Here is one I spotted while cruising around. Always nice to see an apparently cheap auction for an Ed White. Veterans here will spot it, but for those who do not here is the item: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255179281831?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160811114145&meid=4a9959047dfe49efb859fe6efe355fa1&pid=100667&rk=2&rkt=8&sd=255179281858&itm=255179281831&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042&LH_Auction=1Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network (That will probably be gone soon, lets hope) Nice looking eh? Starting bid a strange $1,980.32 (perhaps Euros 2000?) Oddly located in San Francisco in the description. Lets check out the seller - He is listed as being active since 1999 in Europe. Looks like a hijacked account. Getting a bit smelly, lets look at the description. Hold on, he doesnt want me to bid? He wants me to email him direct? Look here: Oh dear - its a scam. If you want proof, he has listed rather a lot, lets look at sellers other items: Look carefully above. Note the number of other items for sale! 7658 items! Lets see how long this lasts. Be careful everyone.
Yea it’s happening often and I’ve contacted eBay about it directly, it’s about the 15th time an account has been stolen like this and used to rip people off, same approach each time with thousands of listings all rare items in different enthusiast areas
I see this about once a week. I think there have been a bunch of threads about this account hijacking scam, but always good to publicize them. Same exact listings, just a new hacked account. Usually a high volume seller ... of dolls, china, comic books, etc. But not watches. Newbies beware! https://omegaforums.net/threads/psa-another-ebay-hijack.123528/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/beware-another-ebay-scammer-on-duty.123973/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/yet-another-hacked-account-too-good-to-be-true.110644/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/elopotrading-in-ebay-a-scam.107907/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/beaware-fraudulent-ebay-ads-from-well-respected-accounts.77718/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/ebay-seller-with-various-omega-up-for-sale.126672/
Do you think it’s fishing emails that get these accounts. My wife had a decent eBay thing. Shoot she sells more watches than me but they are armitrons and timex etc. I had someone attempt to open a Facebook account I “deleted” and did receive a phishing attempt on another eBay account I have and just buy things on occasion. I would think it’s user error allowing an account to get hacked but I have no clue these hackers try everything and are quite skilled.
a very common scam that has been going on for months.. I actually conversed with one of them once for laughs. The listing is now removed.
As a newbie looking to make the step up from other vintage watches, all I can say is the Omega Speedmaster (what I’m chasing) market is a minefield! Even after weeks of reading I think I have another year of watching before I jump. Which will probably mean I pay 50% more. Thanks for posting these scams to save potential suckers like me. It’s a great community service
Well, @Arancio601 - stick around here and keep an eye on Private Sales. I’m still chasing my vintage Speedy but it’s a long game. Reading, search and asking good questions of the people who know what they are doing will see you right. But patience is key, too! Good luck in your hunt.
Thanks @wilderbeast Definitely noticing some very knowledgeable members on this forum. Patience will be hardest for me as I have other expensive hobbies so will be tough keeping a stash of money reserved and waiting. Back to these eBay scammers. I saw these items when they went up and actually believed some amazing shop was closing up. I have done deals outside of eBay to save fees so it sounded plausible. I will be more suspicious in the future
Yep, I saw that - a great selection of vintage Speedies for sale but no selling feedback for the past 12 months. Avoid!!
You're missing a 0 here. I have an ebay feed on Rolex 6202 (for old times sake) and at least once a month a similar scam comes along. And this has been going on for years
The theme is alway the same, hundreds or thousands of rare collectibles of all varieties by the one seller with an image that says to contact outside of eBay. It always makes me sad to see as it’s usually some poor seller who had great feedback selling odds and ends for years (or had a reputable eBay store) and now their credibility is shot- they have to start over.
I hope that’s not the case. I think the rightful seller only has to recover their eBay account with a new password. The scammer never actually closes a deal thru EBay so I think there wouldn’t be any negative feedback to worry about.
I hope so. I just can’t imagine working so hard to build a reputable online presence only to have it hijacked and smashed into the ground.