The president and founder of ZeekRewards, Paul Burks, has been indicted on federal charges for operating an Internet Ponzi scheme that took in more than $850 million dollars, announced Anne M. Tompkins, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, USA
The criminal indictment was returned on 24 October 2014 by a federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte, charging Burks, 67, of Lexington, N.C., with wire and mail fraud conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, and tax fraud conspiracy.
Russell F. Nelson, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Charlotte Field Division and Thomas J. Holloman III, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) join U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, from January 2010 through August 2012, Paul Burks was the owner of Rex Venture Group, LLC (RVG), through which he owned and operated Zeekler, a sham Internet-based penny auction company, and its purported advertising division, ZeekRewards (collectively “Zeek”).
The indictment alleges that Burks and his conspirators induced victims – including over 1,500 victims in the Charlotte area – to invest in their fraudulent scheme, by falsely representing that Zeekler was generating massive retail profits from
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Herbalife Will Be Exonerated After FTC Probe
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Herbalife Ltd. (HLF), the nutrition-product maker facing allegations that it runs a pyramid scheme, expects to be cleared of wrongdoing when regulators complete an investigation of the company.
“We anticipate at the end of the day we will be exonerated,” Chief Financial Officer John Desimone said in an interview. “We will wait to say anything more until the investigation is complete.”
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is probing the Los Angeles-based maker of weight-loss shakes and nutritional supplements following accusations by billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackmanthat the company misleads distributors, misrepresents sales figures and sells a commodity product at inflated prices. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also opened an investigation and several states are looking into complaints.
“We will respect the integrity of the investigations,” Desimone said. “We will fully cooperate and we have complete faith in our members and our business model.”
With a $1 billion bet against Herbalife, Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management LP is trying to profit from a drop in the shares. He’s been campaigning to shut down the company since December 2012, saying it exploits distributors rather than selling products to consumers.
Looking Glass
Ackman’s latest salvo came yesterday. Christine Richard, a Pershing-hired researcher who first brought Herbalife to Ackman’s attention, posted
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This Week: Herbalife CEO Speaks, J.Hilburn Pops up in NYC
by mallen@directsellingnews.com • • 0 Comments
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CVSL Plans $60 Million NYSE Uplisting
by mallen@directsellingnews.com • • 0 Comments
IPO investment manager Renaissance Capital has reported the terms of CVSL’s planned uplisting to the NYSE MKT.
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Associates Find Talk Fusion Success Through Teamwork And Duplication
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
Talk Fusion Associates Cody and Marty Ramsey continue to convert their excitement about Talk Fusion into success. Following in the footsteps of their Sponsors, Diamonds Steve and Susan Baran, the Ramseys have just hit the rank of Diamond themselves and qualified for Talk Fusion’s Dream Getaway in Hawaii this December.
Cody and Marty are charting their path to financial freedom like thousands of others Independent Associates in over 140 countries. As so many had before them, the Ramseys turned to Talk Fusion as a solution to help overcome serious monetary difficulties.
“Like many folks out there, we were experiencing a time of financial frustration where our income was declining and our bills were on the rise,” remembers Cody. “I am happy to report that because of Talk Fusion’s Instant Pay Compensation Plan, the trend was reversed in our first week of working the business.”
Through guidance from the Barans, Cody and Marty quickly recognized the power and timing of Talk Fusion’s video communication products. “We have a chance to be involved in the beginning phases of a digital communication revolution. Talk Fusion has a product line that every person on the planet either wants, needs or uses daily,” Marty says, passing on the
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Zija International Launches Two New Websites
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
Since the recent launch of Zija International’s two new product divisions—Ripstix Supplements and Améo Essential Oils—the company has experienced extensive growth and positive feedback from customers and Distributors alike.
Améo is a new line of high-quality essential oils designed to help individuals feel their best, look their best, and be their best selves using natural products with thousands of uses and benefits.
Ripstix Supplements were created with Zija International’s fitness-minded customers and Distributors in mind; these all-natural products were formulated to help the body perform optimally by incorporating the nutrients needed before, during, and after workouts.
As part of these new product division launches, Zija International recently introduced corresponding Améo Essential Oils and Ripstix Supplements websites to provide those who are interested with useful content including product profiles, videos, news, and other tools.
The Améo website also has a section called “The Améo Difference,” which allows users to enter the unique batch code on the bottom of their bottle and instantly gain access to the tests performed on that oil and how it performed, videos of the oil entering live human cells, and further information about its benefits. To access the new websites, users can visit www.ripstixsupplements.com or www.ameo.com.
These two new product
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4Life Celebrates Strong International Growth
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
September 2014 represented the highest daily average sales month of all time for 4Life.
With year-to-date sales up approximately 15%, 700 worldwide employees continue to support independent distributors from offices in 23 countries with the company looking forward to opening its third European office in Hamburg, Germany next month.
In April of this year, 4Life was ranked #41 by Direct Selling News on its Global 100 list and has produced record-breaking results in the first three quarters of 2014.
Recently, 4Life President and CEO Steve Tew identified 10 international markets that are enjoying remarkable year-over-year growth.
South Korea: 131.7%
Indonesia: 130.2%
Hong Kong: 111.1%
Paraguay: 45.6%
Panama: 39.9%
Dominican Republic: 39.8%
Peru: 21.6%
Spain: 25.3%
Bolivia: 11.2%
Malaysia: 10.4%
Tew: “From Asia to South America, I have the privilege of interacting with 4Life distributors around the world.
heir commitment, dedication, and energy is unrivaled. I thank our independent networkers and 4Life employees for the collaborative work being done to ensure our company’s ongoing strength as a world leader.”
About 4Life
In 1998, 4Life Founders David and Bianca Lisonbee launched the company’s flagship immune system support product, 4Life Transfer Factor. As the first network marketing company to do so, 4Life’s leading group of doctors, scientists, and researchers continue to
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Shane Morand – Organo Gold Global Master Distributor Speaks Out
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
Shane Morand understands goal achieving and success, he has been an enthusiastic student of Napoleon Hill’s principles since he was 19 years old.
He became the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for a major printing firm in Ottawa, Canada at the age of 25 and assisted with and helped streamline the launching of the world’s first North American television network dedicated to success.
Shane has worked directly with some of the industry’s most high-profile speakers and trainers including Anthony Robbins, ZigZiglar, Jim Rhon, Les Brown, Dr. Mark Victor Hansen.
In 2008 Shane teamed up with visionary Bernardo Chua and Co-Founded OrGano Gold International and has since become one of the fastest growing companies in the world.
In an interview held when Shane was traveling from Toronto to Moskow, Russia he told:
My Definition Of Success:
My success today 2014 means my freedom. I am free to do what I want when I want without asking for permission. My success today involves being able to travel freely and give my time and energy to worthwhile projects. But with success comes much greater responsibility to lead a life of significance. In the beginning my success only evolved around how much money I made. Today
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Grand Opening of Park Lane Jewellery Melbourne, Victoria
by Nicole Dunkley • • 0 Comments
Pioneer in the direct sales industry for 59 years, Park Lane Jewellery, has officially launched the newest franchise in Victoria beginning October 22, 2014. With Victoria experiencing stagnant growth and growing unemployment, Park Lane will be committed to offering all of Australia the opportunity to own a home-based enterprise backed by a well-established, debt-free company.
Tracey Wilson and Rebbeca Billman will be among the first Park Lane Jewellery (Subsidiary of Park Lane Jewelry US) Franchise Owners/Operators of Australia, operating in Melbourne, Victoria. Both have a long history of success within direct sales and business.
Tracey has been recognized nationally and worldwide as a top direct sales leader, building and mentoring multi-million dollar businesses both as a field leader and corporate executive. Tracey’s passion and energy drove her to relocate from Queensland to Victoria to open the new franchise.
Rebbeca was “born in direct sales” as the daughter of successful Direct Sales franchise owners. With 17 years of Executive Management and Operations experience, Rebbeca provides the stability and expertise as head of operations.
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Tupperware Q3 Earnings Fall Short of Expectations
by mallen@directsellingnews.com • • 0 Comments
As Tupperware Brands Corp. (TUP—NYSE) released its third quarter 2014 earnings Wednesday, shares dropped in reaction to the company’s lower than expected 2014 outlook.