Mad as Hell and Don't Wanna Take it Anymore?

[yeppers]

Let's Get Some Teeth!

Google (http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&newwindow=1&q=attorney+class-action+ponzi&btnG=Search): "Class action law firm attorney consumer investment ponzi fraud" or some combination thereof.

when you find a lawfirm or an organization that looks good, and will take our case on a contingency or, better yet, pro bono basis, these are typical questions you might be asked.

Defendant:(who caused the harm?) ~Investment Fraud (securities, ponzi, pyramid schemes)
on the site i submitted to this morning, this information was pre-entered when I selected the type of attorney I sought

Date of injustice:
2002-present

Title: (describe the nature of your complaint in one short sentence)
Ponzi-type business model swindles 25,000 victims using bait and switch tactic. Encourages click fraud, spamming. Suspected of money-laundering via inflated value of an already virtual product, and recently, a mysterious murder within their ranks.

Details of complaint:(briefly describe the damages you have suffered)
After finding only glowing testimonials and promises of a safe fund to keep cycle times down, I joined YMMSS on 2/2/05, spending $1,600 in varying increments on the promise that my money would double in 60-90 days. I have yet to see a dime, just an endless string of broken promises and higher obstacles. Owner of YMMSS owns a resort in Belize. Much more information at: http://www.matrixwatch.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=84

Name and description of the fraudulent investment/business:

Originally named "YMMSS," now "STA."

From official email dated Feb 17, 2005: "When you make a purchase, you are given a position and put at the bottom of a ladder. As more purchases and other income sources are brought in, your position will move up the ladder. Once you reach the top of the ladder, you are paid twice the dollar amount that you originally purchased. So if you purchased $10, when you reach the top you will be paid $20. There are increments of $10, $20, $40, $80, $160, $320 in which you can purchase. The amount of money you spend is totally up to you. Obviously the more positions you have the more money you can ultimately make. Every single person gets paid; no one has ever lost money in this company. Every position that you have in the ladder will be paid to you. There is no requirement to recruit; however, should you choose to bring people to the company you can earn a 3% commission for doing so. Currently, it takes about 139 days to get paid, which is still better than what you would get from a bank. The cycle days may go up to 140-150 days, but the company has things in place that will bring those cycle times back down to around 90 days."

Early 2006: Members involuntarily transferred to the new system, "STA," and the option to withdraw funds is withdrawn. Spam and click fraud now encouraged. Affiliates recruited during the doubling phase are now being paid >.05c on each matured position, but can only claim their pay via debit card, which also must be purchased through STA. 25,000+ affiliates affected.

Name of any principals or others involved in the fraudulent investment/business:
Kim Inman
Mike Hamilton
Steve Rose(esto)
Jim Hakim
Mark Boike
Dave Summitt
Jim Reynolds
Tony Metcalf
Barry Eschenberg
Owen Jennings
Graham Paris
Steve Fitzsimmons
Gary Harvey
Maura Leon
Sheri Braunstein
Katrina Paglierani
Missy Holifield
Vijay Paul

Amount of investments and when investments were made:
8/29/2005 - $185.20
8/22/2005 - $185.20
8/10/2005 - $170.40
8/01/2005 - $142.60
7/11/2005 - $142.60
6/15/2005 - $21.30
6/08/2005 - $170.40
5/04/2005 - $340.80
4/11/2005 - $340.80
3/23/2005 - $170.40
2/21/2005 - $85.20
2/02/2005 - $85.20

See also: uploaded document, "STA expenditures and earnings." (a word doc which includes screenshots from backoffice)
When and how the fraud was discovered:
Early 2006: Members involuntarily transferred to the new system, "STA," and the option to withdraw funds is withdrawn. Spam and click fraud now encouraged. Affiliates recruited during the doubling phase are now being paid >.05c on each matured position. Complaints ignored and requests for legitimate information and/or refunds denied.

i have saved all the downloads you guys have so generously shared, and i c&p'd the stuff posted here from 'thispaysbig' and 'emoneynews' into word docs, and other email announcment, one dated 2/17/06 and still full of old-style promises, - and screenshots of my expenditures and miniscule earnings are pasted into a word doc. this time i got in a hurry and forgot to upload them, so be calm and careful there. with any luck, they'll write back and ask for them, but there are thousands of law firms out there, and nobody knows like we do here that time IS of the essense.

<note to self> breathe! :crazy:

the website urges to keep seeking other lawfirms to avoid getting locked out by statutes of limitations. plus, the initiator receives 'extra' compensation for their trouble, so let's get busy, people! you are free to use and/or modify my comments here to fill out the online queries. so there's your head start!

for all we know, the prize might include becoming privy to the results of a forensic investigation into kim inmans accounts and investments, which would be, of course, icing on the cake after getting our money back and protecting future victims like alice_yaya and botogs' (sp?) friend. :applause:

[hub1]

Well done, Yeppers. Perhaps this will get the "snowball" rolling.

[yeppers]

it may and it may not... the trick is finding the right (competent, experienced, willing) lawyer. and that is far from done, it's only just begun. ;)

since i've compiled the information, it's a matter of conducting a search, and then c&p your appropriate docs. pm me if you want my collection of pertinent docs.

for those who don't know how to take a screenshot, it's ctrl/alt/printscreen, then paste into paint, and save it as a jpg. then paste those into a word doc - landscape style works best - and rename it accordingly. i took screenshots of my purchases and my earnings.

or just do some looking and past a link here to an attorney/lawfirm and i will pursue it. frankly, because of all that unpaid clicking, my wrists could use a break, and i could use some help. all of us will benefit, so let's go!

[yeppers]

http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Victims/restitution.htm
http://www.victimbar.org/vb/main.aspx?dbID=DB_VictimsInfo126
http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/consumer_fraud/index.html
http://www.fraud.org/
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

i just filed with http://www.ic3.gov/

[callmesucker]

way to go yeppers :applause: :applause: :applause:

[yeppers]

have YOU found a lawfirm yet? :) remember, the one who gets the ball rolling gets extra compensation, because yes, it takes some work. ready? set? GO!! :)

even if you file a complaint with http://www.ic3.gov/ and put your case to them in such a way so they take you seriously, they will alert the other 'proper authorities.' seriously, the more, the 'merrier.' we have GOT to DO something! we KNOW we're never gonna get our money, right? RIGHT? either that, or concerned is right - we have no self-respect. :)

thanks for the encouragement. i was beginning to feel alone here. ;)

[callmesucker]

No I haven't found a lawfirm yet, but I have started filing complaints and plan on filing more. You are not alone that's for sure. Sometimes it takes a go getter like you to get the ball rolling and you seem so knowledgeable in what you have done. Keep up the great work. :applause: :yes:

[yeppers]

No I haven't found a lawfirm yet, but I have started filing complaints and plan on filing more. You are not alone that's for sure. Sometimes it takes a go getter like you to get the ball rolling and you seem so knowledgeable in what you have done. Keep up the great work. :applause: :yes:

i apologize for being so testy. this stuff makes my blood boil, but it does get me off of my @$$. lol

you keep up the good work, too. :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Candyman]

http://primarylaw.com/primarylaw/classaction

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/investment_fraud

http://www.girardgibbs.com/consumer.asp

http://www.whatleydrake.com/CM/PracticeAreaDescriptions/PracticeAreaDescriptions6.asp

[moola]

1) Find the most ruthless lawyer out there. (Heavy Hitter)
2) File in US and Belize.
3) Prove Fraud = Criminal charges = Jail, plus class-action.

just my 2 cents worth from ym payouts

[yeppers]

http://primarylaw.com/primarylaw/classaction

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/investment_fraud

http://www.girardgibbs.com/consumer.asp

http://www.whatleydrake.com/CM/PracticeAreaDescriptions/PracticeAreaDescriptions6.asp

now THAT'S what i'm talkin' about!! THANK YOU, candyman! :bow:

i think i recognize the second one as the one i started with, but i was in such a state :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: that i neglected to upload the pertinent docs prior to clicking 'submit.'

I resubmitted to which ever site it was, but who knows? might be a good idea for another to do it too, and now avida has the docs. </pressure> thanks for your request, avida, i hope what i sent helps.

the docs are still available to anyone who pm's me, and if you want to use all/part of my amazon review, please, please, feel free. i'm here for JUSTICE! and if we can get some of our money back, so much the better.

since they're accusing us of trying to 'bring them down with destructiveness,' let's just get destructive!! ROFL damn it, WE know that it's crumbling from within, so PLEASE DO NOT FEEL BAD FOR SAVING OTHER INNOCENTS. IMHO, anything less would be perpetuating the scam, so pat yourself on the back. :)

now, about statutes of limitations. would that apply ANYWHERE since the scam is still active? and what about jurisdiction?

in any case, time if of the essence because we should already be part owners in that damned diving resort in belize and, until i am, i don't wanna involuntarily contribute to any 'money pit' renovations. I've always dreamed of getting out of this cold rain, and for that, ymmss hooked me. how dare i 'belize it'????? :rolleyes:

Avida confirms it's difficult to get attention - guess they think we shoulda known better - that may be true, but dammit! that doesn't make it right, what ymmss, now sta, is doing to us. So LET'S GO!! :applause:

BTW, candyman, how long have you been being victimized by ymmss/sta? :swear:

i'm worn out. will pursue some more man-yana. i will sleep well tonight, knowing that justice is on the way for us all. isn't that better than listening to an endless string of broken promises and missed deadlines? :)

g'nite, compadres. And thanks for all your hard work and support.

and g'nite, esto. NOT-sweet dreams to you, the evil co-perpetrator, and to your ilk: KNOW that you have underestimated us, and that you ARE on your way to someplace unpleasant. lol

big day ahead tomorrow folks. sleep tight and ... you know the rest. ;)

info on class action litigation (http://www.classactionfaq.org/mt2/archives/how_do_class_actions_work.php)

[ymmss_victim]

Just a suggestion, it might be easy enough to do a google search and find lawyers that have represented people in class action suits agains ponzi's before. They might be more inclined to take it and of course be familiar with how they work and how people like Kim try to get through the loopholes.

[callmesucker]

If you live in Indiana go to www.in.gov/sos/securities/investmentwatch/ and you can file a complaint there. Probably a good time to do it because they have a really big campaign going on right now about this subject with lots of tv ads and exposure.

[yeppers]

Just a suggestion, it might be easy enough to do a google search and find lawyers that have represented people in class action suits agains ponzi's before. They might be more inclined to take it and of course be familiar with how they work and how people like Kim try to get through the loopholes.hi, steve. :)

that's exactly what i've been doing, and even though i like to think i'm good at this sort of thing, it's more difficult than it sounds, and frankly, i could use some help.

BTW, i want everyone to know that whatever attorney we choose, we should MAKE SURE that they'll take our case either on a CONTINGENCY or PRO BONO basis. This not unusual at all, the lawyer will get paid if / when we win. There is NO NEED for us to be throwing good money after bad.

keep up the good work, folks!!

[Somebody]

have you tried classaction.com? I have actually MADE money off of that website in the past by signing up for different class action lawsuite. just signed up and a few months later checks come in the mail. :)

[yeppers]

have you tried classaction.com? I have actually MADE money off of that website in the past by signing up for different class action lawsuite. just signed up and a few months later checks come in the mail. :)

now THAT is helpful!! thank you, :bow: 'somebody.' :applause: i can't get THERE fast enough!! lol

ETA: saw that yesterday, but i think i still have all my body parts. lol

seriously, i did submit a request under the consumer/defective products link (http://classaction.com/consumer-defective.cfm), even though there are some who've been successful with their sta ads... so it can't be exactly said that the product is defective. but how few were there for the advertising? i know that was a very small incentive for me.

but it won't hurt for others to try. the squeeky wheels get the grease, and everybody had different ways of putting things - who knows which enquiry will reach the brass ring??

[Somebody]

Here are some KILLER ATTORNEYS who are currently working on billion dollar class action lawsuits against corporations.

http://www.impactfund.org/

http://www.cmht.com/

http://www.tinklerfirth.com/

http://www.meritbennett.com/

[ymmss_victim]

An evaluation link:

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html

[yeppers]

Here are some KILLER ATTORNEYS who are currently working on billion dollar class action lawsuits against corporations.

http://www.impactfund.org/

http://www.cmht.com/

http://www.tinklerfirth.com/

http://www.meritbennett.com/


:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

now, who will bell the cat? lol lol lol now you know i'm olden. ;)

[yeppers]

An evaluation link:

https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/submit_form.html

i submitted our case there yesterday. i think that's the one where i was so excited that i forgot to upload the pertinent docs. :o :swear: :head:

in light of my mistake, if anyone who wants to C&P from my original post and resubmit... :applause: again, pm me for the docs if interested - or you might already have them, since i scrounged up all of it (minus the backoffice screenshots) from all you helpful people here. ;)

[moola]

yeppers, here is some more facts you can include on this site:

http://sta-ymmss.com/



6.5% credit fee added to ALL epc purchases as extra fee in Oct 2004, even on cask wire transfers, so a $ 320.00 purchase actually cost $340.80, with extra funds all going in Kim's pocket .


On going fiasco for 2 years about payment processors....
e-gold rejected by YM/Kim,
promoting intgold, debit card fiasco,
lack of ACH provider,
Kim was warned about Stormpay just before members where forced to use it,
lack of clear disclosure of where all our funds have been invested,

[Ferret]

They missed going after YMMSS / STA

http://www.the-home-business-review.com/blog/InTheNews/_archives/2005/2/24/369285.html

Feds Target Get-Rich-Quick Frauds

by Debbi Bressler on Thu 24 Feb 2005 11:41 AM EST

Criminal and Civil Enforcement Agencies Launch Major Assault Against Promoters of Business Opportunity and Work-at-Home Schemes

Enforcement Actions Taken Against More Than 200 Operations

In a massive criminal and civil crackdown on promoters of illegal business opportunity and work-at-home schemes, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and law enforcement agencies from 14 states have taken action against more than 200 operations for engaging in fraud and/or violating consumer protection laws. Business opportunity and work-at-home fraud causes substantial consumer injury. In the FTC’s cases alone, the defendants caused tens of thousands of consumers to lose a total of more than $100 million.

“The dream of owning a business is as American as apple pie, but business opportunity scammers spoil the recipe for success,” said FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras. “Scam artists have a choice – get out of the fraud business and stay out – or you, too, will have an opportunity of a lifetime: doing time behind bars.”

The enforcement sweep, known as “Project Biz Opp Flop,” contains four key components: (1) criminal prosecutions against business opportunity fraud artists; (2) civil enforcement actions filed by the FTC; (3) civil penalty actions filed by the DOJ on behalf of the FTC; and (4) enforcement actions filed by state enforcement agencies.

CRIMINAL ACTIONS UNDERTAKEN WITH FTC ASSISTANCE

Working with the FTC’s Criminal Liaison Unit, the USPIS and DOJ’s Office of Consumer Litigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, has recently filed criminal charges against 14 individuals in connection with their involvement in business opportunity scams. The FTC has provided hundreds of hours of investigative support on these cases and has assigned two of its attorneys to serve as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to work on these and other criminal matters.

In addition, recent criminal actions brought by the Office of Consumer Litigation have resulted in significant prison sentences for promoters of business opportunities whose schemes violated the FTC Act or the Franchise Rule, including:

70 month sentence for Jeffrey Salley and four years’ probation for Terri Salley for criminal contempt. United States v. Salley (S.D. Fla. Jan. 7, 2005).
84 month sentence for Dennis Vaughan for criminal contempt, wire fraud, and money laundering, upheld by Tenth Circuit. United States v. Vaughan (10th Cir. Dec. 21, 2004).
125 month sentence for Robert Ferrera for criminal contempt. United States v. Ferrera (W.D. Mo. Nov. 30, 2004).

Read the rest at the link
http://www.the-home-business-review.com/blog/InTheNews/_archives/2005/2/24/369285.html

[yeppers]

They missed going after YMMSS / STA

http://www.the-home-business-review.com/blog/InTheNews/_archives/2005/2/24/369285.html



:flame: not enough complaints filed yet?? or could it still be in the works??

[AvidA]

I don't understand how that could be unless it's because Kim's hidden the servers in central america as well as the money. That's ok. There's a season for everything under heaven.

[ycchen]

:flame: not enough complaints filed yet?? or could it still be in the works??

Unfortuantely, I would have to agree with you. There is simply not enough collective action.

yeppers, I wonder if you like to take the lead in "registering lost" for YMMSS victims, and file them collectively to AG, FBI, IRA ...etc after you have collected 1000 or more complaint.

We have been looking for one victim-volunteer who is willing to do this on behalf of all YMMSS / STA victims, and we believe it will works.

To learn more about how this "register lost, file collectively" campaign works, we can learn from the similar campaign against IT4US.net : www.it4us-scam.com .

This effort can go hand in hand with all other actions that you are taking right now.

just my 2 cents.

[ymmss_victim]

I am afraid there are still a lot of people who hold out hope of getting their investment back out of YM or they fear they will be implicating themselves.

Sorry if this is negative. I had thought before about some petition type list but I wonder how much response it would get. :(

[AvidA]

Oh quit worrying about being negative here. Unbrainwash yourself. lol

I think that's a great idea and if yeppers wants to collectively do what it is they're asking, I will jump on it with her. :)

[ycchen]

I am afraid there are still a lot of people who hold out hope of getting their investment back out of YM or they fear they will be implicating themselves.

Sorry if this is negative. I had thought before about some petition type list but I wonder how much response it would get. :( If 5% of 20,000 "affiliates" start register lost by sending information to THE victim-volunteer to be filed collectively to the authorities (AG, FBI, SEC, IRA (1099 form) ..etc), we will have 1,000 already!! Even 500 (2.5%) is enough to get some serious attention.

These data will be kept confidential with the volunteer and no one (I mean Kim and his gangs) knows about it except the volunteer and the authorities.

If we can't find 2.5% of affiliates willing to take this "minimum risk", then may be it is time that we really move on with our life and close this chapter on YMMSS scam.

[callmesucker]

I'll jump on too. I think there are alot of people who just don't know what to do. As more become discouraged they are going to start looking for things they can do. When I first started I could not find anything negative then as I started looking again I found Matrixwatch. Bingo.

[yeppers]

If 5% of 20,000 "affiliates" start register lost by sending information to THE victim-volunteer to be filed collectively to the authorities (AG, FBI, SEC, IRA (1099 form) ..etc), we will have 1,000 already!! Even 500 (2.5%) is enough to get some serious attention.

These data will be kept confidential with the volunteer and no one (I mean Kim and his gangs) knows about it except the volunteer and the authorities.

If we can't find 2.5% of affiliates willing to take this "minimum risk", then may be it is time that we really move on with our life and close this chapter on YMMSS scam.

ycchen, it's like you're reading my mind. the ONLY way to get the attention of the authorities and/or a class-action attorney, is 'in numbers.' in their eyes, complaints dribbling in one at a time, are seen as trivial.

not to take away from those who are working quietly behind the scenes (and not tipping their hand by posting about it here) i can see the wisdom and reasoning behind that, so my fervent thanks, commendations and congrats.

i just can't help thinking that we would be much more effective if we all got on the same page.

i cried reading one of salsa's posts last night. i can understand people being in denial and how difficult it can be to shake. and that the smart ones didn't put in enough money to consider participation worthy of their time (unless they're like our dear salsa).

we may not ever see any money back, or to put the gang behind bars, but i would consider it a great personal victory to have even a small part in somehow bringing an end to this madness.

and steve, the TRUTH isn't a 'negative' to me, it's just a thang, and as long as it helps me make a more informed decision, i'm always better off knowing, so thank you.

regarding another case, i was informed that even though it was obviously WRONG, it wasn't actually a prosecutable crime, but if implemented on a timely basis (while the money could still be traced/had), the civil avenue could have been effective. however, in this case, we KNOW that ponzi-schemes are considered criminal in nature, and it is really apparent to me that a ponzi is exactly what we're dealing with.

for now, i have the time and some resources to devote to this, and i'll step up as that 'victim-volunteer' or be of any assistance i can to someone better suited than i. otherwise, if not enough of us are willing to gather our resources and to work together, i feel that i need to find something more productive to do with my time.

[callmesucker]

Yeppers :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: Please keep up the great work

[ymmss_victim]

ycchen, it's like you're reading my mind. the ONLY way to get the attention of the authorities and/or a class-action attorney, is 'in numbers.' in their eyes, complaints dribbling in one at a time, are seen as trivial.

I totally agree, I have said it before, but I imagine it has to reach some type of "critical mass" before action is taken.

Just to pep things up a little and submit the possibility that this thing is not escaping notice (and it may mean nothing), but a while back I encountered in my blog statistics a visit from an SEC address.

[yeppers]

ycchen, thank you. my apologies, i haven't seen your post until just now. i will check out that link, and i would consider it an honor and a privilege to be the 'victim-volunteer.'

[Somebody]

ycchen, thank you. my apologies, i haven't seen your post until just now. i will check out that link, and i would consider it an honor and a privilege to be the 'victim-volunteer.'

i would feel good if you were the victim volunteer, it would sure speed up my five friends signing up. one of my friends got a 1099 for $29,000 and NEVER received a DIME of that money.