Just a quick update on the Traffic Monsoon appeal, following arguments from both parties to be heard scheduled for March 21st.

Both the SEC and Scoville have acknowledged the date, so barring any unforeseen events between now and then the hearing should take place. [Continue reading…]

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

The Teno Coin website domain (“teno.io”) was privately registered on January 2nd, 2018.

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…]

A testimonial from Arla Mendenhall on the Bitcoin Ascension website identifies Ivan Mircic, Tom Kent, Amber Lee as admins of the company.

The Bitcoin Ascension website domain (“bitcoinascension.com”) was privately registered on November 2nd, 2017.

On Ivan Mircic’s Facebook page he refers to Bitcoin Ascension as “my program”.

In a Facebook post dated December 3rd, 2017, Mircic (right) confirms he owns the company:

After a lot of work I have designed and will be launching my own program today.

Being the owner is an exciting feeling and I can’t wait to share it will everyone.

Ivan Mircic first appeared on BehindMLM’s radar in 2015, as one of the Facebook group admins for the Money Go Round Ponzi scheme.

Money Go Round was modeled on the Achieve Community Ponzi scheme, which the SEC shut down in February, 2015.

As with most residents of the MLM underbelly, Mircic has transitioned seamlessly into cryptocurrency fraud.

Scams promoted by Mircic over the past year include Double Your BTC (bitcoin Ponzi doubler) and Click Intensity’s failed Ads Cash pump and dump ICO. [Continue reading…]

At one time there was a charity bearing the same name as the Helping Hands International pyramid scheme.

So when I read a firm named Helping Hands International recently held a training event for Nigerian policeman, I assumed it was an initiative of the charity.

Nope, turns out Nigerian policemen are being “trained” by the pyramid scheme. [Continue reading…]

Tavala operate in the health and nutrition MLM niche and operate out of Utah in the US.

Heading up Tavala is founder Boyd Wathen and CEO Allen Davis.

According to Wathen’s Tavala corporate bio he

made his fortunes holding multiple patents for his inventions in various industries.

He married his love for science and health by formulating products for very large Network Marketing companies.

Wathen along with partner David Brown is credited as the creator of Plexus Worldwide’s Slim wight loss supplement.

Also known as the “pink drink”, Slim is one of the most widely recognized products in the MLM industry.

After a falling out with Plexus, Wathen and Brown went on to launch TruVision Health.

TruVision Health are still in business and David Brown listed as a “founding partner” on the company website. There’s no mention of Boyd Wathen.

On his LinkedIn profile, Wathen also cites himself as co-founder of N4U International. I wasn’t able to find anything further on this company.

More recently, Wathen was named as the “primary investor” in Divvee.

Tavala CEO Allen Davis (right) was also the CEO of Divvee. Davis also served as general counsel for TruVision Health.

Divvee initially launched in 2015 with a monthly membership model providing access to discounts. The company revamped itself a few months later as promotional platform. which has since devolved into some questionable business decisions.

Mid last year Divvee rebranded as Nui and has since made some questionable business decisions.

I’m not 100% sure but I believe Davis and Wathen left during the Nui merger with Hodo Global, whose management leads the company today.

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

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

The PolyNetwork website domain (“polynetwork.org”) was privately registered on October 2nd, 2017.

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…]

Home Block Coin provide no information on their website about who owns or runs the company on their website.

The Home Block Coin website domain (“homeblockcoin.com”) was privately registered 19th October, 2017.

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…]

Despite assurances to the contrary, USI-Tech continues to run foul of securities regulation in Canada.

The latest is a cease and desist issued by the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA). [Continue reading…]

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

The Octoin website domain (“octoin.com”) was registered on June 28th, 2017.

Matt Blunt is listed as the owner, with an address in London, UK also provided.

Further research reveals the address provided belongs to Regus, who provide virtual office services.

A UK incorporation certificate for “Octoin Limited” is provided on the Octoin website.

Octoin Limited was incorporated on August 9th, 2017, using the same Regus address in the Octoin domain registration.

Matt Blunt is the sole Director listed for the company.

As represented by Octoin, “Matt Blunt” likely doesn’t exist.

UK incorporation is dirt cheap and for the most part unregulated. It is a favorite for scammers looking to incorporate dodgy companies.

As evidenced by listed affiliate “leaders” on the Octoin website and Alexa traffic estimates (Indonesia 24%, China 16% and Japan 9%), Octoin is primarily marketed in across Asia.

There’s a good chance whoever is actually running Octoin is based out of Indonesia or China.

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…]

Vizionary launched in 2015 as a simple membership-based pyramid scheme.

Affiliates paid a fee and were paid to recruit others who did the same. The more paid in fees, the higher the income potential via Vizionary’s compensation plan.

Alexa traffic statistics for the Vizionary website reveal the company began to collapse around May, 2017.

This turned around in September, coinciding with a new direction for the company. [Continue reading…]