football kit scam

[sandysnow]

Don't know if this was the same guy we ran into or not. We were on Dickerson Beach and a young man came by, said he was 16 and went into his spiel. I said "Sorry, no", then he approached another man and while I was watching the encounter, he was watching me. When the tourist declined, he approached a group of locals playing dominos in area of Tony's Beach Restaurant & just went on a rampage against me. After he finally walked off and the game broke up, one of the older men (a Master Weaver) approached us and tried to explain that he really did a lot of good and had to keep some of the money for himself. Would we rather he stole or was a beggar? My husband said he'd rather he got a job. He went on to explain how the guy had no father, mother and no family and if we were in Jamaica I'd be dead for snitching on him. I felt threatened and uncomfortable and would not go back to that area again or any other area that tolerated people like that. I believe there are more than one of them, maybe a whole platoon.

Be warned if you run into someone like this, get in your car and leave.
Sandy

[jhmax]

So far as I know Sandy, there is only one of him, but Antigua is a small island and this guy gets around a lot. I encounter him more than once most visits (I visited Antigua 4 times last year), and usually, if you just say "no thank you", or " no man", he goes away. Some folks (like yourself) appear to get more grief from him more or less at random, and that's the problem. All accounts I've heard are in accord that he solicits money under false pretences, so the idea that he does a lot of good is not common currency. The universal story I hear is that all the money he collects for this 'youth football team tour' goes to maintaining his own lifestyle, whatever that is. He's well known in Antigua, to the extent that I've seen local tourist business employees bump fists with him, then apparently warn him off hassling the tourists enjoying their facilities.

So here's a challenge - if anyone would care to justify this man's activities (including himself), or feel he's been misrepresented, let's hear you, I'm open to persuasion. Failing that, I would ask Antiguan tourist authorities - PLEASE do something about this. This man is actively damaging Antiguan tourism by his current activities, and reports of aggression by him appear to be increasing despite his court appearance last year. Experiencing an aggressive scam artist right in your face at a holiday destination is an open invitation not to return to that place. He's the only one I've met in Antigua, and he's costing the island money - see the previous posts of other tourists here and elsewhere. He's also an accident waiting to happen, because sooner or later he may get nasty at random with a tourist who is equipped to return his aggression in spades - I hope that none of us want that to happen.

Max

[gogandy]

Max, all that hassle and grief we went through last year with this thief turned out to be a complete waste of time. When we appeared in court as witnesses against him, he was remanded on bail until a later date. I have kept in contact with the Manager of Hotel where we stayed, but as far as they know he was never hauled up again. One of the Security Guards at the Hotel was also going to be a witness, but never appeared. I still think Philmore Otto Jnr. aka 'Kevin', uses his ill-gotten gains to smooth his way out of the court house. On a good day he makes more than the police who keep on arresting,and then releasing him. I still think the authorities turn a blind eye to this kind of behaviour because to them, it's just more money coming from the tourists and into Antiguan hands,and as nobody gets hurt, then they let him get on with it. He seems to spend a night or two in custody every few months and then is released to start all over again when a new batch of tourists have arrived. Even though Antigua was one of our favourites, we haven't been back and don't intend to ever again.

[jhmax]

Gogandy - my last post crossed with yours - sorry to hear that nothing happened. Tourist authorities - one of your officials assured me in writing last year that legislation was imminently being brought in to restrict the activities of people like 'Kevin'. What has happened about that please? Antigua cannot ignore this, especially in the current global economic situation. The poster above never intends to visit Antigua again directly because of this guy - can you afford that?

Max

[franbanks]

Last spotted by us in St Johns by the Australian ice cream parlour, - he was on a push bike being verbally abusive to many people,i had half a mind to remove the bike from under him and throw it in the harbour along with him ! he leaves a nasty trail that spoils the visit to Antigua

[sandysnow]

You are all so right. I was not comfortable on that beach & will never go to that beach again and feel at ease, or without the memory of that aweful person. But I guess I should be thankful I only ran into him once in the two weeks I was there. He does leave a stain on the reputation of the island & at one point I thought; after one visit, I'm done with this island. I've had 30 years of good to great experiences on many islands, I don't need to feel like the proverbial cow to be milked just because I'm a tourist. I work hard and have put in my years to get where I am, honestly, and the Antiguan government should do something about this person. I know how to handle beggars & always feel deeply for the homeless, but the foul language he used that day was unbelievable in a public place or anyplace. Is he from Antigua; if not he should be thrown off the deep end?

My husband thought it would maybe have been worthwhile if we'd engaged him in conversation, taken a picture of his papers but we had no advance notice of his approach. He waited until my husband went to get us beer, I believe he singles out lone people.

But then, while @ Dogwatch Tavern having a drink @ the bar, my husband got talking to a local guy next to him and they got into a lengthy conversation and at the end he said "Thank you for visiting Antigua" and that really touched me.

[bkaye]

We've just come back from Peter's and this fellow is still at it. He has the same general appearance as the photo's in the past. We just kept walking when he tried to hail us and he gave up after a minute or two. Just keep moving and you shouldn't have an issue.

[dog lover]

He stopped by Antigua Village this afternoon and approached a couple on our patio; as soon as I called him Filmore Otto he wanted to know who I was. I told him that he owed me $20 he started to back off. I told him that he was famous on the internet; he then went to go to the pool at AV where he got the boot from some other people. Not a happy lad when he left. Too bad for him.

[-eli-]

well done.

[wadadlisista]

If more people would call him out, just maybe he may reconsider what he is doing. Great move doglover. Has anyone thought of putting up flyers in the general vicinity where he operates?