8/29/2008 11:17:00 AM Fraud cops look at Furbert's firm But little chance of legal action because our laws lack teeth
Top Dog: Former UBP leader Wayne Furbert officially introduced YTB to Bermuda and is believed to the firm’s top earner on the island. He was called in to meet Fraud Unit officers, who are convinced YTB is a pyramid scam, the Bermuda Sun understands.
Good, bad and ugly — what readers told us after our last story on YTB
'All in all I understand the motivation behind these plans and done correctly I suggest they can be viable. However, I also suggest we don't forget one other major thing. With these types of programmes in place more and more pressure gets put on local businesses as they struggle to stay afloat. And in such a small island it could have dire effects everyone (sic). Sometimes stepping back and looking at the big picture will reveal whether these types of programmes are healthy for Bermuda as a whole.'
- Derek Jones
'Have you ever heard of Denis Cauvier? He is a consultant to billionares, (sic) and Fortune 500 business. Out of thousands of companies he has reviewed he lists YTB as one of the top two business opportunities in the world right now. But what does he know? I guess he is just another YTB shill who is willing to put a reputation that took 22 years to build on the line, for what? At the end of the day it's MLM and if you want to make money you have to work at it.'
- Bill
'There isn't a day that goes go by that I'm thankful i'm part of YTB. If tryied (sic) other online Travel Companies but nothing comes close to YTB...If I can do YTB, anyone can do it.'
- Derek
'Actually, on average, YTB is roughly $10 more expensive than Expedia or Travelocity. Because the name recognition isn't there, it makes more sense for a buyer to book through a trustworthy and proven online serive - (sic) Expedia or Travelocity. You're saving money and it's guaranteed... Mr. Furbert would never enjoy this amount of success if he wasn't the person who brought it to Bermuda. YTB doesn't work. Period.'
- Ex-YTB User
'It's unfortunate that Mr. Furbert does not see how this is a scam. I'm really shocked that he'd even be interested in something like this. If you make the majority of your money through recruiting others to the scheme, and not selling travel packages, then you're really in the recruiting business, not the travel business.'
- Common Sense Tells Us...
'I have been in YTB since August of 2007. I had absolutely no experience in the travel industry outside of booking my own travel on Expedia. My wife and I are in the business together and have made back our investiment (sic) after the second month we joined. We love this company and love what it has done for us.'
- Current YTB Referring Travel Agent [in the U.S]
Feedback was posted on our website www.bermudasun.bm
Fraud cops have built a dossier on Wayne Furbert's controversial travel scheme, which continues to attract members here despite being dubbed a scam in the U.S.
Experts within the Bermuda Police Service are convinced YTB (YourTravelBiz) is a pyramid scheme and would like to shut it down to prevent people losing money. Fraud detectives went as far as asking Mr. Furbert to discuss the company with them, after which they warned him that it may breach investment laws, the Bermuda Sun understands.
However, detectives have not passed a file to the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) because Bermuda's antiquated laws are badly equipped to deal with companies of this type. In California - where laws have been sharpened over the years to deal with ever more sophisticated marketing scams - YTB is being sued for $25m. In his lawsuit, California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. said that he intends to prove YTB is "immensely profitable to a few individuals on top and a complete rip-off for almost everyone else."
Sources with links to the DPP told the Bermuda Sun that fraud experts on the island are in full agreement with the AG in California. However, past attempts at prosecuting pyramid schemes have stalled because Bermuda only has generic laws in relation to fraud. Former UBP leader Wayne Furbert believes that around 700 people - more than one per cent of the island's population - have paid at least $500 each to join YTB since February, when he imported the scheme from the U.S. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the total membership could be far higher, with existing members recruiting new investors by the day.
Several successful members have told this newspaper that they have made thousands of dollars from YTB, and Mr. Furbert himself is believed to be earning between $100,000 and $500,000 from the scheme per year. However, Mr. Furbert admits that a large proportion of members have never earned any of their investment back, largely because they have made no efforts to recruit new members.
One legal source, who has links to the DPP said: "A file has been on the fraud unit's desk twice. We know they've looked at it, and continue to look at it, but it's a question of getting a prosecution. There's no doubt that this is a pyramid scheme, but the chances of getting a prosecution here are close to nil. In California, and elsewhere in the States, they tailor legislation for exactly this kind of situation. In Bermuda, our laws are more broad-ranging, so not much can be done."
In a separate development, the Office of the Attorney General in California warned Bermudians not to get involved in YTB. A spokesman said: "This office does not undertake lawsuits lightly. Every action follows a thorough and complete investigation of the evidence. We hope that Bermudians will take note of what is happening here and will protect themselves from this kind of aggressive marketing."
Commission payments
People who join YTB pay $500 upfront and then $49.99 per month, for which they receive access to their own travel website. Members receive commission payments every time they book vacations through their site - either for themselves, or for family or other customers. They also receive commission for every new member they persuade to sign up, plus a cut of the commission earned by the new member underneath them. Critics claim it is a pyramid scheme because few members earn any money from travel bookings, and only a tiny fraction earn enough from travel bookings to cover their initial investment.
At glitzy recruitment conferences in Florida and elsewhere in the States, the firm's founders claim that anyone can take their place among the top earners so long as they work hard. Members in Bermuda have told the Bermuda Sun the same thing: that those who lose money have not put in enough effort.
In an official press statement last night, the police said: "The Bermuda Police Service is aware of YTB and at the request of the Fraud Unit, Mr. Furbert met with detectives in order to discuss the travel business.
"Based on the examination of the information available at the time, the fact that no member of the public had made a complaint and advice obtained, it was deemed that no further action would be taken by the Police."
The Bermuda Sun was in contact with Mr. Furbert yesterday but he declined to comment on developments.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Comment by:
Craig
FYI I got in 12-07 ! But I work! So I made my money back, it's my fault I know..
Craig's comments are no doubt motivated by his own self interests in YTB. Pyramid schemes are always highly divisive when it comes to the fallout. The ones defending it are those that got in early and have made good money.
Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Comment by:
Scott
I am seeking information on Bermuda based ASI ( American Safety Insurance)concerning Fraud and Investment scams anyone please advise me if you have any information on ASI of Bermuda
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Comment by:
Newyorker
Craig's comments are no doubt motivated by his own self interests in YTB.
Pyramid schemes are always highly divisive when it comes to the fallout. The ones defending it are those that got in early and have made good money, and are looking to protect their reputations by insisting that it's all okay as long as big bad law enforcement doesn't mess it all up. There are also the ones that got in but probably haven't made their investments back yet, and they just want to believe that they haven't thrown their money away and just want it to continue so that they can make back their money.
The YTB model is clearly a pyamid scheme, and in a tiny place like Bermuda, this business model runs out of people very quickly. I truly believe that a lot of the Bermuda YTB people, including Mr. Furbert, don't see anything wrong, and are convinced that they are running and marketing a solid business enterprise. It's this lack of understanding that makes this scheme so successful, being that the people running it are not the dishonest types.
YTB is simply a game of musical chairs, and the music has stopped.
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Comment by:
You won't post it ( Craig )
Sad! The reason why they can't do anything is because it's not illegal.. Just dumb cops. YTB HAS 2 business, (1) one is a on line Travel booking site ( you own the site, you promote your site, you get paid, the more you promote the more you earn).If I out work you then I out earn you. Second business you market the websites called Option #2 The marketing of the opportunity to own a website. For you to market the sites cost zero. When someone buys a website (PRODUCT)449.95 then you make a commission off the purchase of the website. YTB now has a new point of distribution, the more small points of distribution that do just a little soon adds up ($414 million booked in 2007) No money made off of people joining but buying there own WEBSITE. NO LAW IS BROKEN. Cops go back to jail & school, no raises this yr.
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008
Comment by:
Bruce McClarron
CLASSIC STATEMENT.... Mr. Furbert admits that a large proportion of members have never earned any of their investment back, largely because they have made no efforts to recruit new members.
This is what MLM is all about, the recruitment of NEW MEMBERS! This is where the money is made! You have to be a 'RECRUITING MACHINE', to survive in this business! Been There, Done that!!
A steady stream of 'NEW RECRUITS' is constantly required, because the 'ATTRITION' rate in this business is incredibly HIGH! Wake-up Bermuda!
