Beware! A con artist is targeting South African wine producers

Listen up! Oneiric Wines in Elgin fell for a scam by a con artist who are doing the rounds in the South African wine scene. Be aware, because you and your wines might be next.

Owner Shan Pascall posted the following message to her Facebook page.

Be sure to share the post to all your networks to stop this scamster in his tracks. Also, if you are in the restaurant or wine distribution business, be cautious! This con man is desperate to sell the 40 cases of Oneiric wine he stole.

Shan Pascall

I want this to go viral. Share it with everyone you know.. everyone who works an honest day.

I had a chap, from a “company” called AFRICAN PROJECTS call me last week Thursday saying he was a caterer in Camps Bay and had been let down for an event that night by his wine supplier. The goods hadn’t arrived and he had heard great things about Oneiric and was hoping last minute to get Oneiric for the event.

He needed 40 cases of wine. Now under normal protocol I request all sorts of things for assurity.. copy of ID, copy of business reg and a full page of information etc, but as I was travelling (I AM Oneiric wines, solo) and this was a rush order and the questions I asked him he was able to answer dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s, I let it slide thinking we would sort that out later.

I said we could unfortunately not deliver the goods without immediate payment and proof thereof, which he dutifuly sent through and the wines were then delivered. He had offered to collect from Elgin but I offered that it was a little far for him to travel. This said he then offered a half way point and his guys (all foreign) met my foreman at the BP garage at the airport and took him from there to the hanger at Airports Industria where the wines were offloaded.

The following day, Friday, he phoned to say the wines had been excellent and worked well at the event and he would like to work with us for all his events in the future. He then asked if we sold anything other than wine and I mentioned we had olive oil etc.

This is where I became weary.

He asked for a rush order of 200 litres of olive oil. Warning bells. I dont care what kind of establishment you run but who needs 200 litres olive oil and in a hurry. Here is where I called our accountant to see if the money had come through for the wine . He said because the account was with ABSA it would take three days to clear.

Over the course of the weekend the same chap “placed” another order for another 40 cases wine and sent me a “proof of payment”. He badgered me all weekend for the delivery and I replied that I would respond on Monday.

Of course Monday came and ABSA called to say the tracking number on the pop was incorrect and not to release the goods. Too late.

Now of course he is unreachable. His phone just rings. Our accountant called and managed to get through once but now too cannot get through to him.

I believe this guy is going to hit any business he can, wine, produce etc; anyone who has goods they sell… This guy went by the name of Shaun Williams from a company called African Projects. I assume neither are a constant name.

His modus operandi: He places an order close to a weekend because transfers takes 2 – 3 days to clear and by the time you query the transaction he is long gone. He needs the goods in an unbelievable hurry. Will offer to collect. He “pays” immediately.

What can you do? Share. Share this on your wall, via email etc and suggest your friends to share it. Let this not happen to someone you know. If it has happened to you or someone you know please let me know.

And side note, I have learnt my lesson here and it hurt. But should you meet a guy selling Oneiric wine, most notably the Oneiric Shiraz… he’s the guy. Report him or take a pic of him if you can.

DON’T become a victim! PLEASE SHARE THIS TO ALL YOUR SOCIAL NETWORKS.