Secret Service, FBI, IRS Raid Steve Renner’s INetGlobal Operations In Minneapolis; Scene Resembled AdSurfDaily Raid In Florida
UPDATED 10:40 A.M. ET (U.S.A.) Federal and state agents have raided the Minneapolis offices of Inter-Mark Corp., seeking evidence of a Ponzi scheme, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis/St. Paul is reporting.
Inter-Mark Corp. is operated by Steve Renner, who also operates a purported “advertising” service known as INetGlobal. In a scene that resembled the August 2008 raid at the headquarters of Florida-based AdSurfDaily, agents in Minnesota were seen carting boxes of documents and computers.
ASD was implicated in a $100 million Ponzi scheme.
Renner has been under investigation for at least 17 months and likely longer. He was indicted on charges of tax evasion in September 2008, about a month after the ASD raid. He was convicted in December 2009 of evading more than $332,000 in taxes between 2002 and 2005.
Renner, 54, “diverted substantial funds from his business, Cash Cards International (CCI), between 2002 and 2005 to pay his personal living expenses as well as to make personal investments in coins, oil wells, art, stamps, and vintage musical instruments,” prosecutors said in December.
He also used CCI funds to promote his musical band, “Stevie Renner and the Renegades,†prosecutors said.
“From 2001 to 2006, Renner owned CCI, an Internet-based stored-value card and money
transmission business, with locations in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Hawaii,” prosecutors said. “Although he was legally obligated to file federal income tax returns and pay all federal taxes owed, he failed to file his income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2002 through 2004 until March 5, 2006, the date on which he also filed his 2005 federal income tax return.”
“Tax evasion is not a victimless crime,†said Julio La Rosa of the IRS, upon Renner’s conviction.
“Honest, hardworking taxpayers pay the price when others choose to evade their tax obligations,” La Rosa said. “As this verdict shows, those that cheat will get caught.â€
Renner faces up to 20 years in federal prison in the tax case.
Renner also is associated with a domain known as AdPacs.com, which is throwing a server error. It is believed that AdPacs promoters also promoted the AdViewGlobal (AVG) autosurf, which had close ties to ASD.
Affiliates of Steve Renner's AdPacs.com pushed AdViewGlobal just prior to its February 2009 launch. This screen shot of search result that appeared online more than a year ago lists the name of Juan Fernandez, the CEO of AdSurfDaily. ASD is implicated in a $100 million Ponzi scheme. AVG launched AFTER the federal seizure of tens of millions of dollars in the ASD case. Like ASD President Andy Bowdoin, Fernandez took the 5th Amendment at an evidentiary hearing in September 2008. Now, Renner's company is the subject of a major federal probe. ASD sold "ad-packs." AVG referred to its version of "ad-packs" as "viewer impressions" after the phrase "ad-packs' became radioactive.
As was the case with the ASD raid in Florida, local media caught the events at Renner’s office yesterday on video. Minnesota has been plagued by Ponzi schemes. Some ASD members from Minnesota have been among the loudest advocates for ASD President Andy Bowdoin.
The Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force assisted in the raid.
Earlier this month, the Secret Service announced the formation of an Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF) based in Memphis. The agency also has ECTFs in St. Louis, Kansas City, New Orleans and Europe.
“One of the top priorities for the Secret Service continues to be combating the computer
related crimes perpetrated by domestic and international criminals that target the U.S.
financial infrastructure,†said Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan.
“The Secret Service, in conjunction with its many law enforcement partners across the United States and around the world, continues to successfully combat these crimes by working closely with experts from all affected sectors to constantly refresh and adapt our investigative methodologies.â€
Read the Star-Tribune’s coverage of the Steve Renner raid.
This was music to my ears. When we provide information to law enforcement agencies, we never know what action, if any, they will take. It is great to see this time they took action. We are proud to have played a small part in making this happen.
Lynn, we all know and appreciate the tireless efforts of you and your team. However on this one, you will have to take a back seat.
It was super sleuth, convicted felon, Mr. “Truthful” Bob Guenther that told them – we know, because he said so. lol
Yes, I knew that name was familiar. Back when egold was being investigated and their primary dealer Omnipay was closed so no cash outs were possible, someone else stepped in. Back in 2008, CashCards.net became the primary dealer.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/67150
I don’t know how successful his operation was, or if he helped any HYIP ponzi scammers or any of the other egold criminal users cash out.
Hi Tony,
See this for suggestions of a “Russian” hacker:
http://forum.hyipinvestment.com/showthread.php?p=47095
Patrick
LOL. Russian “hackers”, what can’t they do?
—–
The seedy side of the online marketplace
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=173556
Quick note:
There is a claim in this thread at the ASA Monitor Ponzi forum that INetGlobal is doing $26 million a month — 90 percent of that from China:
http://www.asamonitor.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17172&pid=322674&mode=threaded&start=#entry322674
Now, see this October 2009 news release from INetGlobal about its Chinese support team:
http://v-newswire.com/business/inetglobal-support/
“With iNetGlobal, you can surf the web and get paid. “iNetGlobal is your Internet Service Solution Partner!†the release says in part.
Longtime readers will remember that Golden Panda Ad Builder was the so-called “Chinese” version of ASD.
China does not take kindly to Ponzi schemes. I’ve been wondering for some time if these autosurfs/HYIPs could spark a diplomatic incident, with the Chinese accusing the United States of exporting Ponzis.
In any event, here is a story that references how China reportedly dealt with a Ponzi schemer:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/12/21/shocking-a-ponzi-scheme-suicide-in-canada-a-ponzi-scheme-death-sentence-reported-in-china/
Patrick
Do your homework, the close down was a result of a class action of 3500 Chinese Citizens that were not legal Inet global members. They formed a class action and called into the FBI to close down (yet another ) successful American enterprise. Inet Global was abiding by all laws of American government. Your concern should be- ‘Why is the IRS and the FBI jumping to severe action when the Chinese Government raise unproven allegations.’ – The Chinese owing the American debt is proving costly indeed –
1 more American company gone…
And be logical – Steve Renner makes MILLION of dollars..so paying 300,000 is no big deal for him, Steve has made many claims that he has offered to pay his mis calculated ‘tax evasion’ why don’t you post more blogs supporting your own American Entrepreneurs!!! – READ the product line up in inet Global membership- it has the most incredible online products and tools,
Support our American people before you go breaking them down without full knowledge-
Gee, Margaret,
those are serious charges.
You are privy to this information, how, exactly ????
Were you “inside” as the saga unfolded, or are you relying on the word of those who were ???
There’s around 100,000 ex “members” of AdSurf Daily who would be only too willing to provide evidence of the danger/s of believing the word of someone who has deliberately set out to defraud you.
Margaret,
Did you see this?
https://patrickpretty.com/2010/02/25/adsurfdaily-cited-in-inetglobalsteve-renner-search-warrant-application-former-company-ceo-helped-agents-prior-to-raid-undercover-agent-joined-surf-program-agents-witnessed-spectacle-at-new-york-fu/
Patrick
Margaret must be in Jeff Long’s downline another one of those major promoters who is now on the DNA band wagon.
Here is a quote from Jeff Long:
Steve Renner, a good friend of mine has created something that already has paid out $425,000 in it’s first month of launch. And if you look at my site now, you’ll see it’s paid out even more by the time you read this.
Adpacs is Like Ad Surf Daily – Only Better – No Ponzi Scheme!
I love the timing of this raid. Yes, many of the people that went to the NY Rally, were Chinese, but because of Jim Forbair being hired to exploded the US market. Some were heavy hitters in the “scam world”. I recieved one of these. ‘First to know, act fast” e-mails. In the e-mail the heavy hitters were going to change the comp plan a little, and instead of recuiting an unlimited front line, the heavy hitters would make it a 3X9 forced Matrix. The Star trib reported that to join the”club” the mininum to join was $2,000.00. I know for a fact that the company had no problem asking for more. I believe the “Jeff longs” of the world just got in to Inetglobal, paid the money and had no time to get it out!!!!! Yes today is a good day
I’m honored you gave your close attention to my comment- you should re-read the Star Tribune’s article and pay close attention to that. It states the fact about the 3500 people in China
I am a hard working mother of 4 that has used inet global products and services to build and optimize my website,link e-commerce, and sell my products that I make from home. SO you better be damned sure that I am a fan to stand for the Inet Global company- My earnings of online sales paid my family’s livelihood when I felt the government had us fend for ourselves!!! we almost lost our home!!! SO yes, I take this personally
My husband and I have analyzed the payout structure closely and It is clearly not a pyramid it is referral commission for selling. Inet Global needs recruitment and Sales just like any healthy organization in the world.
It personally upsets me to see small time bloggers break down and attack real viable companies when they don’t have enough information on the company. I am yet to find one inet global member that feels like a victim. So yes, I am watching all you bloggers closely and I will keep standing for inet Global.
On another side note that bothers me.. Who cares that Steve is a musician???if you were wealthy you would spend money on your passion as well..
ps- sorry to come across rude, I’m just upset at negative bloggers on positive companies.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3656324.htm
Margaret,
Unfortunately for you, if you made money in iNetGlobal, the government is alleging that your profits are the proceeds of a criminal enterprise and the authorities are legally obligated to return as much money to victims as possible…meaning that you should be prepared to pay back at least all of your profits and perhaps more than that so there is an equitable distribution of funds to all the victims. That’s if the government believes that you are a victim. If the government believes that you were willing perpetuating the scam, paying back funds will likely not be the end of it in your case. I don’t know your involvement, only how this script plays out. It happens in EVERY case.
Have you kept up on the Bernie Madoff case at all?
Actually you are correct on that one.. We told them about Steve Renner (Not his real name) early last year. In fact, you will see every one of these people and these companies listed on the ASDMBA website, posted over a year ago.. William Cowen, you remember him, had ALL of this information as well, and did nothing except sit by and watch.
Patrick, since you are so good at bringing up the past,find my post about Renner when I attended one of his first meetings for AdViewGlobal held in Dallas. I taped the meeting, confronted him, and sent everything to Cowden. By the way, his real name is not Renner but a Russian name, and he has connections to the same Russian group that Andy knows well from the first ASD.. You might be surprised to know Andy fronted “Renner”, gave him all the software, and who knows what else. He also had access to the ASD Database and solicited many ASD winners.. Wont read that in a newspaper..
Just saying…
Oh my gosh..Ive read this debate long enough…I didn’t want to add anything…but to all you out there that are screaming VICTIMS!!!
Dude…what victims????
The only victims that have been created are the ones that could not use inetglobal products long enough to make their investment back.
The Feds created todays thousands of victims, not Inetglobal.
Margaret, it is interesting to see you think of people posting on this blog as “small-time bloggers.” So what are you? Your implication is that you are superior to any of us. So please enlighten me on how and why you are. You now are claiming the same things the members of ASD claimed, and they were wrong just as you will are wrong.
We were aware of AdPacks, and cashcards,from its very beginnings in 08, long before it was changed to iNetGlobal. This information was passed on to law enforcement agents in late July just prior to the take-down of ASD. Because of all the focus on ASD, this got put on the back burner. But no matter what name it went by, this was a scam from day one. When this case became of importance in the latter part of 09, we again were asked to provide our initial information we had, but also to provide any other information we could find, which we did. None of the information we found showed iNetGlobal to be a legitimate company….NONE!
I almost fell off my chair laughing at Bob (RLG) trying to take credit and claim he knew all about this long before anyone else. What a tool. Bob is a day late and a dollar short as always. Sorry Bob,you were not the fist ones to know about all of this, but that has never stopped you from trying to take credit for it anyway. You are too funny.
But back to your comments Margaret, other than the company’s hype, please show how iNetGlobal was a legal company. Providing links to their marketing pieces, or website information is not proof. You are the one who is making claims that you cannot prove, yet criticize others for jumping on iNetGlobal as being a scam.
So instead of being upset at us, show us proof of iNetGlobal’s legitimacy. I look forward to your reply.
Oh by the way Anon, there were plenty of victims of iNetGlobal, they just didn’t know it yet, but they were still victims; just like ASD members were.
You all are a bunch of idiots. Get real jobs and quit riding on other people’s efforts.
Wow, there’s an intelligent comment……sure adds to the discourse.
….one more thing — most folks here do have real jobs, as opposed to scamming people for a living…..what do you do????
You actually have to produce an effort in order for people to allegedly ride it.
Were you talking to yourself about finally getting a real job and finally becoming a functioning member of society?
Are you saying it’s not possible to have a “real job” if one works online? Your downline will love that — if you have one. Heck, they might even question what you’re selling them and what they’d be expected to do if not a “real job.”
And “idiots?” I’m thinking — but do not know for certain — that you’re implying that only an “idiot” would raise questions about a company whose owner is implicated in an alleged Ponzi scheme after the same owner previously provided payment services for a Ponzi scheme and was convicted on four felony counts of tax evasion.
Mostly I believe we need more “idiots” such as that, not fewer.
One of the reasons I think we need more idiots such as that is that INetGlobal seems reluctant to disclose information on the tax convictions and Steve Renner’s tie to the Learned Waterhouse Ponzi scheme through CCI.
Four people got hefty prison sentences over that one, including an attorney. If Renner gets sentenced to prison in the tax case, well, that will make for FIVE people with links to Learn Waterhouse who went to jail.
I take no position on the intelligence of the jailed Ponzi participants, but do note the Secret Service and FBI and IRS and U.S. Postal Inspection Service have more knowledge of these schemes than, say, the average “idiot” who posts here.
The agencies have better equipment, too, and much larger budgets. They necessarily don’t spend their entire budgets chasing Ponzi schemers, of course.
It would be unfair to the victims of other forms of fraud — and also to the entities/people who could become targets/victims of terrorists and people who fly planes into IRS buildings or start shooting at the Pentagon or the Holocaust Museum or try to bring down planes over Detroit or fly planes into buildings in New York or Washington or send anthrax in the mail.
BTW, if you were in INetGlobal, who was your autosurfing neighbor? Who was your upline’s — and downline’s — in this global venture?
Here’s a story you may find of some benefit:
https://patrickpretty.com/2010/01/21/chilling-terrorism-link-a-ponzi-an-hyip-gold-mysterious-offshore-businesses-rebates-and-a-brutal-murder-in-california/
Patrick
Tim,
Here is another link for you:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/08/18/analysis-drug-enforcement-administration-reportedly-has-photographic-evidence-that-firm-that-provided-debit-cards-to-adsurfdaily-accepted-cash-to-launder-money-offshore-in-drug-sting/
And another one:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/08/17/developing-story-firm-that-provided-adsurfdaily-debit-card-indicted-feds-say-virtual-money-inc-helped-colombian-drug-operation-launder-money-in-medellin/
And another one:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/11/19/breaking-news-prosecutors-allege-ponzi-murder-plot-jeffrey-lane-mowen-accused-of-soliciting-prisoner-to-kill-witnesses-in-multimillion-dollar-case-against-him/
And another one:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/05/07/special-report-the-largely-unknown-bowdoin-surf/
And another one:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/04/24/prosecution-bombshell-bowdoin-signed-proffer-letter-prior-to-submitting-to-forfeiture-that-said-governments-material-allegations-were-all-true/
And one more:
https://patrickpretty.com/2009/04/27/avg-forum-mod-warns-members-not-to-call-purchases-an-investment-says-posts-referencing-return-or-roi-will-be-deleted/
Patrick
I’m telling everybody on here right now, DO NOT JOIN INETGLOBAL!!! DO NOT JOIN INETGLOBAL!!!! DO NOT JOIN INETGLOBAL!!!!!
It’s a scam, 100%!!!! When me and my friend joined, we were promised big bucks for just clicking on a few ads a day. At least $8 US minimum, plus whatever our downlines click. You know how much we are getting a day? Take a wild guess!!!! $1 to $2 a day, plus we have to pay back $40 from their stupid automated repurchasing plan!!!!! That means we make $0 dollars a month!!!!
Inetglobal is B.S. I hope they’re found guilty. It’s been 4 months now, And I have not received my V-Cash card, nor have I seen a single penny. What a waste of my $2060
Unfortunately, Bruce, it’s apparent the fraudsters behind INETGLOBAL appear to have learned a lesson of sorts from the successful prosecution of “traditional” autosurf ponzi scams.
I say “unfortunately” because it appears their tactic of including some minor legitimate components in their operation has succeeded in disguising the true fraudulent nature of their “autosurf” business.
Disguising at least well enough to bring INETGLOBAL supporters such as “Tim Flanagan” and “Margaret Coler” to such forums as this in an endeavour to protest the innocence of Inter-Mark Corp and Mr Renner.
Much was made during the death throes of AdSurf Daily about Bowdoin using ASD as a “loss leader” for potential future growth of ASDs purported social networking and advertising businesses.
It certainly appears that Intermark.corp/Steve Renner/Inetglobal were using their other entities as low cost”loss leaders” for their “autosurf” operation.
My only hope is that the FBI will give some money back to some of the victims of this scam. I don’t really care about myself, but I feel really bad for getting my friend, and family, and my room mates, and all their downlines involved.
When I went to their seminar, I honestly thought they were a legitimate company. But when I failed to get my V-Cash card, and no one else got their V-Cash cards after 4 MONTHS!…. I began to question the company. I called them AT LEAST 5 to 6 times… And everytime, they just tell me “it’s on its way”. As of today, I’m still waiting to get paid.
What pisses me off the most, is that after the raid, most of the people in charge in my city acted like nothing happened! And their seminars and training courses still went on. And people can still join by paying CASH, and the people in charge in my city pay for their memberships with their icash!!!
This whole thing sickens me to my stomach. I hope all these people are put to jail where they belong.
Now this is interesting. When an “autosurf” program gets closed down it leaves basically three types of people in it’s wake. One are the true believers, people who bought the cover story (advertising) and have a hard time understanding why anyone would doubt it. Then there are the people who’ve been involved with “surf” programs before and play them for profit not caring that they’re illegal. The third group are really just people from the second group who pretend to be people from the first group.
If anyone is still taking cash from people to join this program, even after the raid and after the accounts are frozen they quite clearly belong to that last group. That cash isn’t going to iNetGlobal, it’s going in their own pockets. To call them crass, exploitative con-men is an understatement. Years down the road after Mr.Renner and iNet work their way through the courts the honest victims can expect a refund, even if it’s only a few dimes on the dollar. But anyone who put their money in after the accounts were frozen will not be included in that refund, they gave their money to a few individual promoters, not to iNetGlobal.
My friend is a member of iNetGlobal, he has invested quite a bit of amount of money, he is a chinese from china, he desperately want to know whether he can get some money back and who he can contact to know about the court case
Hi,
I would contact the Minneapolis field office of the Secret Service as they are involved in the investigation. You should be able to file a report with them or they should know whom to contact.
MINNESOTA
* MINNEAPOLIS 612-348-1800