Total damage greater than expected at first
Online fraudster ducaticorse21 scams forum members
He was a diligent user in various watch forums with thousands of posts. Many members and also some moderators of the forums knew him personally. In short, he was regarded as serious with integrity, and enjoyed the trust of other members. The man talked about is „ducaticorse21“. This is the name the fraudster used in German and Swiss watch forums.
Repeatedly and over a longer period of time he offered the members of different forums watches and then did not deliver them. According to our knowledge, the damage meanwhile amounts to at least a five-digit Euro sum. Whether he conducted scamming using different member names is currently being investigated. The end of the rope however, is most probably not reached yet. The fraudster, unusual enough, apologized for his actions in a Swiss forum and announced the compensation of the damage he caused. However, this will be difficult for him faced with his financial situation. According to his own statement, he receives Hartz 4 aid. It is also questionable whether he confessed in full, or whether it was only a clever manoeuvre to win time. Danger of absconding is surely given faced with the expected highest penalty.
Some customers thus already filed charges against him. As fraud is an offence that requires public prosecution, the investigative authorities must become active in case of a filed lawsuit. However, in our opinion, the customers have little hope of receiving their money back. At first, surely the treasury will indemnify itself of the fraudster. As the extent of the „traded“ watches and especially the proceeds was larger, commercial activity will be assumed. In some forums, people even assumed he purchased watches directly from manufacturers. Thus, the fraudster will have to expect fiscal claims – independent from his legal prosecution. Whether there will be anything left for the customers after the deduction of all claims of the revenue office, the attorneys and courts is therefore more than questionable. Especially if the fraudster is sentenced to a prison sentence without probation.
Once more this case shows how dangerous the alleged safety in business with private people is over the medium Internet. The fraudster had a good reputation among the other members due to his many forum contributions, and was thus able to pursue his activities over months. Partially he was even protected by other members of the forums, which at first kept the damaged customers from pressing charges. Even now there are forum members that plead for a solution and clarification without of the courtroom. No wonder, as the beginning of November 2008, several members of a Swiss forum, among them kochsmichel, PinkFloyd, Schlumpf and Schredder66 (see image) make out a private meeting with the fraudster. Apparently one knew each other well.
We can only recommend the customers to press charges. This is the only way the total damage can be determined and the authorities can gain an objective and qualified basis for judgement. The real name of „ducaticorse21“ is known to TrustedWatch and is disclosed to damaged customers upon inquiry.