JOHOR BARU: Three men suffered heavy losses totalling about RM2mil after allegedly being swindled by a watch repairman and reseller.
In the first case, a 34-year-old victim, who only wished to be known as Ching, said he lost a luxury watch worth about RM110,000 after sending it for repairs to a man known as Chai.
“I came to know him in September last year through a friend as I wanted to repair my luxury watch after it stopped running,” he said.
Ching said the suspect had promised a one-year warranty for his services, but the problem persisted.
When he sent his watch to the man to be repaired for the third time in early February, he never saw it again.
“He kept coming up with excuses to delay returning my watch, including claiming that he had sent it to Singapore.
“When I insisted on getting it back, he claimed he had misplaced and lost it,” said Ching.
“I got angry and told him I would make a police report. He later admitted that he had actually sold my watch to someone else without my permission,” he added.
Ching said he has since been unable to contact the man, and has neither recovered the watch nor received any money from the alleged sale.
“I had planned to repair and resell the watch to fund my home renovation in preparation for my wedding. Now I have to put all my plans on hold,” he said.
In a separate case, a 33-year-old construction contractor, known only as Poh, claimed he lost RM90,000 after investing in what he believed was a luxury watch resale scheme by the same individual.
“I first got to know (the suspect) nine years ago as I used to send my watch for repairs at his shop, but we have not been in contact for years.
“He reached out to me again in November last year and said he could help me resell luxury watches for profit,” he said, adding that the man claimed that he purchased watches at lower prices to be resold at a profit of about 10%.
“I agreed and bought three watches from him for a total of RM90,000, which he claimed to have resold at a higher value,” he said.
However, Poh said he never received the promised amount and started questioning the man, who apologised and said he could not produce the money despite already selling the watches.
“I checked his shop in Bandar Dato’ Onn only to find it had been closed since February.
“I suspect I have been scammed and I hope others will be more cautious when dealing with watch resellers,” he added.
The matter was highlighted during a press conference organised by Johor Jaya assemblyman’s special officer Lee Wern Yiing, who said they have received three complaints involving the same individual, with total losses amounting to about RM2mil.
She said a third victim, also involved in the watch reselling business, alleged that he had paid about RM1.8mil in phases to purchase watches but never received the items.
“I believe there are more victims out there and urge them to come forward and lodge a report,” she said, adding that she would assist the victims in following up on the matter with the police.
