MOBE Scam Shutdown By The FTC! [MUST READ]

Over the years there have been literally hundreds of legitimate negative reviews warning people of the MOBE Scam such as this one, This one, and this one.

Being one of the clean Affiliate Marketer I have many contacts in the industry, particularly the goods and the bonafide scam busters and gifted bloggers. Rumour was a bound of payments of up to $5000! being offered to take down negative reviews.

I know the writer of that article very well, lovely lady, she does refuse to confirm which company offered her a sizable cash sum to delete a post or two.

The Federal Trade Commission of the United States Of America found MOBE guilty of violating Section 5 part (a) of the Federal Trades Commission Act, 15 U.S.C.A. §45 section (a). 

The very reason that MOBE was an obvious scam is very much down to how they operated and how they and their "recruits" earned money.

It was very much a "Pay To Play" or a "Buy To Sell" operation where you had to buy the product first in order to have obtained its resell rights. The more expensive the products, the greater the commission. 

Those joining the program obviously didn't want to lose out of the juicier bigger commissions and see them getting "passed up" felt pressured by those above them on the pyramid in regards to "losing out on commissions" and, well, who would get the commission when/if you bought the program? 

Yep, that person above you in the pyramid...

It was a no lose situation for your sponsor - you buy in at the same or higher level they get a commission worth thousands of dollars. 

You don't buy it but you do happen to get a referral that buys a product above your rank...your sponsor gets the commission...

Not all MLM's are pyramid schemes, that is something to make clear. Multi-level marketing, although not my cup of tea or liking at all is a legitimate business model fully endorsed by Harvard Business School. 

However, the problem with MOBE and why it was a pyramid scheme was the fact that there was no real product behind it. 

Sure, there was a series of products but they were more focused and centred around Internet Marketing, and thus just really products training you how to recruit others. 

Also, at each level, you had to "buy in" to that level. In a legitimate MLM model with products you earn your way up by means of your ability to both sell products and recruit other and manage your team (AKA downline) effectively. 

As mentioned, MOBE initially stood for My Online Business Empire and then later changed it to Education. While many businesses under go rebranding for a variety of legitimate reasons.

MOBE's rebranding was much more sinister. Many sites were popping up and calling a scam a scam and calling MOBE (with Empire ending) as a scam and teh search term was becoming quite popular, thus a quick and easy slight change of name and...

Ohh wow..

Amazing...no BBB listing or complaints for MOBE (with Education ending). I suspect a host of associated businesses related to My Online Business Empire closed down, with new ones opened as My Online Business Education - very convenient. 

I use the plural, as in the FTC findings and investigation they discovered 8 different businesses in different countries and jurisdictions.

In all probability this complex series of shell company's was how Matt LLoyd McPhee was able to keep the scam going for so long. 

Matthew LLoyd McPhee, known as Matt LLoyd an Australian from very humble beginning in life is the son of wheat farmers that became a multi millionaire by his mid 20's by means of his skill to sell online in the digital world. 

Leveraging social media and peoples "dream lifestyle" of fast cars and mansions he tapped into that inner desire that everyone has for lifestyle of the rich and famous. 

According to his digital biography he was a student of commerce at the University of Western Australia but dropped out around 2009. By the age of 30 his businesses generated over $150M in sales. 

In 2017 Matt Lloyd bought his own private island in Fiji, Bounty Island and full resort style accommodation as well as a resort in Costa Rica. 

Apparently these days he is going by the name of Matt McPhee and is being chased by authorities in America for an amount close to half a billion USD - some $445M USD as reported by the Western Australian newspaper here

It is said that his money was filtered through a variety of countries including $11M USD in Perth accounts in Australia. Apparently he is still a resident of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

I spend a lot of time in Malaysia, I do wonder if he can be prosecuted there. The law is not so kind and the birtch is common!. If Guilty it is only a question of how many lashes!. 

Not the sharpest tool in the box!, as I can confirm the Malaysian Government are pursuing him over $50,000 USD in unpaid taxes. And despite his refusal to give up his luxury assets to the FTC, he may very well have them sized by the Malaysian Government. 

The Malaysian government has been leading the way against MOBE, long before the FTC court case with a series or raids on a Kuala Lumpur Office use by the company dating back to 2016. 

He is not hard to track down, B1-28-8, Soho Suites at KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, 50450.

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Update: July 29 2019 

Negotiations with the receiver resulted in Matt LLoyd McPhee making a principle agreement to resolve the demand for him to turn in his real estate interests.

In the agreement in principle Matt Lloyd will sell or get financing for the properties to pay the value of his stake in the properties to the receivership company.

Currently, both parties are drafting an agreement, which could take some time as it involves real estate lawyers in both Costa Rica and Fiji. 

What is not still clear is the position of the Malaysian government over an unpaid tax bill of US$50,000 who could step in a seize Matt Lloyd McPhee assets.  

Further investigation finds Matt Dyoll - LLoyd backwards is the one and same person. Released a statement, evidently by Matt lloyd shortly after the MOBE shut down. 

The following video makes for interesting viewing. 

Not all internet opportunities are scams. Not by a long shot and now apparently penniless and broke and despite hanging on and refusing to handover his overseas properties and assets, (islands and resorts!!), to the FTC he could very well end up losing the over an unpaid $50,000 Tax Bill to the Malaysian Government. 

Crime never pays. 

And there better ways to earn honest money online.