Every year for many years a couple of guys get scammed, it's a shame to say but on this festive and holy time for many religions out come the bad guys.
Now I can tell you most if not all were avoidable here are some common sense let us call them measures.
If a deal is to good to be true it is.
Do not pay gift unless you know the guy, offer to pay fees and send as a purchase it is the safest.
Watch out for fly by night dealers (AAA Swiss my A**), stick w/ our TDs.
Buy the seller not the watch but also buy the buyer an offer from a guy posting regular w/ a VIP or Platinum should always be preferred.
On another note guys will sometimes pop in here to buy who are known/regulars on other boards and will say so, you can PM me for background checks on a buyer or seller for that matter.