My Story in a nutshell...

I had been watching the auction for this watch for almost 2 weeks and 3 different auctions. He had listed it a couple of times but had relisted it stating that people were “fake bidding” on it and not intending to pay. I had submitted an offer for it on one of those listings and that’s how He originally got my Ebay Id and email address. He sent me a message saying He would send me a “second chance offer” and I could buy it that way. He sent me a second chance offer to which I phoned Ebay again to find out if it was legitimate which they said it was so I accepted his second chance offer but it was for an amount higher than what the Ebay/Paypal buyer protection would cover so it was cancelled. I had told him from the outset that there was absolutely no way I would purchase the watch unless it was covered by Ebay/Paypal buyer protection. I even went so far as to call Ebay and Paypal 3 times in regards to it. I gave them the listing ID and asked if I was covered and if they thought it was legitimate. Each time they said it was and even if it wasn’t I was still covered under Buyer Protection because I was buying it on Ebay.com and paying via Paypal.com. I made the purchase after being assured by both Ebay and Paypal via phone that I was indeed protected and that it looked legitimate.

I woke the next morning to an email from Ebay trust and safety:

MC139 NOTICE: eBay Communication Partner Warning

Dear robd* (********@gmail.com),

Our records show that you recently received an email from timefusion21 through the Ask Seller a Question or Contact eBay Member features. This email may be fraudulent and an attempt to do one of the following:

What followed was a standard Ebay Fraud form letter stating what I should do if I’ve sent payment and a few other suggestions that were of no value what so ever.

I logged into my Ebay account and sure enough the user “timefusion21” had been removed and there was no record of my transaction with him. Well I should say there is no record I can see. There was no reason given why He was removed or what I should do about the almost $10,000 US dollars I had sent him 8 hours ago just a link saying “This item is invalid” I have since heard nothing from Ebay regarding this user or my dealings with him.

I immediately called Paypal and told them what was happening. She said the money was still in his (timefusion21/Tay Hian Chye) Paypal account and that I should file an “Item not received” claim which I did during that call.
Paypal claim # PP-728-790-565 I was then told to wait a few days to see if anything arrived. I had received a Fedex tracking number but when called Fedex they told me that anybody can walk into any Fedex store and pickup a waybill and use the tracking number which is exactly what he did. The actual package I received wasn’t picked up by Fedex in Singapore until Jun 20th at 12:50pm. So, He sent me an empty box 2 days AFTER He was removed from Ebay and I had opened the claim, it’s like He knew He had to send something or his scam wasn’t going to work.

On June 23rd I received a Fedex package with an empty generic watch box which I will send you pictures of. The person who signed for this package was also an eye witness to me opening this package and revealing an empty purple watch box. As you can clearly see from the pictures it has nothing to do with a Rolex watch. Also on the waybill he wrote “sample Daytona watch box” which you can clearly see from the pictures. I spoke to Fedex and they told me that there was no way Fedex would ship a Rolex watch Internationally, it’s against their policies. They also said it would be impossible for any watch to clear through their customs inspection without duty and brokerages fees applied.
I don't know why I feel I need to vent here but I have to tell people that Paypal will not protect you. they don't care about you and don't ever use them for anymore than a couple hundred dollars.

Paypal did not scam you, the SELLER did! Why would anyone buy a ROLEX online....never ceases to amaze me.

Why would you accept a package with a waybill that states it contains an empty box?

Do you now have a copy of the police report?

So both ebay and PayPal told you it was a legit second chance offer even though there was not a unique item number for you to bid on and win? Neither referred you to the help section on second chance offers that would have explained how it really works? After the legit second chance offer was canceled they said it was okay to do it through email? Shameful.

Lask: I never heard of a second offer having different Item number from first one. I was thinking OP Hit a spoof second Offer item ! ?

I believe all second chance offers have a new, unique item number. This is supported by eBay's instructions on how to cancel a second chance offer which states...

Canceling an offer

To cancel a Second Chance Offer, type the item number for the offer you want to cancel (not the original item number) into the Ending Your Listing Early form. Canceling is recommended if you want to extend an offer to another non-winning bidder without waiting for the first offer to expire, or if you have more offers open than items available.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/second_chance_offer.html

What makes people send 10K to Singapore to someone who has ZERO feedback as a seller?

robd, how did you send the money through PayPal? Did it show as payment for XXXX auction number?