Just had my Rolex scammed from me

[Rickyi]

I don't ever post threads but I want everyone to know. Advertised my Datejust2 yesterday on gumtree, got a phone call and texts from a man with broken English saying he was from Azerbaijan, wanting to come over to purchase it, we arranged to meet in my local pub I had my brother and brother in law with me. There were two of them, later realised a third person was milling around. We agree a price and I counted the money, I put it in my pocket and the strange thing thinking now is one of them left leaving the first person asking us to walk him to the pub exit, he then blew a kiss and ran. When I went back inside to get my wife, who turned up with my daughter and friends for our usual Friday night pint, to count the money, she realised that the bundle of supposedly fifty pound notes had just one on the outside, within the roll was paper. I'm not covered and this retails now at £6,750, please don't do the same thing. Police taken for fingerprints but no hope of recovering now. Also tried to go on Rolex site to let them know and it doesn't exist.

[GolfPunk]

That's awful news...I just hope they get caught and you can get your watch back.

[Evad3]

Sorry to hear this hope you get some luck in retrieving the watch

I avoid Gumtree as it tends to attract many scammers. I'm surprised you didn't notice the wad of paper though?

[dysondiver]

confused ,,, did you say you counted the money ,,,,,

with luck it will be on cctv some where , either the pub , or the car park , or even some shop overlooking the car park.
hope you get a good result.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

confused ,,, did you say you counted the money ,,,,,

with luck it will be on cctv some where , either the pub , or the car park , or even some shop overlooking the car park.
hope you get a good result.

Agree, doesn't make sense?

[MikeyTX]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

confused ,,, did you say you counted the money ,,,,,

with luck it will be on cctv some where , either the pub , or the car park , or even some shop overlooking the car park.
hope you get a good result.

Yes he did ! Don't know how and not notice the roll of tissue paper. Something here is not right !

[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by dysondiver

confused ,,, did you say you counted the money ,,,,,

with luck it will be on cctv some where , either the pub , or the car park , or even some shop overlooking the car park.
hope you get a good result.

All of the above! So sorry this happened but I'm also confused about the money being counted.

[amg55]

You said you counted the money and put in your pocket. How did it turn into just one note after you counted it? Perhaps I'm missing something from your post ?

[HogwldFLTR]

I was scammed when purchasing a watch once; luckily it wasn't as expensive a lesson. It hurt never the less. I'm sorry this happened to you. I don't know why there are so many scammers out there. It just plain sucks. Many of us are too trusting for our own good. I suspect luxury watches give those who can't afford luxury an excuse in that they feel owners have too much discretionary funds. "It's just a fat cat...etc."

[mattty]

So you handed the rolex over to a stranger without counting the money?

I think this is where the problem lies.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by mattty

So you handed the rolex over to a stranger without counting the money?

I think this is where the problem lies.

He said he counted the money.

[Rickyi]

Hi, thank you for your kind messages, I did count the money, he then told me to keep it with me whilst they looked at the watch, within what I suppose is a fraction of a second he grabbed my hand and put it on the same money that was on the table and assisted me to my inside pocket, obviously at this point and ofcourse unbeknowing to myself and my two family members, he must have switched it, I can only imagine he swapped with his accomplice just before. I remember a potato trick with beans once, they distract you and switch the potatoes, strange analysis I know. I didn't think I was green and my family members also but this was an unbelievable scam. Feel so sick but helps to talk to like minded people so thanks again. Moral of the story don't be too trusting and don't agree to take cash.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Rickyi

...he grabbed my hand and put it on the same money that was on the table and assisted me to my inside pocket....

Giving this a little thought, I think the problem was that you let the buyer set the ground rules once the transaction began, even though you set the location and had support on site.

I know it's too late now, but the the seller needs to control the situation throughout as in the case mentioned above where the transaction took place in the bank and the cashier handled the money.

[Mick P]

Chaps

All I can think of is that the bundles of genuine money were switched for other bundles containing the blank paper.

I have to say however, that I would not like to count out a pile of cash in a public place. That is asking to be mugged in the car park.

I once sold an oriental rug and I did the deal in a bank. The money was counted by a cashier who deposited it into my account. That way there was no chance of deception or being landed with forged banknotes. I then handed the rug over.

Regards

Mick

[Shaky]

Yeah, that lost me a bit. OP counts money and puts it in pocket but then it turns into paper. Either a magic trick or at some point it was given back to the conman.

Or

Are you saying the second man picked your pocket.

Shite news either way and doesn't help the reputation of Eastern Europeans. Unfortunately a lot of criminals have turned up with valid people looking for work in the U.K.

[Rickyi]

Yes, it was genuine money my brother in law checked he works in a bank so knows what to look for. It was switched so it looked like the same bundle, same weight and all the same size, but the £50 note was the top note rolled. Anyway hard lesson to learn.

[Nairn1980]

Geez that's awful!!!! Not sure quite how that could have happened as my guard would be up with that type of transaction. I'd not only count it all (and secure in a zipped pocket), but generally go to the bank with the cash whilst the person was there to deposit it. That's what I've done on the occasions before when I've accepted cash. I've also asked them to come with a passport or driving licence. Belt and braces for that type of money!!

[Shaky]

Unfortunately Ricky your alarm bells should have been ringing when he got all touchy feelie. Hats how they work and I will bet he was all matey matey with you as well.

I feel your pain mate, and it won't be the first time or the last time they will do it..
They are obviously very good at it, hence blowing you a kiss on the way out..

[Rickyi]

I know Shaky you're right, he was all touchy feely, and the obvious communication break down didn't help, he was over cautious making out they were worried about been scammed! Problem always is when you're a decent nice person, people sense that, the type of person that makes a living out of ripping decent people off will always succeed, the police have got their work cut out nowadays and this is just another statistic. Thanks mate.

[Orange123]

Same thing happened to me 2 days ago. Email Rolex on report.stolen@rolex.co.uk, I rang uk head office and was given that.

They will want your name contact details crime reference number and serial number if you still know it.

At least if it ever goes in for service you will get it back.

I bet it's the same gang.

[Tourbeon]

Sorry to hear of your loss and lesson to be learned is to be vigilant when conducting such transactions.

I read the story a couple times, but did not follow the series of events from when you had secured the confirmed cash to realizing it was just paper...

[tonylam]

This is so bad!

[Jack T]

Sorry about your misfortune, but...conducting a large cash transaction with a stranger in a pub? Really? And handing over the watch without rock solid verification of the money, like a bank teller, not good planning.

[GLADIATOR]

I just do not understand how a THICK bundle of notes can be swopped out for a bundle of paper without you realizing it!

[offrdmania]

Sounds like a pick pocket switch to me

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Sounds like a pick pocket switch to me

Agreed.


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[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

Sounds like a pick pocket switch to me

Ditto, they might have picked up ideas from film, or never watched a film and just plain crooked. May locust wipe out their crops, literally and/or figuratively!

[pacific17]

Sorry to hear about this!

[Kostas]

He helped you put the money in your pocket ? A stranger ?

I suppose I wasn't there so I can't fully comprehend

[graphicsdump]

Originally Posted by Rickyi

We agree a price and I counted the money, I put it in my pocket...

Huh? You sold a luxury item for upwards of $5-8K presumably, and you hadn't noticed the cash was actually a roll of worthless paper? WHAT?? Pick a discreet corner of the room to lay out the cash and count it in front of the buyer BEFORE handing over the watch.