7 Warning Signs You Are Being Scammed When Buying an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on Farfetch

Extreme Price Differences: If a listing for an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is significantly below market value, it's a major red flag. Scammers often use attractive prices to lure unsuspecting buyers.

Vague or Stock Photos: Legitimate sellers will provide clear, high-resolution images of the actual watch, including details like the serial number and case back. Be wary of listings that use generic or stock photos, or photos that appear to be digitally manipulated.

Seller's Lack of Detailed History or Reviews: While Farfetch has seller ratings, always scrutinize the seller's history. A new seller with no verifiable transaction history, or one with overwhelmingly positive reviews that seem inauthentic, could be a sign of a scam.

Pressure to Complete Transaction Off-Platform: Any attempt by the seller to move the conversation or payment outside of Farfetch's secure system is a massive red flag. This is often a tactic used in 'Designer Replica Bait' scams, where sellers promise a real item but deliver a counterfeit after the transaction is no longer protected.

Requests for Unusual Payment Methods: Be suspicious if a seller insists on payment methods not supported by Farfetch, such as direct bank transfers or cryptocurrency. This is a common tactic in 'Fake Customs Duty Phish' scams, where buyers are directed to pay extra fees through fraudulent channels.

Inconsistent Product Descriptions or Documentation: A genuine Audemars Piguet Royal Oak comes with specific documentation, including warranty cards and certificates of authenticity. If the seller's description is vague about these or provides blurry images, it could indicate a counterfeit or a 'Luxury Pre-Owned Authentication Fraud' attempt.

Unsolicited Offers for 'Better Deals' via Direct Contact: If a seller contacts you directly with an offer that seems too good to be true, it could be a 'Shadow Domain Mirroring' tactic where they try to lure you to a fake website, or a 'Boutique-Impersonation Scam' to gain your trust before defrauding you.