Issue Date:  -  Monday, 9 May 2005

i-Net Seminars Imergent Inc – Consumer warning

Get rich quick Internet seminars that were subject to legal proceedings by the Corporations Watchdog in Washington DC are set to hit Perth next week and Consumer Protection will have its people out to greet them.

It has been reported in the media overseas, that once consumers bought packages from these operators they were basically left with worthless software which did not work and for which they were asked to pay more money for assistance that was of little or no value.

They were charged under the Business Opportunity Fraud Act (USA) in 2002 and have now arrived in Australia with their wares.

A series of ‘i-Net seminars’ touting they will teach punters to make money on the Internet from home are being held at the Sheraton Hotel (May 10 & 11), the Comfort Inn Wentworth Plaza (May 12) and the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle (May 11). The hotels are not connected with the seminars.

iNet Seminars  is registered to Imergent Inc and is the subject of consumer enquiries which indicate the supposedly free seminars can end up costing consumers $50 per week, plus a ‘buy in’ price of between $2,000 and $3,000.

Brandon Lewis, the President of Imergent Inc and their subsidiary StoreOnline Inc, along with Don Danks, John Polemann and Charles Andrews were jointly liable to pay the USA Department of Financial Securities  $1,500 in an action brought against them.

“Glossy, ‘free’ invitations to seminars are being received in the mail and include seminar admission, meals for two people, two complimentary business organisers and training materials.  Ongoing training is conducted later at the consumer’s cost”, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Consumer Protection’s enquiries have so far failed to establish if this operation is registered to conduct business in Australia.

“Anyone receiving this material should contact us immediately and also forward the material to Consumer Protection”, Mr Walker said.

Telephone 1300 30 40 54.  Material received can be sent without a postage stamp to Reply Paid 64772, Locked Bag 14, Cloisters Square, WA, 6850

Consumer Protection has commenced a local investigation.