AdViewGlobal Says Members Guilty Of ‘Unethical’ Conduct
UPDATED 1:57 P.M. EDT (U.S.A.) Members who abused a member-to-member cash button AdViewGlobal (AVG) itself provided are guilty of “unethical” conduct that has delayed an audit the surf firm is performing on itself, AVG announced today.
AVG suspended member payouts June 25, implemented a mandatory 80/20 program upon the resumption of payouts on a date uncertain and exercised its version of a “rebates aren’t guaranteed” clause, thus exercising total control over members’ money. The surf said last month that it needed at least 30 days to complete the audit.
The surf firm, which purports to be headquartered in Uruguay and has servers that resolve to Panama, recently identified George and Judy Harris as its owners. George Harris is the stepson of AdSurfDaily President Andy Bowdoin, whom federal prosecutors said operated a massive Ponzi scheme from a former floral shop in Quincy, Fla.
ASD and AVG have common management, members and promoters. In March, AVG announced that Gary Talbert, a former ASD executive who provided a sworn statement on ASD’s behalf in a federal forfeiture case against ASD, had resigned as AVG’s chief executive officer.
AVG initially denied it had any affiliation with ASD or ASD President Andy Bowdoin.
On March 23, AVG announced that its bank account had been suspended because too many customers had wired transactions in excess of $9,500. The communication was signed “The AVG Management Team.”
In May — on the same day the Obama administration announced a crackdown on offshore fraud schemes — the surf announced it had secured a new offshore wire facility and provided detailed usage instructions to members.
Within three days, the surf withdrew the announcement of the wire facility, saying negotiations had failed. The withdrawal announcement came on the heels of a denial by a firm AVG said was facilitating the transfers that it had any business relationship with AVG.
AVG never addressed the separate firm’s denial. The implication was that AVG had attempted to route wire transactions to itself by using an account not in its name.
In the following weeks, when members complained about vague announcements and unclear directions from the firm, AVG threatened members with copyright-infringement lawsuits for sharing association news and to contact members’ ISPs to report abuse.
Some members said they wanted AVG to identify members the company claimed were abusing the system. AVG has not done so, instead saying it is conducting an audit of itself.
“Because of the unethical use of member transfers by some association members to artificially inflate their accounts, as well as complications created by changes in payment processors, the abrupt withdrawal of Syndicate Digital, and our own rapid growth, the audit has proven to be more difficult than we anticipated,” AVG said today.
Syndicate Digital, a Canada-based firm that described itself as an AVG subcontractor, said earlier this month that it no longer was working for AVG.
The surf did not announce a date by which its self-audit would be complete and member cash-outs would resume.
The surf did not announce a date by which its self-audit would be complete and member cash-outs would resume.
I’m betting, never.
Auditing itself?? Are you farging kidding me?? How on earth can anyone associated with AVGA management accuse someone else of being unethical. The entire concept of AVGA is unethical to put it mildly.
You just can’t make up this stuff.
Yep, cashouts will never resume. I wonder if anyone is dumb enough to be putting in money rightn now?
Oh dear – so the books still dont balance (again).
Hi alasycia,
One can argue that the theft excuse has already been used — in this case, the AVG members who purportedly misused the cash button are the equivalent of ASD’s “Russian hackers.”
Thing is, AVG was running all those 200-percent bonus offers — for prospects and sponsors — along with providing the cash button.
If AVG seizes the bonuses in a bid to restore equilibrium to the system, it means members will see the bonuses vaporize. So much for $5,000 turns into $15,000 “instantly!”
One of the ironies here is that the “instantly!” email was sent by a promoter AFTER AVG announced its bank account had been suspended, so it looked like AVG was using the promised bonuses to suck in as much cash as it could. Never mind there would come a day of reckoning. With its access to wires severely curtailed, it looks as though AVG simply couldn’t amass enough cash to honor the bonuses or even regular payouts.
And who knows what happened to the early money that entered the system?
Patrick
Well, I am sure that when they get to the bottom of this, they will immediately report them to the authorities. Of course their dilemma is which authorities?
I mean they registered offshore in Uruguay to keep from being subject to U.S. legal authorities, so I guess that means they have to report them to the Uruguay authorities. But since they are protected by the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Florida, maybe they can report them to either the Feds or State of Florida authorities; or both. Wait, maybe they can report them to all three authorities.
Sure is confusing, but I am sure they will report them to the “proper” authorities once they have completed their audit. Cough, Cough, Cough.
But now you know their exit plan.
George and Judy fired eight employees in Uruguay claiming to be broke and the office is going to be closed…..
Hi, Luisa;
Can you tell us how you know this? There’s nothing about it in AVG’s “Breaking News” at this time.
Hello Luisa,
Not all that long ago, some AVG members asked to see a photograph of the AVG headquarters building in Uruguay. Do you know if such a photo is available or if a photo ever was taken to show the staff at work?
I’m wondering if you worked for AVG in Uruguay and whether you can describe how employees got the news the office was going to be closed and that the company was broke.
I noticed today that AVG cited “complications created by changes in payment processors” in its announcement about the incomplete audit and the unethical behavior of members.
I don’t know how often you visit this Blog, but you might have read about the flap concerning partial refunds Solid Trust Pay of Canada provided some members of AdSurfDaily. AVG, of course, also accepted SolidTrustPay.
AVG seemed pretty vague today about the “complications” it cited with payment processors. Some members might have questions about that.
Patrick
Can you expound more on this please…. I’m very interested in hearing where you received this information…
thanks
Unfortunately, I am unware of most of the facts and by now I don’t want to be. Too many weird happenings…
A friend worked for them, and all I know is they were fired. As I said, George and Judy claimed to be broke and no longer working for AVGA because of too many wrong doings on them. They went as far as saying they were not the owners AVGA…. As you see too many contradictions…
One thing is sure: it is almost imposible to get hands on the real truth…
A fact: they moved to Uruguay with Judy’s mom (Barbara), brother (Joey) and his wife April. Rented house in a private neighborhood, bought cars, hired employees/rented office space, fired employees… what is going to be next step? we can only guess…but don’t expect the “audit” to be finish any time soon…if you hear somewhere of a “staff” in Uruguay, well as far as July 22, there is NONE.
Good luck in finding the truth!, and please understand this is a whole new universe to my understanding……
Luisa
Luisa,
I appreciate your post. Thank you.
The assertion that George and Judy Harris moved to Uruguay is new. Please fill in any details based on your own personal knowledge, if possible.
Thanks, Luisa.
Patrick
I guess it went to the inner circle as their reward for standing by Andy Bowdoin & Co. Wasn’t that what AVGA was all about – payback time for the boys and girls?
So Luisa,
Now this is becoming really confusing. We were told that Jose Sotelo Fariña was, first CEO of AVGA, and then CEO of the Uruguay area.
Now we hear that George and Judy and family went to Uruguay and started to employ people there. And Then that they are broke and firing people. And THEN that they are not the owners of AVGA. The last comment comes as no great surprise, but the rest is new.
What happened to Ismael Santiago and Jose Sotelo then?
Luisa, I appreciate your comments, and thank you for posting here with your information. Maybe the truth will start to come out now.
I am sure that “joe” will be able to explain all of this. I mean he told us about all the great and exciting things that were coming (but he couldn’t tell us without killing us), we didn’t know what we were talking about, and George and Judy were going to make all of us eat our words. Where is he when he is needed?
alasycia, you are exactly right. AVGA was the payback for all those who stood by Andy, and had their money frozen. That was its only purpose, just disguised as an auto-surf.
Kind of makes you wonder what Donna knew and when she knew it doesn’t it.
Correction……….please help us out here and set things straight.
If AVGA was formed as the “payback” for loyalty to Andy Bowdoin & Co, they must have been laughing themselves silly. They knew that the loyal followers were either lying, stupid or seriously deluded about the company and the man who was “too honest to testify” (dont you just love that quote?)
My guesss is that there was a mixture of both – the knowing and the deluded – and they all got their payback and now AVGA can disappear.
It is also possible that the success and adulation that they derived from ASD made them complacent and they were unprepared for the cynicism and opposition with which their later venture would be received. They clearly missed the point that, for many, their support of ASD v US Gov was not out of conviction, but more likely stemmed from their denial to face the reality of their losses.
The sad thing about this is that, whilst some people will never touch an autosurf again in their lives, some have simply moved to other schemes where they feel the owners are more honest, irrespective of the fact that it is the basic business model that is at fault
Yes indeed renting a house for Joey, another for George and one empty. For how long? Who knows….? They are free to travel… sprading excuses and leaving many questions…(Hopefully, they are still in Uruguay, because they owe the employees money)
Correction: the dismisal of the employees was on July 20th. As long as they worked reported to George, Judy or Barbara-those other names never on sight. It might be a good idea to rethink these business. As I said, I am not familiar with it; the whole situation seemed very unfair for so many people, that I just felt I had to say something… because it seems “like two faces of the same side”. Maybe time has the answer, and everybody gets their money worth, and George and Judy start “acting as the say”, and these comes as a funny chapter or…we´ll see…I´m sorry I can´t help with more information. But the facts that they are(where?) “relocating” the Company in Uruguay, moved along and hire/fired employees, canceled payments : are facts.
Just hope somehow these enlights somebody.
Bye
Luisa,
Is AVGA operated out of a house? Have you seen the house? How many employess do they or did they have? How many computers do they have for the business? I know alot of people here in the United States that have invested alot of money with AVGA and they are getting very worried…
Can you get a picture and email it to me? or maybe post it online?
I’m very curious.. very sorry for all the questions! but you can see Im very concerned…
thanks for what your doing
Steve
They were operating from an office in the Free Zone of Montevideo, Uruguay. Had 8 or 9 employees-fired by now, rented the houses to live-hopefully they are still in the country.
I´m sorry but I can´t send you a picture. I understand your concern but I can´t help your any further than wishing (as I said) that everything turns out for the best. As my friend was fired I lost truck of their doings…You and your friends in the states are going to have to walk your way on this…I´ve done as far as I could-just make people aware of the other side.
Luisa,
You’ve been a big help…
Thanks
Steve
Luisa sounds pretty knowledgeable to me as far as the Uruguaian office. As for the fireings, I have no knowledge of that.
I believe Ismael and at least one hundred others, are working with Donna Rougeau’s and Syndicate Digital’s training and affiliate program. She is teaching Internet niche marketing and selling SD’s services and you will not see her name associated with AVGA or any ad surfing company ever again according to Donna. She really is a fine lady. It is a shame that her name has been trampled on as it has been. Perhaps she should have know better, but her products and talents and revenue stream were legit. I like her very much and wish her well. She has taught me a lot and I look forward to working with her and SD. There were some here who derided “coach Donna”, and that is a shame. She is very knowledgeable and loves teaching Internet marketing.
Hi Correction,
It is probably more fair to say that folks were dumping on Donna for her affiliation with AVG, as opposed to her other activities. Glad to hear she won’t be working with other surfs — those things can give you a bad name that sticks. Perhaps as you say she should have done a bit of due diligence before signing on with AVG. Regardless of the ultimate fate of AVG, there are enough bad things written out there (including some by me) that someone with a stellar personal record who relies on said record in her business ought to be careful with that reputation.
Ah well….
From AVG’s Breaking News:
Valued AVGA Members:
As you know, we’ve been conducting an audit, trying to reconstruct an accurate picture of all member accounts after SyndicateDigital and Donna Rougeau withdrew from their contract with AVGA. We found that many members’ accounts had been altered, and we’re still in the process of restoring them.
We also have been evaluating the extent to which the inflated page impressions amassed by some members created artificial cash balances. This is taking much longer than originally anticipated. In the process, we’ve been informed that a substantial amount of association money was embezzled by the previous owner of eWallet Plus, Mike Austin, and the eWallet office manager, Alan Minto. The stolen funds amount to approximately 2.7-million dollars. Legal complaints have been filed in both cases and are currently being pursued by law enforcement authorities at both the state and federal levels.
We’ve been reluctant to share this information with you, because we were under the impression that the money would be returned within a fairly brief period of time. In the past 24 hours, however, we’ve learned that it could take 6 months to a year to get the money back to us.
But we will recover. Through all of this, we’ve received many, many encouraging emails and phone calls from members who are ardent supporters of AVGA. It is our intention that this business continue to grow, so that every single member gains the full benefit from their advertising.
We are now making every effort to seek out and solidify new alliances that will enable us to move forward toward growth and longevity.
Of course, we’ll have to make some changes in order to see this happen. We’re undergoing a complete overhaul of all management positions and procedural systems. If you’re interested, and you have the qualifications to fill an executive position, please submit your resume to avga@comcast.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We’re looking for a CFO, a compliance officer, and department managers for public relations, customer service, and new projects. These positions will coordinate small teams of members with expertise in each of these areas, to maintain a consistent and cohesive operation.
All applicants must have a thorough understanding of the current program and the flexibility to adapt to the inevitable changes that accompany rapid growth. If you apply, you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement that will be strictly enforced.
It’s been a very difficult time. But so many exciting aspects—and benefits—of this business wait just around the corner. We sincerely hope that you’ll continue to support us . . . and keep on surfing!
OMG – I thought we had heard it all, but there seems to be no end to the ingenious excuses delivered to the membership by AVGA!
It was the overpaying member’s fault, then the fraudulent members fault, then it was Donna Rougeau’s fault and now it seems to be Mike Austin’s and Alan Minto’s fault.
I would love to see the legal documentation involved in going after the latter pair – they forgot to mention whether it is the Uuruguyan authorities or the US authorities chasing them. lol
$5 says they have not actually filed charges….last thing AVG wants to do is talk to law enforcement. Shout out to little “joe” — now your great(?) company is blaming their problems on Donna Rogeau, when a while ago she was the hero/savior. What gives? I’d love to see what see really thinks about AVG, as if her sudden departure didn’t speak volumes….
[…] See July 23 story. […]