Barry Oberholzer

Barend Oberholzer, also known as Barry Oberholzer, is a former intelligence operative, former professional rugby player, American entrepreneur, licensed helicopter pilot, podcast host and convicted felon.

Early life Oberholzer was born in Houston, Texas, United States, where his father Barry Oberholzer Sr. served as the South African consul-general. After his father's diplomatic term ended in 1985, he relocated to South Africa.

In 2012, Oberholzer enrolled in an undergraduate program in Counter-Intelligence and Terrorism at the American Military University. a mobile internet of things threat detection device, in an attempt to prevent casualties in mass shooting. The device was marketed as being able to "identify concealed threats, such as weapons, knives and explosive devices, and to identify people on customized watchlists."

Involvement with the South African and government

In 2005, he advertised a Bell Helicopter on Barnstormers.com, an online marketplace for aviation. He was later contacted by Hussein Safari, an Iranian businessman who would help Oberholzer circumvent sanctions against Iran by selling American helicopters to Iran for a mark-up from South Africa. These deals garnered him over 3 million South African rands per transaction. Business increased in 2008 when South African President Thabo Mbeki encouraged more international trade between South Africa and Iran. 360 Aviation set up its own front company, Gemini Moon, to sell aircraft and parts, and set up other front operations for different Iranian entities. This information included attempts to garner governmental backing in June 2011 from the South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and his partner Gugu Mtshali in exchange for monetary compensation. Motlanthe has challenged these claims. The negotiations, that failed, would have set up a five-year contract of at least 450 million Rands for Gemini Moon to supply the National Iranian Oil Company with helicopters and parts. This would have violated the 2010 UN arms embargo.

Controversies In a case filed in the Southern District of New York, Oberholzer pleaded guilty on March 27, 2023, to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The suit alleged fraud and related claims. The parties subsequently reached a settlement in principle, leading to an affidavit of confession of judgment. The court entered a final judgment awarding $1,856,000 to Unique Logistics International, holding the defendants jointly and severally liable.

Jett LLC Fraud Warning

In 2021, international air cargo operator Network Airline Management issued a public fraud warning disclaiming any commercial association with Oberholzer and his company, Jett LLC, cautioning the public and aviation vendors against unauthorized flight contracting and fraudulent representation.

Philanthropy

Following the fall of Kabul in 2021, Oberholzer became involved in humanitarian and philanthropic efforts to assist Afghans affected by the crisis. He participated in organizing and supporting evacuation flights for individuals and families at risk, including former members of the Afghan Air Force. In the United States, he supported several ex-Afghan military pilots in transitioning to civilian aviation careers by facilitating employment in commercial airlines. He also provided funding for food packages distributed to families of displaced persons in Afghanistan during the period of political and economic instability.

While Upperwood Foundation was presented as a charitable endeavor, it operated alongside multiple fraud investigations and legal proceedings involving Oberholzer

Books The Black Market Concierge: Sanction Busting, Smuggling & Spying for America, Black Box Entertainment (November 26, 2016).