Something fishy going on?
Discussion
I am hopeful that the OP is safe and dry. If there is a change in the circs no doubt we will hear about it. Currently I think the OP must just wait and see how this develops. Inherent risk in this type of transaction I regret to say. Paypal should be kept informed, If it is stolen the OP will surely be repaid?
Possession is 9/10ths of the law. Its up to the seller to prove, or at least convince the police, that you stole it or are handling stolen goods. Its not for you to prove (at the moment) that you obtained it illegally.
Basically I would keep your head down and see what happens. You have a paper trail to prove where your money went, so wont be out of pocket as paypal have taken that risk. I think they are trying to scam you, but ar probably chancing their arm and wont get far.
Basically I would keep your head down and see what happens. You have a paper trail to prove where your money went, so wont be out of pocket as paypal have taken that risk. I think they are trying to scam you, but ar probably chancing their arm and wont get far.
Thanks for the advice/input everyone.
I have been busy since this afternoon and this is my first chance to get online.
When speaking with the police they know I am a genuine person. I presume they have checked emails or whatever with the seller and can see the amount of checks I carried out before buying.
As most people have said its basically a waiting game now.
Unless the 'owner' can prove he has really owned this watch then I am going to try my hardest to keep it. Telling the police that it has a scratch here or other pointless info is just not good enough.
After thinking about it again today I really do believe that this has been set up.
The 'owner' of this watch should know a lot more and things just dont add up. I see it as 50/50, I have to prove this is mine/genuine he has to do the same. I can easily do this.
I will keep everyone updated.
I have been busy since this afternoon and this is my first chance to get online.
When speaking with the police they know I am a genuine person. I presume they have checked emails or whatever with the seller and can see the amount of checks I carried out before buying.
As most people have said its basically a waiting game now.
Unless the 'owner' can prove he has really owned this watch then I am going to try my hardest to keep it. Telling the police that it has a scratch here or other pointless info is just not good enough.
After thinking about it again today I really do believe that this has been set up.
The 'owner' of this watch should know a lot more and things just dont add up. I see it as 50/50, I have to prove this is mine/genuine he has to do the same. I can easily do this.
I will keep everyone updated.
To simplify this confusing situation here is a brief run down in short form;
- I get offered the watch on 1st April and after a couple of days of re-search I buy it
- Shortly after buying the watch I notice an advert of someone else selling the same watch but other end of the country, clearly they did not own it as I had proof that my seller had it.
- I quizzed the second seller who said the watch sale was in progress on the 3rd. I email on the 4th for an update and it has apparently sold that day. Just to clarify the dates between sellers matches my correspondence. On the 3rd I said I would buy it but needed some hours to move money around. On the 4th I paid. This makes me think the sellers are linked also. I emailed from different account names as it was on a different website so there would be no obvious connection.
- My watch shows up fine and as described.
- A few days later I get an email off the second seller stating I have his watch and it was stolen in transit
- After a few emails he will not give any details, crime number etc and HE CHOOSES to leave the watch, who would just leave there watch if it was stolen!?
- Fast forward to yesterday, I get a call from the police saying this guy down south has been in touch and trying to claim it is his. He sends them pics of my watch and basically says it is his watch as he can verify where the scratches are. The pics I posted online were high-res, he could easily see scratches on the watch from them.
I would also like to add this new info, see what you think;
I managed to speak with a buyer who apparently bought the watch from the second/false seller, this is the guy in Canada. He sent me tracking info showing that a parcel was sent to him on the 28th March, this should have been the watch but it was stopped down south in the depot. Why would the second seller tell me the watch is for sale even though he apparently posted it four days earlier. Maybe he stopped it and sold it to me as it would be easier to pull off a scam in the UK rather than between countries?
- I get offered the watch on 1st April and after a couple of days of re-search I buy it
- Shortly after buying the watch I notice an advert of someone else selling the same watch but other end of the country, clearly they did not own it as I had proof that my seller had it.
- I quizzed the second seller who said the watch sale was in progress on the 3rd. I email on the 4th for an update and it has apparently sold that day. Just to clarify the dates between sellers matches my correspondence. On the 3rd I said I would buy it but needed some hours to move money around. On the 4th I paid. This makes me think the sellers are linked also. I emailed from different account names as it was on a different website so there would be no obvious connection.
- My watch shows up fine and as described.
- A few days later I get an email off the second seller stating I have his watch and it was stolen in transit
- After a few emails he will not give any details, crime number etc and HE CHOOSES to leave the watch, who would just leave there watch if it was stolen!?
- Fast forward to yesterday, I get a call from the police saying this guy down south has been in touch and trying to claim it is his. He sends them pics of my watch and basically says it is his watch as he can verify where the scratches are. The pics I posted online were high-res, he could easily see scratches on the watch from them.
I would also like to add this new info, see what you think;
I managed to speak with a buyer who apparently bought the watch from the second/false seller, this is the guy in Canada. He sent me tracking info showing that a parcel was sent to him on the 28th March, this should have been the watch but it was stopped down south in the depot. Why would the second seller tell me the watch is for sale even though he apparently posted it four days earlier. Maybe he stopped it and sold it to me as it would be easier to pull off a scam in the UK rather than between countries?
It was definitely the police. I made sure I got the full name, badge number etc. Double checked by calling 101 to confirm.
As I said it's quite a rare watch and number matched.
I also posted detailed pics of the movement online so you could see every mechanism in detail. Even the very small part number were visible. From an outsider POI it would appear to be his watch as he probably has a list of number which match!
Second seller was only a username on a forum and that was different.
As I said it's quite a rare watch and number matched.
I also posted detailed pics of the movement online so you could see every mechanism in detail. Even the very small part number were visible. From an outsider POI it would appear to be his watch as he probably has a list of number which match!
Second seller was only a username on a forum and that was different.
redtwin said:
KFC said:
the OP could easily lose the watch
It all depends whats going on - perhaps these people are in on this together and its a carefully planned out scam to relieve the OP of both the money and the watch - we have no idea.
If I was trying to scam someone I reckon the last people I would enlist to help is plod.
Having said that, I think that the result will be one of two outcomes: 1) that the op has bought a stolen watch and will lose it, or; 2) the person who is claiming it is totally mental as the dates don't hold water and he will be successfully prosecuted for fraud driven by plod or the op.
Having said that, I think that the result will be one of two outcomes: 1) that the op has bought a stolen watch and will lose it, or; 2) the person who is claiming it is totally mental as the dates don't hold water and he will be successfully prosecuted for fraud driven by plod or the op.
JCKST1 said:
To simplify this confusing situation here is a brief run down in short form;
- I get offered the watch on 1st April and after a couple of days of re-search I buy it
- Shortly after buying the watch I notice an advert of someone else selling the same watch but other end of the country, clearly they did not own it as I had proof that my seller had it.
- I quizzed the second seller who said the watch sale was in progress on the 3rd. I email on the 4th for an update and it has apparently sold that day. Just to clarify the dates between sellers matches my correspondence. On the 3rd I said I would buy it but needed some hours to move money around. On the 4th I paid. This makes me think the sellers are linked also. I emailed from different account names as it was on a different website so there would be no obvious connection.
- My watch shows up fine and as described.
- A few days later I get an email off the second seller stating I have his watch and it was stolen in transit
- After a few emails he will not give any details, crime number etc and HE CHOOSES to leave the watch, who would just leave there watch if it was stolen!?
- Fast forward to yesterday, I get a call from the police saying this guy down south has been in touch and trying to claim it is his. He sends them pics of my watch and basically says it is his watch as he can verify where the scratches are. The pics I posted online were high-res, he could easily see scratches on the watch from them.
That is twice I've read the story and I still don't get it, you bought watch 1, and the tried to buy an identical type watch 2?- I get offered the watch on 1st April and after a couple of days of re-search I buy it
- Shortly after buying the watch I notice an advert of someone else selling the same watch but other end of the country, clearly they did not own it as I had proof that my seller had it.
- I quizzed the second seller who said the watch sale was in progress on the 3rd. I email on the 4th for an update and it has apparently sold that day. Just to clarify the dates between sellers matches my correspondence. On the 3rd I said I would buy it but needed some hours to move money around. On the 4th I paid. This makes me think the sellers are linked also. I emailed from different account names as it was on a different website so there would be no obvious connection.
- My watch shows up fine and as described.
- A few days later I get an email off the second seller stating I have his watch and it was stolen in transit
- After a few emails he will not give any details, crime number etc and HE CHOOSES to leave the watch, who would just leave there watch if it was stolen!?
- Fast forward to yesterday, I get a call from the police saying this guy down south has been in touch and trying to claim it is his. He sends them pics of my watch and basically says it is his watch as he can verify where the scratches are. The pics I posted online were high-res, he could easily see scratches on the watch from them.
Edited by Adam B on Thursday 24th April 10:04
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