Someone is using photos of my watch to scam others. What do I do?

[Andrejb]

Hey guys. I purchased a watch from a member in December. I received a message today from a collector stating that someone on chronotrader / instagram is using photos from the original seller of my watch and passing them off as their own (including serial and video of my watch). Even though I own the watch and they do not.... this collector told me he actually sent his own Rolex in a trade and never received the watch in return (obviously because this guy doesn’t actually own it)

What am I supposed to do about this? Someone is going around using photos of my rightfully owned watch to scam others... can that person use the serial from the photos and report it stolen?


Not sure what to do here. I guess this can happen to anyone. But I’m at a loss


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[Chewbacca]

Post link and tell a Mod.

Yes. The serial number could cause issues.

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Post link and tell a Mod.

Yes. The serial number could cause issues.

I do not have a link of the ad. I was sent a PM on Instagram. And I have asked for the link of the watch being sold. The only thing I have is the photos the person sent him of my watch.


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[BLM2]

Keep your receipt from your purchase. Ask the seller for a copy of his original sales receipt. This would help you prove a trail of lawful ownership.

Lee

[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by BLM2

Keep your receipt from your purchase. Ask the seller for a copy of his original sales receipt. This would help you prove a trail of lawful ownership.

Lee

It was purchased pre owned by both myself and previous owner. All I have is screenshots of the original ad, messages regarding original transaction with dates. A date of my appraisal from December. And banking info showing withdrawal for the agreed upon amount. Also feedback posted the day of purchase (December 16th)


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[Andrejb]

According to the scam victim. The original ad has been deleted


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[Abdullah71601]

Scammers use stolen photos all the time. I don’t understand why you would think you’re at risk. How can advert pictures of your watch be used to get your watch?

[77T]

Originally Posted by Andrejb

Hey guys. I purchased a watch from a member in December. I received a message today from a collector stating that someone on chronotrader / instagram is using photos from the original seller of my watch and passing them off as their own (including serial and video of my watch). Even though I own the watch and they do not.... this collector told me he actually sent his own Rolex in a trade and never received the watch in return (obviously because this guy doesn’t actually own it)

What am I supposed to do about this? Someone is going around using photos of my rightfully owned watch to scam others... can that person use the serial from the photos and report it stolen?


Not sure what to do here. I guess this can happen to anyone. But I’m at a loss


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Help us understand how this stranger on Instagram could deduce you were the buyer? How is there a connection that the seller’s pictures led him to you.

I think that is the first step.

Anybody can report it stolen to Rolex, buy only after filing a police report with the details of the theft.




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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by 77T

Help us understand how this stranger on Instagram could deduce you were the buyer? How is there a connection that the seller’s pictures led him to you.

I think that is the first step.

Anybody can report it stolen to Rolex, buy only after filing a police report with the details of the theft.




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He saw me post a few photos of me wearing it on Instagram after searching through some popular hashtags. The watch had identical markings on the bezel. And then he sent me the same photos that the original seller sent me before I purchased it in December stating “this is the watch I was promised”. This photo included a photo of my watch and paperwork. He did not want to get me too involved since I provided proof of my original transaction / messages / etc from December and knows that I rightfully purchased this watch. He stated that his deal was set to take place feb 3rd even though i purchased the watch December 14th.


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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Scammers use stolen photos all the time. I don’t understand why you would think you’re at risk. How can advert pictures of your watch be used to get your watch?

I’m just worried that the serial will get into the wrong hands. Or one of the scammers victims will report my watch to authorities based off of the photos the scammer is using to send around. These photos include the paperwork with serial that I currently have in my possession.


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[77T]

Well I think he’s scamming you so collect enough data to involve your local police.

And now you know why we suggest never posting the full s/n in listings.

You said you bought the watch from a member here. I’m surprised he posted the full s/n.


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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by 77T

Well I think he’s scamming you so collect enough data to involve your local police.

And now you know why we suggest never posting the full s/n in listings.

You said you bought the watch from a member here. I’m surprised he posted the full s/n.


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I don’t believe he posted full serial. I think he sent a photo to another potential buyer privately with serial attached. And then said potential “buyer” is now using those photos to pose as the current owner of the watch and scam others

I hope I am making sense.


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[77T]

Frankly it doesn’t make sense. But good luck.

This one lands in IG and Chronotrader methinks.


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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by 77T

Frankly it doesn’t make sense. But good luck.

This one lands in IG and Chronotrader methinks.


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Unfortunately I do not have a chronotrader account or else I’d be posting there. My apologies, having trouble trying to explain. I’m still trying to make sense of it myself. I’ve spent my whole day trying to figure this out.


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[77T]

You’ve explained ok.
I mean the scammers story makes no sense.


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[77T]

I think its worth adding a piece of advice for anyone reading this thread. TRF attracts good people and not-so-good as well. It is fairly easy to link disparate data to mount a scam - and we will face some smooth social-engineering skills.

If you got a message like Andre, I suggest asking more questions than any you answer. The scammer's story will have just enough detail to hook you into a convo.

The scammer doesn't know enough to actually steal your watch from under your nose unless your photo's have EXIF intact, your FB/IG/Snap/TRF/etc. posts link you to the seller, or you share details about the seller's transaction with you.

Just suggesting in the spirit of the community...

[Andrejb]

Thank you all for your responses and 77T for your disclaimer. All I can really do now is be optimistic that these photos will not be used again to lure potential buyers / scam victims and hope for the best. whilst trying to enjoy my watch.

Cheers


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[BrazenC5]

Someone lifted my pic and used it in UK forums and UK eBay. A nice TRF member alerted me after recognizing from my ealier post. That particular pic was lifted off TRF.

Going forward I may incorporate watermarks...but for this reason always careful not to show the serial number.

Its unlikely (but not impossible) that a scammer will go as far as reporting your watch stolen...they would have to file a police report, show some sort of papertrail, then call Rolex (they only log with an accompanying police report).

Thats a lot of hoops for a scammer with no upside.

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[Andrejb]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

Someone lifted my pic and used it in UK forums and UK eBay. A nice TRF member alerted me after recognizing from my ealier post. That particular pic was lifted off TRF.

Going forward I may incorporate watermarks...but for this reason always careful not to show the serial number.

Its unlikely (but not impossible) that a scammer will go as far as reporting your watch stolen...they would have to file a police report, show some sort of papertrail, then call Rolex (they only log with an accompanying police report).

Thats a lot of hoops for a scammer with no upside.

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That’s a great idea. I’ve been speaking with the member that sold me the watch all day today. He says moving forward he will be using a watermark as well.


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[jrs146]

I wonder if this is a new technique by scammers. Build up enough to try and steal a watch from someone by saying the original owner stole it from them. Sounds very hard and complicated. But these days I wouldn’t put anything past scammers.


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[Digitran]

Something similar happened to me. I bought a used Rolex through an online platform. I met with the seller face to face, checked the watch, everything was fine. A month later, while browsing watchrecon I found the exact same pictures of the watch I had bought being offered for sale in the US. (I am in Europe). Although the SN was visible in one of the original pictures, the scammer chose to omit that one. I contacted a mod immediately with a link to the original sale and the ad was removed.

I do not think it is easy to report a watch as stolen using only a serial number as proof of ownership. One must file a police report first and I cannot envision a scammer going willingly to the police!