PayNext provide no information on their website about who owns or runs the business.

The PayNext website domain (“paynext.io”) was privately registered on November 20th, 2017.

At the time of publication Alexa cite India as the largest source of traffic to the PayNext website domain (50%).

Offered languages on the PayNext website are only English and Chinese.

This suggests that whoever is running PayNext is likely either based out of India or China (Hong Kong).

As always, if an MLM company is not openly upfront about who is running or owns it, think long and hard about joining and/or handing over any money.  [Continue reading…]

Local media have dubbed BTC Global Team as “one of the biggest bitcoin scams to hit South Africa”.

Following the filing of 27,500 complaints, South African authorities have confirmed an investigation into BTC Global Team. [Continue reading…]

CarCoin provide no information on their website about who owns or runs the business.

The CarCoin website domain (“mycarcoin.com”) was privately registered on September 27th, 2017.

At the time of publication Alexa estimate that 67% of all traffic to the CarCoin website originates out of Vietnam.

Pretty much all of the CarCoin marketing material I came across was also in Vietnamese.

This strongly suggests that whoever is running CarCoin is also likely based or at the very least operating out of Vietnam.

As always, if an MLM company is not openly upfront about who is running or owns it, think long and hard about joining and/or handing over any money. [Continue reading…]

E-Platform 365 provide no information on their website about who owns or runs the business.

The E-Platform 365 website domain (“eplatform365.com”) was privately registered on February 16th, 2017.

A corporate address in the Cayman Islands is provided, however this is likely a virtual office (Cayman Islands is a known tax-haven).

The E-Platform 365 compensation plan cites Hong Kong time, suggesting the company is likely being operated out of Asia.

As always, if an MLM company is not openly upfront about who is running or owns it, think long and hard about joining and/or handing over any money. [Continue reading…]

Late last year Norway’s TV 2 aired a segment on PM International on their Health Control program (Helsekontrollen).

After commissioning an independent university study, Health Control reported PM International’s products were made up of at least 50% sugar.

This saw Health Control report PM International were selling “sugar powder”, in addition to operating as a pyramid scheme.

PM International fired back with a lawsuit, demanding the Health Control report be suppressed.

Following a decision on Tuesday, PM International were denied an injunction and have been ordered to pay TV 2’s legal costs. [Continue reading…]

A preliminary injunction has been granted Ryan Maasen in the filed Kentucky BitConnect class-action lawsuit. [Continue reading…]

Mark and Tammy Smith aren’t just top earners in Nerium International, they’re the top earners.

As Master Distributors of the company, Mark and Tammy Smith were held up as posters of Nerium’s success.

As of late 2014, Ted Nuyten’s BusinessForHome clocked the Smith’s at $9 million career earnings and around $2.4 million in commissions annually.

That makes their $100 million dollar plus lawsuit against Nerium International all the more interesting. [Continue reading…]

Foru International operate in the health and nutrition MLM niche and began as GeneWize Life Sciences back in 2008.

Today the company cites a corporate address in Irving, Texas on its website. On Foru International’s Facebook page however, a different address in Orlando, Florida is provided.

Heading up Foru International are Stacey Clark and Rebecca Ortolaza, who serve as co-Presidents of the company.

As per Clark’s and Ortolaza’s respective Foru International corporate bios;

Stacey Clark has over 30 years of experience in the direct selling industry, having consulted with or worked as a senior executive with over 30 different organizations.

A finance and operations executive, Stacey is a proven expert in the areas of compensation, logistics, finance, operations and customer service.

With over 13 years experience in customer service, Rebecca Ortolaza has specialized in customer care, training and compliance.

With over eight years experience in the direct selling industry, Rebecca has worked with some very large and well-known names.

Despite claims both co-Presidents have been involved in the MLM industry for years, I was unable to tie either of them to anything prior to Foru International.

I’m not saying Clark and Ortolaza haven’t been involved in other MLM companies, just that their stated experience doesn’t appear significant enough to warrant any third-party documentation (or even first-party for that matter).

In 2012 Capsalus Corp finalized the purchase of GeneWize Life Sciences, Foru International’s parent company at the time.

Wharton Equity and Fidelity Holdings are cited as “noteworthy participants” in the acquisition, however in what capacity is unclear.

Today Foru International claims on its website that it is “financially backed” by Wharton Equity and Fidelity Investments (next to a logo for Fidelity Holdings).

In 2014 Foru International was the target of an FTC complaint over deceptive advertising practices.

Back in the day, consumers looking for a personalized product had to settle for a monogrammed hanky.

GeneLink, Inc. and foru International Corporation claimed to take personalization to a new level by testing each buyer’s DNA and formulating products to address that person’s genetic weaknesses.

But according to the FTC, the companies didn’t have sound science to support their claims.

The FTC alleged Foru International

didn’t have sound science to support that the supplements could compensate for genetic disadvantages identified in the DNA test and reduce that person’s risk of illness.

Those promises about diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and insomnia?

Unproven, alleged the FTC.

The complaint also challenges the companies’ claim that the skin serum was scientifically proven.

Rather than provide evidence of its claims, Foru International settled the complaint.

The settlement saw Foru International agree to stop falsely representing its products

will treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of any disease (including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or insomnia) by modulating the effect of genes or based on a person’s customized genetic assessment.

Read on for a full review of the Foru International MLM opportunity. [Continue reading…]

When the Texas Securities Board issued USI-Tech with a cease and desist last year, one of the primary concerns was lack of disclosure.

At the time USI-Tech were claiming to generate ROI revenue through bitcoin mining. [Continue reading…]

The almost year-long feud between Valentus, Advanced Laboratories and Vitae Global has come to an end, following notice of a settlement.

For those unfamiliar with the dispute, last May Valentus’ SlimRoast coffee supplier sued the company for $3.1 million. [Continue reading…]