oct Larry emailed me that the fund have still not hit his account.

For 2 days I have not been able to get a hold of Larry by email or phone. And mobile call I get “call rejected”

I am starting to get worried as my bank has told me the transfer from our side shows as there are no issues.

Any recommendations? If he doesn’t respond in the next few days what action can I take?

Regards

Sorry to hear that, that is why I am always very skeptical with these seller unless is a big one well recognized like Chrono 24 or Watch box , tough pill to swallow , contact the bank where funds were sent and see what can you do.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by jharris888

I replied above, but sadly it wasn't me making the reference check. My account was hacked while this deal was happening and has since been recovered.

I know John Harris and have dealt with him in person. He is a good guy and I’m sure he was hacked....as for the other guy we’ll, a white daytona NIB for 18,500 that’s laughable these days