Close call? Scammer lucian23

I was attracted by the following offer from member @lucian23
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-moonwatch-cal-1861-price-2500-euro.174518/

I contacted him about the watch and he asked me for my paypal address in order to prepair an invoice. I read some feedbacks of this member, they are all positive, one feedback mentiones that the seller is from Romania.

At the back of my head i recalled a story with an ex member @ApolloXVII pulling a pretty scam (also Romania based). Many surely remember this one:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/apolloxvii-scammer-multiple-victims.147628/

Edit:
some great investigation by @Scarecrow Boat
https://omegaforums.net/threads/scammer-apolloxvii-is-back-for-more.154951/

Both members have very simmilar style of wirting and approach is simmilar.
When comparing their listings and i must admit i am no professional, but the photograph lightning of background seemed really simmilar.
And also one watch looks like both members offered for sale (Omega Speedmaster Tripple Date MK40).
Links to both listings:
@lucian23:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-triple-date-new-price-reduced-1900-euro.173821/
@ApolloXVII:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...date-mk40-chronograph-automatic-watch.145979/

Not the same photos, but the style looks very comparable.



I dont have evidence that @lucian23 and @ApolloXVII is the same person, but something is suspicious here.

So wanted to post my investigation here for educational purposes.

Thank you for sharing. I would have concerns myself!

Hi,

I bought the below watch from Lucian. Currently with Romania post…

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-reduced-3510-50-watch.173975/#post-2364826

His account is gone already. I informed Ash before i made it public, didnt want to create another "bad reputation" for member without knowing for sure.
thanks for quick reaction to the mods!

i actually wanted to contact @cineaste , since i remembered he was involved in the first scam. i guess he was quicker! 😉

Alarm bells went off when I was advised (after payment) that postage would take 2-3 weeks (within Europe).

I knew something was amiss for months, but I could only confirm my suspicions end of June, when he switched from selling an old inexpensive watch every once in a while, to listing multiple Omegas at bargain prices. Combine this with PayPal and Romania post only (so he can give you a tracking number that gets stuck when it exits the country), it's the exact same MO. First time it worked well because members expect people with multiple positive feedback to be legit. I hope not too many people got scammed this time. He worked on this for 18 months, so I hope diminishing returns will stop him from trying again. It's a pity because members from Romania might have a tougher time selling here. I hope they don't, because for me it was never about the country, just that his MO matched.

@paddymoran I have purchased the exact same watch as you. "Stuck" in Romania since July 8th. I have just filed a claim via PayPal explaining the situation. Maybe we can help each other.

Hi there,

I’m the buyer of the Omega Mark 40. Unfortunately I’m noticing now the fraud as user has beeen banned and shipping code is not working anymore.

I will try to open a complaint to PayPal as I paid through it. Do you know if there are any chance for a refund?

Thanks,
SM

That’s a relief to hear, thank you. I feel stupid to fall for this, but the guy had several positive references. Apparently built up since his last “run”.

Thanks a mil - maybe sharing our PayPal details (i.e. email address) by PM would help progress with PayPal. It should help assure them that the claims are legitimate.

I have to say that as victims of fraud go I think we’re fortunate. It might take a while to be refunded by PayPal but at least we paid PayPal goods and services as opposed to by family and friends and hence we have protection.

I got defrauded by the Peruvian eBay sellers of Omega
watches about 20 years ago and wasn’t so lucky - and they’re still active.