football kit scam

One of the things we have to be careful of is that there are many people on the internet who take great pleasure in slamming destinations for a variety of reasons. Some of these people will take a news item on crime and manipulate it to cause more harm than good. We want this forum to be a helpful place to people planning on having a holiday on Antigua. Read here to find out about things that will help to make your holiday safer as well as to find out about news items related to crime in Antigua.
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We are all guests of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Board here on this forum. Feel free to post a news item taken from a trustworthy news source. This is not meant to be a debate section and THREADS MAY BE LOCKED AT ANY TIME AFTER A NEWS ITEM HAS BEEN POSTED and things sound like they are getting out of hand. Please post safety ideas and tips as well. Let us know about great policies that some hotels and businesses are practising. Also comment on areas of security you feel that some hotels, businesses or the police need to do better at managing. This is meant to be a site which will help not only tourists but also the Tourism product of Antigua and Barbuda. Tourism is everyone's business.

Re: football kit scam

Postby Spooky » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:27 am

Fair point!

I didn't mean him, I meant his behaviour. As you say in earlier posts, the Police can't seem to do much about it. My concern is that if others see him getting away with this sort of scam/harassment, it will grow, especially as younger kids may see it as an easy living.

Humiliation might work i.e. posters of him, in his most hideous outfit, posted all over the Island warning of his scams :lol: :lol:
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Re: football kit scam

Postby jhmax » Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:35 am

I'd like to see JH Security take more of an interest in him. Most of the house doors 'Kevin' can knock on in JH are in areas he's not authorised to be in, so a call to Security should in theory result in him at least being asked to leave that area. Posters - how about prominent posters in JH (eg on lamp posts?) advising visitors not to give money to anyone (rather than him specifically) who approaches them in JH? Also, would a few 'begging is not permitted in this area' posters help? Although they appear to be no threat, the guys who bum change at the Epicurean are a bore and may alarm some visitors. On the other hand, postering photos of Kevin all over the island might just make him a folk hero, and he's less danger to your wallet than say, a timeshare salesman :D - a species I've never encountered in Antigua (do they exist?).

Spooky - would you find a beach like Jolly Beach or Dickenson Bay on any major tropical tourist island where you'd encounter fewer beach vendors? Maybe it's illegal and highly policed somewhere, but if so, I've never been there - to me, they're just part of the landscape, like the guys who offer to book boat trips and other excursions (BTW, Eli - would you care to comment on whether one should book trips from those guys?). What makes 'Kevin different from a beach vendor is that by all accounts he's collecting money under false pretences.

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Re: football kit scam

Postby -eli- » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:55 am

Vendors must be registered with the ministry of tourism. I would say that anyone buying a tour from someone looking this guy is not thinking clearly.
I have suggested posters here in Jolly. Good points about others following his example.
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Re: football kit scam

Postby gogandy » Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:46 am

Not sure if I'm allowed to post as I was told enough was enough by admin for my comments, but I just wondered because of the length of time between these sightings of our dear friend Philmore Otto Jr. a.k.a Kevin, whether he has been 'inside' for a stretch due to the proceedings following our witness testaments in the Court House in 2009?
Any news would be welcome.
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Re: football kit scam

Postby lyndilou » Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:19 am

Hi, yes we have been approached in the same way on the beach for the same reason and the guy was very unhappy when I wouldn't give him the amount he was after, but having said that, I must say that for the last 7 years we have been visiting Antigua, I have felt very safe. We stay in Antigua Village and the security there is brilliant.
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Re: football kit scam

Postby -eli- » Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:12 pm

He was at it again today on Darkwood Beach.
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Re: football kit scam

Postby antiguansunlover » Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:20 am

That guy has been out and about for the last ten years or someone just like him. Remember ...would you pull out your wallet at home or open the front door and give to someone who pops by...you have to use the same judgment in Antigua. It is your holiday...not theirs...all of the same rules apply down there just as they do at home.

The economy is just as bad if not worse down there right now and you have to remember although this is not a third world country it is rated for funding by international agencies because of the per capita income...so...be wise. Enjoy the beautiful island, the friendly people - most of the time, just like at home and the fact you are in a tropical paradise. Any expectations about service being the same as home unless you are in a five star resort (and even then it can be somewhat impaired) are ridiculous. If you want perfection stay in New York, or Beverly Hills.

Antigua is a perfect paradise with tolerable imperfections if you are wise enough to see that. Enjoy. We have been for ten years now.
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Re: football kit scam

Postby dog lover » Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:41 pm

He was at Antigua Village this morning. Not certain if it was kevin or an apprentice. :o
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Re: football kit scam

Postby Canuck » Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:57 am

I ran into this kid on the beach in front of Antigua village about 4 years ago LOL He had a sheet of paper showing a list of names (previous suckers) he did a great sales job Said he was trying to get enogh to send him overseas to some Soccer match . He was not happy when refused or if other folks did not give enough . One of the AV security guards put the run on him . I think I saw him driving away in his Cadliac LOL
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