Is this some sort of scam I don’t know about?

Donn Chambers · Jun 3, 2021

I have received several emails in the last few months from “buyers” saying that someone (different names each time) gave them my name as a reference and they are looking for confirmation. These are for high value watches - new Rolex GMT Master, a PP Nautilus. I, of course, have never heard of these “sellers.” The first time, I wrote back and said I’d never heard of this seller, never did business with them, watch out, etc. Never got a response back.

Just got another email today. Different email address, but a little too similar to the other one in style: <name>.<name>.gmail, and the text of the message is also similar. These emails are really starting to look phony. But what’s the point? Are they confirming my email exists if I reply, then using that in their scam? Should I not reply?

Thoughts are welcome.

connieseamaster · Jun 3, 2021

Sounds like they might be fishing for real pictures or something for scam listings down the road. I'd just ignore and delete.

Syzygy · Jun 3, 2021

Agreed, sounds like the first steps of a phishing attack. Do not reply.

Donn Chambers · Jun 3, 2021

connieseamaster
Sounds like they might be fishing for real pictures or something for scam listings down the road. I'd just ignore and delete.

That’s the thing. They don’t ask for anything other than confirmation if I purchased any watch from this person, who supposedly used me as a reference. Only an idiot would reply back with anything else other than no (like pictures). Of course there may be people out there who don’t remember anything and would say, “Oh yeah, I just bought a Nautilus from some random guy whose name I don’t remember. Maybe that’s him? Here’s a picture of it!”

The thing is, I would feel bad if this is a legit reference check and someone is using my name to scam someone and I don’t let them know. But I guess I’d better be safe and protect myself.

jeppe888 · Jun 3, 2021

i sounds like a scam to me.
i think its great you share these things because it helps other people to be alert and thoughtful.

Rado63 · Jun 3, 2021

I would not even open the email. Don't respond just delete.

cineaste · Jun 3, 2021

If you have time and are in the mood for trolling, just reply with photos of replicas.

JohnWoo · Jun 3, 2021

Definite scam, I receive similar with text messages also.
Suggest delete and ignore.

machamp6650 · Jun 3, 2021

I wonder if they're skimming details from known watch sales (e.g. big new purchases on insta) and linking that to info about people who sell similar classes of watches? They could then use this to seed an online scam like a fake purchase with the seller?

In any case, run a mile!

ghce · Jun 4, 2021

There is another more scary scenario in that they are scoping you out as a collector so they can steal from you directly.
One very easy trap is with photos especially those from mobile phones, is that they may contain GPS data as to the location that the photo was taken from.

Donn Chambers · Jun 4, 2021

To follow up, just received this email, in reply to the response I sent a couple of weeks ago:

“
Thanks for your response.....

DavidSW just listed you on timezone forums as a reference....

Here is a link to the post with you as his reference......”

And the link goes to a page (not timezone but looks a little like it) needing a password.

so, yep, a long-game phishing attack.

Donn Chambers · Jun 4, 2021

Donn Chambers
To follow up, just received this email, in reply to the response I sent a couple of weeks ago:

“
Thanks for your response.....

DavidSW just listed you on timezone forums as a reference....

Here is a link to the post with you as his reference......”

And the link goes to a page (not timezone but looks a little like it) needing a password.

so, yep, a long-game phishing attack.

And just as I wrote this, someone started a thread on the Timezone public forum about it and several people have replied “me too.”

thanks everyone for confirming this was suspect. If they’d included the link to begin with, I would have known it was a phishing attack immediately. I guess they hadn’t read the inscrructions before their first email. 😀

cineaste · Jun 4, 2021

Donn Chambers
To follow up, just received this email, in reply to the response I sent a couple of weeks ago:

“
Thanks for your response.....

DavidSW just listed you on timezone forums as a reference....

Here is a link to the post with you as his reference......”

And the link goes to a page (not timezone but looks a little like it) needing a password.

so, yep, a long-game phishing attack.

Actually, just by opening the link you give your IP away and also exposing yourself to malware.

DaveK · Jun 4, 2021

ghce
There is another more scary scenario in that they are scoping you out as a collector so they can steal from you directly.
One very easy trap is with photos especially those from mobile phones, is that they may contain GPS data as to the location that the photo was taken from.

Thank you, I did not know this 😲

connieseamaster · Jun 5, 2021

I would change all of your passwords from a different computer and set up 2 factor authentication on every site that supports it.

G-Web · Jun 5, 2021

I received one such email a few days ago (screenshot below).
I knew it was fishy off the bat, but like some others have said here, I'm unclear on its angle.
Looking forward to hearing more thoughts.

Cheers,
-GW

Screen Shot 2021-06-05 at 6.32.46 AM.png

Donn Chambers · Jun 5, 2021

cineaste
Actually, just by opening the link you give your IP away and also exposing yourself to malware.

Not my first rodeo; I have very good security software that checks for malicious code in links and identifies it — this was just a link to a bogus site to attempt to steal a password. It was not very sophisticated.

nonuffinkbloke · Jun 5, 2021

Dreadful scammers!

I have these people that phone me every couple of days, from India, telling me that the British police will come to my home, and arrest me for tax irregularities.

They insist I give them my name, date of birth and full address.😁

I normally say "OK mate... have you got a pen? Write this down!

Go f#@* yourself you no good piece of s#@* .... I hope you fall in one of the shite filled holes in ya fakked up roads.... you scamming c@#*!😡
Right..now mate, we're you able to spell all of that OK? Shall I repeat it for you... slowly?" 😡

But still they phone again!😕

Anyway, it cheers me up! 😁 and then I go and make a cup of tea, have a little laugh to myself and look at my lovely old 1960's Omega Speedmaster.😀

STANDY · Jun 5, 2021

nonuffinkbloke
Dreadful scammers!

I have these people that phone me every couple of days, from India, telling me that the British police will come to my home, and arrest me for tax irregularities.

They insist I give them my name, date of birth and full address.😁

I normally say "OK mate... have you got a pen? Write this down!

Go f#@* yourself you no good piece of s#@* .... I hope you fall in one of the shite filled holes in ya fakked up roads.... you scamming c@#*!😡
Right..now mate, we're you able to spell all of that OK? Shall I repeat it for you... slowly?" 😡

But still they phone again!😕

Anyway, it cheers me up! 😁 and then I go and make a cup of tea, have a little laugh to myself and look at my lovely old 1960's Omega Speedmaster.😀

Next time tell them your Rogan Josh from 4 Naan street Papadum and you were born 15 August 1947.

Is this some sort of scam I don’t know about?

Donn Chambers

connieseamaster

Syzygy

Donn Chambers

jeppe888

Rado63

cineaste

JohnWoo

machamp6650

ghce

Donn Chambers

Donn Chambers

cineaste

DaveK

connieseamaster

G-Web

Donn Chambers

nonuffinkbloke

STANDY

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