If you trace back the history of the Ponzi Scheme Alert project, you’ll find it was started several months prior to the Network’s existence.  During February of 2009, I was encouraging Pathway 2 prosperity victims to take action against Nick Smirnow.  In fact, if you really dive into the available research, you’ll find that on multiple occasions people asked me for information pertaining to Oceanside Network in different article sections on this blog, to which I specifically asked them to keep the subject “on topic” and forward all Oceanside Network related discussion to me privately via e-mail.

So, why do I have bio links and a small spotlight on the top, right side of this blog relating to Oceanside Network information? Originally, none of this even existed, but during the last few months of 2009, I received quite a few angry comments and e-mails from HYIP cheerleaders that essentially said: “If you’re going to call this program a scam, why can’t you give any recommendations for something comparable? We want solutions (of course, most of those comments were NOT this polite or respectful).” Despite the fact that warning the public about likely ponzi schemes, MLM scams, etc. doesn’t obligate me to find them a supplement, these repetitive comments did convince me that providing a couple links to a relatively “high return” opportunity that I believe to be ethical would be fair and also most likely beneficial to my readers.

Now I see that some HYIP players – who are frustrated and angry because I have warned people about the ponzi scheme red flags associated with HYIP programs that they have become emotionally attached to – and a few individuals involved in the dark “HYIP Industry” politics – many of which have a personal beef against Broker Jones and other Oceanside Network staff – are trying to use my simple effort of providing a potential passive income supplement to discredit my materials through false rumors and accusations. So, I find myself in a “darned if I do, and darned if I don’t” scenario concerning bitter cheerleaders. One day, I’m accused of “not doing enough” when calling out scams without providing “alternatives.” The next day I’m accused of using the Ponzi Scheme Alert platform to satisfy my own personal “marketing agenda.”

I will no longer attempt to improve the odds in what has become a “lose / lose” situation. Quite frankly, I have no intentions of altering the current presentation and layout of this blog. For the past few months, this blog has contained a few links within my WP signature and a clickable side-box taking others to my website that provides additional information about the Oceanside Network. Readers and participants have not and never will be pressured into joining that company. It is, quite simply, an “alternative opportunity” that I believe to be legitimate and ethical; only recommended to people who are looking for supplements to the unstable and illegal HYIP Industry.  Although I would certainly like to see people join the Network, I never urge anyone to do so.

Regarding the crazy rumors that are currently being spread, let me put it to you “real fast and straight” – The Ponzi Scheme Alert website and blog has never been owned, shared, or operated by the Oceanside Network, Broker Jones, JD Kaiser, or any other related individuals or organizations.

Another, slightly more ambiguous rumor I’ve discovered states that “I will call ‘ANYTHING’ and/or ‘EVERYTHING’ a scam except for the Oceanside Network;” and I’m inclined to believe this one is derived from cheerleader desperation I’m accustomed to seeing whenever I “rattle the cages” of an extremely emotional group. Once again, let’s go through the simple history of Ponzi Scheme Alert to see why this ridiculous accusation is purely false:

- I wrote about a blatant HYIP ponzi scheme, Sam Serino’s Cash Tanker, mainly to vent about my disgust for a fraudster that would pervert religion and symbols of Christianity to market his scam. I was half-way shocked when I discovered just how many people had infused blind faith into Serino’s absurd promises and wouldn’t allow themselves to see the obvious red flags indicating a ponzi scheme.

- I discussed some of the red flags associated with Guardian Equity Group at the request of some personal contacts involved with GEG’s investment program. Interestingly enough, a few GEG members came forth admitting that they and many other investors they knew were also critically examining the “model” and “changes” associated with the group. Most of them agreed with my red flag analysis to some extent.

- I reviewed TVI Express and the nature of “cycler programs,” explaining why such models weren’t built to last. In straightforward terms, the very proof that cycler programs are temporary, “get in while their hot” programs lies in the fact that no cycler program has ever survived even the basic, 3-5 year test of time. The fact that they contain illegal pyramid scheme aspects is verifiable by FTC definitions.

- I warned people about an outrageously blatant series of ponzi schemes that were promising their “investors” over 1000% ROI in one day!

- I examined a rather popular HYIP, Genius Funds, and disproved many of its members’ arguments that it was “safe” or didn’t show “red flags.”

Apparently some individuals would like you to believe that 5 warnings against programs showing dangers, “red flags,” etc is “Everything.“  How ridiculous.

Before I go on, take note that I am not summarizing these warnings in some arrogant attempt to portray myself as someone who is “always right.” I’m not a fortune teller, and I certainly admit that what I predict or suggest may not always be right. I’m simply an individual that has seen the treacherous angles of the “HYIP Industry” and has learned to separate due diligence and proper criticism from “negativity.” I examine the warning signs that often repeat themselves within the HYIP industry, and attempt to shine a little logic on to communities that “fall in love” with specific ponzi schemes and are blinded to the dangers around them.

Put as simply as I can – When I see a scam, I call it a “scam.” When I see red flags, I alert people to “red flags” and encourage them to examine the situation in a professional, mature manner. This is exactly what I have done with the programs / organizations I previously listed. Apparently, some misleading cheerleaders and desperate instigators have distorted those warnings as if I’m calling “EVERYTHING” a scam except “Oceanside Network,” when in fact, I’m merely “calling them as I see them.”

At the same time, I see nothing wrong with recommending a program I believe in to those who are searching for something legitimate.  As for those who claim that the very presence of a “link” on my site to the Oceanside Network indicates that I will call any program I come across a scam – whether I believe it is or not – they are probably not reading the reasons and logic I give behind my posts.   They are most likely just claiming such things because the truth about the red flags surrounding their program is too hard for them to accept.  People such as this are more interested in finding any way they can to justify the situation, even if it involves making me look like the “bad guy,” instead of coming to terms with reality.

I did not originally set up the Ponzi Scheme Alert blog expecting 100% support from every reader and participant. I’ve witnessed some outrageously greedy and delusional people in the HYIP Industry, and it’s only natural to expect some retaliation. I’ve also been on the opposite end of the table with a former ponzi scheme known as 12 Daily Pro, and I remember how easy the “thrill of being paid” and “making money” can persuade a reasonable person to adopt the attitude of a mindless, greedy cheerleader. Some people refuse the invitation to apply common sense and instead choose to recklessly mock anyone that doesn’t support the programs they have interests in. Unfortunately, some individuals’ immaturity needs to be ignored and they must learn the “hard way.”

A recent poster on this blog attempted to patronize me by suggesting that my warnings against ponzi schemes and specific red flags only help support the programs I am warning against. This is a common HYIP cheerleader taunt, but I tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. I have received several e-mails from random people all over the globe thanking me for my honesty and attempts to warn people to think critically and avoid suspicious programs. Certain individuals have even specifically told me how much money they saved after reading my articles, deciding not to “invest,” and watching the program crumble away to ponzi scheme fate. Their testimonies alone are enough to convince me that posting these warnings is making a difference.

In conclusion, you may choose to believe what you wish about me and Ponzi Scheme Alert. In fact, I imagine the zealous gossip train out there will read this article and start some new pitiful rumor, something along the lines of- “The only reason he posted all that is to try to get you into the Oceanside Network after all!” – which would not be surprising. Desperate cheerleaders looking for any way to combat those who explain the truth about HYIP scams will continue to do what they do best – twist the truth.

However, even if you’re involved in the “HYIP Industry” to some extent and you decide not to trust a word I ever post, I still encourage you to do the following: Be open-minded, use common sense, complete real due diligence, and think like a professional investor - not like a gambler. If you do these things, you will avoid the sting of reality that comes with ponzi scheme deception.

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- Mr. Ryz

www.MrRyzFinancial.com

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Commentary has been disabled for this article. Discussions about this topic elsewhere on this blog will be deleted.

Since the Christmas season (2009), I’ve been asked by at least a dozen people to analyze the internet program Genius Funds and dub it “scam” or potential legitimate online investment program. After the crash of one of 2009’s most painful ponzi schemes, Sam Serino’s Cash Tanker, I noticed that many individuals heavily engaged in the HYIP industry claimed they were “diversified *(See Note A)” in Genius Funds, Gold Nugget Invest (GNI), and Cash Tanker.

Before the demise of Mr. Serino’s blatant scam, I wasn’t aware that Genius Funds’ popularity had grown to such lengths. Now it seems many individuals either (1.) invested in Genius Funds before Cash Tanker met its bitter end and convinced themselves that they were “safe,” and/or (2.) immediately turned to Genius Funds in an attempt to supplement or regain the opportunity to earn absurd rates of return on their money.

At the risk of becoming extremely unpopular with the emotionally hooked Genius Fund supporting crowd (which, I must admit, doesn’t bother me at all), I believe it’s safe to predict that most people within the program will soon discover they are at the mercy of another scam; or “ponzi scheme,” to be specific. As with most long-term ponzi schemes, it seems many people quickly deposited funds – shifting their entire “internet investment” focus, in some cases – to Genius Funds without completing even the basic forms of due diligence.

As with most HYIP ponzi schemes, the vast majority of Genius Fund members joined the group simply because of the hype; a.k.a. all the online testimonies and referrals repeating “I got paid, I made money!” Unfortunately, since all long-term internet scams pay for some period of time, the cheers of previous members receiving forms of payment contributes very little – if anything – to a researcher’s ability to develop a sensible conclusion about the true structure of an “investment program.”

So, whether you are participating in Genius Funds or not, let’s take a look at the some of Genius Fund’s largest red flags. Then you can make your own conclusion, as I have already made mine:

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1. The constant, high rates of returns offered by Genius Funds are NOT realistic

Genius Fund offers 2 different “plans” with 3 “classes” of shares, in which each share pays a slightly higher ROI. Shares are manually upgraded to a higher “class” once an investor increases the size of a portfolio; e.g. a participant in Genius Fund can receive “Preferred Shares,” paying a higher daily / weekly rate than “Common Shares,” but only once the participant has at least $500 in his account. The main website advertises 1.1 – 1.5% daily ROI rates for the first plan, and 5.0 – 6.4% weekly ROI rates for the second plan.

Therefore, the first red flag (similar to most of these internet “investment” programs) is that NO legitimate company or trader can guarantee 20% ROI per month EVERY single month (without significant variance) by trading or investing in bonds, stocks (domestic or foreign equities), commodities, real estate, etc. Put very simple, such a claim is false because it is virtually impossible within the reality of the world of finance. Genius Funds and its supporters can claim otherwise as loud and as long as they wish; however, I guarantee you’ll never see any proof – i.e. audited financial statements verifying the validity of their suggested “investment model” – that Genius Funds is capable of ethically paying these high returns each month without fail. Only a ponzi scheme element can satisfy such a ridiculous operation.

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2. Genius Fund’s supposed timeline does not appear to be supported by surrounding facts

Genius Funds itself claims it has operated from 2006 to 2010, which is a 4-5 year span. I see many Genius Fund supporters and “investors” also claiming that the programs long existence of nearly 5 years strongly enhances its credibility. The problem within such claims is that basic research on Genius Fund’s timeline suggests that the program has not even existed for a full two years. If you visit popular HYIP/Autosurf forums, such as Money Maker Group or TalkGold, you’ll discover that Genius Funds participants didn’t even post about the program until late August of 2008. In fact, if you run a basic website analysis, you’ll also see that Genius Funds didn’t even register on the radar until mid-2008. Therefore, this “4-5 year” hype appears to be entirely false.

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3. Genius Funds’ growth rate could have sustained a ponzi scheme structure

Several Genius Funds supporters will argue that Genius Funds cannot be a scam because it has successfully paid out for “so many months.” In other words, they believe the program did not grow and attract new investors / new deposits at an exponential rate, as required for a ponzi scheme to continue its reign of survival. However, if you examine a simple traffic analysis of Genius Funds, you’ll notice that the program’s growth curve is nearly identical to that of an exponential progression. You can see this for yourself with a basic Alexa graph displaying the websites daily reach over the past year and a half (as related to “Red Flag #2,” also notice that the program is nonexistent until the third quarter of 2008):

Under these levels of growth, Genius Fund would have been able to continue its ponzi scheme activities, provided that high volumes of participants did not withdraw excessive amounts of funds. As the exponential growth line reaches the “vertical stages,” the probability of Genius Funds surviving the “next month” decreases by a substantial amount. The intense constraint of the exponential growth factor could bring Genius Funds to ruin very quickly at this point. Most ponzi schemes cannot survive very long once their growth curve reaches the steepness displayed in the above graph.

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Genius Funds, in conclusion – without beating around the bush:
Scam city!

Genius Funds is littered with red flags; most of which resemble the characteristics of other long-term HYIP ponzi schemes that lasted several months – some of them even years.

So, what should YOU do if you were considering Genius Funds as a possible “investment”? Unless Genius Funds is willing to supply the hardcore proof that they can sufficiently provide the ridiculous returns they advertise with an ethical trading or investing model (which they can’t), I wouldn’t even waste the minimum “investment” of $10 in this shady endeavor.  In other words, RUN!

What should you do if you’re currently a member of Genius Funds and have money “invested” with them? As you may have probably guessed, I recommend you withdraw your profits immediately and attempt to salvage what you can. As demonstrated earlier, this program most likely uses a straight-forward ponzi scheme model that is on the verge of crumbling to dust. It could – in all mathematical possibilities – survive for more months, but the probability of extended endurance severely diminishes with each passing day. Be extremely cautious!

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- Mr. Ryz

www.MrRyzFinancial.com

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* Note A -

As a quick note to all sophisticated investors: Concerning the greed and deception that spurs the so-called “HYIP Industry” on within it’s own illegal framework, I admit that using an investment term such as “diversification” typically associated with reducing an investors’ standard deviation of overall portfolio risk would be somewhat misleading at best, and potentially even downright ludicrous. Individuals that attempt to profit by reaching “first in, first out” payments in internet ponzi schemes are gamblers; NOT investors. Even if “diversification” into such ridiculous gambling affairs did improve those odds, the term is not applicable in its intended form.