Almost Got Scammed on Timezone

[LeatherSOUL]

Wow, never thought this would really happen, but I almost got scammed on TZ. I thought it was too good to be true but there were also reasons why it could have been true. Luckily I was able to verify it was a scam this morning by asking for multiple emails from the person's work emails.

He was pretending to be a famous ecological researcher/professor. He tried to send a fake email from a scamming email service, sharpmail.co.uk.

Everyone looking to make a high ticket transaction online, make sure to ask lots of questions and do a lot of background checking on the person. Just wanted to share this.

 

[amerikajinda]

Thanks, Tom! That's great advice... glad you didn't fall victim.

 

[edmorel]

would be a good idea to post details such as watch/price/name of scammer since many here frequent timezone.

 

[poorsod]

I've only done one transaction in TZ but completed the sale face-to-face. For expensive things, I don't feel comfortable doing it any other way.

 

[DrZRM]

^ Yeah, face to face with watches is the way to go. What was the set up?

 

[acidboy]

+1 on the details, please.

 

[LeatherSOUL]

The guy pretended to be someone he wasn't. This way when I googled him, he seemed like a reputable, trustworthy person. We were all set with the terms but I asked him to email me from his work email and his college email (he is a professor part time) to confirm his identity since he had been emailing me from a personal aol account. I then got a fake email from him through a service called sharpmail.co.uk. I never heard of that website before but apparently you can send fake emails from any email address.

 

[bmulford]

jebus. For any kind of private watch purchase, consider checking Watchnet's "good guys" forum. It helps suss out the scammers like the "good guys" thread on B&S

 

[LeatherSOUL]

Yes, good guys is a good resource. I've used it before on a successful transaction, but you have to be careful about that too.

I'd just stick with the few well known sellers on TZ or face to face. I've only purchased one watch from a private party so far but I think I'll stick with my AD from now on.

 

[bmulford]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

Yes, good guys is a good resource. I've used it before on a successful transaction, but you have to be careful about that too.

I'd just stick with the few well known sellers on TZ or face to face. I've only purchased one watch from a private party so far but I think I'll stick with my AD from now on.

I hear that. I resolved not to purchase anything over $500 if I can't see the item in person.

 

[boo]

Originally Posted by LeatherSOUL

... I then got a fake email from him through a service called sharpmail.co.uk. I never heard of that website before but apparently you can send fake emails from any email address.

Thanks for the warning. How did you know it was from sharpmail...from the e-mail header information? FYI, I also just recently learned that caller ID can easily be spoofed as well.

 

[gdl203]

Reference checks anyone? I don't know any watch collector who buys without multiple references. If the counterparty only gives me random hotmail addresses for references or has never sold to/bought from anyone reputable on TZ/WN/Paneristi, I simply walk away.

 

[dr.no]

Originally Posted by bmulford

I hear that. I resolved not to purchase anything over $500 if I can't see the item in person.

So no more mailorder Vass/EG/etc?

 

[bmulford]

Originally Posted by dr.no

So no more mailorder Vass/EG/etc?

heh - I meant for timepieces. Shoes are much easier to ascertain authenticity of product and seller.

 

[ghulkhan]

The same thing happened to me with two different potential buyers on TZ. I did a lot of extensive background checks for the people using google. Found out where they work, call switchboards, and do other things etc. Found out that two people were just making up stuff about their work and other things...