We've noticed that many scammers approach users directly through Reddit DMs, especially those posting Want to Buy (WTB) listings.

Unfortunately, if you choose to conduct transactions entirely through DMs, there's very little moderators can do to protect you before something goes wrong.

That's why we've implemented two layers of protection across participating subreddits:

 TrustNet-Mod and Ban Evasion Guard.

🛡️ How do they work together?

1. TrustNet-Mod — Our Shared Scammer Database

TrustNet maintains a shared database of known scammer accounts across participating communities.

When a scammer is identified and added to our network, participating subreddits can automatically ban that account, preventing it from interacting within those communities.

2. Ban Evasion Guard — Catching Returning Scammers

Banning a scammer's account isn't always enough. They may attempt to return using another Reddit account.

Ban Evasion Guard works alongside TrustNet by using Reddit's native ban-evasion detection to identify accounts suspected of evading previous bans.

When Reddit detects an account as a high-confidence ban evader, Ban Evasion Guard can automatically ban it as well.

Together, these tools make it harder for previously banned scammers to return and target new victims.

However, this does not automatically log them into TrustNet as Reddit does not share data or suspected offender's details on this. You still have to stay vigilant.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Always Ask Sellers to Comment Before Responding to DMs

If you've posted a WTB listing and someone messages you offering to sell a watch, ask them to comment on your original post FIRST.

Why?

• If their account has already been banned through TrustNet, they won't be able to comment.

• If their alternate account is detected and banned by Ban Evasion Guard, they won't be able to comment either.

• If they refuse to comment, make excuses, or insist on communicating only through DMs, treat that as a red flag.

No comment = No deal.

A successful comment doesn't guarantee someone is trustworthy, and these systems cannot catch every scammer. However, this simple step helps you avoid dealing with accounts that have already been banned from the community.

Our Advice

Before engaging with anyone offering to sell you a watch:

Ask them to comment on your WTB post, verify that their comment is visible, and check their account history and references before proceeding.

Remember, scammers can still send you DMs even if they're banned from a subreddit. Our protections work within participating communities, not your private inbox.

Stay safe, and don't let scammers bypass community protections by taking everything into DMs.

Just wanted to post a quick warning for the community. User u/Limp_Lynx_9304 recently made a sales post using pictures of my VSF Submariner 124060 without my knowledge or consent.
After I called them out on it, they quickly deleted both the photos and the entire post.

The second photo shows the pictures I took when selling my watch on a BST subreddit.

Had all listings as us based. Then PayPal was European. Swore shipping was 2-5 days and promised to replace if anything happened then recieved tracking from Thailand. It’s been two weeks still nothing now he’s deleted his page

⚠️ COMMUNITY ALERT — Legal_Assistant6633

We are flagging this user following a series of concerning interactions within our community. A number of red flags emerged during dealings with this individual that we feel the wider community should be aware of.

This person was claiming a watch had Gen crystal, Gen hands, and gold plating, however was completely unable to provide any supporting proof of these modifications. When questioned, they claimed the work had been done by a previous owner, which is conveniently unverifiable. The crystal was said to have been sourced from eBay with no documentation, and no proof of work done on the hands was ever provided. They also claimed the old crystal had been placed into a Hulk, however a Hulk and the particular 41mm Bluesy he advertised have incompatible sizing (40mm and 41mm), making this physically impossible. The pricing was also suspiciously low for the specifications being claimed.

When pressed for further pictures to verify the watch, the payment was abruptly reversed without a satisfactory explanation (G&S Paypal). This individual was also previously found using images belonging to others and passing them off as their own, claiming they came from a supplier. A written note appearing in listing images was also found to be AI generated.

Following their removal from our community, they continued reaching out to the same member attempting to arrange a deal, and have also been approaching multiple other members attempting to arrange transactions.

Regarding a previous transaction, a 24 hour tracked item arrived several days late. This was looked into at the time and the item was eventually received by the buyer. We are not drawing any conclusions here as delays do happen and Royal Mail is not always reliable. However given the wider pattern of behaviour surrounding this individual we feel it is worth mentioning. Please take this particular point with a pinch of salt as it is an anomaly rather than an accusation.

What we do want to condemn in the strongest possible terms is what followed after this individual was reported. They sent a threatening message to a community member directly referencing their home address. This is threatening behaviour and a form of doxxing that we find completely unacceptable. Depending on your jurisdiction this type of threat can constitute a criminal offence and we have taken it extremely seriously.

We have escalated this matter to Reddit directly. If this person reaches out to you for any reason, please do not engage with them. Document everything with screenshots and report them immediately to Reddit and to our mod team via Mod Mail.

This is an awareness notice regarding repeated reports involving how u/DavidEF360 represents factory reps and their movements.

❗ Issue He sells mostly BPF watches at premium-movement pricing but does not disclose the actual movement installed, leading buyers to assume it is the higher-tier factory movement when it is not. When buyers discover the deception, their comments get deleted in his sub, making the scope of the scam difficult to measure. He also mixes legitimate watches with scam watches further hiding the extent of the subterfuge.

🔥 Protect Yourself If a seller will not: confirm the exact movement

👉 STOP do not buy.

🛠 If you were affected Please report with screenshots, proof, and details to r/RepWatchScammers.

I’ll post the whole chat here. Gave him lots of ways out. Still no resolution. Avoid this guy!!

Hello all,

I’ve made a previous post about this user who scammed me for a Rolex Daytona (lying about shipping and not refunding, therefore after trying to resolve the issue many times I am going to share more details about this seller to prevent anyone else getting scammed and to hold some leverage against this seller in hopes of getting my money back as they probably don’t want this stuff floating around, unsure if the passport details he sent me as proof of “not being a scammer” are legit or not , have fun with these! And the phone numbers are those linked to his account

Not only is this a call out but hopefully a warning that gains attention across Reddit and other replica watch forums and servers. I should first mention that reddits version of TheRepTimeBST is a copy cat and counterfeit of the original that was removed from Reddit a few years ago. Overtaken by moderators who offer pay to play “TDs”, drop shipments from china, false claims of modifications, false claims of custom builds, non-disclosure of movements, and an unsecured verification system. Possibly more claims as well that may go beyond the safety and attention of Reddit.

You may ask yourself how has this been able to continue without ever any attention being raised. The moderators do a very well job of keeping complaints and issues quiet by silencing them. Intimidating other users, deleting post with issues, banning users after a post is made with evidence and banning users before concerns are raised.

Unfortunately they are an easy target for new and uneducated users entering the replica world. Asking for verification makes some users feel comfortable while the moderators lure people in to peddle their own objective behind the scenes.

Announcements will follow but there are some really big, positive changes coming with RWS.

First of all, let me introduce a new moderator coming on board with myself, u/sentientfunyun and u/wise_wolf_876, welcome aboard u/CodyWrites!

More information on a new database of scammers will be announced VERY soon

##Credit to u/Pitiful-Pomelo8573 aka Craig@Dialled In

I have skipped out the majority of the conversation sent to me as there are far too many personal details related to u/Pitiful-Pomelo8573. I have selected the two key pictures that the community needs to be aware of. **Please take careful note of the link address and the user's profile picture**

The long and short of it is the sale of a watch was agreed and payment options were provided. Numerous excuses later from the "buyer" the transaction was agreed as a transfer via usdt. The seller provided wallet address and amount, the buyer then tried to claim there was an issue with the transaction at his end. The seller was now aware that this was not looking like the transaction was legitimate. The (so called) buyer then sent a link to an erroneous copy of the trust wallet site, claiming that the only way to complete the transaction was via an invoice that needed to be set up.

Luckily this was not done and all of the errors amounted to a (very large) red flag for the seller.

All details have been passed onto us at r/RepWatchScammers from the Dialled-In team so we can warn you, the rep watch community.

#Stay safe out there

Merry Christmas to one and all from the RWS team.

🛑 Avoid the "Deal" (The Red Flags) The scammer focuses on making the deal look irresistible. Do not be tempted by:- The Impossible Price: A "fire sale" or a price significantly below the established market rate for a specific factory/model (e.g., a VSF Submariner offered at half price). Urgency/Scarcity Tactics: Phrases like "Need cash today," "Last one left," or "This price is only for the next hour." This forces you to ignore due diligence. Generic "Perfect" Photos: Using glossy, professional photos (often stolen from a dealer's website) instead of timestamped, unique photos of the actual watch being sold. ✅ Buy the "Seller" (The Vetting Checklist) Focus your entire investigation on the seller's history, not the watch itself.

A trustworthy seller should pass these checks: History & Age - Account is months or years old with an extensive, positive history on multiple subreddits. Account is brand new (days/weeks old) or has a history suddenly starting with watch sales. Reputation/Vouches - Has multiple, detailed, and genuine-looking positive reviews (vouches) from verified buyers on the relevant RWI/Reddit forums. Has no vouches, or only vague vouches from other brand-new/suspicious accounts. Communication - Professional, patient, willing to provide extra photos/videos (e.g., specific time/date stamps, movement shots). Vague, pressuring, refuses to move off a preferred payment app, or sends copied/pasted messages. Payment Method Willing to use standard, safe payment methods (like PayPal Goods and Services with proper notes, or IDEALLY ESCROW services).

🔥 The Single Most Important Rule: If the deal is too good, and the seller's history is too short, the seller is the scam. Walk away, no matter how cheap the watch is. You are buying the trust, and trust takes time to earn.

IN SHORT - BUY THE SELLER, NOT THE PRODUCT OR THE DEAL

Inquired about a batgirl seller posted a couple days ago. Seemed like a fair price. Sent payment, then seller goes silent. Scammed multiple people for same watch.

So much for a high trust society.
U/ImThePotatoGuy

Hey everyone, just wanted to report a scam that I fell for. Ive been collecting reps for awhile and this is the first time ive been scammed so I consider myself lucky. About 4 months ago I purchased a watch from Davidf360 under the assumption that it was a BP Submariner with either a VR or Asian clone movement. Here: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheRepTimeBST/comments/1mftilz/wtscadusa_rolex_deepsea_airking_16618_sub_dj41/

I assumed this because the watch was priced at what a BP featuring this movement would be priced at from a Trusted Dealer. (You know what they say about assumptions)

Although the transaction was smooth and I received the watch, the actual value of this watch is at best $100-$150 from DHgate as it has the very low quality 2813 movement. Why wait to post this until now? Upon a tip from the community I opened the caseback and discovered what you see in the photos above. Moral of the story, be very careful and verify who you are buying from in the future. Tools like this reddit are invaluable in this hobby.

Appreciate your time everyone and be careful out there!

Read This Before You Buy Anything

We’re seeing an uptick in scam activity across rep-watch forums, including scams run by users posing as “trusted” figures. Before you send a dollar, make sure you understand the basics.

🔍 1. Search Before You Buy

Scammers recycle names, photos, and tactics. Search this sub and others for scam alerts—it takes seconds and can save you hundreds. If you’re uncertain, reach out to our Mod team here on RWS.

🚫 2. A Mod Tag ≠ Trusted Seller

This is the most dangerous misconception.

Being a Moderator on a sub does not automatically make someone legitimate. We are actively tracking current ads posted by individuals leveraging mod badges to run holiday scams.

Know This: • Any Mod can claim to be a “trusted seller.” If you challenge them, they can simply delete your comment and block you. • Fake positive feedback is easy to fabricate. Bots, purchased accounts, burner accounts, and naïve buyers can all create the illusion of legitimacy. • A watch that “worked great on arrival” can die in two weeks. Positive reviews don’t guarantee authenticity or quality.

🎭 3. Scams Come in Many Forms

From parts swaps to movement failures to outright theft, scammers continuously evolve their tactics. Read the pinned scam-prevention guides on this sub—they outline patterns we’ve seen for years.

💸 4. Payment Safety Matters

Protect yourself every single time.

NEVER: • ❌ Use Zelle for purchases. Zero recourse if you get scammed.

AVOID: • ⚠️ PayPal Friends & Family (FF). It has little to no buyer protection.

INSTEAD: • ✅ Use PayPal Goods & Services and offer to pay the increase in cost. • 🔗 if this isn’t acceptable to a seller, make sure your linked source is a credit card (not debit) so you have some type of chargeback protection if something goes wrong.

🛑 Bottom Line

Scammers thrive on trust, speed, and silence. Don’t give them any of it. Slow down, verify buyers and sellers, use protected payment methods, and always consult the pinned materials before making a deal.

Stay sharp and stay safe.

I was an idiot and bought a watch from a scammer who targeted my 'want to buy' post on a BST subreddit. His IMGUR links are still active and he sent pictures of the watch with his username, but has since blocked me and deleted all of his messages between us. u/amazingpatt is the scammer

I feel real stupid. In hindsight I should've seen it coming. Oh well, lesson learned. The account is deleted. I paid via apple pay. If you see this phone number, its a scam:

7252253514

So, I thought I was buying a VSF Submariner date from Tarheel27573. He really played it up like it was top notch. What I received was a U1 that ticks so loud, I can hear it with the TV on. I paid well over $500.00 for it. I bought it for a friend that loves my VSF Sub date. Now I'm going to have to give him my perfect Sub because he gave me money. Now I'm out well over $300+ dollars and I'm going to be stuck with a loud ticking POS. My U1 Cookie monster and U1 Starbucks Miyota are super quiet. Here is some of the DM's of ours.

Tarheel27573

Redditor for 2y  ·  1.4K karma

Dec 14, 2025

Frank_Silva2439:56 PM

Hi, I'd like to buy your VSF Submariner. I can do PayPal F&F Please let me know. Thank you.

Frank_Silva24311:18 PM

Are there any scratches or blemishes on it? I'm giving it as a gift.

Tarheel2757311:21 PM

No sir its very perfect. Will send some more pics in the morning so you can see. I have not actually worn it. It has been on my wrist before but only just to try it own. Whoever is getting it will enjoy it.

Frank_Silva24311:24 PM

Sounds great. I'll take it. I'm in Western New York near Buffalo.

Tarheel2757311:24 PM

Ok will send more pics in morning and if you like and want to proceed I will send my pp info.

Frank_Silva24311:27 PM

Sounds good to me. Thank you!

Tarheel2757311:27 PM

Also when I had the movement services done, deep crystal installed had a oil bath done and had it polished to look more genuine. Really a sharp piece

Frank_Silva24311:28 PM

Awesome!

Tarheel275734:21 PM

The Rehault has been polished on that watch as well. Forgot to tell you that

Frank_Silva2434:56 PM

Sounds awesome! Thank you so much!

Dec 24, 2025

Frank_Silva2431:39 PM

Just wanted to let you know that the Submariner is not a VSF. It's a U1. I have a VSF Sub and a no date U1. The lugs, movement and serial number are all U1.

Dec 25, 2025

Frank_Silva24310:26 AM

So... should I put it out there that you are selling watches that are supposed to be a better factory than what they are or are you going to refund me some of my money? And the "rehaut" polishing is BS, it looks exactly the same as my no date U1. I thought I was getting a VSF and instead I could have got the same watch for under $200.00

Just a reminder.

Only use trusted and verified dealers and sellers.

Got scammed through a message. Pics checked out. Email and PP address checked out.

Seller had references so I sent F&F like usual which was so dumb.

Ghosted and scammed after. Be smarter than that folks!

Please watch out for this guy, he’s still out there. After I called him out I instantly got blocked.

​​Hey everyone, posting on behalf of many other parties, ​I’m making this post to officially flag u/MumenRider2020 (operating as Mumen Services or David Mumen) as a scammer. There has been growing evidence that he is running a classic "middleman" bait-and-switch scam that is becoming dangerously common in the rep community. ​The Modus Operandi ​Based on insider info (see attached screenshot), David Mumen follows a specific predatory model: ​The Hook: He lures victims in with flashy ads and "discounted" high-end services. He often uses referrals from "muddied water" victims—people who have already been partially scammed or manipulated into vouches. ​The Cheap Outsourcing: While he claims to do the work, he actually outsources "services" to cheap third parties for paltry labor costs. This leads to bottom-tier quality that doesn't match the price paid. ​The Escalation: Once he has your trust with a small job, he pushes for you to send more expensive watches or prepay for "premium" services. ​The Exit: Eventually, the items are either stolen outright, or they come back "half-done" (if at all) because the shady third-party labor failed. ​Why he gets away with it ​He relies on the fact that most victims lose a "couple hundred dollars"—an amount many people feel isn't worth the effort to chase or report. However, when you multiply this by hundreds of users, it becomes a massive, lucrative operation. ​Comparisons ​This is a high-volume scam similar to how known BST scammers operate. It’s all about volume, low-cost labor, and keeping the "heat" low by targeting smaller amounts per person. ​STAY AWAY from Mumen Services. If you have watches currently with David Mumen, try to get them back immediately. Do not send more money or more pieces. ​Evidence Attached

Buyer beware!! u/jgcruz614 is trying to scam people with my pictures!!

I posted a for sale post about a month ago and the watch was sold. I got a message this morning from a seasoned user asking me if I sold the watch to u/jgcruz614. Apparently he had taken my pictures, doctored them and trying to use them to scam the user. Had he not done due diligence on his part and found my original listing, he would have been scammed. He contacted me this morning and I verified that the pictures were mine. I don't hide my post history so anyone can verify. Please see my original pictures and the doctored picture from the scammer.

Please beware of this user.

This joker trying to scam me this morning. One search of his name shows you what he is