A fellow subscriber forwarded us a link to a New Zealand paper with the following comment: "Thought u might like this. It really goes to show there r still silly people out there! B.B."
Cannot agree more. Just not sure whether to laugh or cry?
Here it comes:
"A Wanganui [New Zealand] man conned two Canadians out of almost $30,000 by selling them bogus watches, claiming the items were for sale were luxury brands Rolex and Patek Philippe Nautilus. Shane Arnold Goodgame, 26, pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining by deception over $1000 when he appeared in Wanganui District Court yesterday.
Goodgame posted two watches, purported to be a Rolex and a Patek Philippe Nautilus, online for sale. In May 2011, a man from Canada saw the Rolex advertised and emailed Goodgame to ask about the year of the watch. He was told it was a 2008 Daytona model.
After several emails, the pair agreed on a purchase price of $7,132.01 (US$5,800). The amount was deposited into Goodgame's bank account on May 26.
A few days later the victim discovered Goodgame's email address no longer existed, and he never received the watch. On August 11, another victim, also in Canada, emailed asking about the Patek Philippe watch, and over a series of emails, a purchase price of $22,581.65 (US$19,600) was agreed.
On September 2, Goodgame received the money in his account and emailed the victim, thanking him for his payment. The victim never got the watch and all email contact ceased on September 8, with Goodgame's email address becoming invalid. The victim attempted to get his money transferred back, but was advised it was not possible. Bank records show within three weeks of receiving the money, Goodgame had spent it all.
Among his purchases were clothing and electrical items, including an Apple iPhone valued at $1099. Police searched Goodgame's house on January 31 and found the Rolex watch, clothing and iPhone. The Rolex was inspected by a watchmaker and deemed to be fake.
The victims are both seeking reparation and the police have requested the seized items to be forfeited because they were obtained through the proceeds of a crime.
When spoken to by police, Goodgame admitted the facts, saying it seemed "too easy" that someone would willingly pay that amount of money for a watch he did not have to send.
He admitted knowing it was wrong and said it "felt good" to have money and buy things. "
If you feel sorry for gullible Canadian - please don't. These guys are not some naive newcomers but seasoned bargain hunters. They knew exactly what they were looking for, how to negotiate, how to make payment and what was the right price to pay. They knowingly and willingly took the risk expecting to profit form the deal.
Unfortunately, this time, it did not work.
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