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Last October, a fraudster emailed numerous times to a Canadian ROTAX dealer under the pretense of wanting to buy a brand new 912 ULS engine. All kinds of information was provided. But the scam-artist insisted on seeing photographs of the actual engine...

"Please send several photos of Rotax 912 ULS 100 PS with all accessories (oil tank,Hub,carbs ,exhaust system)".

"Can you send the pictures of: exhaust system, coolant radiator, oil cooler".

"Please i need the serial number and the picture of serial number. I am still waiting for you to buy this engine."

"After i receive the photos, we will make the deal."

Pictures were duly sent, and after that - the scamster never contacted the dealer again.

It was discovered a couple of weeks later that the SAME PICTURES (those taken by the dealer) were being circulated on some online bulletin boards, with an offer to SELL the same engine at a very low price (half of retail!). The engine was purportedly located in Santa Rosa California... (The exact engine that was in fact still in the dealer's warehouse!)

The internet boards were alerted, the ads taken down, and all details of the scam were duly reported in a CAFC Online Fraud report (#2016-62992 ). A local police report was also filed. Sadly, it seems the Law enforcement agencies could not be bothered to investigate, despite the fact that there was ample forensic evidence to actually catch the perpetrator!

ALERT: it has come to our attention that the scam artist is at it again, and may have in fact have used the same photographs to induce a naive would-be engine buyer in Europe into sending a deposit :(

What we know:
The fraudster originally used the email address verkaufholz@gmail.com ("Management Verkauf") to obtain photographs from the dealer, and later pretended to be "Eduardo Claudio" of Santa Rosa ( eduardoclaudia75@gmail.com ) and used the photographs he obtained from the dealer to try to fraudulently obtain a deposit advance on the "brand new, still in the box" engine that he never actually owned.

The Fraudster sent this Data in a request for payment:

My exact location which is where the Rotax 912 Engine is, is at Vista Grande Place SANTA ROSA, CA 95403.
My Banking information below
Acc name : Marilyn Coen Eduardo
Account number : 601982283
Routing number : 122106455
Date of birth : 18/8/1957
Bank name : First convenience bank

The serial number for the Engine is 6785674, I attached the photo of the serial number for futher confirmation.
And my price is $12,000.00 USD.
Once payment is made I will Wait for yor arrangement for pick up, or can arrange one myself all i will need is the exact location you want the Rotax 912 Engine to be and it will be there, once payment is confirmed.


The engine in the dealer photos was ROTAX 912 ULS2-01 serial number 6785674.
BEWARE OF ANY OFFERS TO SELL THIS ENGINE.


Please Share this Fraud Alert !
If someone online offers to sell you any brand new in the box ROTAX aircraft engine for a price that is "too good to be true" - Caveat Emptor.

If you have the slightest doubt, contact your ROTAX distributor for information.


IMG_20160707_083002.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)
IMG_20160707_083126.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)
IMG_20160707_083118.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)
  • Re: Fraud Warning: Online scam involving ROTAX engines

    by » 6 years ago


    I think I may have just experienced a similar situation. i'm looking for a Rotax 912uls for my Europa and contacted a seller regarding an engine advertised on a reputable site. The Engine is located in the UK according to the ad and is used with low hours. the seller sent me some pictures but as i'm unable to physically see the engine at this time as I'm out of the country I offered a reasonable non-refundable deposit (£500) to keep the engine for me for a few weeks until i return home and can make the trip to see it. I also asked for contact details of the seller and details of the engine. The response I got was strange, he wanted 50% deposit and didn't provide an further information on himself or on the engine. The response set alarm bells going and I politely refused. This may well be a genuine ad and given the posts above he may of thought I was fishing for info and I apologise to the seller if it is but the tone of the language in the e-mails just didn't feel right for someone selling an aero engine and came across as annoyed that i want to carry out due diligence before buying. I've not identified the ad or the seller in this post in case it is genuine but if anyone wants this information to confirm or prove otherwise please e-mail me. All I can say is Caveat Emptor.

    Thank you said by: RotaxOwner Admin

  • Re: Fraud Warning: Online scam involving ROTAX engines

    by » 6 years ago


    If you want to confirm that they are truly in possession of the engine have them print your name and date or anything you specify on a piece of paper.
    Have them place the paper in the box with the engine and send you a photo of the engine with the paper.



    I do not have an engine in a box, and I am not trying to sell you my 912is, but you can now be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that I am in possession of a 912is.
    You get the idea.
    HunterEngine.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)

    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.



  • Re: Fraud Warning: Online scam involving ROTAX engines

    by » 6 years ago


    Hi Bill, very pragmatic but with the powers or Photoshop I don't think I would even trust that now lol.
    HertzelEngine.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)

    Thank you said by: RotaxOwner Admin

  • Re: Fraud Warning: Online scam involving ROTAX engines

    by » 6 years ago


    How true! But that was an easy one to Photoshop.
    Would a scammer take the time to doctor a photo or just move on to the next sucker?
    They are generally interested in a quick buck and may not be willing to work that hard for it.
    I would have been more impressed if you showed my name on the scam engine in the box within an hour of the request. (Time Starts NOW!) ;)
    Or request a photo that he likely does not already have. Like the outside of the box with the matching serial number.

    There is only so much you can do. Your gut feeling will likely tell you who to trust.
    Often the back-story can be revealing.
    How did he come to have a new engine in a box that he does not want?
    Why is he selling it?
    What is replacing it?
    Does the story make sense?
    What plane does he Fly?
    Most airplane people love to hanger fly.
    Can he Talk-the-Talk?
    If he was unwilling to Chit-Chat, You made the correct choice, Move on!

    Bill Hertzel
    Rotax 912is
    North Ridgeville, OH, USA
    Clicking the "Thank You" is Always Appreciated by Everyone.


    Thank you said by: RotaxOwner Admin

  • Re: Fraud Warning: Online scam involving ROTAX engines

    by » 6 years ago


    Hi Bill, challenge accepted (15 minutes) lol. A little bit more time and it would have been perfect.

    HertzelEnginenewpic.jpg (You do not have access to download this file.)

    Thank you said by: RotaxOwner Admin, Bill Hertzel

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