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Kevin Trudeau`s Legal Troubles: A Deep Dive into the Criminal Claims (2024)”

Kevin Trudeau- Introduction

Kevin Trudeau, a television pitchman and author from Chicago, has been embroiled in numerous controversies over the years, primarily due to his misleading infomercials and fraudulent activities. Here is a summary of the key controversies surrounding him:

Kevin Trudeau- Criminal Contempt and Fraudulent Claims

Trudeau was convicted in 2014 of criminal contempt for violating a consent order in which he promised to stop making misleading ads about his weight-loss book, "The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About"[3][5][7][8][13].

He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his offenses[7][8][13].

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been involved in legal actions against Trudeau since the late 1990s, with allegations that he made false and unsubstantiated claims for various products, including weight loss and health remedies[9][11].

Kevin Trudeau- Financial Penalties and Asset Concealment

Trudeau was ordered to pay a $37.6 million fine for deceptive marketing, which he claimed he could not pay, asserting that he was penniless[9][11].

Despite his claims of insolvency, the FTC has accused him of hiding assets and continuing to lead a lavish lifestyle[5][6][10][16].

Trudeau’s ex-wife testified that he had gold bars hidden around their house and that he had filled a duffel bag with gold bars before making a trip to Guatemala[12].

Kevin Trudeau- Post-Prison Activities and Fan Support

After serving eight years of his 10-year sentence, Trudeau was released from federal prison[4].

Despite his criminal record, Trudeau has maintained a significant following. His fan club, founded by followers to support him financially, raised about $3 million, with only a little more than $1 million going to pay the FTC[1][5][13].

The FTC is investigating whether Trudeau is still hiding millions that he could be using to pay the fine[1].

Trudeau has been involved with the Global Information Network, a company he founded, which now counts him as a salaried employee[1].

Kevin Trudeau- Legal Proceedings and Court Orders

Trudeau has been found in contempt of court multiple times for failing to comply with court orders[1][16].

He has been ordered to provide a detailed accounting of his assets, including cash, gold bars, jewelry, vehicles, and safe deposit boxes[3].

The FTC has sent out refunds to consumers who bought Trudeau’s book based on the false claims made in his infomercials[17][18].

Kevin Trudeau- Public Perception and Criticism

Trudeau is often described as a scam artist and has been criticized for exploiting vulnerable individuals with his deceptive practices[20].

His activities have been widely covered in the media, with many expressing relief at his incarceration and skepticism about his claims[20].

In summary, Kevin Trudeau’s controversies stem from his repeated fraudulent activities, misleading claims in infomercials, and his attempts to evade financial penalties imposed by the courts. Despite his legal troubles, he has managed to retain a base of supporters who have contributed financially to his cause. The FTC continues to pursue the unpaid fines and to investigate Trudeau’s financial activities.

Citations:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/5/10/23719108/kevin-trudeau-fraud-pitchman-fan-club-millions-support-federal-trade-commission

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ducbi/I_work_for_kevin_trudeaus_latest_scam_the_global/?rd=46360

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2022/11/30/months-after-release-from-federal-prison-tv-pitchman-kevin-trudeau-called-for-jail-again

https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/11/17/23456107/kevin-trudeau-court-weight-loss-cure

https://bensons.org/news/2023/05/11/kevin-trudeau-found-guilty-contempt-time-sensitive-night-news

https://abc7chicago.com/who-is-kevin-trudeau-weight-loss-infomercial-pitch-man-net-worth-jail/12465996/

https://www.justice.gov/usa-ndl/il/weight-loss-infomercial-pitch-man-kevin-trudeau-sentenced-10-years-fraud

https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/17/justice/illinois-pitch-man/index.html

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2009/11/judge-orders-kevin-trudeau-pay-more-37-million-false-claims-weight-loss

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2021/04/26/ex-wife-of-tv-pitchman-kevin-trudeau-judge-he-hid-assets

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Trudeau

https://abc7chicago.com/kevin-trudeau-ex-assets-still-pony-up-millions-to-support-pitchman/13330596

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2023/7/16/fraudster-kevin-trudeau-empties-bank-accounts-told-judge-he-has-plenty-more-cash-gold

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2020/02/kevin-trudeau-assets-concealed

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/trudeau-faq

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former/tv-pitchman-kevin-trudeau-sentenced-928297

https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/blog-post/kevin-trudeau-goes-jail-long-set

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Tony de Gouveia is a Scammer? Find Out Here

Tony de Gouveia– Introduction

Name: Tiny Tony de Gouveia Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Claims To Be: Business Professional Reality: Promoter and key figure in multiple MLM schemes and scams.

Tony de Gouveia– Introduction

Tiny Tony de Gouveia, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has made a name for himself in the business world. However, his reputation is far from positive. Despite his claims of being a business professional, de Gouveia has been identified as a central figure in promoting several dubious multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. His involvement in these schemes has led to significant financial losses for many unsuspecting individuals.

Tony de Gouveia– Mannatech

One of the first notable ventures de Gouveia promoted was Mannatech, an MLM company selling dietary supplements and wellness products. While Mannatech presents itself as a health and wellness innovator, it has faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory actions. The company has been accused of making misleading health claims about its products, suggesting they could treat or cure various diseases without scientific backing. Despite these issues, de Gouveia continued to endorse Mannatech, persuading many to invest in its products and business model.

Tony de Gouveia– Lifestyle Galaxy

Another controversial company linked to de Gouveia is Lifestyle Galaxy, formerly known as One Vision Holding. This company promised high returns through mining contracts, enticing investors with the allure of cryptocurrency gains. However, Lifestyle Galaxy has been widely criticized and labeled as a fraudulent investment scheme. Authorities and financial experts have warned against investing in such ventures, highlighting the high risk and low likelihood of returns. Yet, de Gouveia’s promotion of Lifestyle Galaxy contributed to its reach and the financial entrapment of many.

Tony de Gouveia– Karatbars 1

Karatbars 1 is another MLM company heavily promoted by de Gouveia. This enterprise offers gold-based investment opportunities, leveraging the appeal of precious metals. However, numerous financial authorities have issued warnings about Karatbars, questioning its legitimacy and business practices. Despite these red flags, de Gouveia remained a vocal supporter, convincing individuals to invest in gold-based MLM opportunities with promises of financial security and substantial returns.

Tony de Gouveia– GSPartners

Continuing his pattern, de Gouveia also promoted GSPartners, an MLM venture focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. GSPartners has been marketed as a groundbreaking opportunity in the digital currency space, promising high returns and innovative financial solutions. However, it has been labeled by many as a high-risk investment, with strong potential to be another scam. Financial experts caution against such schemes, noting the volatility and lack of regulation in the cryptocurrency market.

Tony de Gouveia– Impact and Legacy

Tony de Gouveia’s endorsement of these MLM companies has had a profound impact, leading to significant financial losses for many. Individuals lured by his persuasive promotion found themselves investing in schemes that offered little to no return. The pattern of his involvement in these dubious ventures highlights a concerning trend of exploiting the MLM business model to defraud investors.

Despite the negative outcomes associated with his promotions, de Gouveia has managed to maintain a presence in the business community. His ability to continually endorse new MLM schemes poses significant challenges in regulating and policing such activities, especially in the digital age where information and opportunities spread rapidly.

Is Tony de Gouveia Attempting a Reputation Cleanup?

As I highlighted before, if you’d look him up, you’ll find a plethora of PR and promotional material. What he’s doing is a typical attempt of reputation laundering.

Reputation laundering is the practice of covering up or erasing misdeeds, negative business practices, or illegal actions of a company or individual. The key aspects of reputation laundering are:

It is a niche industry that has grown up around the need for companies and individuals to change public perception of their actions. This includes PR firms, lawyers, lobbyists, and other “fixers” that help clients portray themselves in a more positive light.

Tactics used include making donations to universities, charities, and other institutions, aligning with sports teams, and using disinformation and “astroturfing” (creating fake grassroots movements) to obscure the truth.

Reputation laundering is different from legitimate reputation repair, which involves fixing real problems within a company and developing a positive image based on their actions. Laundering seeks to cover up illegal activities and bad practices.

Reputation laundering allows kleptocrats, oligarchs, and politically exposed persons to distance themselves from the illicit source of their wealth and transform their public image, making it difficult for compliance and law enforcement to detect any wrongdoing.

This practice undermines democratic institutions and norms by manipulating public perception and enabling the flow of tainted money into Western economies. Governments have been slow to address the “enablers” that facilitate reputation laundering.

In summary, reputation laundering is an unethical industry that allows companies and individuals to cover up misdeeds and present a false positive image to the public.

A popular example of reputation laundering is Israel’s PR on Gaza.

I recommend you read up on how Israel’s propaganda machine works and how it painted innocent Palestinians as terrorists.

Tony de Gouveia—Conclusion

Tiny Tony de Gouveia’s career is a stark reminder of the risks associated with MLM companies and the importance of due diligence before investing. While he presents himself as a business professional, the reality is a legacy of promoting schemes that have led to financial harm for many. His story underscores the need for increased awareness and regulation in the MLM industry to protect individuals from similar scams in the future.

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Did scott Dylan Defraud Barclays for £13.7m?

Scott Dylan is an entrepreneur and the owner of Inc & Co. According to his press releases, he has an impressive track record and is a thought leader in the industry.

However, his professional background is ridden with controversy. In fact, he is currently embroiled in a major legal battle with Barclays Bank. Apparently, he (and some other people) defrauded the bank for millions of pounds.

Scott Dylan is

The Promotional Claims of Scott Dylan:

Here is the summary of his marketing claims:

Scott Dylan is a co-founder and partner at Inc & Co, a business collective based in Manchester, UK, that acquires and nurtures digital businesses to promote growth and innovation.

Since its establishment, Scott Dylan has played a crucial role in steering the company towards its mission of revitalizing businesses by providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed in competitive markets.

Under his leadership, Inc & Co has expanded its portfolio significantly, incorporating companies from various sectors including digital marketing, logistics, food and beverage, and technology. His strategic vision focuses on fostering collaboration among the group’s companies to leverage synergies and drive collective success.

Certainly, Scott is trying to reinvent his image with Inc & Co in Manchester. However, it might not be as effective as he thinks it to be.

All About the Scott Dylan and Barclays Bank Case:

A court date was set for January 13, 2025, for a civil case filed by Barclays Bank against a Manchester-based businessman and his associates. The bank alleges that they took £13.7m without authorization and for their own personal gain.

Barclays Bank made a claim against Scott Dylan, Gareth Dylan, Sally Ann Glover, and David Antrobus.

Another claim was filed against Fresh Thinking Group (formerly known as Old3 Limited), Jack Mason, and Inc Travel Group Limited (formerly known as Old2 Limited), both of which have since gone into compulsory liquidation.

Barclays argued that all the individual defendants, except for Gareth Dylan, were implicated in a conspiracy to harm Barclays through illegal methods. The defendants denied the conspiracy allegation and contested the claims made by Barclays.

A hearing was scheduled for April 29, 2024, where Barclays alleged that the defendants had breached multiple freezing orders, resulting in their contempt of court.

Claims were made regarding the transfer of approximately £13.7m from accounts held with Barclays by subsidiaries of Fresh Thinking Group. It was noted that these accounts had no or insignificant credit balance at the time.

According to Barclays, there were around 830 payments made in amounts slightly below the £50,000 threshold. These payments would have triggered the need for further approval.

According to Barclays, the money was transferred to Fresh Thinking Group and another subsidiary, FT Ops Limited, before being distributed further and allegedly leading to the defendants' personal enrichment.

Legal sources indicate that Barclays filed the case against Scott Dylan in October 2021. The case is still pending as mentioned in media reports.

Scott Dylan is a Convicted Criminal?

I found a detailed thread about Dylan when I was looking into his past. It turns out that Scott Dylan might not even be his real name.

According to the user, Scott Dylan, also known as Reece Dylan, was widely regarded as a notorious scammer. They say that the other user were lucky that it was just a few hundred dollars — some companies were out thousands.

Reece had utilized credit cards that were stolen or obtained fraudulently to make purchases for airline tickets, hotel accommodations, hosting services, content, and even sponsorships for webmaster trade shows. The previous company he worked for was Pulz Productions, which had accumulated thousands of debts. Reece used to consider himself a big shot and would often make offers to buy companies without even seeing them first. He preferred staying at upscale hotels and left without paying a bar tab that amounted to almost $20K after his credit cards were declined.

He was reportedly being sought by law enforcement agencies in the UK and has last been spotted in Ireland.

When the user visited gainwarminster.com, they searched for “pulz productions” and discovered the thread titled “Industry Alert Mass Fraud,” along with other threads that provided specific information about the extent of his fraudulent activities.

He operated on fraud, scams, and chargebacks. Having access to data, he potentially mined it for valuable information such as credit card numbers, personal details, and financial data.

The assistant expressed regret that it could not assist anyone other than to advise them to quickly distance themselves from the individual in question. It should be noted that it would be wise to assume that anything associated with him is connected to fraudulent activities or ill-gotten funds.

Possible Consequences for Scott Dylan of Inc & Co.

In the UK, the legal consequences of committing financial fraud are severe and can include both criminal penalties and significant financial sanctions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the penalties based on the type of fraud committed:

General Fraud Penalties under the Fraud Act 2006 Under the Fraud Act 2006, fraud can be committed in several ways including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and fraud by abuse of position. The penalties for these offences can be substantial:

Maximum Penalties: Individuals found guilty of fraud under this Act can face up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Less Severe Cases: For less severe instances, penalties might include fines or lower prison sentences depending on the specifics of the case, such as the amount defrauded and the defendant��s role in the fraud.

Specific Fraud Types and Their Penalties

Benefit Fraud: This includes dishonestly claiming benefits such as housing or unemployment benefits. Penalties can range from fines to imprisonment, with the most severe cases seeing up to 10 years in custody.

Tax Evasion: Tax evasion can lead to penalties up to 200% of the evaded tax and, in serious cases, imprisonment for up to 7 years.

Corporate Fraud: The introduction of the “failure to prevent fraud” offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 means that companies can face unlimited fines if they fail to prevent fraud by an associated person.

Additional Consequences

Reputational Damage: Beyond legal penalties, individuals and companies involved in financial fraud can suffer severe reputational damage, which can affect future business and personal prospects.

Civil Recovery and Confiscation: Courts can also order the confiscation of assets gained through fraudulent activities, aiming to recover the proceeds of crime.

Enforcement and Prosecution Agencies

Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS): These agencies handle the prosecution of complex and serious fraud cases across England and Wales.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): The FCA also imposes fines and sanctions for fraud-related offences within the financial services sector.

Recent Legislative Changes The recent legislative changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 have broadened the scope of liability for companies, making it easier to prosecute corporations for failing to prevent fraud, thereby increasing the risk of prosecution for both individuals and organizations.

In summary, the UK has a robust legal framework for dealing with financial fraud, featuring severe penalties that include long prison sentences, hefty fines, and the potential for significant reputational damage. These measures are enforced by specialized agencies and are designed to deter fraudulent activities and promote transparency and honesty in personal and business financial matters.

Conclusion

The case of Scott Dylan is rather unique. Do you think the allegations of him being a major scammer are true? Share your thoughts in the comments. Let me know what you think.

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Leth Aguilar is a Fraudster? Find Out Here

Leth Aguilar – Introduction

Mirror Trading International (MTI), once touted as a groundbreaking investment platform, has been revealed as one of the most notorious Ponzi schemes in recent history. Under the guise of legitimate trading, MTI lured investors with promises of high returns through advanced cryptocurrency trading. However, behind this facade lay a complex web of deceit, illegal investment activities, and substantial financial losses for its members.

Leth Aguilar – The Rise of MTI

MTI, founded by South African Johann Steynberg, claimed to use sophisticated trading algorithms to generate significant profits from Bitcoin trading. The platform quickly gained popularity, especially among individuals familiar with the intricacies of cryptocurrency markets. MTI’s rapid growth was fueled by aggressive promotional tactics and the enticing promise of high, consistent returns. Key promoters like Leth Aguilar played a crucial role in expanding MTI’s reach, particularly in the USA.

Leth Aguilar – The Mechanics of the Scheme

The core of MTI’s operation was a classic Ponzi scheme. While it advertised legitimate trading activities, the primary source of returns was the influx of new investors’ money. Early investors were paid returns with funds from new participants, creating the illusion of a profitable and sustainable investment model. This cycle of deception encouraged more people to join, often bringing friends and family into the fold.

MTI’s marketing heavily relied on the appeal of mirror trading, where trades executed by professional traders would supposedly be mirrored in members’ accounts. Users, enticed by claims of using an advanced trading bot, convinced many that their investments were secure and growing.

Leth Aguilar – The Fall of MTI

Despite its outward success, cracks began to appear in MTI’s foundation. Regulatory bodies and financial watchdogs started to scrutinize its operations. Reports emerged of investors being unable to withdraw their funds, raising suspicions about the company’s liquidity and legitimacy. By late 2020, MTI’s troubles could no longer be concealed. Johann Steynberg disappeared, and investigations revealed that the company had misappropriated substantial amounts of Bitcoin.

In January 2021, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa declared MTI a Ponzi scheme, leading to its eventual collapse. Investigations showed that MTI had amassed an estimated $889 million from over 280,000 investors, many of whom suffered significant financial losses.

Leth Aguilar – The Aftermath and Legal Repercussions

The fallout from MTI’s collapse has been extensive. Investors worldwide are seeking restitution, and legal actions are being pursued against those involved in promoting and managing the scheme. Leth Aguilar and other prominent promoters face potential legal consequences for their roles in perpetuating the fraud.

Regulatory bodies have emphasized the need for stricter oversight of cryptocurrency investments to prevent similar schemes in the future. The MTI scandal serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with high-yield investment programs and the importance of due diligence.

Leth Aguilar – Lessons Learned

The MTI debacle highlights several critical lessons for investors:

Skepticism of High Returns: Promises of unusually high returns with minimal risk should be viewed with caution.

Transparency and Regulation: Legitimate investment platforms are transparent and subject to regulatory oversight. Investors should verify the credentials and regulatory status of any investment opportunity.

Due Diligence: Conducting thorough research and seeking independent advice can help identify potential red flags in investment schemes.

Is Leth Aguilar Attempting a Reputation Cleanup?

As I highlighted before, if you’d look him up, you’ll find a plethora of PR and promotional material. What he’s doing is a typical attempt at reputation laundering.

Reputation laundering is the practice of covering up or erasing misdeeds, negative business practices, or illegal actions of a company or individual. The key aspects of reputation laundering are:

It is a niche industry that has grown up around the need for companies and individuals to change public perception of their actions. This includes PR firms, lawyers, lobbyists, and other “fixers” that help clients portray themselves in a more positive light.

Tactics used include making donations to universities, charities, and other institutions, aligning with sports teams, and using disinformation and “astroturfing” (creating fake grassroots movements) to obscure the truth.

Reputation laundering is different from legitimate reputation repair, which involves fixing real problems within a company and developing a positive image based on their actions. Laundering seeks to cover up illegal activities and bad practices.

Reputation laundering allows kleptocrats, oligarchs, and politically exposed persons to distance themselves from the illicit source of their wealth and transform their public image, making it difficult for compliance and law enforcement to detect any wrongdoing.

This practice undermines democratic institutions and norms by manipulating public perception and enabling unethical activities to avoid detection and response. Governments have been slow to address the “enablers” that facilitate reputation laundering.

In summary, reputation laundering is an unethical industry that allows companies and individuals to cover up misdeeds and present a false positive image to the public.

A popular example of reputation laundering is Israel’s PR on Gaza.

I recommend you read up on how Israel’s propaganda machine works and how it painted innocent Palestinians as terrorists.

Leth Aguilar – Conclusion

Mirror Trading International’s rise and fall underscore the dangers of unchecked investment schemes in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market. As the legal proceedings unfold and efforts to recover lost funds continue, the MTI case serves as a powerful warning to investors to exercise caution and due diligence in their financial endeavors.