Over the last ten days I had quite an interesting experience and it hasn't been my first. It has happened on 4 different occasions over the last eight years or so.

Thursday(2-10-2008) I had a telephone call from a Zakhi, asking if he could meet with me and discuss some business. Not wanting to let any business slip by I arranged to meet him at the local M&B. After the normal pleasantries, we got down to discussing what he wanted. Five minutes of talking to him, I got the impression that he was fishing, not sure for what, but he was fishing. Another five minutes passed and the 'meeting' was over. He even left me footing the bill, without making any offer to pay.

Tuesday (7-10-2008), I receive a call from Brain, says he would like to discuss a business proposal. This time they (Brian and his brother) suggested, if we could at the O.R. Tambo Southern Sun Hotel. They were coming from Vereeniging and were on there way to Pretoria. We decided on Thursay(9-10-2008).

"Strange," I thought, "Zakhi also mentioned that he came from Vereeniging." I couldn't understand how my number had 'traveled' so far.

I met with Brian and his brother, Parents (Yes, that's his name) and asked how they came across my number. They said that someone who they knew, knew me and recommended me. Pressing them, they said Johan Kruger. Mmmm, can't recall anyone by that name. They even gave me a number to phone to confirm the recommendee. I said that I would do it later.

They asked me about franchising, what type of businesses I sold, commission structure, etc. They tell me that they are from Botswana and were looking for an agent to represent them here in SA, as their current SA partner had died of cancer. I asked who the partner was, they said he was a doctor from Pretoria North and were on their way to finalise things with the estate.

Fifteen minutes later this meeting was finished, and I walked away not understanding exactly, what they wanted from me. But we left with the understanding that they would call on Friday, to set up a meeting for Tuesday (14-10-2008).

By now the warning signals had started to ring. In fact they started going off when I walked out of the Hotel, but I was intrigued. What was there next move.

Friday, 10-10-2008, early afternoon I receive a call from Brian asking if we could move the meeting to Saturday morning, 11-10-2008 and meet at McDonald's Greystone Drive. No problem, I say.

I arrive and Parents is waiting, but no Brian, Parents tells me that Brian is in Pretoria and that he will catch up with us later. Now he tells me that we have to go and meet Mr Pierre at Melrose Arches.
"Who is Mr Pierre?" I ask.
"He was the person that the Dr was dealing with." Parents informs me. "How many people are involved in all of this ?" I thought.

We arrive at Melrose Arches, and I meet the whole crew, bar Brian.

They tell me that they have a variety of leather products and semiprecious stones to sell and show me a formal "Bill of Entry," which is made out on a plane white piece of paper. with an official RSA stamp. No other markings indicating that's an official document, looking very formal the way it was presented. In the bottom right hand corner there is a barcode that was illegible. I asked if it was an original, no they say it's a copy, but the signature, I could see was done in a thin line black pen. I don't press the issue any further.

They then tell me that their goods are stored in a warehouse in Isando, but to show good faith they have four Tanzanite stones, they will let me have two. Parents say that fine, but first we must get it valued, and we must go to my "office," to discuss the matter.

Suddenly Mr Pierre said, "What the matter? You don't look confident about the deal? You got your hand over your mouth." I become very away of my body language, and it was sending out all the "wrong" signals.

I casually looked at him and said, "I am not in the business of buying commodities and reselling them. If you want me to sell the stones then give them to me and I will sell them, take my cut and pay you what's due."

Parents steps in, and said, "Mr Pierre there seems to be some sort of misunderstanding. Let me and Vincent go away and discuss this matter and we'll get back to you."

We get up and leave and Parents asks, "What's the matter?"
I turn to him and say, "If you ever set me up for a con again I'll call the cops (not the right thing to say, but said). You tried to set me up for a con, but you guys weren't too sophisticated. The previous guys were a lot better than you."

Parents doesn't say a word and we walk quietly back to my car, which is parked in the basement and Parents decides not to get a lift back to McDonald's. I think he got shaky when I mentioned the cops.

I realised that I was being set up, the minute I met the two brother. Their modus operandi was similar to my other experiences. So guys please be careful, If the deal is too good to be true it probably is...

They lurk among us...