****SCAMMER****JACO/KOBUS/KOSIE RETIEF

[nic weskus]

Hi guys.
Just a heads-up again.

Here is another scammer trying his luck on rc forums. Yet again.

Including contacting people via the "wanted" ads on Avcom.
Not via pm, but via the whatsapp number the OP had posted in his ad.
He then pretends to be a regular avcommer by quoting existing, reputable Avcom names.

Even truecaller is not immune:
For example "Jacobus" becomes Jaco/Jakes or Cobus/Kobus/Koos ; just to name a few.

Names are sometimes chosen from Avcom as a derivate of his own in order to couple a bank-account to the money transfer. Or the "cash-send" option.
Scammers are now even becoming wise to the reluctance to pay with the "instant-money/ cash send option.

As it has been said before on this forum: have someone who lives close to his location go and check out the goods before purchase. A day or two won't make a difference.

Alarm bells should be:
"someone else is already interested, so you had better hurry"
"I am going into town tomorrow to send parcel"
Holding deposits via cash-send

(If it had been such a "bargain", surely the locals would have bought it, or at least recognised it from his photos)

Ask for a few photographs. And some taken from an angle that YOU determine.

Look into the background of the photos the seller had sent. His garage/hangar.Ask about the other aeries/spares in the photo. See if he is knowledgeable about them.


So be aware please...

[Ricoby]

....and never put your contact numbers on the posts. Initial contact should be by PM only. That way, at least you know the person is registered on Avcom.

[nic weskus]

And we caught him out!!!!!!!!!

A wanted ad for a 60 size Stik was placed on Avcom.

The OP had added his tel no in the ad on purpose.

He was contacted by a Jacobus du Toit/ Jacobus Viljoen. Truecaller used.

Says he is from Port Alfred. Lives at the Marina apparently.
R1250.(too good to be true) for the Stik.

When asked for banking details:

Kobus Retief tel no is 078 799 6817
Capitec bank acc no:xxx

Attached also his profile pic per whatsapp.(stolen probably)
And photos of Stik.
Also a whatsapp message between him and the legitimate Avcommer from Polokwane.

So an appointment was made for 11h00 at the gate by the local Avcommers.

No show. No answer. No nothing.
Security don't recognise him either.

Thanks to 3 Avcom members who actually LIVE in Port Alfred this #$@ had been caught with his pants down.

Thís is how scammers operate...

So Kobus/ Jacobus/ Poepol, whatever your name is:
You can be glád that you did not appear at the Marina's gate this morning.

Jy sou 'n moerse pakslae gekry het!!!

Like Richard said, use pm to confirm.
Don't post your number.
Scum like this actually monitor Avcom.

Contact anyone on Avcom in the specific area where you want to buy from. They will gladly assist.

Thát is how we can look after one another's interests.


Apparently this joker is also advertising turbines for dirt cheap.

Safe flying guys
Nic

All thanks to Pip, Johan and Mike!


Ps:
Anyone recognise the people on profile pic or the Stik?
Or the boat in background?

[Multirotordronepilot]

My maat, jy moet nou jou cellphone charge. Anders hoor ons niks meer van one eie Sherlock

[mythbuster007]

Hey guys,

Kobus tried me for a 180 turbine for 10k, sent pics the works...

Didn’t fall for his tricks

[garymac]

....and never put your contact numbers on the posts. Initial contact should be by PM only. That way, at least you know the person is registered on Avcom.

I agree to never put your private number or any one else's but communicate through PM.
The problem on avcom is if you selling for a friend part of the rules is you have to put his number for all to see . Last time I refused to put a friend number on the post the mods gave me a warning and deleted my post

[Vesparado]

That first photo says Chesapeake Bay on it .

Wrong continent.

Red flag

Ves

[Jean van der Riet]

Hi guys .

He contacted me today claiming to have F104 ejection seats nogal ??? @ R10k each , a steal !

Number used : 073 799 xxx
Kobus Retief
Marina , Port Alfred .

I had a bad feeling and checked AVCOM quickly ,and AVCOM saved my ASS !!!! THANKS .

Jean

[jacbot]

That first photo says Chesapeake Bay on it .

Wrong continent.

Red flag

Ves

Chesapeake is also a company in the States that sells boat materials and kits. So, most probably internet pics.

[WasabiRC]

Hi.

This Jaco guy also tried to scam me for Eratix fuselage. Also from Port Alfred. Used number ‭+27 (71) 069-6920‬.
Told him some friends would come and get it. Then I googled the eratix as it had floats on and found the exact same pics on RCGroups posted in 2008.

Sent him the pics and said he’s scamming me. He then blocked me on WhatsApp.

I was stupid and put my cell in ad.
Be careful guys

[Roger]

I need a few volunteers that have been or nearly scammed to help me test something that may assist the communities from this scam. Please reply here or PM me for details.