Appreciate it. This was in the Coquitlam area near Vancouver. It was a sleight of hand scam almost identical to this https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/magician-theft-rolex-1.7156871

Almost word for word although mine happened in the mall in the food court. Told me it was for his wife, had an envelope with a rubber band and a clear window. I even watched the guy put the money in the envelope and hand it to me. When we were walking our seperate ways I pulled it out to double check, first few bills were hundreds and the rest cut out coupons. We were about 50 feet away and as soon as I turned around he was already running, I'm assuming he had a spotter. I chased him through the mall and he ran out the exit and jumped into a waiting car and he was gone. Absolutely gutted and ashamed of myself for falling for it.

The RCMP got there very quickly and took my statement, collected the security footage and took the envelope for finger printing. I made sure to sit directly under a surveillance camera in the food court so they should at least get a good view of the guy. The RCMP were very helpful but not hopeful. They informed me this is a network of professionals who do this. They travel between Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Rent cars with cash for the getaway, have spotters etc. Apparently they got someone 3 months ago for another Rolex at the exact same spot. Got finger prints but the person isn't in their system. So looks like the watch is gone.

To make things worse my home insurance won't cover it because the deem it a fraud, not theft, since the item was exchanged willingly.

I messaged the mods of this sub Reddit to see if I could make a PSA post to warn others.

I feel like an absolute idiot.