Vince Pinto for IPSC President ?
Part 2
WOULD YOU TRUST VINCE PINTO TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF IPSC?
Vince Pinto is running for IPSC President. Over the years, he has created for himself the fake image of
the man running things for IPSC, mainly because he was trying to get involved in every IPSC function,
even if it was out of his authority or relevant to his position in IPSC, or even if it was simply out of his
league. He did that, disrespecting and mistreating the whole Executive Council and abusing his position
in IPSC.
I won't say anything from myself, I won't make any comments other than necessary. I will let the emails
we have received to speak for themselves. They document the cases more than sufficiently.
Case 1: Victor Wong (PNG) Year 2007
He asked for a loan for his business conducted at that time under his company “SELPRO LTD.”. The
discussion was over a dinner. The agreement was never honored and he did not return the money.
When Mr. Wong sued him, he took shelter behind his company, claiming that the money was given as a
loan to Selpro Ltd., not himself personally, and refused to honor his debt. The company had already
gone bankrupt and was under liquidation, so the money was never paid back.
See Court Case here:
https://www.hongkong...to-and-another/
Point 13 has a very interesting remark by the judge who seems to have understood the elaborate
scheme. The money given to Selpro Ltd. which was by the judge's decision the actual debtor to Victor
Wong, were used by Vince Pinto to pay an old debt of a Palomino freight forwarding company
(Palomino Investment Limited) for which debt VP was a guarantor, as well to fund a cheque that VP had
issued before and he had forgotten about.
Selpro Ltd. was owned by VP as a minority shareholder and the rest of the shares were owned by
Palomino Investment Limited.
However, Palomino Investment Limited was owned by VP as majority shareholder (51%) and the rest
was owned by his wife.
So, in other words, the money given to Selpro Ltd. were used for covering debts that VP had under a
personal liability, being a guarantor and having to pay a cheque he had issued, whereas the debt of
Selpro Ltd. towards Mr. Wong wouldn't affect him personally. He was covered for any personal liability
behind his Selpro Ltd. company that dealt with Mr. Wong, who, apparently didn't make any distinction
between the person he was talking with and his company that he cunningly put in front as a shield
afterwards, to avoid payment.
It is maybe legal under Hong Kong laws and the judge had no other option, but definitely not moral.
The same thoughts seem to express the judge, when he remarks in his decision at Point 19: "Alas,
even seasoned fighters may unwittingly let their guard down".
Case 2: Thomas Bovet (CAM) Year 2008
Again, he asked for a loan in a friendly and informal manner from Mr. Bovet, for a deal he had with the
Hong Kong Police. At that time he was operating under the other company “Selpro Tactical Ltd.”. Similar
name, same owner, same business. Not hard to understand that it was another shield for him. The
money was not returned, and when Mr. Bovet sued him, he took shelter behind his company, claiming
that the money was given as a loan to Selpro Tactical Ltd., not himself personally, and refused to honor
his debt. The company was not financially in good status, so the money was never paid back.
And this was not the only adventure Mr. Bovet, currently RD for Cambodia, was caught into, because of
Vince Pinto.
In his own words:
"I was shocked to learn that Vince Pinto is standing for president of the IPSC.
As a Hong Kong resident since 1975 I know Pinto well for nearly a quarter of a century.
Initially, I considered him a good friend, intelligent and entertaining. Since he used his charm and
rhetoric to cheat me out of my savings in 2008 I consider him a cunning and conniving financial
predator, who uses his position of trust in the IPSC to defraud members, friend, officials and suppliers in
cold blood.
In my case, if there is any doubt, you may refer to the court-document "Thomas Bovet vs. SELPRO" on
the internet. Pinto bankrupted his company failing to pay his staff and suppliers and never took
responsibility for the financial loose-ends. After cheating me out of nearly USD 30.000 he disappeared in
the remote squatter areas of Hong Kong. Knowing well, that his predated company-cheque would
protect him against personal claims, he defending himself successfully against my demands for
repayment.
He also did not deliver a prepaid order to the Cambodia and kept the forwarded money. It were
desperate days, nobody within the IPSC would help me. Around that time was an IPSC event in Jakarta
and I faxed a complaint letter and proof to the IPSC hotel for the attention of the executive council. No
response. After everything failed and I moved to Cambodia I threw away those documents and bad
memories. I tried to forget this nightmare which I lived through with my family and those who trusted
me in Cambodia. My best friend, Gen. Nun Nin, assistant to the Commander of the VIP protection unit
got nearly court-martialed, so I repaid all monies for those undelivered guns back to the Cambodian
military using my family's money.
A lot of letters, documents, court papers and police reports were exchanged and it is too long ago to
compose a factually detailed account of those events today from memory. I don't just want this to be
another rant, especially if it is for the eyes of a wider audience of my peers. So, everyone who is
interested will read the court documents, at least the first part, which clearly shows the same pattern of
Pinto's fraudulent schemes. If you vote for Pinto as your president you are making the wolf a shepherd!
Thank you for your attention,
DVC,
Thomas"
See Court Case here:
https://www.hongkong...t-leslie-pinto/
Point 40 of the decision says it all: "This is an unfortunate case of a breakdown of trust and confidence
between friends.".
Just from the similar pattern of the two cases, one can understand that there is a well prepared plan
for getting the money from a friend who would trust him, without the intention to pay back.
What is typically legal,is not necessarily ethical and he seems to have exploited all possibilities.
Case 3: Myro Lopez
Mail from Myro recently
Dear Alain,
Bonjour mon ami! Thank you for updating me on what is going on with the IPSC elections.
When you advised me about telling my "Pinto horror story”, I was initially hesitant for fear of a
violent reprisal from Vince. I just didn’t need the added stress in my life. But after some
thought, I realized people should know the person they are voting for. And really, he can call
me whatever he wants and I don’t care anymore. After all, this is not about me and it is not
I running for IPSC President. So I now break my silence! Feel free to share this with anybody,
most especially the RDs.
You, the Executive Council and many others are aware that for a significant period of time, I
considered Pinto my big brother and best pal in IPSC. This started around the years leading up
to the Cebu World Shoot in 1999. When I was appointed as Secretary of PPSA, I looked to Vince
for help in doing my job better. I credit him for exposing me to the international side of IPSC.
Between 2000 and 2008, we would travel to General Assemblies and IPSC events together. No
doubt, I knew Vince Pinto well and once considered him a trusted friend. So for me to express
my thoughts below is saying a LOT about his character, or lack thereof.
Around 2006, Vince asked me to help finance the tenders that his then company, Selpro
Tactical, had won with the HK Police. This was inspite of my full knowledge that he already had
previous problems with the likes of Victor Wong (from PNG) and Tom Bovet (CAM). I remember
that those cases were ongoing or about to go to court.
At that point, I came into a modest inheritance following my mother’s passing in 2005. The deal
was that Vince would return the full capital loaned plus a share in the profit. More than the
money, I wanted to reciprocate the favours we had exchanged over the years. I believed then
that this was my way of helping him get over a rough spot in his personal and business finances.
I also believed he valued our friendship enough that he wouldn’t screw me over. Boy, was I ever
wrong in thinking that! I forget the exact amount he owes me at this point, but it was certainly
well over 90.000 US dollars.
Initially, the transactions went thru with no problem but by 2007 he had trouble repaying the
loan and gave excuses to account for the delay. At one instance, he said he received payment
from the HK Police but the bank had called in his overdraft so he was unable to even partially
pay me. I already sensed that trouble was brewing and intended to demand that he honor our
deal. Despite my polite requests for repayment, nothing happened. Some years ago, I even
looked into initiating legal action in HK to recover my money but realized that even if I won the
case, it would amount to nothing as the man has no assets to speak of. I can only hope that
karma will come knocking on his door someday.
Things came to a reckoning during AA3G in 2009. Pinto imported his personal firearms from
from HK and sold them to willing buyers. This as you know is illegal! This, along with other
issues already in the back burner started a row between us, which quickly grew to outright
hostility. He has since accused me of being a “pathological liar” (among other things) to cover
up for his own screw-ups as RM of AA3G. This is classic Pinto! I could no longer deny that this
was one man who I should have never trusted. I’d call him an #######, but I know #######s who
would be offended by the comparison.
I've seen Pinto in the past avoid his responsibilities by turning hostile towards the person he
owes money to. He has a God given talent for malevolent manipulation to weasel his way out of
his obligation. It seems he has used the same modus on me and a lot of other guys, in and out
of IPSC.
Nick once confided to me that he has bailed out Pinto from similar situations when such came
to negatively affect the image of IPSC….as is the case with Fritz. I have also been told that serial
cases of financial wrongdoing by Pinto is the true reason for his removal as IPSC Secretary. Just
last year, I learned he also screwed Sarath de Zoysa of Sri Lanka. Really… how can somebody
like this be trusted with the highest office of IPSC?????
Pinto may seem to many in AA as the guy-in-charge of IPSC…but I urge everyone to look closely
and you may come to the same conclusion as many are now realizing. His businesses (Pinto
Pacific, Palomino, Selpro and Selpro Tactical) all failed from many years back. As such, he is able
to devote himself to IPSC because there is nothing else! Dedication, skill and competence can
be learned but character cannot.
It is clear that he manages to survive by using his position in IPSC to not only cheat and defraud
the community but to also personally gain from it. The fact that he received a 10% commission
of the proceeds from the IPSC Patron Program (a fact that he is proud of for putting the
finances of IPSC in the black) is an example of how he lives off IPSC.
I was once part of the President’s Council so I have seen up close how IPSC works. Beyond
competence and expertise, it takes an unblemished character to be a good IPSC President, or
any leader for that matter. That is clearly something Pinto sorely lacks. So if he wins as IPSC
President, he would have royally screwed us all.
I trust you will do what you can to ensure a bright future for IPSC.
Myro
Case 4: Charles Hardy (CED Owner) Year 2013
Vince Pinto contacted him and asked him if he would like to be the main sponsor for the Action Air
World Shoot in Hong Kong, supposedly scheduled for 2014, just after the HGWS in Florida, USA. Here, he
used IPSC as a bait. Mr. Hardy has been a long time supporter and sponsor for IPSC competitions. Vince
Pinto promised that he would keep the money as a trustee, but he needed to have them immediately,
because he wanted to exclude other potential match sponsors. In other words, he presented it as a
favor and privileged treatment to Mr. Hardy. At that time, no General Assembly decision had been taken
for an Action Air World Shoot, anywhere in the world, let alone Hong Kong.
It was only when Mr. Hardy asked for his money back contacting the IPSC Sponsorship Director Mr. Alain
Joly, that this story was revealed. Vince Pinto excused himself saying that he had not the money,
regardless of the fact that he had promised to keep as trustee, but they were given to the China RD at
that time for developing a range to bid for the Action Air World Shoot!
Moreover, Mr. Cheever Li , the China RD was nowhere to be found, and, later on, Vince Pinto informed
the Executive Council that he had passed away, so the money could not be retrieved! However, out of
fear not to be exposed, it appears that he turned back a portion of the total HK$ 15.000 that he had
received.
See Charle's Hardy email to Alain Joly:
Alain,
Thank you for sending me this email from Vince and his comments. I hate politics and have ALWAYS
tried my best to avoid them and to simply be honest, straight forward and supportive. I was also a
FRIEND of Vince for 20+ years, so for him to paint such a tainted picture of me now in order to try and
cover his ass for the fraud & theft he has done simply shows me more clearly how unscrupulous he
is. Vince has taken money from so many people over the past twenty years, I can not keep
count. However, he had never taken funds from me before this issue. The funds were SPECIFICALLY for
the first IPSC Airsoft World Championship to be held in HONG KONG and he approached CED to be the
major match sponsor in exchange for HK$15,000 in cash and $15,000 in product. Vince also approached
Paul Chu of Red Wolf and he took HK$5,000 deposit from Paul as well. You can verify this from MR. Chu
himself. He is one of the most honest, distinguished and professional businessman in the Hong Kong
community. By the way, Paul Chu of Red Wolf has not ever been paid back either. I just had a
conversation with him last week and he verified this to me. In fact, he is so upset over it based on
principle alone, he told me that he would file criminal charges against Vince in Hong Kong to secure the
return of the funds if Vince continued to lie about it. This was prompted by feedback Paul had received
in conversations on the upcoming Airsoft Championship to be held in HK soon. We both have been
approached for sponsorship and heard that Vince had given the Regional Director misleading
information.
Further to him, I was told by Mr. Kevin Chau, of Supreme that Vince also took funds from his company
for this same sponsorship and Kevin informed me that he knew several others who had the same
happen to them. Therefore, there is a trail of deceit on Vince's part and I am sure he will get swallowed
up in his lies.
Vince did eventually refund me part of the funds as he said. That was true, but the reason why is most
likely due to me threatening him that I would bring this to the IPSC Executive Committee since he
initially approached us under the IPSC venue and authorization. We later determined that IPSC was not
involved in it at all.
Alain, I have given you copies of all the email communication Vince and I had in regard to this issue and
it is CLEAR in his words what he did. There is no whining on my part at all. This is a small amount to
me. But I always believe that honesty, respect, and principles of doing proper business should be our
goals in life and on principle alone, what Vince did was blatantly wrong and he should make it right. He
should have been honest and forth coming about his need to funds to sustain his personal life and to
cover his debts. I am sure that is where the funds went. Had he asked me for help, I would have given it
to him. But to deceive so many of us in the business community in Hong Kong and then lie about so
blatantly is wrong and personally I do not feel such a person should be running IPSC going forward.
The following is the first email Vince sent me in Oct. 2014 in regard to this sponsorship, It is CLEAR on
supporting the details I have stated above. I have also added my reply to him which is dated
clearly. You can also see clearly that he states the group organizing this is local Hong Kong. He also
states he is taking the funds personally as a TRUSTEE. There is NO MENTION of any China involvement
whatsoever.
______________________________________________________________________________
Oct. 14, 2013
Hi Chuck,
I don’t know if you’re aware, but we’re planning the first IPSC Action Air World Shoot in Hong Kong in
November next year, right after the regular WS in Florida. It will be 30 stages like a regular WS, and it
will be fully staffed and managed like a regular WS. I’m overseeing everything!
We expect at least 500 competitors, mostly from around Asia, but there will be some from Europe and
the Americas.
The local Action Air guys have been actively signing up sponsors (something I hate doing!), and I
discovered at our meeting yesterday that they’ve been talking with Red Wolf to become Overall Match
Sponsor. Frankly though, I don’t want them at anything higher than Area Sponsor, so I told the guys I
would approach you.
The total cost is HK$30,000 based on 50% cash and 50% product. This is dirt cheap compared to a
regular WS. Are you interested? If you sign up, we will not accept sponsorship from any other company
selling timers or chrono.
If you want in, all I need is an email confirmation and the cash portion, both as quickly as possible. The
product can wait until match time.
Please let me know ASAP.
Cheers,
Vince
From: Charles Hardy
Sent: Monday, 14 October, 2013 18:55
To: Vince Pinto
Subject: Re: Action Air World Shoot
Vince,
OK! I personally have no problems with Red Wolf as they are a good bunch of guys, but I am open to
doing this. I can follow up with you this week as I am here in HK now.
Chuck
Oct. 15, 2013
Hi Chuck,
Excellent! You’ve been around with us forever, so I want you to have top billing. We’re not very happy
with Red Wolf as they’re stupidly trying to compete against IPSC in Europe with that moron Clarence Lai.
Anyway, I want to lock this down right away. Please transfer or deposit the HK$15k into my personal
account as trustee, so that I can honestly tell the others that you’ve already paid.
Bank of China
A/C Number 012-618-00035924
Pinto, Vincent Leslie
I’m going to inspect the brand new outdoor range site tomorrow, where we can run 30 stages
simultaneously!
How long are you in town? We should catch up for a drink ........ next week?
Cheers,
Vince
______________________________________________________________________________
Alain - I have many more emails to and from Vince which simply give more support to every word I have
stated. I am sure that others can verify and support the same in regard to their sponsorship funds which
were transferred to Vince. I honestly do not understand how he can say what he is saying with a
straight face or expect any of us to accept it as truthful? I know Paul Chu can give you similar
information and I would think that Kevin Chau of Supreme would do so as well. Some of the businesses
fear Vince in Hong Kong as he has had so much power and control over IPSC related issues for decades
now. He has had his tentacles and hands in so many matches in many Asian countries and many fear
that if they say something, that he will come after them in retribution on some level. They have stated
this to me personally, so I know this is a true comment. But Paul Chu and possible Kevin Chau are both
strong enough not to be intimidated by Vince.
I hope my response here to the comments Vince has made toward me personally and in regard to this
issue clears up any misleading lies he is making. If I can be of further service, please do not hesitate to
contact me. I am in the USA until World Shoot, but do get my emails daily.
Respectfully,
Charles Hardy
See Vince Pinto's reaction when Alain Joly contacted him when found out about this debt:
De: "Vince Pinto" <vincepinto@gmail.com>
Objet: Rép : Debt
Date: 24 janvier 2016 à 14:51:19 UTC+1
À: "Joly Alain" <ajolyipsc@gmail.com>
Cc: "Alexakos Nick" <ntalexakos@gmail.com>, "Dimitris Tzimas" <dntzimas@gmail.com>, "HENDERSON
REN" <ljhender@hendersonpartnersllp.ca>, "Dino Evangelinos" <dino.evangelinos@gmail.com>, Tegge
Jürgen <tegge@ipsc.de>
Dear Alain,
Why did you copy this message to the entire Executive Council instead of firstly asking me about this
privately?
In any case, Chuck Hardy has always been a whining trouble-maker who plays all sides against the
middle. You obviously don’t know how he has described you (and Nick) in the past. He is no friend of
IPSC.
As I explained to Hardy at the time, the Regional Director of IPSC China, Cheever Li, wanted to raise
funds to develop a range in order to bid for the first Action Air World Shoot. He asked for my assistance,
and I agreed to help.
I asked Hardy if he was willing to contribute on the understanding he would be the only timer sponsor.
In retrospect, I should have referred the matter to you, but I went ahead because Action Air matches
operate on a tiny budget. For example, a typical match fee is only US$50 per competitor for 16 stages.
Some months later, after the funds had been passed to Cheever Li, he suddenly could not be located.
He did not respond to my numerous calls or emails. I did find out until months later that he was
terminally ill in hospital. He died in May 2015. Since then, I have been trying to trace the funds and
obtain a refund but, so far, my attempts have been unsuccessful.
However, as a sign of good faith, I returned US$1,000 to Hardy out of my own pocket, and I’m working
on the balance.
Regards,
Vince
From: Joly Alain
Sent: 24 January, 2016 20:15
To: Pinto Vince
Cc: Alexakos Nick ; Dimitris Tzimas ; HENDERSON REN ; Dino Evangelinos ; Tegge Jürgen
Subject: Debt
Dear Vince,
During the Shot Show, one more time, I’ve been advised by Charles Hardy that you, apparently still owe
to him and Mr Chu from Redwolf together around US$2,000 concerning an hypothetic AA WS. Mr Hardy
don’t understand why since all this time you didn’t sent the money back contrary to what you promised.
If this is the truth it’s a very bad reputation for the image of the IPSC body.
Can you please advise !
Thanks
Alain
Apparently here is distorting the facts and makes excuses because he never mentioned Cheever Li
asking for the funds to Charles Hardy. On the contrary, he assured him that he would keep them as a
trustee.
Case 5: Paul Chu (RedWolf) Year 2013
The same above story with Charles Hardy was played with the Action Air guns company RedWolf and its
owner Mr. Paul Chu. Vince Pinto asked for HK$ 5.000 as a deposit payment, to secure a sponsorship slot
for the Action Air World Shoot that was supposed to take place in 2014 in Hong Kong. Actually, he issued
a fake invoice under his title “IPSC Secretary”, without the knowledge of the IPSC Treasurer. Again, this
money was never returned.
Both the above cases happened when he was the IPSC Secretary and he abused the power of his
position. Moreover, he involved IPSC without the knowledge of the President and the Executive Council
which he never respected or cooperated with.
See email to Alain Joly as sponsorship director requesting the money from IPSC:
De: "Paul Chu" <paul.chu@redwolfairsoft.com>
Objet: Status of IPSC Action Airsoft in Hong Kong
Date: 24 octobre 2014 09:29:48 UTC+2
À: <ajolyipsc@gmail.com>
Dear Alain,
I am writing to you in regards to the planned IPSC Airsoft World Championships in Hong Kong for
2014. In late 2013, Vince Pinto contacted me and put forth a proposal that such an event was being
planned in Hong Kong in 2014. As the largest distributor of Airsoft in Asia, we were very excited that
this was going to happen and I pledged my support for the event immediately. Vince indicated that
sponsorship of a stage would cost around HKD 20K (approx USD 2570) and in order to secure my
position, I should make a deposit of HKD 5000 (approx USD 642). Attached you may find the bank
deposit receipts and invoice from Vince.
We are nearing the end of 2014 and no further details about this event have been made available. I can
only assume that this event is unlikely to take place this year and as such, I would like to request for a
refund on my deposit. We are still extremely interested in participating in sponsorship if and when
concrete dates, location, and details are confirmed and announced for this event. Please keep us
updated and advised accordingly.
Until such time, we would kindly request an immediate return of our deposit.
Let me know if you need me to provide further information regarding this issue.
Respectfully,
________________________________________________________
Paul Chu | RedWolf Airsoft Specialist Ltd
10A, Hang Fat Industrial Building, 550-556 Castle Peak Road
Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong
+852 28577665 (ext. 728) |
paul.chu@redwolfairsoft.com
Subscribe to RedWolf TV and enjoy weekly updates and reviews!
Join us on FACEBOOK and join Airsoft discussions, get coupons, and more!
________________________________________________________
See Vince Pinto's reaction when Alain Joly contacted Vince Pinto about this debt:
De: "Vince Pinto" <vincepinto@gmail.com>
Objet: Rép : Status of IPSC Action Airsoft in Hong Kong
Date: 25 octobre 2014 à 23:06:15 UTC+2
À: "Joly Alain" <ajolyipsc@gmail.com>
Cc: "Alexakos Nick" <ntalexakos@gmail.com>
Répondre à: "Vince Pinto" <vincepinto@gmail.com>
Dear Alain,
I completely forgot about that matter! At the time, the possibility of an AA World Shoot was very high,
and we only required IPSC Hong Kong to support it as host region, and propose a Motion for the
Assembly. However, the local organisers needed some commitments to justify development costs to the
land they identified for the new range.
They asked for my assistance, so I approached Red Wolf as the most likely overall Match Sponsor,
because Red Wolf are the largest action air products dealer here. I apologise for not going through you
but time was very tight.
Also note that the sponsorship amounts will be much smaller than a real gun match. For example, the
Match Registration Fee for competitors cannot be more that a maximum of US$125 per person, and we
only expect 200-300 competitors for the first match.
We only asked Red Wolf for a small deposit to reserve their sponsorship and we would only request the
balance if the match was confirmed. As the AAWS did not eventuate, no further action was taken.
However, I am very surprised Paul Chu did not contact me directly before complaining to you, especially
since it's a very small amount of money.
Anyway, I will contact the match organisers in the coming week to arrange a refund.
Ciao,
Vince
From: Joly Alain
Sent: Sunday, 26 October, 2014 03:40
To: Pinto Vince
Cc: Alexakos Nick
Subject: TR : Status of IPSC Action Airsoft in Hong Kong
How should I reply
AJ
Remark: This reply by Vince Pinto proves by itself that the money was never delivered to IPSC,
corresponding to the invoice he issued. This alone could lead IPSC into financial and tax problems. He
also states that he approached them as Overall Match Sponsors, which, at the same time had
negotiated with Charles Hardy!
Case 6: Removal from Secretary 2014
In February 2014, by unanimous vote in the Executive Council, he was removed from the position of
Secretary, due to mismanagement of money he had received from Region NZL. This was a great blow for
him, and it was not revealed not to embarrass him.
See email below:
On February 25, 2014 5:46:08 PM EET, Vince Pinto <vincepinto@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Bro,
No, the Facebook comment was not directed at you (nor anyone else in IPSC). One thing I simply cannot
do is hide my emotions. If I’m pissed with someone, they will know about it directly, not obliquely. Just
ask Adnaan Jacobs, Rudy Marcelo or Myro Lopez.
Despite my offering to fall on my sword, I was nonetheless devastated when the highest ranking, but
least busy (on a daily basis), position I held in IPSC was taken away. I’ve been Secretary for 13 straight
Assemblies. I think that makes me the longest serving.
Anyway, what’s done is done. The only thing I have yet to determine is the best way to make an
announcement. If we don’t handle it correctly, the rumour mill will go crazy, and that’s the last thing we
need so early in an election year.
L&K,
Vince
Case 7: Handgun World Shoot in Florida
At the IPSC World Shoot in Florida he was working in the registration office and cashed in 1000 of a
competitor. Instead of giving the money to the Match Organizer where it belonged to, he put it in his
own pocket and kept silent on it. Just by accident it was disclosed and only by a furious intervention of
the IPSC President he gave the money back to the organizer.
Case 8: Sarath De Zoysa (SRI) 2015
He promised to deliver a Glock pistol from Venezuela and he was paid in advance US$ 1.400 for it, with
money transferred to his Hong Kong personal account, issuing an invoice. After 2 years, the gun was
never delivered and he refused to return the money. Mr. De Zoysa contacted the IPSC President and the
money was paid back by the IPSC President personally, to save IPSC from the embarrassment and the
bad reputation Vince Pinto was creating by his financial wrongdoings.
See email from Sarath De Zoysa
Subject: RE: News, News, News
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2016 12:21:39 +0530
From: Sarath De Zoysa <sdezoysa@itmin.net>
To:
president@ipsc.org
CC:
ntalexakos@gmail.com
I thank you for your e-mail dated December 13th and heartily reciprocate your Good Wishes as stated in
the last line of your e-mail. However, I in response to the penultimate line of your e-mail, I wish to
emphasize the fact that there is an extremely important matter that the Executive Council and you can
assist me with, but at this stage, I would refrain myself from copying this e-mail to others in the
Executive Council and request you to kindly deal with this matter personally, as I have already discussed
this matter with you on an earlier occasion.
I wish to draw your kind attention to my e-mail dated 26th September 2016, addressed to you, which
remains unanswered to-date and the discussions I had with you on the same matter when I met you at
the last AA-2016 in Surabaya, when certain documents were also handed over to you, at your request.
However, I am sad and disappointed that you, for whom I have always had the highest respect and
admiration since I first met you in 1990 in Adelaide, has chosen to ignore my humble request. You
cannot ignore this serious issue any longer in the best interest of the entire IPSC, which so far has
outwardly maintained an untarnished name, mainly due to the personal image of the highest dignity
and integrity you have built up over the years.
Unfortunately, your good name and that of the Confederation are being destroyed from within by your
own Secretary, Vince Pinto, who has brazenly robbed and deceived several Members of IPSC Regions,
hiding behind your good name. You will be amazed at the number of people who are openly talking
about these misdeeds now, which sadly is making you also unpopular by tolerating such an arrogant,
undesirable and shameless man in your inner circle of administration.
I was indeed shocked to hear from fellow RO's & Shooters, when I was at the AA - 2016 in Surabaya &
earlier this month at the Asia Pacific Handgun C'ship in Pattaya that you are covering up for Pinto's
misdeeds simply because he is covering up for yours and that you lack the moral courage to deal
appropriately with Pinto in order to save your hard earned reputation.
I sincerely hope that this is not true. You simply cannot continue to treat Pinto's misdeeds as his
personal business as if they have nothing to do with IPSC, because he is using the good name of IPSC and
its President to blatantly deceive Members of the IPSC community. I have seen hard evidence of several
such cases which will definitely come out into the open if no action is taken against this crooked
Secretary. With his reputation of Bankruptcy, insolvency, added his shady character which is now well
known in IPSC circles, no one will trust him even with five Dollars, if not for the fact that he is the
trusted Secretary of the highly regarded President of IPSC.
Therefore, for the last time, I am urging you in your best interests and that of IPSC too, to prevail upon
Pinto to refund the sum of US$ 1401.00 which was remitted to his Personal Account in the Bank of China
(Hong Kong) as per his personal Invoice dated 29th Jan 2015, for the purpose of supplying a Glock Pistol
from Venezuela!! I trusted him purely because he holds such an exalted position in IPSC. It may be a
comparatively insignificant sum of money, but I certainly am not prepared to pay this money back on
behalf of Pinto. If he fails to confirm that this amount has been remitted to the following Bank
Account***, by mid-January 2017, I will have no alternative but to write to all RD's and others known to
me in IPSC, in my capacity as RD Sri Lanka, giving details of how I have been taken for a ride by Pinto, in
order to warm them not to have any dealings with this
despicable Rogue we have in the guise of IPSC Secretary or whatever power he has to silence all others
who have suffered substantial financial losses in their dealings with this serial thief.
I trust you would kindly treat this matter as your first and most important task for 2017, in order to
salvage your good name and that of the Confederation itself from the current state of distrust and
discontent in IPSC circles, which is now being openly spoken about. Being the President, you may be the
last to hear about the under currents in IPSC, as the person responsible is known to be your close
confidante. Therefore, in the best interests of the Sport and the Confederation itself, Pinto must be
made to pay back what he has robbed, unofficially using his position in IPSC and thereafter he must be
relieved of his position as your trusted confidant/representative.
Wishing you all the strength you need to take appropriate action to restore the highly esteemed image
of yourself and that of IPSC, for the sake of future generations.
Awaiting a positive and realistic response from you without undue delay.
Warmest regards,
Sarath.
Case 9: Ben Yam (HKG) letter 2017
Even people from the IPSC community in his own residence country (HKG), were totally appalled by the
idea that he might become the next IPSC President. There was a letter sent to the Executive Council,
describing with the worst words his untrustworthy personality and business conduct in Hong Kong and
how nobody trusts him there.
See email below:
Début du message réexpédié :
De: Ben Yam <cgcby@yahoo.com.hk>
Objet: Re : IPSC President
Date: 19 juillet 2017 à 06:36:08 UTC+2
À: "ajolyipsc@gmail.com" <ajolyipsc@gmail.com>
Répondre à: Ben Yam <cgcby@yahoo.com.hk>
Dear Alain Joly,
I was told that Vince Pinto is running for IPSC President. If he wins, this will start the downfall of the
organization worldwide.
All business operated by Vince Pinto in Hong Kong end up by bankruptcy, to name a few :
Phoenix Gun Club; Hong Kong Shooting Club, and Sepro.
Sepro was the agent for Glock and many other products in Hong Kong, but in many transactions, after
receiving the payment from the customer, Vince cannot deliver the order to the client and was end up
with bankruptcy including but not limited to a big Glock Pistol order.
He is actually now jobless here in Hong Kong, as nobody will believe a word in him.
He is currently not only financially bankrupted here in Hong Kong, so is his personalities, as he has
cheated so many people with his title from IPSC, and has been called “Cheater” same pronunciation in
Chinese for his surname “ Pinto “
How can IPSC allows a person involved in so many bankruptcies, with so bad reputation internationally
to be a president ?
If he cannot run his own business smoothly in Hong Kong, how can he capable of running IPSC?
Please check all his records and see all ways and means to stop this cheater to win the election,
otherwise it will be a disaster to IPSC.
Regards
Past committee of HKPSA.
There are, of course, some other money involving cases,as the ones with Fritz Gepperth (GER) and David
Skinner (STI), for which there are no details, but can be sought from the above individuals.
The question arising from all the above cases proving that Vince Pinto is a dishonest and financially
untrustworthy man who has been scamming all his life, ripping off money from people who trusted
him and his position in IPSC:
Is VINCE PINTO a man who deserves your vote to become the IPSC President?
Can you entrust him with the future and financials of OUR Confederation?
Can you trust him at all?
