ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

centerfield · 11 July 2011, 02:21 AM

I recently sold my GMT IIC on TZ (Serial No: M728106) to a guy who claims to be Benjamin Callem. He provided the following contact information:

Benjamin Callem
1367 Adagietto Drive
Henderson, NV 89052
702-202-9310
benjamin.callem@gmail.com

He paid via counter deposit to my bank account. I waited until deposit had supposedly cleared, spoke to my bank to make sure it had, and then shipped. 8 days later I received a letter from my bank saying the purchase amount has been reversed as the deposit (cashier's check) was returned unpaid. I of course called the references he sent me at the time of the transaction and they all checked out. I even spoke to Benjamin multiple times re: the transaction to get comfortable. I've since tried calling the purchaser and just get an automated VM. I also emailed him with no response. As for the references he provided, while I contacted them all originally, none of those telephone numbers work anymore.

I will call Rolex and report the watch stolen. I plan on dealing with the bank on Monday but I'm not sure how much (if any) recourse I have. Anyone have any suggestions or info on my options at this point? Thanks in advance for the help.

Best, David

DCgator · 11 July 2011, 05:30 AM

Welcome aboard!

Sorry to hear. Others here will chime in soon to provide info. Hope it all works out for you.

Sherwooddavid · 11 July 2011, 05:40 AM

I would be pissed with my bank if they said it cleared and then found out it hadn't.
I hope things work out for you David and you get your watch back.
Maybe you should contact the local police in Herderson NV and report it ??

mjm800 · 11 July 2011, 05:48 AM

I'm really sorry for you man...while it doesn't help you I hope all these ripoff threads serve as a examples of why when buying and selling privately on the internet doing so on TRF is much safer and always use wire transfer.

At least here if there is ever a doubt or a question about a seller or buyer there are many people to ask it helps to make sure everything is a safe as possible. Bad things still happen but they are few and far between.

Again I am so sorry for what happened to you and I hope for a speedy recovery of your watch.

InVision · 11 July 2011, 06:20 AM

Sorry to hear of your recent loss. Hope you find the $#$&#&#*)@%#$#.

For the record, my wife who is the EVP for the largest local bank in my area told me that this is really getting pretty common. In reality PayPal is not even helpful. Bank wire is the only guaranteed payment option. As she also said knowing the buyer is most important. As I commonly send Tony, David and Mosco watches and wait for their check in the mail.

Hope all gets fixed,

Mike

z32turbo · 11 July 2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwooddavid

I would be pissed with my bank if they said it cleared and then found out it hadn't.

My thoughts exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

centerfield · 12 July 2011, 12:18 PM

Thanks to all for the comments. Turns out the police in Henderson, NV weren't interested in taking a police report. Neither were the police in my city. I am going to file a claim with the FBI's internet crime site. Today I spent two hours at my bank closing my account, etc. and reporting the incident and have worked my way up the food chain. At first I was told I was SOL because it was a cashier's check, but in this case, the guy forged my signature and presented it for deposit and the teller accepted it and it "cleared" almost immediately. As a result, they may end up covering the loss. We will see.

Sadly I've been a lurker here for a while and have built a good collection but this is how I meet the members....When this is over I'll take the time to get more involved and post some pics.

Thanks again,

David

Z-Sub · 12 July 2011, 12:39 PM

They should have a surveillance video of that piece of

depositing the check at the branch he took the counterfeit cashier's check in. Hope it'll work out for you.

skyedog · 12 July 2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwooddavid

I would be pissed with my bank if they said it cleared and then found out it hadn't.
I hope things work out for you David and you get your watch back.
Maybe you should contact the local police in Herderson NV and report it ??

+1 for sure talk to your bank, this is BS! cleared and then the money gone!
so so sorry to hear what happen hope things work out!

onkyo · 12 July 2011, 02:39 PM

Sorry to hear this.

Unfortunately, this type of bank deposit scam is becoming more and more common. The safest transaction is a bank to bank wire (not a deposit!).

Dripp · 12 July 2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyedog

+1 for sure talk to your bank, this is BS! cleared and then the money gone!
so so sorry to hear what happen hope things work out!

Unless the cashiers check is drawn on the same bank where it was deposited, they have no idea if there are any issues with it until its sent to the issuing bank for payment, just like a regular check. So it "clears," but then is returned and the deposit reversed. The original purchaser can tell them it was lost or whatever, and while I believe some banks may make them wait a specified period of time before replacing/refunding, some do not.

Maybe you can call the issuing bank and find out what the reason for the return?

Sorry to hear about this and I hope you get it sorted out.

johnbeth · 12 July 2011, 08:22 PM

Sorry to hear about your loss, I hope things work out for the best soon!

Runnin' Rebel · 12 July 2011, 09:18 PM

How long ago did this happen ? House is on the market for an asking price of just above 300k. It was bought at around 700k. Looks like a short sale or foreclosure. House looks empty.

Please people, be very careful of selling to or buying from anyone in this town and the surrounding areas, this includes Las Vegas. I'm sorry to say that, after living here 33 years, it's turned into a cesspool of scamers and cheaters. Never thought I would say this.

Grissom · 14 July 2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAGERVEGAS

How long ago did this happen ? House is on the market for an asking price of just above 300k. It was bought at around 700k. Looks like a short sale or foreclosure. House looks empty.

Please people, be very careful of selling to or buying from anyone in this town and the surrounding areas, this includes Las Vegas. I'm sorry to say that, after living here 33 years, it's turned into a cesspool of scamers and cheaters. Never thought I would say this.

Excellent advice! I thought Henderson sounded familiar.......coincidence??

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...ight=henderson

Z-Sub · 14 July 2011, 11:04 AM

probably the same thug

RolexPete32 · 14 July 2011, 11:11 AM

Too many stories like this. I really hope this one works out. Sorry to hear

Lgear080 · 14 July 2011, 01:57 PM

huh... i wonder why you accepted this counter deposit.

wired, verified funds are the ONLY way to transact.

not to beat you when you're down, but have you ever sold anything
to someone online before? you should also contact pawn shops in Henderson
and Vegas.

11 July 2011, 02:21 AM	#1
centerfield "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 31	Stolen GMT IIC: Beware of Benjamin Callem I recently sold my GMT IIC on TZ (Serial No: M728106) to a guy who claims to be Benjamin Callem. He provided the following contact information: Benjamin Callem 1367 Adagietto Drive Henderson, NV 89052 702-202-9310 benjamin.callem@gmail.com He paid via counter deposit to my bank account. I waited until deposit had supposedly cleared, spoke to my bank to make sure it had, and then shipped. 8 days later I received a letter from my bank saying the purchase amount has been reversed as the deposit (cashier's check) was returned unpaid. I of course called the references he sent me at the time of the transaction and they all checked out. I even spoke to Benjamin multiple times re: the transaction to get comfortable. I've since tried calling the purchaser and just get an automated VM. I also emailed him with no response. As for the references he provided, while I contacted them all originally, none of those telephone numbers work anymore. I will call Rolex and report the watch stolen. I plan on dealing with the bank on Monday but I'm not sure how much (if any) recourse I have. Anyone have any suggestions or info on my options at this point? Thanks in advance for the help. Best, David

11 July 2011, 05:48 AM	#4
mjm800 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,950	I'm really sorry for you man...while it doesn't help you I hope all these ripoff threads serve as a examples of why when buying and selling privately on the internet doing so on TRF is much safer and always use wire transfer. At least here if there is ever a doubt or a question about a seller or buyer there are many people to ask it helps to make sure everything is a safe as possible. Bad things still happen but they are few and far between. Again I am so sorry for what happened to you and I hope for a speedy recovery of your watch. __________________

12 July 2011, 12:18 PM	#7
centerfield "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 31	Thanks for the comments Thanks to all for the comments. Turns out the police in Henderson, NV weren't interested in taking a police report. Neither were the police in my city. I am going to file a claim with the FBI's internet crime site. Today I spent two hours at my bank closing my account, etc. and reporting the incident and have worked my way up the food chain. At first I was told I was SOL because it was a cashier's check, but in this case, the guy forged my signature and presented it for deposit and the teller accepted it and it "cleared" almost immediately. As a result, they may end up covering the loss. We will see. Sadly I've been a lurker here for a while and have built a good collection but this is how I meet the members....When this is over I'll take the time to get more involved and post some pics. Thanks again, David

12 July 2011, 12:39 PM	#8
Z-Sub 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So Cal, USA Watch: Not a ONEWatch Man Posts: 7,383	They should have a surveillance video of that piece of depositing the check at the branch he took the counterfeit cashier's check in. Hope it'll work out for you. __________________ SS Submariner Date "Z" SS SeaDweller "D" SS Submariner "Random" TT Blue Submariner "P" SS GMT-Master ll "M", Pepsi Pam 311, 524, 297

12 July 2011, 09:18 PM	#13
Runnin' Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: 🤔 Posts: 8,424	How long ago did this happen ? House is on the market for an asking price of just above 300k. It was bought at around 700k. Looks like a short sale or foreclosure. House looks empty. Please people, be very careful of selling to or buying from anyone in this town and the surrounding areas, this includes Las Vegas. I'm sorry to say that, after living here 33 years, it's turned into a cesspool of scamers and cheaters. Never thought I would say this. __________________ ♛

11 July 2011, 05:30 AM	#2
DCgator "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PNW Watch: DS,BLNR,SubLV,DJ2 Posts: 8,123	Welcome aboard! Sorry to hear. Others here will chime in soon to provide info. Hope it all works out for you.

11 July 2011, 05:40 AM	#3
Sherwooddavid "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Real Name: Dave Location: Canada Watch: Submariner Posts: 2,080	I would be pissed with my bank if they said it cleared and then found out it hadn't. I hope things work out for you David and you get your watch back. Maybe you should contact the local police in Herderson NV and report it ??

11 July 2011, 06:20 AM	#5
InVision Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: Destin, FL USA Watch: Outerspace DayDate Posts: 2,662	Sorry to hear of your recent loss. Hope you find the $#$&#&#*)@%#$#. For the record, my wife who is the EVP for the largest local bank in my area told me that this is really getting pretty common. In reality PayPal is not even helpful. Bank wire is the only guaranteed payment option. As she also said knowing the buyer is most important. As I commonly send Tony, David and Mosco watches and wait for their check in the mail. Hope all gets fixed, Mike

12 July 2011, 02:39 PM	#10
onkyo Banned Join Date: Apr 2008 Real Name: Pav Location: Manhattan Posts: 11,495	Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, this type of bank deposit scam is becoming more and more common. The safest transaction is a bank to bank wire (not a deposit!).

12 July 2011, 08:22 PM	#12
johnbeth "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Depends on mood. Posts: 9,536	Sorry to hear about your loss, I hope things work out for the best soon!

14 July 2011, 11:04 AM	#15
Z-Sub 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So Cal, USA Watch: Not a ONEWatch Man Posts: 7,383	probably the same thug __________________ SS Submariner Date "Z" SS SeaDweller "D" SS Submariner "Random" TT Blue Submariner "P" SS GMT-Master ll "M", Pepsi Pam 311, 524, 297

14 July 2011, 11:11 AM	#16
RolexPete32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Peter Location: Canada Watch: You know... Rolex Posts: 1,520	Too many stories like this. I really hope this one works out. Sorry to hear

14 July 2011, 01:57 PM	#17
Lgear080 Banned Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 3,506	huh... i wonder why you accepted this counter deposit. wired, verified funds are the ONLY way to transact. not to beat you when you're down, but have you ever sold anything to someone online before? you should also contact pawn shops in Henderson and Vegas.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)