 Poster: A snowHead
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A 49-year-old Latvian national, identified on his Facebook page as Richard Berger, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for posing as a certified ski instructor and defrauding Russian-speaking tourists at some of Austria’s most popular ski resorts, including Mayrhofen, Kitzbühel, and Ischgl.
He may have also scammed Russian speaking customers in St. Moritz and Laax in Switzerland.
Berger ran a fraudulent operation under the name “Omega Ski Academy,” advertising his services on Facebook and his website, where he claimed to be an Austrian state-certified instructor. He even wore a fake Austrian ski instructor badge on his ski jacket and used a fictitious address for a ski school in Mayrhofen to lend legitimacy to his scheme.
According to prosecutors, Berger collected upfront payments for private ski lessons, many of which were never delivered. Witnesses testified that he often failed to show up, and in the cases where lessons did occur, they were marred by unprofessional conduct. One witness described Berger drinking during class and yelling at students. In a particularly alarming incident, he allegedly abandoned a 10-year-old beginner skier alone on the slopes in Ischgl.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Is scamming Russians a crime now ?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I feel as if the name Richard Berger is familiar.
The 'real' Berger is a an Austrian team demonstration skier, I think.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Rogerdodger, correct
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He's been doing this for at least 10 years, that's a longer career than many ski instructors.
As for being drunk, swearing at clients and losing kids on the mountain, he should try for a job at the ESF when he gets out.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
I feel as if the name Richard Berger is familiar.
The 'real' Berger is a an Austrian team demonstration skier, I think. |
yup - the real Richard Berger filmed a few sections with Projected Productions.
good skier & legitimate Austrian demo team member.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvA_wsr2E8S90HNpAbebscg/about
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| ster wrote: |
| Is scamming Russians a crime now ? |
Especially when you're Latvian of an age that would have lived under Soviet control! I'd say you've earned the right to scam Russians! 
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| TOLOCOMAN wrote: |
| ster wrote: |
| Is scamming Russians a crime now ? |
Especially when you're Latvian of an age that would have lived under Soviet control! I'd say you've earned the right to scam Russians! |
Sounds quite brave, or foolhardy, actually.
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You know it makes sense.
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It's often a fine line between the two!
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FAQ
