Australia Australia - Marion Barter, 51, missing after trip to UK, June 1997 #12

[mishy66]

@eyespywithmylittleey IMO we are only privy to a small portion of a much bigger picture here. I believe "he" was a little fish in a big pond, but whose movements were being closely monitored by the powers that be, nationally and internationally.

Agree 100%
This isnt just about a little wonka.
This is about a huge organisation IMO also

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

@eyespywithmylittleey IMO we are only privy to a small portion of a much bigger picture here. I believe "he" was a little fish in a big pond, but whose movements were being closely monitored by the powers that be, nationally and internationally.

Yes you are most likely right, however had they have acted sooner then potentially a woman may not be missing or presumed dead, another would not have lost $30k and another would not have been left os on her own..... that's what annoys me.

 

[BabeBlues]

They will say not enough "manpower"......
I would say incompetence.
Just have to look at how far SL has come in her own investigation to see had she believed the police back then that MB just wanted to disappear of her own accord, wonks would not be exposed for the criminal he is.


IMO!

I just hope at the final inquest later this month SL finally has the answers she has been seeking! MB can be found, wherever she may be and justice will prevail.
I hope whatever it is Wonka has been doing for all these years, the truth comes out and he is held accountable, even if by some strange twist of events he has nothing to do with the disappearance of MB he is one shonky wonky that's for sure.

 

[BabeBlues]

Yes you are most likely right, however had they have acted sooner then potentially a woman may not be missing or presumed dead, another would not have lost $30k and another would not have been left os on her own..... that's what annoys me.

Who knows how many countless other women (and men) have been swindled by Wonka??

 

[gymtonic]

He has used the deH name once that I can recall - when he stole $30,000 from GGB. However, I don't think he has ever used the christian name "Robert". TBH though, I don't think he has respect for anybody.

Perhaps he tried to keep the deH name clean for his children but he couldn't even manage that. I think the next three days on the stand will be enlightening!

I do like the idea of RC being his real father and there are lots about the theory that fit (and whether AKA knows about this possibility is another question). However, there is one issue that stops me being completely convinced and that is, believe it or not, RC's height! On one of the camp documents (posted by @mishy66 below) he is listed as being 145cm which is very, very short for an adult male. If this isn't a typo then it would be a very low probability of producing a 187cm tall son wouldn't it? I mean it's not impossible and the document may be wrong (145cm is under 5 feet tall!) but genetically unlikely.

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachments/001-8-jpg.337813/

 

[gymtonic]

@eyespywithmylittleey IMO we are only privy to a small portion of a much bigger picture here. I believe "he" was a little fish in a big pond, but whose movements were being closely monitored by the powers that be, nationally and internationally.

exactly!

 

[gymtonic]

I do like the idea of RC being his real father and there are lots about the theory that fit (and whether AKA knows about this possibility is another question). However, there is one issue that stops me being completely convinced and that is, believe it or not, RC's height! On one of the camp documents (posted by @mishy66 below) he is listed as being 145cm which is very, very short for an adult male. If this isn't a typo then it would be a very low probability of producing a 187cm tall son wouldn't it? I mean it's not impossible and the document may be wrong (145cm is under 5 feet tall!) but genetically unlikely.

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachments/001-8-jpg.337813/

In fact, I was curious about the height and found that a height of less than 147cm for an adult is classified as Dwarfism - Wikipedia and I noted that the same document lists a crooked right leg as a distinguishing mark.

 

[BonnieB]

IMO, I don't think Wonka is part of any huge criminal gang, although he definitely has had help and criminal associates along the way. He's a lying conman, he'll use anyone and anything to gain advantage, he has no conscience or moral compass and I suspect blackmail forms a considerable part of his MO. He once was a man who relied on his well-practiced French charm to lie and con his way out of most sticky situations. He preyed on the vulnerable as easy targets however, I believe he is capable and has used violence when threatened with exposure.
What we see on the witness stand today is a man reduced to using his dithery, stuttery old-man act whenever confronted by authority but don't be fooled, it's just another tool in his box of trickery. AC is not fooled for a second!
As for why he was never caught by immigration in the 1960's & 70's, just look at his file. It was passed from one desk and department to another mostly by snail mail and telegram. From NSW to QLD and back to Canberra. Whenever RB got a whiff of authorities getting close he changed his name, used an alias, gave false addresses, used PO boxes or moved.
If not for the tenacity of SL, and the amazing work of WSleuths, this oxygen thief would have lived out his remaining years on the proceeds of a life of crime. IMOO end of rant!

 

[gymtonic]

Rant away!! it's this bit ....

Whenever RB got a whiff of authorities getting close he changed his name, used an alias, gave false addresses, used PO boxes or moved.

...that makes me think he has either had an extraordinary amount of luck in "getting a whiff of" someone getting close or has contacts in the right places though! IMO

 

[BonnieB]

Rant away!! it's this bit .......that makes me think he has either had an extraordinary amount of luck in "getting a whiff of" someone getting close or has contacts in the right places though! IMO

I think you are probably correct there too, particularly in the latter years. I wouldn't rule out blackmail either.

 

[mishy66]

@Eyespywithmylittleeye THIS escaped my attention before but have a look at this card again...
https://collections.arolsen-archives.org/de/search/person/70601398?s=andre wouters&t=634841&p=1
SEE ATTACHEMENT


Reminding myself at the inquest wonks said "IK had a friend she went to".... he would say that because IK is no longer alive to verify anything.

@Eyespywithmylittleeye As you found:
MJ Mestdagh (Marie-Jeanne) born 10 Jan 1949 in Belgium
departed from Rotterdam 11 Feb 1969 – arriving May?

Session expired | RecordSearch | National Archives of Australia
NAA 1969 - MESTDAGH Marie-Jeanne born 10 January 1949 - Nationality Belgian arrived per ship SS "AUSTRALIS" departed Ex Rotterdam/Netherlands 11 February 1969 under I.C.E.M.
(arriving just prior to WW and IK.....)
NAA 1970 -
MESTDAGH Eric Oscar Jozef born 22 March 1942; Cathy born 6 December 1963 - Belgian - travelled per ship AUSTRALIS departing Rotterdam/Netherlands on 11 February 1971
TWO Mestdaghs arriving in aust different times……


What IF Mestdagh family actually is connected to the STEPFATHER that no one seems to be able to find and the only one at this point 'off the hook'.......

I have found a link that connects the two names:

1923 – Andre Wouters and Johanna Mestdagh

 

[mishy66]

I am trying to find the thread someone had up about Baron Guy De Wouters but I cant find it sorry but Thank you to the person that put it up a while back - it was this link
Baron Guy De Wouters (8 Harley Gardens Limited) - Director Profile - Endole

Anyways I have been searching this name and found this:
You need to go through ALL the tabs on pages, and read all the pages , including side tabs, to make the connections.
Too much to add on here but I think I have found the racket. IMO.

From that link I googled the Officerevise Limited at the bottom of the page.
Officerevise Limited
8 Harley Gardens Limited - Company Profile - Endole
OFFICEREVISE LIMITED - Free Company Check
8 HARLEY GARDENS LIMITED - Free Company Check
See all tabs

Guy De Wouters director information. Free company director check.

It led me to this page:
ADRIAN JOSEPH MARIA OOMEN , company director check UK
Adrian Joseph Maria Oomen director information. Free company director check.
Merijn Balder Oomen ⇒ Free Company Director Check
Dr Marie Curiestraat 51 5914 Gp Venlo Venlo The Netherlands

Googling address :
Monika Oomen director information. Free company director check.
Zulaikha Oome director information. Free company director check.
MRS Zulaikha Oome works at OJE TRAVEL & TOURS LTD as Secretary.
OJE TRAVEL & TOURS LTD - ILFORD
http://www.checkcompany.co.uk/reportfiled.php?company=13815823&link=MzMyNDU0NjcyMWFkaXF6a2N4
OJE TRAVEL & TOURS LTD - Company Credit Reports, Company Accounts, Director Search Reports
OJE TRAVEL & TOURS LTD - ILFORD
Check all addresses given...

Back to the first link of company above:
Which led me to the "CO WORKER" at bottom of page.
GUY DE WOUTERS , company director check UK

Previous Appointments of Merijn Balder Oomen
MINISTRY OF VISUAL AFFAIRS LTD (dissolved)
Company address: MINISTRY OF VISUAL AFFAIRS LTD
80 SIDNEY STREET, FOLKESTONE, KENT
Google Maps

Merijn Balder Oomen ⇒ Free Company Director Check
Company address: MERLIN WIZART LIMITED
80 SIDNEY STREET, FOLKESTONE, KENT, CT19 6HQ
VIEW Company Documents - go through all tabs

Rafael Armando Ravelo ⇒ Free Company Director Check
Previous Appointments of Rafael Armando Ravelo
MINISTRY OF VISUAL AFFAIRS LTD

SEAGULL LEGAL SERVICES LIMITED. Free business summary taken from official companies house information. Free alerts. Registered as 03300568
READ ALL TABS - All Directors and Secretaries
SEAGULL INTERIM LIMITED - Company Credit Reports, Company Accounts, Director Search Reports

.........on and on and on.

Sent to TLV

 

[KiwiNZ]

I am trying to find the thread someone had up about Baron Guy De Wouters but I cant find it sorry but Thank you to the person that put it up a while back - it was this link

This one ?

 

[mishy66]

This one ?

View attachment 339277

Thank you @KiwiNZ it might have been that one also but I thought it was a link to the full name.
Anyways I just wanted to acknowledge the sleuth.

 

[Brown Alleycat]

This is my first post but am an avid follower of WSleuths. I am fascinated with this case since listening to TLV podcast and following the many threads on WS. I so hope that her family will eventually find out what has happened to MB. They deserve to know.
I am continually taken back to a piece I read online from a book titled "The Secret War Against Dope" (Chapter 6). In June, 1968 a Belguim national by the name of WW (a Restaurateur) arrives from France in US and is surveilled by US Customs after landing by plane in Denver. He is a drug courier and is seen putting his bag (containing heroin) into a public locker at the airport. He is subsequently arrested and found to be part of a "French Connection" drug trafficking group which transferred proceeds through financial institution "First Handover" to a Swiss businessman for laundering. After being caught, he comes clean and in 1969 tells all about the operation resulting in numerous arrests and he seems to be able to "begin a new life".

IMO, this could be our Mr AKA. He could use his many companies to launder his share of drug proceeds. It could explain why he was in Switzerland when he claimed he met MB in late 1960's. With the arrest in US, this delays WW & IK's plan to travel to Australia by a few months. Once in Australia, maybe he realises that if he stays with the name WW, then he is in danger from the traffickers who are trying to track him down. He has to change his name and he travels back to Europe and IW travels back as well. He now has to change his name. He chooses MJR and whether there is a marriage is debatable, but IW returns as IR, married to MJR. Is this the last time the name WW is used by him? I think so. If he is a wanted man by the drug syndicate, then that would explain the number of times he & his wife moved about. The subsequent name changes in Australia then was used to facilitate trying to con vulnerable women and knows how to use personal lockers at airports for ill gotten gains.

 

[ruby925]

Putting up what I have found so far on Andre /Abel Wouters /Wauters/
( Even though wonka says at inquest 'abel florent'... I thought I would start with what we know in the Marriage Notice to MC.

All information from this link:
https://collections.arolsen-archives.org/de/search/person/70601398?s=andre wouters&t=634841&p=1
Registration of Foreigners and German Persecutees by Public Institutions

Attached below.

The birthdate of 1923 seems the closest so far
Ransart, Belgium - Wikipedia
and with that there is the passenger list I put up earlier-
Possible he marries MC 1950 and then high tales it in 1952??


Then there is another for birthdate for 1926 with a DW born 1923 ( NOT saying it is wonks brother, just posting what I found)


Another AW Feb 1925


And then a document 1920 - if anyone can translate it?


That is all so far.

The document 1920 is an official questionnaire to confirm that Andre Wauters, born 9Oct20 worked in that factory from 08Nov43 to 18Apr45, left when the war ended. If there are no native speakers on here, I could prob do a translation, but lots of the questions are unanswered/not applicable.

 

[ruby925]

This is my first post but am an avid follower of WSleuths. I am fascinated with this case since listening to TLV podcast and following the many threads on WS. I so hope that her family will eventually find out what has happened to MB. They deserve to know.
I am continually taken back to a piece I read online from a book titled "The Secret War Against Dope" (Chapter 6). In June, 1968 a Belguim national by the name of WW (a Restaurateur) arrives from France in US and is surveilled by US Customs after landing by plane in Denver. He is a drug courier and is seen putting his bag (containing heroin) into a public locker at the airport. He is subsequently arrested and found to be part of a "French Connection" drug trafficking group which transferred proceeds through financial institution "First Handover" to a Swiss businessman for laundering. After being caught, he comes clean and in 1969 tells all about the operation resulting in numerous arrests and he seems to be able to "begin a new life".

IMO, this could be our Mr AKA. He could use his many companies to launder his share of drug proceeds. It could explain why he was in Switzerland when he claimed he met MB in late 1960's. With the arrest in US, this delays WW & IK's plan to travel to Australia by a few months. Once in Australia, maybe he realises that if he stays with the name WW, then he is in danger from the traffickers who are trying to track him down. He has to change his name and he travels back to Europe and IW travels back as well. He now has to change his name. He chooses MJR and whether there is a marriage is debatable, but IW returns as IR, married to MJR. Is this the last time the name WW is used by him? I think so. If he is a wanted man by the drug syndicate, then that would explain the number of times he & his wife moved about. The subsequent name changes in Australia then was used to facilitate trying to con vulnerable women and knows how to use personal lockers at airports for ill gotten gains.

This is from the New York Times 1972, presume some of this is in the book
BIG HEROIN RINGS SMASHED BY U.S.; LEADERS INDICTED (Published 1972)

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

@Eyespywithmylittleeye THIS escaped my attention before but have a look at this card again...
https://collections.arolsen-archives.org/de/search/person/70601398?s=andre wouters&t=634841&p=1
SEE ATTACHEMENT


Reminding myself at the inquest wonks said "IK had a friend she went to".... he would say that because IK is no longer alive to verify anything.

@Eyespywithmylittleeye As you found:
MJ Mestdagh (Marie-Jeanne) born 10 Jan 1949 in Belgium
departed from Rotterdam 11 Feb 1969 – arriving May?

Session expired | RecordSearch | National Archives of Australia
NAA 1969 - MESTDAGH Marie-Jeanne born 10 January 1949 - Nationality Belgian arrived per ship SS "AUSTRALIS" departed Ex Rotterdam/Netherlands 11 February 1969 under I.C.E.M.
(arriving just prior to WW and IK.....)
NAA 1970 -
MESTDAGH Eric Oscar Jozef born 22 March 1942; Cathy born 6 December 1963 - Belgian - travelled per ship AUSTRALIS departing Rotterdam/Netherlands on 11 February 1971
TWO Mestdaghs arriving in aust different times……


What IF Mestdagh family actually is connected to the STEPFATHER that no one seems to be able to find and the only one at this point 'off the hook'.......

I have found a link that connects the two names:

1923 – Andre Wouters and Johanna Mestdagh

Hmmm you have raised my attention that’s for sure.

it was actually ceglarski that I thought was the connection to Ik lived at Gosbell st born in Hungary on memory. I thought perhaps a family connect IK’s.

and I recall the Mestdagh find but my brain is blank right now on how I got to Mestdagh and why I thought she was the person IK stayed with. Brain not working today.

Little gymnasium article on Eric
GYM TRAINING AT MTP - Tom Price - Hamersley News (Perth, WA : 1969 - 1987) - 1 Jan 1984

 

[Eyespywithmylittleeye]

This is my first post but am an avid follower of WSleuths. I am fascinated with this case since listening to TLV podcast and following the many threads on WS. I so hope that her family will eventually find out what has happened to MB. They deserve to know.
I am continually taken back to a piece I read online from a book titled "The Secret War Against Dope" (Chapter 6). In June, 1968 a Belguim national by the name of WW (a Restaurateur) arrives from France in US and is surveilled by US Customs after landing by plane in Denver. He is a drug courier and is seen putting his bag (containing heroin) into a public locker at the airport. He is subsequently arrested and found to be part of a "French Connection" drug trafficking group which transferred proceeds through financial institution "First Handover" to a Swiss businessman for laundering. After being caught, he comes clean and in 1969 tells all about the operation resulting in numerous arrests and he seems to be able to "begin a new life".

IMO, this could be our Mr AKA. He could use his many companies to launder his share of drug proceeds. It could explain why he was in Switzerland when he claimed he met MB in late 1960's. With the arrest in US, this delays WW & IK's plan to travel to Australia by a few months. Once in Australia, maybe he realises that if he stays with the name WW, then he is in danger from the traffickers who are trying to track him down. He has to change his name and he travels back to Europe and IW travels back as well. He now has to change his name. He chooses MJR and whether there is a marriage is debatable, but IW returns as IR, married to MJR. Is this the last time the name WW is used by him? I think so. If he is a wanted man by the drug syndicate, then that would explain the number of times he & his wife moved about. The subsequent name changes in Australia then was used to facilitate trying to con vulnerable women and knows how to use personal lockers at airports for ill gotten gains.

Welcome to the world of posting.
Yes this story fascinated me too. And correct he assisted with nailing the others and did get off entirely. Also the Swiss connection. I think the court case was in the early 70’s? but would have to check that again

 

[ruby925]

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