Pickleball Players Say They Were Scammed by Entrepreneur

[LuckyS]

https://youtu.be/7UvCGS5gQ5o?si=b31h8z1j9rWj5y7L

[Keefelane66]

Promised an 18% return on investment absolute greed they should have known.

[Stu from NYC]

Promised an 18% return on investment absolute greed they should have known.

If you do not understand an investment or it seems to good to be true, Run!

[dewilson58]

There are four born every day.

[Dusty_Star]

It looks like he has been sent into bankruptcy proceedings.

Your browser is not supported | indystar.com (https://www.indystar.com/story/news/investigations/2024/02/07/pickleball-entrepreneur-pushed-into-bankruptcy-in-alleged-loan-scam/72510048007/)

[coralway]

PT Barnum was right

[frayedends]

If I did something that stupid I wouldn’t go on YouTube and brag about it. But then I’m not stupid enough to invest in scams.

[Caymus]

If I did something that stupid I wouldn’t go on YouTube and brag about it. But then I’m not stupid enough to invest in scams.

Don't YouTube posters get paid for each view?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

It looks like he has been sent into bankruptcy proceedings.

yeah, but where is all the money hiding from which he scammed people?
I heard that its a lot of money for something he used it for not in the business. .

scammers either spend it all on something, or hide it away somewhere where they hope to get it after bankruptcy

[Laker14]

yeah, but where is all the money hiding from which he scammed people?
I heard that its a lot of money for something he used it for not in the business. .

scammers either spend it all on something, or hide it away somewhere where they hope to get it after bankruptcy

Sometimes scammers don't even realize they are "scamming". They are convinced their wild dreams will work out if they can just get their hands on a little more "seed money".... Sometimes they are charismatic con men. Who knows?

Anybody who turned over their "life savings" to this guy must have been deluded. Makes me wonder how anybody that financially unsavvy could have amassed significant life savings in the first place.

[MrChip72]

If you do not understand an investment or it seems to good to be true, Run!

Some of them probably thought that they did.

This sounds like a carbon copy of scam that has been done on the golf course. Guy claims that he's building a golf course and is offering limited spots for investors. The scammer shows up to play at several semi-private golf courses as a single to join 3 unsuspecting marks. He convinces some of the other golfers that they can make big money owning part of his golf course so they start throwing their money that way. Rinse and repeat.

[frayedends]

Don't YouTube posters get paid for each view?

I don’t think the scammed own the channel. You can make money on YouTube but it takes lots of subscribers and views. I believe you need 1000 subscribers to even qualify for monetization.

[tophcfa]

Always run away from a “Guaranteed Investment”!

[margaretmattson]

Always run away from a “Guaranteed Investment”! If you plan to invest in a business, at the very least look at the recent profit and loss statements, inspect and test the product(s) being sold, and ask about the marketing strategy. The man is not accused of fraud. Indiana placed a seize and desist for selling unregistered investment opportunities. Most likely, the case against him will not progress further unless investors can show substantial proof that he used their money for other purposes other than his brand of pickleball paddles and nets. For all we know, he may have a warehouse full of pickleball products and was unable to secure interested buyers or sponsors. If so, he is only guilty of what Indiana has enforced. In this economy, it was a bad idea to invest in an upstart business.

It sounds like the ladies were seduced by his popularity in the game. Maybe they believed his brand could become as successful as products like Air Jordans. Surprisingly, I see a potential where this could have worked. The ladies should have demanded the use of a professional marketing team.

[La lamy]

So freakin sad. Live and learn moment.

[bowlingal]

this was on Inside Edition on Wed night channel NBC

[Girlcopper]

Promised an 18% return on investment absolute greed they should have known.
Exactly. They aren’t victims. They are greedy investors who tried to jump into a deal that obviously isn’t possible. You get what you deserve

[Newvilla]

https://youtu.be/7UvCGS5gQ5o?si=b31h8z1j9rWj5y7L

It probably started with a free lunch.

[rsmurano]

Many things wrong with this. If it’s a new business, there is no profit and loss statement.

All these people probably made a verbal contract, especially the statement about 18% profit. Since no charges are filed, there are no written contracts or the contract is written so vague you can sue him.
These 4 lady’s probably been on Dr Phil complaining they are sending their future husbands hundreds of thousands of $$$ which they just met online and they are having problems getting back home to the states.

[1009 wilder]

if you have money you dont want i will take it

[elle123]

The Villages is like a magnet for "scam vultures."

[Stu from NYC]

It probably started with a free lunch.

Nothing wrong with a free lunch but one should listen and think critically of presentation. And ask questions and see what the answers are like.

Recently someone answered my question with you really have enough information to decide. That made it rather easy.

[MrFlorida]

If you get scammed, it's because of your own greed.

[Stu from NYC]

Exactly. They aren’t victims. They are greedy investors who tried to jump into a deal that obviously isn’t possible. You get what you deserve

They are victims, investing in something like this is foolish but see them as victims

[Topspinmo]

Nothing wrong with a free lunch but one should listen and think critically of presentation. And ask questions and see what the answers are like.

Recently someone answered my question with you really have enough information to decide. That made it rather easy.

There no free lunch. Somebody paying for it:duck:

[Topspinmo]

They are victims, investing in something like this is foolish but see them as victims


No they’re gullible.

[Mrfriendly]

https://youtu.be/7UvCGS5gQ5o?si=b31h8z1j9rWj5y7L

I am working on developing a noiseless pickle ball and need 10 people to give me $100,000. Cash only.

[Stu from NYC]

No they’re gullible.

OK lets call them foolish and gullible but they are still victims of a crook.

[MX rider]

Exactly. They aren’t victims. They are greedy investors who tried to jump into a deal that obviously isn’t possible. You get what you deserve

Exactly right!!!
I just don't get these people.
The biggest and best Investment firms in the world are happy if they can get you 6 or 7% on your money
So they think some snake oil salesman is going to get them 18%?
Sorry, but I can't feel sorry for them.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

ah, memories of "The Producers"

The Producers (1967) - IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063462/)
I love Mel Brooks, he was the best of many eras!

The Producers (2005) - IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395251/)

[Villageshooter]

It probably started with a free lunch.
I have met some of the nicest people at those free lunches, I always enjoy the presentation, but would never sign up for the product that they’re trying to push. I see now that someone has one at Golden corral. I wouldn’t waste my time for that. I always sit in the back and listen to an audiobook on my phone, or do my Bible study all the while during the presentation

[CoachKandSportsguy]

They are victims, investing in something like this is foolish but see them as victims

Exactly right!!!
I just don't get these people.
The biggest and best Investment firms in the world are happy if they can get you 6 or 7% on your money
So they think some snake oil salesman is going to get them 18%?
Sorry, but I can't feel sorry for them.

A little harsh there anonymous keyboard warrior! Stu is correct, they were taken advantage of because they were ignorant about business and investment practices and results. Not having any knowledge or experience with business or investments doesn't make them greedy, just makes them a mark for a sociopath, and gullible.

Not much different than a car dealership tactics for sales and server, another marginally sociopath attractive business opportunity. Had our truck serviced at 50K miles at an dealer and then fixed by an independent whom I have known for 40 years.

He told me a story about one of his regular customers who went to a dealership, and they showed her a picture of the rear of her car with her license plate and a list of repairs needed. She took the car to the independent, and he noticed that the dealer picture of the car was the same model, but had two exhausts and the customer had a single exhaust, ie, not the same car. . . dealer was scamming the customer with visual misinformation.

With my truck the dealer gave me a list of repairs needed totaling $2000+ dollars, the independent found none of those issues. . ie the dealer was looking for service work from ignorant customers . . except I have just enough experience to realize that the price was outrageous, and the issues they presented didn't seem correct, and I know an honest mechanic.

The villages lifestyle is a much more trusting life style, relaxed and not on guard for the real life working scams. However, from the videos, I don't think that loss for those 4 changed their life style at all, especially since they were smiling talking about it. So their experience was a good reminder that we all are marks for something we aren't experienced at. So that makes them easy marks for anonymous to throw stones

[MX rider]

A little harsh there anonymous keyboard warrior! Stu is correct, they were taken advantage of because they were ignorant about business and investment practices and results. Not having any knowledge or experience with business or investments doesn't make them greedy, just makes them a mark for a sociopath, and gullible.

Not much different than a car dealership tactics for sales and server, another marginally sociopath attractive business opportunity. Had our truck serviced at 50K miles at an dealer and then fixed by an independent whom I have known for 40 years.

He told me a story about one of his regular customers who went to a dealership, and they showed her a picture of the rear of her car with her license plate and a list of repairs needed. She took the car to the independent, and he noticed that the dealer picture of the car was the same model, but had two exhausts and the customer had a single exhaust, ie, not the same car. . . dealer was scamming the customer with visual misinformation.

With my truck the dealer gave me a list of repairs needed totaling $2000+ dollars, the independent found none of those issues. . ie the dealer was looking for service work from ignorant customers . . except I have just enough experience to realize that the price was outrageous, and the issues they presented didn't seem correct, and I know an honest mechanic.

The villages lifestyle is a much more trusting life style, relaxed and not on guard for the real life working scams. However, from the videos, I don't think that loss for those 4 changed their life style at all, especially since they were smiling talking about it. So their experience was a good reminder that we all are marks for something we aren't experienced at. So that makes them easy marks for anonymous to throw stones

Anonymous? My picture is on here! And if this was on Facebook my comment would be the same. By the way my name is Scott Eichhorst.

So I stand by what I said, who would believe anyone promising 18% return on your money? Either they're carelss with money or greedy. Jmo

Using your car analogy, it would be like a dealer telling them "this car gets 200 mpg."

[Stu from NYC]

Anonymous? My picture is on here! And if this was on Facebook my comment would be the same. By the way my name is Scott Eichhorst.

So I stand by what I said, who would believe anyone promising 18% return on your money? Either they're carelss with money or greedy. Jmo

Using your car analogy, it would be like a dealer telling them "this car gets 200 mpg."

Guess we will agree to disagree. People are often marks for salesmen who promise great things.