International Law

Who is Shop to Earn?

Image by RaeA via Flickr

Shop to Earn is a new network marketing scheme that makes very little economic sense.

A number of commentators, Tracy Coenen at Fraudfiles, Techdirct, and Every Day Finance have written about Shop to Earn.

No doubt many individuals think that they can make $4100 in 30 days, based on the slide show at the Shop to Earn website.

This is a foolish earnings claim, which no doubt would attract attention from the FTC once their new Business Opportunity Rule is passed.

As far as I can see, the business model looks either Skybiz or Burnlounge - all of them pyramid failures.

So who is Shop to Earn?

Well, Patrick Welsh is said to be the founder.  A review at Sunbiz Utility confirms that Welsh is indeed a director of something called Shop 2 Earn Inc.  (Put "Welsh, Patrick" in the search box.)

When we try to look try to look up the address, we are directed to this address for Pat Welsh: 174 HARBORSIDE CIRCLE, JUPITER FL 33477 US.

No such address appears to be known to Google.

We are also given an unhelpful post office box address:

PO BOX 33131, PALM BEACH GARDENS FL 33420.

Similar searches of Welsh's previous companies are equally unhelpful.

The principal address of the Shop 2 Earn corporation, which was changed a year ago is:

3441 S EASTERN AVE, LAS VEGAS NV 89109

Sure enough Shop to Earn LLC is registered in Nevada.

And just who is at the Las Vegas Address?

So who are these guys?

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on August 11, 2008 (boomark / email).