Not everything that shines is gold

Scam offers of watches on the Internet are increasing

(08/2009) There are thousands of them on the Internet, on auction platforms and in online shops – Advertisement statements about the material used for watches and jewellery that are generally intentional, misleading, and contrary to competition. For example, gold-plated watches are called „golden luxury watch“ or „Genuine gold watch“. Both statements are clearly contrary to competition and misleading for a gold-plated watch.

Total damage greater than expected at first

Online fraudster ducaticorse21 scams forum members

(06/2009) 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.

Incomprehensible

Die Zeit and Google advertise watch replicas and copied watches

(05/2009) Advertisements from Google, so-called Google-Ads have their traps. Even renowned publications like „Die Zeit“ are not protected against image-damaging advertisements on their Internet appearances, as long as they automatically place advertisements from Google. That even Internet pages with offers relevant for legal prosecution in Germany are operated is remarkable and surely not in the interest of the involved companies.

Real bargain?

GlückTV also offers watches by André Belfort

(04/2009) This may sound incredible, but the TV channel GlückTV also sells watches by André Belfort. Apparently, the business concept of the two GlückTV executives Bernd Fuhlert and Julian Brakmann is also applicable for “luxury brands”. The André Belfort Aphrodite Gold Zirkonia, for example, is a real bargain at GlückTV. Instead of a whopping 3,190Euro, the watch only costs 790 Euro, not including shipping costs though.

GlückTV and its bargains with watches by Lydia David & sons

(04/2009) Since 2008, the TV channel GlückTv is the proprietor of the brand Lydia David & sons, with the registration number 302008008658. The brand is registered at the German Patent and Trade Mark Office for the categories 14, 16 and 18, thus also for watches and jewelry. But what exactly is the reason for a TV channel owning a watch and jewelry brand?

Remarkable business model

What do Ebay, Christian Gerner and Andre Belfort have in common?

(04/2009) Christian Gerner is a registered watchmaker of the Chamber of Handicraft of Lower Bavaria according to his own statements. Based on that, the best basis for selling watches. And so Christian Gerner a.k.a. „time365“ states on his Ebay-about me page: „We have a store in Altdorf“. But Christian Gerner is also a large online dealer. With over 17.000 ratings and hundreds of watches offered, he is an Ebay-Powerseller.

Online fraud with brand name watches

More and more aggrieved Ebay customers in the Topseconds case

(02/2009) The Topseconds case goes beyond all dimensions. This is why the police and the public prosecutor´s office are now going new ways. On February 17^th, 2009, over 11.000 damaged customers were addressed by Topsconds via email.  Senior persecutor Fred Apostel explains: „The customers all have an Internet connection that they use“ and "this is why we choose to go this way." In the mail, the damaged Ebay customers are referred to a homepage specifically installed for them. Technical processing is more convenient and it is easier to reach everybody, because there are simply so many customers, say the prosecutors.

Unacceptable behaviour

Watch author Gerd-Lothar Reschke blocked on Watch-Wiki

(01/2009) Trouble on the renowned watch internet site Watch-Wiki. One of the participants, the famous watch author Gerd-Lothar Reschke a.k.a „Gerd-Lothar“ was banned from Watch-Wiki in January 2009, due to gross violation of the internal rules. Apparently Gerd-Lothar Reschke tried to use the homepage, which is frequented strongly by watch lovers, for his own benefit.

Ambitious prices

Königswerk – the brands for kings and those who want to become one!

(01/2009) Some providers on Ebay can simply just not forego offering customers Chinese watch models with new and creative brand names. One these providers is also Mr. W from Idar-Oberstein who became known with his „Graf von Monte Wehro“ watches, and still offers his watches on Ebay as member "gmnachlass" until this day. And apparently the provider "gmnachlass" is so successful with over 14.000 ratings that one watch brand is no longer sufficient.

Damage amounting to millions

No Ebay-buyer protection in the Topseconds case – Customers are left with the damages!

(12/2008) Buying is a thing of trust – especially in the Internet auction house Ebay. But time and again, fraudsters with attractive offers creep in and subsequently accept the transferred money from the customers, but do not deliver the goods. The newest case: Topseconds. Topseconds GmbH has been selling watches of trend brands as Powerseller under the name "topseconds" on Ebay for years. 43.000 ratings make a serious impression. But the beginning of December 2008, the Internet auction house suddenly blocked the account. As is common in such cases but with significant delay and much too late for those damaged.

Thousands of aggrieved customers

Topseconds: Fraud amounting to millions with watches on Ebay more and more probable

(12/2008) As of December 17^th, 2008, it is official: The insolvency proceedings against the company Topseconds GmbH have been initiated. It seems like the suspicions and accusations against Topseconds are confirmed and damage to Ebay customers was done by fraud that amounts to millions. In the framework of the investigation due to suspicions of fraud, the public prosecutor’s office and the police searched several buildings on December 18th, among others a former business residence in Rheinbach. Thousands of Ebay customers are still waiting for the already paid for watches of the company Topseconds GmbH.

Internet fraud

Watch trade on Chrono24 exposed to security problems

(10/2008) Virtually every day, new announcements and warnings about internet fraud are issued. It seems that the more elaborated the security precautions are, the more elaborated become the fraudsters’ tricks. The internet crime rate continues to grow rapidly. Again and again, online buyers have to come to realize that the presumed bargain was actually a rip-off.

Questionable Home-Shopping

Attention when buying brand name watches on HSE24, 123tv and QVC

(05/2008) Who does not know them! The homeshopping-stations HSE24, 123tv, QVC and many more. In times of digital transmission technology they are sprouting out of the ground like mushrooms. Watches are also increasingly sold over this new sales channel! And it seems that all sales methods that were already practised online – as dubious as they may be -  are now being used again and recycled on television.

Unrealistic price statements?

Graf von Monte Wehro – second part!

(04/2008) „Questionable prices“ - this was our title for the online offers of the brand „Graf von Monte Wehro“. Usually those termed such by us react with all kinds of legal attempts to prevent our reporting. However, this was always destined to fail. And also the owner of the brand „Graf von Monte Wehro“ Mr W. was seemingly drawn back and forth on how to react to the facts we presented. Especially after TrustedWatch conducted further research.

The watch city Fuchsstadt

Oliver W. - Saul or Paul?

(04/2008) Rudolf Moshammer, Thomas Anders and „Alarm für Cobra 11". The Manager of  Riedenschild GmbH Oliver W., known to many under his former name B., loves sparkling names to market his watches. Just a few years ago the brand Riedenschild was unknown.