2015–2025: A Decade of Broken Promises
Americus Oxides LLC Incorporated
Company incorporated in Delaware. Registered in Arizona (R19857167) and South Carolina (935944). Claims to process rare earth element oxides.
Executive Summary Sent to Investors
Robert Reininga (VP Finance, using "B Rhino" alias) sends executive summary to prospective investor.
"Casey, Per your request, attached is the executive summary for Americis [sic] Oxides. Please let me know a good time to discuss."
Formal Investment Commitment & Royalty Agreement Signed
Lee Wiskowski sends a formal written commitment and executed royalty agreement. Investor sends $10,000 via wire transfer.
"Please find this email as a formal confirmation and commitment that I, Lee Wiskowski, as sole managing member of Americus Oxides LLC, will execute an Americus Oxides, LLC Royalty Agreement for $10.00 per ton of processed ore for a deposit of $10,000."
March 2020 Progress Report
Robert Reininga sends update to all "Royalty Partners." Claims "tremendous progress" but no production and no payments.
"Dear Royalty Partner, ...This update will provide transparency on the current status of the company and the tremendous progress the AO team has accomplished over the last three months. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding!"
April 2020 Update
Another update sent to investors. Still no production, still no payments.
First PPP Loan Received + June Update
Americus Oxides receives its first PPP loan from Bank of America. Meanwhile, investors are told about "successful production in South Carolina" that has yet to materialize.
"We appreciate your continued patience as we move forward towards successful production in South Carolina."
July 2020 Update — Business Model Pivot?
Update acknowledges need for "near term cash flow" — suggesting the original business plan isn't working. Attached materials about catalytic converter and e-scrap recycling essentially described stripping catalytic converters. In my opinion, this was a major red flag and the point where it became clear the original rare earth oxides business was never going to work.
"Lee has been hard at work in determining the best route forward for creating near term cash flow for the company and its investors."
Second PPP Loan Received
Americus Oxides receives a second PPP loan from Bank of America. Combined total: $26,922 in government-backed loans, reporting 7 jobs. Both loans later marked "Paid in Full" (likely forgiven).
April 2021 Update — Two Years, No Production
Two full years since the investment. Still no production, still no royalty payments. Same language: "continued patience."
"Dear Royalty Partner, ...We appreciate your continued patience as the company moves forward towards successful production."
Royalty Repurchase Offered — "Payment by Next Week"
Lee Wiskowski offers a Royalty Repurchase Agreement and promises a 10% initial payment within days. The agreement is signed. No payment ever arrives.
"Based upon information from incoming new investor, I am expecting to make the initial 10% payment by middle of next week."
"Funds by Wednesday"
Four days later, another promise with a specific date.
"My investor has informed me should have his funds available by Tuesday…so I expect to be able to send you funds by Wednesday…"
"Highly Likely a Wire Tomorrow"
"Should have an update for you by tmrw and from what my investor is telling me, highly likely a wire out to your account..."
No wire was ever sent.
"Sorry for False Start Again"
"Sorry for false start again…some delay caused it to push to this coming week and I'm now told I should have funds by Tuesday…"
Funds never arrived.
Another Investor Reaches Out
Jeff Flint contacts this website about a family member who invested. Independently describes it as a scam.
"I wanted to reach out to you as I have a family who has 'invested' in this scam. I am currently gathering information to file a complaint."
"Real Chance" of Funds in May — After a Year of Silence
After nearly a year without contact, Lee responds to a follow-up. Admits no funding has come through.
"All the highly expected funding for AO has not materialized... I do believe there is a real chance I will have some funds to work with in the month of May and should be able to start making some payments."
Investor Offers to Sell Back at 50% Loss — Lee Calls AO a "Pig in a Poke"
Investor, having been laid off, offers to sell back the investment at half price. Lee's response includes a remarkable admission.
"AO is pretty much a 'pig in a poke' situation right now."
"I'm having some pretty solid and strong conversations with verbal commitments of financing happening soon... I really think I might be in contact with you later yet this month."
No contact was made that month. No payment was made.
"2 Groups Expecting Funds This Quarter"
"I'm still waiting…got 2 groups waiting on funds, both claiming they're expecting funds this quarter (hopefully Feb)."
February came and went. No funds.
"All My Funding Sources Claiming Funds This Month"
After investor reports another layoff and requests buyout:
"I am hopeful I will have something to report this month. All my funding sources are claiming they will have funds this month."
As of this writing, no payment has been received. The pattern continues.
Total Royalty Payments Received: $0
After 6+ years, multiple signed agreements, dozens of specific promises with dates, and $26,922 in PPP loans — investors have received exactly nothing.