A CEP PONZI SCHEME TIE? MPB Today Member Says ‘Trevor Reed’ In His Organization; No Immediate Comment From USDA
This promo lists the names of 20 purported MPB Today affiliates, including the name of "Trevor Reed." It is unclear if the "Trevor Reed" included on the list is the same Trevor Reed who operated the judicially declared CEP Ponzi scheme.
UPDATED 1:03 P.M. EDT (U.S.A.) Two days ago the PP Blog reported that a Sept. 20 “news release” for MPB Today’s purported “grocery” program solicited financially strapped Americans to sell $200 worth of Food Stamps to raise cash to join the Florida-based MLM.
The Blog further reported that a name referenced in the news release (as the author) appears on page 21 of a distribution plan by the court-appointed receiver in the judicially declared CEP Ponzi scheme. The person referenced in the document is scheduled to receive a distribution of $125, which is expected to be issued Sept. 30.
Today the PP Blog is reporting that a separate MPB Today affiliate who referenced the federal Food Stamp program in a July sales pitch also informed prospects that a person by the name of “Trevor Reed” is in his MPB Today organization.
It was not immediately clear if the “Trevor Reed” referenced in the MPB Today promo is the same Trevor Reed charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission in a complaint filed July 9, 2007. The complaint alleged that Reed was committing fraud and selling unregistered securities through a company known as CEP.
A judge later declared CEP a Ponzi scheme. A judgment of more than $1.5 million was placed against Reed and others on Nov. 18, 2008, according to court records. The order was signed by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge James E. Massey.
On Oct. 27, 2007, Trevor Reed invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in the CEP case. In September 2008 — less than a year after Reed invoked the 5th Amendment — Andy Bowdoin, the alleged operator of the AdSurfDaily (ASD) Ponzi scheme, also took the 5th.
Records show that ASD advertised that it accepted payments from a payment processor known as CEP Trust, which was linked to the CEP Ponzi scheme. ASD members are being targeted in sales promos for MPB Today.
On Nov. 19, 2008, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled that ASD had not demonstrated it was a lawful business and not a Ponzi scheme, a ruling that dealt a crushing blow to ASD. Just one day earlier — on Nov. 18, 2008 — Massey entered the financial judgment against Reed and others in the CEP Ponzi case.
Massey ruled CEP a Ponzi on May 22, 2008 — less than three months prior to the federal seizure of tens of millions of dollars in the ASD case. Court records show that CEP had invested money in at least 26 online opportunities, primarily autosurfs.
“The [CEP] Websites were investment programs that promised cash returns exceeding the amounts paid into the programs,” Massey ruled. “Debtors did not, however, operate or own any underlying business or assets whose profits could fund the promised returns. Although Debtors did place a relatively small amount of money in similar ventures operated by others, the evidence shows they made no profit from those investments. Most importantly, Debtors paid investors with cash received from new investors.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is conducting a “review” about claims made in the MPB Today program, had no immediate comment on potential links to the CEP Ponzi scheme.
“Take a look at my stats just a few days in!” the MPB Today affiliate urged members in a July forum post. The post included names of 20 downline members, including the name “Trevor Reed.”
“Trevor Reed’s” MPB Today ID was listed as 150532. It was unclear if “Trevor Reed” is actively promoting the MPB Today program.
What is clear is that the affiliate pitch in which the name “Trevor Reed” was referenced as an MPB Today downline member also referenced the Food Stamp program.
“Great opp,” the pitch reads in part. “Just opened affiliated with WAL MART and EBT FOOD STAMPS (GOVT. ACKNOWLEDGED!) TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS EMAIL IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!”
Walmart has not responded to a request from comment about the MPB Today program.
The person who produced this “press release” has also promoted MLM favourite funny water “Kangen water” and TVIExpress. They are also a member of the ponzi promting forum ASAMonitor – they didn’t have $15 to join something called “Kash Kwik”. I guess that’s a cash gifting “program” or some other type of ponzi scheme.
This should be good evidence that a good number, perhaps the majority of people “investing” in these ponzi schemes are jumping from scheme to scheme. They know exactly what they are doing and they know exactly what they are putting their money into.
When the evilgovernment starts distributing the ASD funds, I hope they take a look at the so-called victims first. Any that can be seen to have played any obvious ponzi/pyramid schemes should have conditions place on any repayments.
Here, here. (!)
In ASD alone there were many ex members of 12Daily Pro, CEP and other failed or prosecuted ponzis. There were also some big MLM hustlers (oops sorry, MLM Leaders) involved. I suspect they knew exactly what they were doing and simply hoped that ASD would have a longer run than the usual autosurf and that the losing downlines would therefore be further removed from them than usual when the money ran out, so they wouldnt have to face people they acctually knew.
There is no reason why they should be given the same treatment as those who were conned into joining what they believed was an honest business and for the first time.
It should be remembered that this is a HYIP ponzi, just like a squillion other HYIP ponzis which exist on the ‘net in the “usual suspect” forums.
It would be surprising, indeed, if the majority of names were any more “real” than the imaginary business behind the HYIP.
It could be he copied his e-mail contact list and made that his “downline” to show the suckers, er…prospects….
Hi Gregg,
These look like names that were entered into a database at the time of program sign-up, but I could be wrong.
What leads me to believe the members themselves entered the info are the competing styles — i.e., some of the names include the traditional mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, some use all lowercase and one uses all uppercase.
At least two of the names are listed twice, which may mean the members have more than one position. There also is a suggestion that downline groups from other MLMs are coming in. One individual’s name that appeared twice also referenced “numis,” another MLM.
Regards,
Patrick
Thanks for the post. I was asked to join MPBTOday many times. I just realize that 2×2 is very hard. Many do not duplicate, and it is a recruiting nightmare.
MBP is about a joke. This is exactly why I review any OPP I would be consider joining.
I also agree with Michelle, 2×2 cyclers are difficult to duplicate, therefor I never join them.
Great Post Patrick
All I know is, 4-5 years after this case went to court, the SEC decided to give me 100$ out of my 10k dollar investement saying they needed to use everyones money for lawyer fees. Scum of the earth. It was a totally legit venture too. Ponzi scheme my ass.
If you’re talking about CEP, it was an infamous Ponzi scheme that led to civil and criminal charges. It also led to a receivership and bankruptcy.
CEP used investors’ money in 26 HYIPs, according to court records — and you’re calling the the SEC the “scum of the earth” while apparently insisting a “program” that invested in more than two dozen other scams was “totally legit.”
Good grief.
Patrick
The scum that spent your money should get more of your ire than the “scum” that gave you back something, should it not?