Phony Rolex Alert: Watch Shop Owner Calls Out Counterfeit King
Ever heard the phrase “fake it till you make it”? One man took it a bit too literally and tried to sell a fake Rolex like it was a brand‑new luxury timepiece. The plot thickened when the watch shop owner in Far East Plaza, Edmund Koh, put a stop to it.
What Happened?
On a Saturday afternoon (May 10, around 1 pm) a guy walked into Three Crowns Watches and Jewellery Pte Ltd., claiming that his dad had bought the watch “brand new” but lost the box and certificate. He was hoping to pocket a neat $19,000 for a Rolex GMT‑Master II. All seemed fine until the shop owner took a closer look.
Edmund, a seasoned watch aficionado who once served as a police officer, thought the timepiece was “very real” at first glance, but something felt off. The tiny mini‑crown crest on the watch looked made‑up. He didn’t just drop his jaws; he opened the back case, showing the customer that the mechanism was a flimsy plastic contraption disguised as gold.
“It’s not the same as a genuine Rolex—no real metal, no authentic clasps,” he told the skeptical shopper. The customer tried to play it cool, but when confronted with the evidence, he eventually left the shop, still insisting he was a “good guy.”
The TikTok Twist
Leaping beyond the shop, TikTok user Bruceleekoh shared the entire showdown in a 59‑second clip. The 92,000 views and over 200 comments came in because people love an honest watch expert doing his job.
Edmund’s Fair‑Play Verdict
Despite catching a foul play, the shop owner didn’t call the police. He chose a warning and a stern talking‑to, citing his honor from a 1981 commendation by the Singapore Police Force. “I’m more about saving the customer from a bad day than punishing the liar,” Edmund explained. Five fakes over two years and he’s done the same—no police report, just a heart‑felt “no.”
Netizens Who Liked the Mercy
- “You have a kind heart not to report. Very rare,” wrote one on the comment section.
- Other fans applauded the audacity of the customer to have gone to a reputable shop.
So, the next time you see a watch that looks suspiciously cheap or wonder if it’s a counterfeit, remember the watch shop hero in Far East Plaza who knows when a Rolex is truly worthy of its price. His story proves that honesty still generates big view‑numbers in 2024.
Copying Trademarks: A Fine Business Model?
In the world of bright logos and shiny brand names, there’s one rule that keeps everybody honest: Don’t mimic trademarks. The Trade Marks Act says that if you try to forge a logo or tweak someone else’s brand on a genuine product, you’re stepping into serious legal territory.
What Happens if You Get Caught?
- Money Matters: A guilty party can face a hefty fine of up to $100,000.
- Time Out: The law allows for up to five years in prison if you’re on the board of the wrong side.
- The Big Two: In some cases, both the fine and jail time can be slapped on your sentence.
Why This Matters to Everyone
Think of it like this: You’re copying a popular phone’s logo and slapping it on your own clever gadget. Not only are you infringing on a brand’s identity, but you’re also turning that product into a legal piggyback ride. The law walks in with the full force of a business-courteous “no you can’t” and pays attention.
Case Spotlight
In a recent, almost comic twist, a young dude decked out in a counterfeit Rolex was suspected of stealing two real ones from a shop at Far East Plaza. Talk about a rolex‑ing paradox! It’s a reminder that when you mix counterfeit fashion with burglary, you end up on multiple wrongs lists.
Bottom line? Treat trademarks like your personal puzzle – don’t cheat, or you’ll end up with a hefty fine and a chapter in jail terms faster than you can say “bad attorney.”
