Real Estate Agent out $30,000 from shocking shoe ‘scam’

In a shocking turn of events, a Melbourne real estate agent found himself $30,000 out of pocket after falling victim to a sneaker ‘scam’.

The agent, who had purchased what he believed to be authentic, limited-edition sneakers, was also denied a refund due to a peculiar reason.


The Sneaker ‘Scam’ Unveiled

The real estate agent, whose identity remains undisclosed, purchased several pairs of sneakers from the teenage reseller, believing them to be genuine Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers.

This particular model, released in 2020, was a limited-edition collaboration between the two brands, with only 8500 low-top shoes and 4700 high-top shoes produced.

Each pair was individually numbered and sold via a raffle system, allowing only one pair per customer.


Screenshot 2024-01-03 104653.png
The legitimate Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Image: Stock X


The teenage reseller claimed to have a network of international associates who entered raffles on his behalf and sent the sneakers to him but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The real estate agent, convinced by this claim, purchased four pairs of limited-edition sneakers for prices ranging from $3,800 to $10,000.

He also bought three pairs of Air Jordan 1 in the Bred, Chicago, and Royal colour schemes for $2,690 each.

However, upon receiving the sneakers, the agent noticed defects that led him to believe they were counterfeit.


Unable to reach the teen, he contacted the boy's father, and together, they took the sneakers to a Melbourne sneaker store for authentication.

The store's authenticator confirmed that all the sneakers were indeed counterfeit.

The real estate agent took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in October, seeking a refund for his hefty purchase.

However, in a surprising twist, VCAT member Katherine Metcalf ruled in December that the agent was not entitled to a refund. The reason? The agreement was made with a minor who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.

‘The contract was fully performed while [the seller] was a minor,’ Ms Metcalf wrote in her reasons.

‘Had the agreement been entered into when [the seller] was 18 years old the result might have been different.’

‘While the law generally protects minors from the consequences of their own actions, it could be argued that in the present circumstances it is not the minor who needs protection, but rather the people with whom he chose to do business.’


How to Avoid Falling Victim to a Scam

This case underscores the importance of due diligence when making high-value purchases, especially from private sellers.

It's crucial to verify the authenticity of the product and the seller's credibility before parting with your hard-earned money.

To avoid falling victim to similar scams, consider the following tips:

1. Verify the Seller: Conduct a background check on the seller. Look for reviews or feedback from previous buyers. If the seller is a minor, be aware that they may not be legally capable of entering into a contract.


2. Authenticate the Product: If you're buying a high-value item, especially a limited-edition product, ensure it's authenticated by a reputable source. In this case, the real estate agent only discovered the sneakers were fake after purchasing them.

3. Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. The real estate agent was convinced by the teen's claim of having a network of international associates who could secure limited-edition sneakers. This should have raised a red flag.

4. Seek Legal Advice: If you're unsure about a purchase, especially a high-value one, seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand the terms of the agreement and your rights as a buyer.

If you want help and advice for a scam-related incident, kindly inform your local authorities or visit Scamwatch Australia and report here.

Key Takeaways
  • A Melbourne real estate agent spent $30,000 on sneakers he believed to be counterfeit and was denied a refund due to the age of the seller.
  • The sneakers were part of a limited Dior x Air Jordan collaboration, sold through a raffle system to limit purchases to one pair per customer.
  • Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that the buyer was not entitled to a refund as the contract was with a minor, who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.
  • The teen sneaker reseller claimed to have a system for obtaining the shoes through international associates, but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The sneaker ‘scam’ case is a cautionary tale for all consumers. It's a stark reminder to always exercise due diligence when purchasing, especially from private sellers.

While the allure of limited-edition items can be strong, it's crucial to ensure you're not duped into buying counterfeit products.

What do you think of this story? Have you had experiences like this? Share with us in the comments below!
 
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Poor little real estate agent. How much commission did you earn last financial year through over inflated house prices?

More fool you for buying something sight unseen. Did clients purchase a house from you by just looking at pictures on your website?

I rest my case.
You’re spot on as usual Veggie. More money than sense! I get rather cross when people spend a fortune on unnecessary things like sneakers, art etc & then complain when they get taken for a ride. Though the teen involved needs a severe talking to.
 
In a shocking turn of events, a Melbourne real estate agent found himself $30,000 out of pocket after falling victim to a sneaker ‘scam’.

The agent, who had purchased what he believed to be authentic, limited-edition sneakers, was also denied a refund due to a peculiar reason.


The Sneaker ‘Scam’ Unveiled

The real estate agent, whose identity remains undisclosed, purchased several pairs of sneakers from the teenage reseller, believing them to be genuine Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers.

This particular model, released in 2020, was a limited-edition collaboration between the two brands, with only 8500 low-top shoes and 4700 high-top shoes produced.

Each pair was individually numbered and sold via a raffle system, allowing only one pair per customer.


View attachment 38538
The legitimate Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Image: Stock X


The teenage reseller claimed to have a network of international associates who entered raffles on his behalf and sent the sneakers to him but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The real estate agent, convinced by this claim, purchased four pairs of limited-edition sneakers for prices ranging from $3,800 to $10,000.

He also bought three pairs of Air Jordan 1 in the Bred, Chicago, and Royal colour schemes for $2,690 each.

However, upon receiving the sneakers, the agent noticed defects that led him to believe they were counterfeit.


Unable to reach the teen, he contacted the boy's father, and together, they took the sneakers to a Melbourne sneaker store for authentication.

The store's authenticator confirmed that all the sneakers were indeed counterfeit.

The real estate agent took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in October, seeking a refund for his hefty purchase.

However, in a surprising twist, VCAT member Katherine Metcalf ruled in December that the agent was not entitled to a refund. The reason? The agreement was made with a minor who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.

‘The contract was fully performed while [the seller] was a minor,’ Ms Metcalf wrote in her reasons.

‘Had the agreement been entered into when [the seller] was 18 years old the result might have been different.’

‘While the law generally protects minors from the consequences of their own actions, it could be argued that in the present circumstances it is not the minor who needs protection, but rather the people with whom he chose to do business.’


How to Avoid Falling Victim to a Scam

This case underscores the importance of due diligence when making high-value purchases, especially from private sellers.

It's crucial to verify the authenticity of the product and the seller's credibility before parting with your hard-earned money.

To avoid falling victim to similar scams, consider the following tips:

1. Verify the Seller: Conduct a background check on the seller. Look for reviews or feedback from previous buyers. If the seller is a minor, be aware that they may not be legally capable of entering into a contract.


2. Authenticate the Product: If you're buying a high-value item, especially a limited-edition product, ensure it's authenticated by a reputable source. In this case, the real estate agent only discovered the sneakers were fake after purchasing them.

3. Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. The real estate agent was convinced by the teen's claim of having a network of international associates who could secure limited-edition sneakers. This should have raised a red flag.

4. Seek Legal Advice: If you're unsure about a purchase, especially a high-value one, seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand the terms of the agreement and your rights as a buyer.

If you want help and advice for a scam-related incident, kindly inform your local authorities or visit Scamwatch Australia and report here.

Key Takeaways

  • A Melbourne real estate agent spent $30,000 on sneakers he believed to be counterfeit and was denied a refund due to the age of the seller.
  • The sneakers were part of a limited Dior x Air Jordan collaboration, sold through a raffle system to limit purchases to one pair per customer.
  • Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that the buyer was not entitled to a refund as the contract was with a minor, who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.
  • The teen sneaker reseller claimed to have a system for obtaining the shoes through international associates, but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The sneaker ‘scam’ case is a cautionary tale for all consumers. It's a stark reminder to always exercise due diligence when purchasing, especially from private sellers.

While the allure of limited-edition items can be strong, it's crucial to ensure you're not duped into buying counterfeit products.

What do you think of this story? Have you had experiences like this? Share with us in the comments below!
The father of the boy should have given the agent his money back.
 
curious as to why you think the 'reseller' is actually a teenager? Pure greed was the only reason this idiot fell for it hook line and sinker.
The article says reseller was under 18 so that makes him a teenager. That was why the ridiculous estate agent didn’t get his money back. If he’d been my son he would’ve been paying the money back.
 
I understand that some are willing to spend money on things like designer sneakers, but $30,000?! Those shoes better be able to make their wearer fly :ROFLMAO:
And cook dinner, take out the garbage and wash the dishes....

No. Mr Real Estate man would have a Meile dishwasher.
 
Last edited:
He bought them, so many of them because he was going to resell and "make a killing". Bad luck not this time. But as far as the father/parent of this underage piece of crap make him give the money back.
 
How about the “Williams, the shoe shop”. I ordered and paid for 4 styles of shoes. still waiting three months down the track.
Emailed the company, no replies, emailed proof of purchase, no reply. I seem to think I was scammed.
”seemed genuine”. Duh!!
Did you pay through PayPal, I always do, even if it's a purchase from Myers.
 
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In a shocking turn of events, a Melbourne real estate agent found himself $30,000 out of pocket after falling victim to a sneaker ‘scam’.

The agent, who had purchased what he believed to be authentic, limited-edition sneakers, was also denied a refund due to a peculiar reason.


The Sneaker ‘Scam’ Unveiled

The real estate agent, whose identity remains undisclosed, purchased several pairs of sneakers from the teenage reseller, believing them to be genuine Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers.

This particular model, released in 2020, was a limited-edition collaboration between the two brands, with only 8500 low-top shoes and 4700 high-top shoes produced.

Each pair was individually numbered and sold via a raffle system, allowing only one pair per customer.


View attachment 38538
The legitimate Dior x Air Jordan 1 sneakers. Image: Stock X


The teenage reseller claimed to have a network of international associates who entered raffles on his behalf and sent the sneakers to him but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The real estate agent, convinced by this claim, purchased four pairs of limited-edition sneakers for prices ranging from $3,800 to $10,000.

He also bought three pairs of Air Jordan 1 in the Bred, Chicago, and Royal colour schemes for $2,690 each.

However, upon receiving the sneakers, the agent noticed defects that led him to believe they were counterfeit.


Unable to reach the teen, he contacted the boy's father, and together, they took the sneakers to a Melbourne sneaker store for authentication.

The store's authenticator confirmed that all the sneakers were indeed counterfeit.

The real estate agent took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in October, seeking a refund for his hefty purchase.

However, in a surprising twist, VCAT member Katherine Metcalf ruled in December that the agent was not entitled to a refund. The reason? The agreement was made with a minor who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.

‘The contract was fully performed while [the seller] was a minor,’ Ms Metcalf wrote in her reasons.

‘Had the agreement been entered into when [the seller] was 18 years old the result might have been different.’

‘While the law generally protects minors from the consequences of their own actions, it could be argued that in the present circumstances it is not the minor who needs protection, but rather the people with whom he chose to do business.’


How to Avoid Falling Victim to a Scam

This case underscores the importance of due diligence when making high-value purchases, especially from private sellers.

It's crucial to verify the authenticity of the product and the seller's credibility before parting with your hard-earned money.

To avoid falling victim to similar scams, consider the following tips:

1. Verify the Seller: Conduct a background check on the seller. Look for reviews or feedback from previous buyers. If the seller is a minor, be aware that they may not be legally capable of entering into a contract.


2. Authenticate the Product: If you're buying a high-value item, especially a limited-edition product, ensure it's authenticated by a reputable source. In this case, the real estate agent only discovered the sneakers were fake after purchasing them.

3. Be Wary of Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. The real estate agent was convinced by the teen's claim of having a network of international associates who could secure limited-edition sneakers. This should have raised a red flag.

4. Seek Legal Advice: If you're unsure about a purchase, especially a high-value one, seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand the terms of the agreement and your rights as a buyer.

If you want help and advice for a scam-related incident, kindly inform your local authorities or visit Scamwatch Australia and report here.

Key Takeaways

  • A Melbourne real estate agent spent $30,000 on sneakers he believed to be counterfeit and was denied a refund due to the age of the seller.
  • The sneakers were part of a limited Dior x Air Jordan collaboration, sold through a raffle system to limit purchases to one pair per customer.
  • Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled that the buyer was not entitled to a refund as the contract was with a minor, who did not have full capacity to enter into contracts.
  • The teen sneaker reseller claimed to have a system for obtaining the shoes through international associates, but was later chased and threatened by disgruntled customers over his business dealings.

The sneaker ‘scam’ case is a cautionary tale for all consumers. It's a stark reminder to always exercise due diligence when purchasing, especially from private sellers.

While the allure of limited-edition items can be strong, it's crucial to ensure you're not duped into buying counterfeit products.

What do you think of this story? Have you had experiences like this? Share with us in the comments below!
The shoe is on the other foot so to speak..... that will teach the scum of the earth a lesson. Real estate agents are the lowest form of life.
 
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Reactions: Jarred Santos
Hmmmm… anyone else think the teenager was just a front and using him and his inability to contract was abused by a more senior family member?? Another another “scam victim”…. Whom I’m surprised didn’t think his bank should refund him!
 
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Reactions: PattiB

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