SCAM Story: Didn't think I'd ever fall for it...

[dbhak22]

I was just scammed out of $5,500 and wanted to share my story in the hopes that it may educate at least one other watch enthusiast out there and hopefully prevent someone from falling into the same trap.

I have to say that I may have been over confident in my abilities to sniff out a "bad person". I have bought/sold a handful of watches (which all went well) and also consider myself very detail oriented which typically leads me to spending way too much time researching whatever it is I'm focused on. Therefore I am fully aware that this is 100% something I could have prevented. I feel stupid for making this very expensive mistake and part of the reason of why I'm spending the time to share this is to help me get over this. Of course hindsight is 20/20 and I keep wondering why I didn't catch all the red flags. I also think I have a bit too much faith in humanity and should have my guard up a bit more which is unfortunate.

In any case, I'll share what happened but I know it will end up being a lot of text so I have included what I have of the scammer's information listed at the end of this so it may come up in Google searches should someone be researching the same person (although I presume this guy will use a different name next time).

So here goes. I was doing some research on watch prices on WatchRecon and happen to see a watch on the homepage that I thought was a good price (not "too good" but just good enough). I have never shopped for watches on there but thought I'd give it a try and it led me to Timezone.com which I understand is a popular watch forum as well. Before this fiasco, I was only a member of TRF but have since joined Watchnet and TZ as well to call this guy out. So I reached out the seller and did some research on him (keeping in mind it was a new forum so I had that against me). I found that he was a member for ~5-6 months (should have been red flag #1) but had been quite active (logging in regularly, posting regularly, etc.). His english wasn't the best but was very cordial and responsive and my spidey senses were not going off yet. Of course I asked for references which he was happy to provide and was quite thorough (name, email, which watch forum they can be found, whether or not they met in person, etc.). I reached out to each of the references and they all responded (various emails: gmail, yahoo, etc.) and sang his praises an referenced watches they bought (without my asking) which I then cross referenced with the watches that he has sold in the past 5-6 months which matched up. The "watches" he posted and "sold" coming up to this point had some bumps and ultimately had "SOLD, thanks TZ and buyer" messages with no further bumps afterward. I also stalked each of the references and a couple had only been members for <9 months but one was a member for a couple years and I went through his posts/threads and honestly appeared like a regular member. Lots of activity, multiple-sentence posts, well written english, showing enthusiasm here and there, etc. So that was my due diligence (which will turn out to be not enough).

So we made a deal and he gives me his bank wire info (listed below) and I transfer the funds. He confirms and tells me it's too late to ship in GA (where he's located) and will ship the following day. I had no problem with that and said no problem. Next day rolls around and I reach out and he says it is very bad timing and he is leaving town for a day or two due to a family emergency. Of course I did not like to hear this but at this point thought he was a decent human being and didn't want to make a bad situation for him worse so I gave him my condolences and said to please keep me updated as he said he'd be back by the end of the weekend. We touch base Sunday and he thanks me for my patience and says he'll be shipping out Monday morning. Monday comes around and still no notice of shipment/tracking info so I reach out and he tells me his daughter has suddenly gotten sick and had to take her to the hospital so he will have to ship Tuesday. Coincidentally, my 3 year old daughter had an allergic reaction to something she ate just days prior and we had to take her to urgent care (and now she has to carry around an Epipen) so I sympathized and said okay. Tuesday rolls around and he tells me that with the back-to-back family issues, it's been hard on him and he needs a day but felt really bad and appreciated my patience. **This is where I started to get a bad feeling BUT thought "if he is scamming me, why is he still communicating with me when he already has my money?" and that didn't add up so I didn't want to stress myself over it so just waited. I give him a day and on Thursday he tells me he will just refund me the money as he won't be able to find the time to get the watch out of the safe deposit box and ship it out in his emotional state. I said okay and give him my bank info. Of course, no funds transferred the next day and he's been radio silent ever since. I've been going back through what I could/should have done differently and will share them here to help anyone that may be reading this:

• The photos he used in his various listings had different "vibes". Backgrounds were different and in one listing, the pictures were taken while wearing one of those "jeweler gloves". This should have been a sign that these were not HIS pictures.
• Many people use Photobucket to host their images and direct link in posts/listings. Check the source of an image and if they're using Photobucket, their username will be a part of the URL and see if it matches their forum handle and/or real name in some way. Most scammers either use someone else's photos (so the username will be way off).
• Doesn't hurt to ask for a picture of the watch with their name/username/date to prove they have it in hand.

Here are the details of this scammer. Some of these may change and/or no longer be in use:

USERNAME: SirreyTicks
EMAIL: sirreyticks@yahoo.com
NAME: Michael Frank (at least this is what his email and bank account info states, his email signature was "Sirrey M. Frank")

BANK INFO:

Michael Frank
Acct no: 334052131018.
Routing numbers: 061000052
Bank of America
641 Indian Trail Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047.
Beneficiary address: 4226 pleasant lake village Ln, Duluth GA 30096

After reading a thread regarding a very similar situation tonight, someone in that thread recommended to the OP that he file a police report so I will look up the local P.D. in Duluth, GA and do the same tomorrow.

It sucks and I'm a bit distraught over it but I am reminding myself it's just money. I love watches and this hobby brings me joy but this was a very expensive lesson and reminder to be safe out there.

I'm sure some folks out there will be thinking "that's why you ALWAYS buy from a 'trusted seller'"...but to that, I'd like to say that I'm not a "trusted seller" but have sold a few watches here on TRF so I would say I am a trustworthy seller. I am glad to have "met" other watch enthusiasts through the sales and some I even have a beer with if I happen to be in their town while traveling for work! So with that logic in mind, I have at times reached out to folks selling watches that aren't "trusted sellers" but the lesson here is to be EXTRA cautious if that is the case.

[seand442]

Sorry to hear. Hopefully, a police report can grease some wheels. I was just thinking about posting something similar. I've been eyeing a 116610 and found a couple through WatchRecon that brought me over to TZ. Now, nothing against TZ, as I bought my first 16600 from there, but when I asked for a specific photo, he did not send what I requested and when I googled some of the references he gave me, I end up finding them over at WN on a known scammer list and another buyer was recently banned from another site. Needless to say, I will not be partaking. I totally agree with the EXTRA caution and always, "Buy the seller." Good luck.

[HorologyK]

Based on your location, a trip to GA could be in order.


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[MonBK]

A lot of people live at that address.

https://homemetry.com/Duluth+GA/PLEA...ILLAGE+LN/4226

[r8t3d_M]

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. Hopefully the police can aid you in getting your money back.

[acfromwb]

That's terrible news, really sorry to hear it. Hopefully the GA police will be helpful. Good luck.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by MonBK

A lot of people live at that address.

https://homemetry.com/Duluth+GA/PLEA...ILLAGE+LN/4226

Looks like an apartment complex.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Knappo 1307

Looks like an apartment complex.

It is.

[teqp]

Originally Posted by MonBK

It is.

Even so, if the local Duluth Police are willing to go over there, the apartment manger should be willing to point them to the correct apartment, if he lives there.

OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss and hope the police are willing to check it out for you. I hope they catch this POS.

[Knappo 1307]

Originally Posted by HorologyK

Based on your location, a trip to GA could be in order.


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For what? To find out he or she doesn't live there....

[Danny83]

Thats terrible

[rr-nyc]

It sucks but like you said, its only money. You did what you felt to me enough due diligence and lesson learned.
The good thing is that you have a chance to get your money back or at least have a hand at throwing this punk in jail. Unless this guy is also into identity theft, Michael Frank should be his real name and you have his address. Local cops should be more than happy to investigate.

[swils8610]

Really sucks. Always buy the seller...


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[GB-man]

Damn. I too have sold several watches here but to be honest never had the stones to buy from anyone but the best. Unfortunately, many of their prices seem high these days so I do consider others. Will probably make sure I can do a f2f after reading all the horror stories.

[kilyung]

Sorry about your situation. Sounds like you were more thorough than most.

I've now taken the extra measure of asking to meet and do deals F2F. If it's someone I've seen around the forums for a few years then I'll risk a distance transaction. If it's someone new then I'll just factor the added cost of flying there into my costs. I fly a lot so it's usually not an issue for me to divert somewhere for a few hours to pick up a watch.

[TheCarpenter]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Sorry about your situation. Sounds like you were more thorough than most.

I've now taken the extra measure of asking to meet and do deals F2F. If it's someone I've seen around the forums for a few years then I'll risk a distance transaction. If it's someone new then I'll just factor the added cost of flying there into my costs. I fly a lot so it's usually not an issue for me to divert somewhere for a few hours to pick up a watch.

Sounds like a good way to get robbed to me. FTF with a stranger or someone "new" in a town you're unfamiliar with without a way to insure yourself because the TSA frowns on those types of carry ons
I'll stick to well recommended sellers, AD's, or PayPal fees to insure I get what I paid for.

[Aceldama]

Sorry to hear you got robbed (no way around that term in my opinion). Thanks for posting this and definitely involve the PD in GA. I think most of these scammers count on 1) people being embarrassed and 2) not dealing with the post office and PD.


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[bdex75]

Sucks. I can't imagine the feeling. That is a lot of money and it takes most folks a long time to accumulate that for a watch purchase.

I don't have the guts to buy a Rolex off of Ebay or other sites where I don't know people. I pay more from my AD, I know it, but I just don't know enough.


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[MonsterSS]

Wow sorry to hear about this. I am an IT security engineer and am working an incident as well. Just meaning to say you are not the only one out there. It sucks nevertheless. If you want, PM me and I can give you some legal contacts that I have (FBI, etc.) Since it was bank wired across state lines, it is considered wire fraud on the federal level

[Reglin]

I agree it is a Federal crime but it may be too small for the FBI to get involved. Hopefully they will try to help you out. Terrible situation!!

[Bluside]

I think that could have happened to many of us here. It seems like you did all the right things. Don't beat yourself up too bad.

It's unbelievable how much scum is out there. I hope it works out for you and please keep us informed.

[blue16613]

Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed account of the events. It is truly chilling and I daresay you were more dilligent and compulsive in your research on the seller than most folks in the same situation.
I hope it all works out in the end........

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by MonsterSS

Wow sorry to hear about this. I am an IT security engineer and am working an incident as well. Just meaning to say you are not the only one out there. It sucks nevertheless. If you want, PM me and I can give you some legal contacts that I have (FBI, etc.) Since it was bank wired across state lines, it is considered wire fraud on the federal level

Thanks so much Denny. I just filed a complaint/claim with IC3 as well per the recommendation of my local PD. I will take you up on your offer and will PM you, :) Thanks so much.

[mjclark32]

Sorry to hear. Hopefully something good is resolved.

Is there a phone number you can post?

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Sorry to hear. Hopefully something good is resolved.

Is there a phone number you can post?

I meant to add that to the list of details I have for this guy. Here it is and also including all the other details again in case this post comes up in future Google Searches for someone:

Here are the details of this scammer. Some of these may change and/or no longer be in use:

USERNAME: SirreyTicks
EMAIL: sirreyticks@yahoo.com
NAME: Michael Frank (at least this is what his email and bank account info states, his email signature was "Sirrey M. Frank"). Has also been known to use the name Sirrey H. Anderson.
PHONE: (404) 975-0593

BANK INFO:

Michael Frank
Acct no: 334052131018.
Routing numbers: 061000052
Bank of America
641 Indian Trail Rd, Lilburn, GA 30047.
Beneficiary address: 4226 pleasant lake village Ln, Duluth GA 30096

[joeychitwood]

You certainly aren't alone in having been scammed. Back in 2009, I was scammed out of two Rolexes and $4,000 in cash by a guy in South Carolina. Law enforcement helped me out because of my past as a law enforcement officer, but otherwise I learned that scams involving less than $100,000 won't get investigated.

With the help of TRF members, I was provided with information on the scammer in such detail that I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest personally and professionally to bring the watches back to the Columbia Sheriff's office and refund my cash.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=106512

Promises of informing his employer and relatives of his illegal activities, as well as credible suggestions that I and friends would pay a visit to his home to discuss my watches and cash led him to walk into the sheriff's office and turn over the watches to a detective, who mailed them back to me. The scammer also refunded my money in full.

I owe the TRF community to this day for their assistance. Law enforcement will likely not be able to help whatsoever, except to perhaps act as a go-between if you talk to a sympathetic officer. Getting your money back is possible. I would research the guy relentlessly. Learn his employer, family members, their addresses and employers, and any other personal information you can gather. It's amazing how much info can be found, especially if you have an attorney help you.

Discuss a personal visit to his employer or house to discuss the issue. Inform him that you don't like to travel alone, so you will bring companions. Let him know that keeping your cash is not in his best interests. If he has a job, many scammers will relent rather than lose their employment. Be nice but firm, and make sure he believes that you will indeed carry out your investigation and home/work visit as promised.

You are on your own as far as getting the money back. But you know enough about him to gather the needed information and act. There need be no threats or illegal acitivities, but always remember that you are dealing with a sociopathic criminal who likely will respond positively only out of fear of losing something he values.

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

You certainly aren't alone in having been scammed. Back in 2009, I was scammed out of two Rolexes and $4,000 in cash by a guy in South Carolina. Law enforcement helped me out because of my past as a law enforcement officer, but otherwise I learned that scams involving less than $100,000 won't get investigated.

With the help of TRF members, I was provided with information on the scammer in such detail that I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest personally and professionally to bring the watches back to the Columbia Sheriff's office and refund my cash.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=106512

Promises of informing his employer and relatives of his illegal activities, as well as credible suggestions that I and friends would pay a visit to his home to discuss my watches and cash led him to walk into the sheriff's office and turn over the watches to a detective, who mailed them back to me. The scammer also refunded my money in full.

I owe the TRF community to this day for their assistance. Law enforcement will likely not be able to help whatsoever, except to perhaps act as a go-between if you talk to a sympathetic officer. Getting your money back is possible. I would research the guy relentlessly. Learn his employer, family members, their addresses and employers, and any other personal information you can gather. It's amazing how much info can be found, especially if you have an attorney help you.

Discuss a personal visit to his employer or house to discuss the issue. Inform him that you don't like to travel alone, so you will bring companions. Let him know that keeping your cash is not in his best interests. If he has a job, many scammers will relent rather than lose their employment. Be nice but firm, and make sure he believes that you will indeed carry out your investigation and home/work visit as promised.

You are on your own as far as getting the money back. But you know enough about him to gather the needed information and act. There need be no threats or illegal acitivities, but always remember that you are dealing with a sociopathic criminal who likely will respond positively only out of fear of losing something he values.

THANK you very much for sharing this. I have to say that this is one of the responses that motivated me to continue pursuing this matter. Again, I don't have high expectations but I should do what I can rather than let it go. My big challenge is that I don't think anyone knows what his real name is...which is going to make things difficult to research. But I'm going to try.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

You certainly aren't alone in having been scammed. Back in 2009, I was scammed out of two Rolexes and $4,000 in cash by a guy in South Carolina. Law enforcement helped me out because of my past as a law enforcement officer, but otherwise I learned that scams involving less than $100,000 won't get investigated.

With the help of TRF members, I was provided with information on the scammer in such detail that I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest personally and professionally to bring the watches back to the Columbia Sheriff's office and refund my cash.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=106512

Promises of informing his employer and relatives of his illegal activities, as well as credible suggestions that I and friends would pay a visit to his home to discuss my watches and cash led him to walk into the sheriff's office and turn over the watches to a detective, who mailed them back to me. The scammer also refunded my money in full.

I owe the TRF community to this day for their assistance. Law enforcement will likely not be able to help whatsoever, except to perhaps act as a go-between if you talk to a sympathetic officer. Getting your money back is possible. I would research the guy relentlessly. Learn his employer, family members, their addresses and employers, and any other personal information you can gather. It's amazing how much info can be found, especially if you have an attorney help you.

Discuss a personal visit to his employer or house to discuss the issue. Inform him that you don't like to travel alone, so you will bring companions. Let him know that keeping your cash is not in his best interests. If he has a job, many scammers will relent rather than lose their employment. Be nice but firm, and make sure he believes that you will indeed carry out your investigation and home/work visit as promised.

You are on your own as far as getting the money back. But you know enough about him to gather the needed information and act. There need be no threats or illegal acitivities, but always remember that you are dealing with a sociopathic criminal who likely will respond positively only out of fear of losing something he values.

Wow, extremely luck Joe Glad it worked out for you. This is unfortunately one of the many dark sides of the internet.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by Hooper

Wow, extremely luck Joe Glad it worked out for you. This is unfortunately one of the many dark sides of the internet.

The craziest thing to me is that if I went into a convenience store and grabbed a hundred bucks from the cash register when no one was looking, I'd be prosecuted and sentenced in a heartbeat. If I steal $92,000 in goods in an internet scam, there is no law enforcement agency that will even bat an eye.

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

You certainly aren't alone in having been scammed. Back in 2009, I was scammed out of two Rolexes and $4,000 in cash by a guy in South Carolina. Law enforcement helped me out because of my past as a law enforcement officer, but otherwise I learned that scams involving less than $100,000 won't get investigated.

With the help of TRF members, I was provided with information on the scammer in such detail that I was able to convince him that it was in his best interest personally and professionally to bring the watches back to the Columbia Sheriff's office and refund my cash.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=106512

Promises of informing his employer and relatives of his illegal activities, as well as credible suggestions that I and friends would pay a visit to his home to discuss my watches and cash led him to walk into the sheriff's office and turn over the watches to a detective, who mailed them back to me. The scammer also refunded my money in full.

I owe the TRF community to this day for their assistance. Law enforcement will likely not be able to help whatsoever, except to perhaps act as a go-between if you talk to a sympathetic officer. Getting your money back is possible. I would research the guy relentlessly. Learn his employer, family members, their addresses and employers, and any other personal information you can gather. It's amazing how much info can be found, especially if you have an attorney help you.

Discuss a personal visit to his employer or house to discuss the issue. Inform him that you don't like to travel alone, so you will bring companions. Let him know that keeping your cash is not in his best interests. If he has a job, many scammers will relent rather than lose their employment. Be nice but firm, and make sure he believes that you will indeed carry out your investigation and home/work visit as promised.

You are on your own as far as getting the money back. But you know enough about him to gather the needed information and act. There need be no threats or illegal acitivities, but always remember that you are dealing with a sociopathic criminal who likely will respond positively only out of fear of losing something he values.

This is exactly what you need to do. Call him a couple times a day, and tell him if he returns your money no charges will be pressed, if he does not comply jail time will be your only option...