Wings Magazine

News
Fraud scam involving potential sale of aircraft to South Africa

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Fraud scam involving potential sale of aircraft to South Africa

Please be aware of the following fraud scam involving potential sale of aircraft to South Africa in relation to their hosting of the 2010 World Cup.


November 18, 2008  By Robert W. Seaman president - BASS Inc.


Please be aware of the following fraud scam involving potential sale of aircraft to South Africa in relation to their hosting of the 2010 World Cup.


There is a very well-orchestrated scam going on at present that originates from South Africa. A call to the Canadian Trade Commission in South Africa has shown this to be a complete hoax. They have verified that the 2010 LOC Committee is not looking for corporate aircraft to be used in this event.


The story line starts with an overture from a supposed government official looking for a supplier to work with a non-government agency in the search and procurement of a number of corporate aircraft to be used in conjunction with the 2010 World Cup finals. The next step involves communications from both the agent and supposed representatives of the 2010 LOC committee. It involves applications, letters of introduction and of course ultimately the request for information to transfer funds in the purchase of aircraft. Email, websites, fax and telephone calls are all part of this programme. The “scam” plays out over many weeks and follows what appears to be a proper and prescribed path.


The “players” acknowledge the use of escrow agents and proper third party services with documentation, contracts and so forth. Only after a long series of encouraging and positive correspondence and document exchange does it require payment of a non-resident business fee – the fee being a percentage of the proposed service values. There will also be a request to spilt commissions. A couple of North American aircraft broker groups have publicly acknowledged being contacted in this case. It is only through proper due-diligence, caution and an open exchange of information that it has been exposed for what it is – Fraud!

Advertisement


The Trade Commissioner, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada encourages anyone involved in international business affairs, and in need of verification or validity to the requests received, to contact them and put their good services and intelligence to work. They can be found on the web at www.infoexport.gc.ca. There is no fee for this and they are very prompt in their action and response. The web site will help you find a Trade Office and team in the country or region that you are being requested to provide goods and services to. The success of corporate aviation as an industry has come about through our trust, security and accountability. While not in our control and not unexpected, scams like this cast an unnecessary blight and stress on us that we can ill afford. What we sell is time, expertise and trust. Working together and sharing information like this will help us to ensure that our business stays in the good light it has worked so hard to achieve. Please pass this along as you see appropriate.


Robert W. Seaman, president – BASS Inc.

Advertisement

Stories continue below