- Report: #1123370
Complaint Review: Prima equipment - Select State/Province
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Prima equipment
Hardenburg Netherlands. Select State/Province, USA
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+31 (0)523 712 434
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http://www.primaequipment.eu/
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Prima equipment Harry Havekotte Serial number scam for Caterpillar 14G motor grader Hardenberg The Netherlands
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I purchased a machine, not knowing that the machine had three different serial numbers, someone had made fake serial numbers on purpose, to make more money.
Last March 23rd, 2012, via the Machinery trader website, we bought Cat 14G grader with serial number 96U08806 for $125,000.-- from Harry Havekotte, Prima Equipment, Hardenburg Netherlands.
We found out that the serial number 96U08806 is a fake after the unit has arrived in Saudi Arabia. After a thorough inspection, our Saudi customer discovered the serial numbers on this unit, 96U08806,96U05411 and 9878. It turns out this unit's original and actual serial number is 96U05411, which was painted over and actively concealed by someone who wanted to sell it as a newer unit. We also found out that the genuine 96U08806 unit is currently located and operating in Iran.
96U08806 is built in 1991 and 96U05411 is built in 1981. So 10 years difference in the age and makes a huge difference in terms of pricing.
Without any doubt, 96U08806 is a fake number which shows a sign of criminal greed. We asked Harry Havekotte to compensate for our loss $45,000.--, but 'til this day, he has not paid us.
In the USA, if you make a fake serial number, you will be caught as a criminal. But in other countries such as Europe and Africa, the law is different, that's why this scam is possible. We reported this case to The Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI). Before you fall in a trap, always check the machine's background, and seller's back ground.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
FactChecker
Chino Hills,California,
scam for Caterpillar 14G motor grader?
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, September 20, 2017
-To Whom It May Concern-
The situation as described by the filer (buyer of 14G) of the report 'scam for Caterpillar 14G motor grader', in general is a correct description of facts; however, there is a insuniation made by the filer, not founded with proof. Furthermore, there is no crime.
* The filer insinuates that Mr. Havekotte is the guilty one and perhaps even changed the serial number. There is no proof for this. (Actually, the 14G was bought at one of the biggest auctions in the world..., before it came into possesion of Mr. Havekotte...).
* The filer states that this 'scam' is not a criminal act in Africa and Europe. Therefore, this deal gone bad, should perhaps not be filed here.
It can be supported, that Mr. Havekotte as a seller, bears responsibilty towards the filer/buyer; but it can also be supported, that the filer/buyer bears responsiblity, by not sufficiently checking facts and/or not inspecting the machine befóre buying: Due Diligence. By checking the serial number before purchase, he would have found the unit to be in Iran... One must also notice an age difference of 10 years... Next to that, the sale was 'as is'. It seems the the filer/buyer did not serve his Saudi customer well.
Mr Haverkotte, just as the filer/ buyer, is a victim. Now, due to the the filer/ buyer, the Saudi customer is a victim too. So perhaps this scam report is about the filer/buyer, but then the wrong name and company are mentioned. I hope the Saudi customer did not file a complaint with the FBI against the filer, because in the USA this seems to be a criminal act.
In the meantime, Mr. Havekotte is retired and his company went into bankruptcy: http://www.faillissementsdossier.nl/en/bankruptcy/1277334/prima-equipment-b-v.aspx
Assets and company name have been sold to a different company. This report is now pointing to a new company with different management and ownership.
This scam report should not be here.
