timeline
Osgold scheme events of interestpre Osgold
1989Frank Zuchristian and partner Koenraad Debedts are defendants in a case in Hawaii:
STATE OF HAWAII ETC VS YOUR ALOHA CONNECTION ETAL
Case Title: STATE OF HAWAII ETC VS YOUR ALOHA CONNECTION ETAL
Initiation Date: 09-11-1989
Initiator I.D.: A2833 Division: 3C01 Court: C
Cause of Action: UNFAIR/DECEPTIV Nature of Action: 02599
Case Termination Date: 02-08-1990
Frank Zuchristian has a warrant issued for his arrest held with the Hawaii Police. This warrant is extant - 63 charges related to theft from an individual to an amount over $35,000.
Michael Moore and Graham Kelly work together in Melbourne Australia at Telstra for 4-5 years.
Graham Kelly (GoldNow) begins an office in South Africa.
from the Planetgold.com interview with Frank Zuchristian
" Graham Kelly, of Goldnow.st, asked me in October of 2000 to open an office for him in The Netherlands. During the intervening months we kind of drifted apart, and ultimately decided not to pursue the joint venture. Since I was retired and I like a challenge and to keep busy, I decided to go at it alone. "
e-gold-list] Re: Funds still missing, matter will go to the FP.
Michael Moore states he is well acquainted with the Australian Federal Police in Melbourne; presumably in matters related to fraud attempts on his business Gold-today.
[e-gold-list] I need help in the Netherlands
Graham Kelly is looking for an assistant for Dutch business.
Osgold Launch
Tue, 20 Mar 2001 23:18:54 -0800[e-gold-list] Re osgold.com
Michael Moore looks at the launch of Osgold.
" There is no email on the site, no names or anyway you can establish who is behind it. No indication of where 'the gold' is. Just says in an 'offshore bank'. "
[e-gold-list] RE: FW: Re: Re osgold.com
A prophetic warning by "major bosco" about the future of Osgold.
" Hmmm,,,
The Ponzi scheme gang has graduated to bigger and better things now! They moved up from running individual scams on e-gold -- to a full blown *imaginary* metals backed e-currency called OSGold. If you check the SSL cert -- they are in the USA,*offshore*? And there is NO gold backing the currency -- at least I don't see any proof of metals backing the system. However -- I would bet the HYIppers will go there in droves, ya see, they don't care about truth, only a promised return (imaginary or not)! Boy, if everyone thought e-biz was trouble -- wait until this bubble (OS) explodes.
JB "
[e-gold-list] Re: Re osgold.com
Michael Moore says he is acquainted with David Reed, co-founder of Osgold/Osopps, and says he wants to become a market maker for Osgold. Later when the bubble bursts and legal action commences Moore will deny any association with Reed or promotion of the Osgold scheme.... hmmm.
" ... Glad to know this is bona fide. We can only benefit by competition as was just recently pointed out. I have recieved a email from David [Reed] (with whom I am aquainted) and am satisfied this is a genuine site.
I have indicated to David that on the basis of the info below and in his email, I would be pleased to be considered as a Market Maker for osgold. "
[e-gold-list] Re: Re osgold.com
Sidd aka Simon Davis, also warns Michael Moore about Osgold.
" Mike,
Methinks you are too quick to accept a few placating words... Take a close look at this! There are FAR too many HUGE holes in this thing to conclude that this is above board. At the very least, we need to be concerned that this person has absolutely has NO IDEA what he is doing.
It is EXTREMELY suspicious (and against the regulations) to put misleading or false contact information for the registrant of a domain name. If this person is honest why is he not giving valid contact details on the site and on the domain registration? Something to hide? "
[e-gold-list] FW: Re: Re osgold.com
Randy Johnson, a co-founder of Osgold, attempts to smooth troubled waters over the launch of Osgold.
e-gold-list] Fw: Re osgold.com
David Reed, co-founder of Osgold, says Osgold uses a bank in Panama and one in Latvia.
[e-gold-list] Re: OSGOLD
Laurie Dyke, a member of the OsGold team, states that Osgold is not a scam.
[e-gold-list] New MM, based in Europe available WORLDWIDE
Frank Zuchristian starts business as a market maker based in the Netherlands.
Osgold.com launch site
GoldNow.st (Graham Kelly) is signing up Osgold accounts
" We are now proud to be associated with OSGOLD! Our investigations of that company so far, has revealed that they are a surprisingly solid company, with a great vision, and huge customer acceptance! For a free OSGOLD Account, click on the link at the top of this page!"
[e-gold-list] Gold-today & Osgold
Gold-today.com (Michael Moore) begins promotion of Osgold.
" Another Gold Today expansion!
www.gold-today.com is now able to accept orders for osgold. If you do not have an osgold account simply go to www.osgold.com/index.php?id=10000008 and you can sign up for an osgold account today! "
e-gold-list] Fw: OS Gold
Mike Poulos
Osgold gold backing under question again.
[e-gold-list] OSGOLD performance figures
Graham Kelly posts Osgold performance. Osgold now has 13,000 customers after a couple of months operation.
[e-gold-list] Public Announcement regarding OSGold links
Reid Jackson, an established and well known digital gold currency industry player who runs E-gold distances himself from Osgold in no uncertain terms.
" We do not wish to be associated, even indirectly, with osgold.com .... "
[e-gold-list] Not wanting to be associated with OSGold.
Ian Green
" I wouldn't want to be associated with OSGold either. This action is not simply about competition although OSGold are obviously riding e-gold's coattails to success, otherwise GS&R would have substituted "other gold currency systems including without limitation, OSGold."
Any reasonable person need simply read the earliest references to OSGold in this mailing list to see the *probability* that OSGold is simply a means to delay the collapse of certain (criminal) Ponzi schemes by giving the appearance of paying out longer. That the anonymous owners of OSGold are one and the same as the operators of the Ponzi schemes is entirely likely, and that they are also the one's early on defending the Ponzi's and OSGold most vehemently on this list.
That certain exchange providers are lending e-gold's credibility to OSGold by the combination of an approved link from e-Gold and the exchange providers' subsequent recommendations of OSGold is a situation that e-gold, and GS&R as their operator is well justified in seeking immediately to stop. "
[e-gold-list] OsGold Guaranteed Investments
Osgold's Osopps investment scheme begins around this time.
The eCurrency Trade Association has begun. Board members include Frank Zuchristian, Michael Moore and Eric Gaithman. In less than two years all would be sued as co-defendants in the Osgold recovery action.
[e-gold-list] OsOpps Programs
"SnowDog" warns about OsOpps, the High Yield Investment Program (HYIP) woven in to Osgold.
"If this isn't a cleverly laid-out scam, then what is it?"
e-gold-list] RE: eCurrency Trade Association Inc.
An interesting opinion about the eCTA is given. The whole thread is worth reading.
" ...it sounds like a Professional Boys Club just like the A.M.A. , the Bar Association where they are all protect each others back. "
[e-gold-list] OSOpps
Top marks to "SnowDog" for this tip:
' Just heard a rumor that OsOpps.com is paying 30% per month through their HYIP -- AND GUARANTEEING IT!
"1. Proven Investments
2. No Schemes
3. If we guarantee it
4. You are protected"
At this point, does anyone NOT believe it's a scam? What money do you think they're using to make these types of payouts? '
SnowDog then gets berated on the list by a Michael Moore fan for posting such a thing.
Frank Zuchristian begins a Swiss investor allegedly on the road to a large financial loss. The investor will later describe in some detail how it all went down.
Internet Archive snapshot of Osgold.com - Approved OSGold Exchange Providers.
[e-gold-list] Announcement from Gaithmans Gold Nation & Gold-today
Michael Moore describes the working relationship between Gaithmans Gold Nation and Moore's Gold-today as regards Osgold sales generated as market makers between them.
Osgold.com FAQ page
" I. BASIC INFORMATION
What is OSGold?
OSGold is a product of ?One Groupe International, Inc. of Panama providing services you need and the protection you deserve safeguarding your financial assets offshore.
Your OSGold dollar is 100% backed by gold. "
" IV. FUNDING YOUR ACCOUNT
A list of OSGold Exchange Providers is provided
for your safety and convenience.
OSGold GUARANTEES
that your account will be funded by any of our
approved Exchange Providers upon receipt of your deposit. "
" V. CONVERTING OSGOLD TO CASH
Our Approved Exchange Providers can exchange your osgold and deliver your money via check or bank wire. "
Planetgold.com: Interview of Michael Moore, of Gold-Today.com
" Well prior to 3 months ago the turnover was mostly minimal. However Gold Today has done over 100,000AUD in the past three months and I expect the growth to continue along those lines exponentially so this financial year I should do around 500,000AUD dollars of business on the current growth cycle. "
Frank Zuchristian and Koneraad Debedts announce:
"Thunderbirth Investing of Panama and by Harbor Savings Bank, a registered bank in Montenegro proudly announces the start of cardaccount.tv. We have worked together, with the Lateko bank, in Latvia to bring you, our clients an exceptional value, while guaranteeing your privacy. "
And excerpted from Southern District Court of New York - Civil Action - 02 CV 8993:
"72. As part of the OSGold/OSOpps programs, Defendant One Groupe issued debit cards through Defendant Reed and Mr. Zuchristian's joint-venture, Card Accounts. The system was set up so that the Exchange Makers, such as Mr. Zuchristian and Defendant Kelly, held "master accounts" in LATEKO Bank. The debit cards that were issued to the OSGold depositors and OSOpps investors drew from a series of anonymous "sub-accounts", held within the master accounts, that were identified only by the sub-account number. These sub-accounts belonged to the individual OSGold depositors and OSOpps investors. For these accounts to be funded, OSGold had to be converted to hard currency and then deposited to the LATEKO sub-accounts, generally a task completed by the Exchange Maker that had provided the card. The master account-holder purchased a series of anonymous debit cards corresponding to these subaccounts."
Interview of Eric Gaithman of Gaithmans.com
" Gaithmans Gold Nation, Inc. now averages $1.5 Million in gross sales per month and our growth rate is exponential. "
" Gaithmans has witnessed the following in gross sales for the period of January 1st, 2002 to February 17th, 2002: E-Gold 69.67%, OSGold 14.66%, Evocash 8.59%, E-Bullion 5.52%, (Other sales) 1.6% "
" Gaithmans has recently formed a partnership with Gold Today (Michael Moore) and Electrumor Inc. (John Polzer) to provide similar goods and services to citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Our goal is to provide clients with the ability to conduct business with a ?local? agent. This helps to save our clients time and money by avoiding intermediary or correspondent bank fees and transfer delays. Clients can also make purchases or exchanges in their local currency rather than having to pay to convert their AUD or CAD to USD. It also saves them from paying excessive fees for outexchanges. "
[e-gold-list] Re: Planet Gold & OS Gold
Pecunix PR
Michael Moore signs himself off as "Pecunix PR" while squelching rumours that the founders of Osgold are the same people that started Pecunix.
e-gold-list] eCTA Member Suspended
Michael Moore
" Graham Kelly, of Goldnow, has been found to have acted in a grossly unprofessional manner inconsistent with the Charter of the eCTA. "
On the same thread Jim Davidson, a non eCTA member, accuses the eCTA of censorship.
[e-gold-list] The eCurrency Trade Association Inc.
Michael Moore, Vice President of eCTA, posts a letter or email from Frank Zuchristian, President of eCTA, who comments in part on Graham Kelly as a founding member of eCTA
" Regarding recent events. The disciplinary measures against 2 members was an agonizing decision for the board, though I felt it better to abstain from the second. However in regard to this the time has come to set the record straight.
Mr. Kelly, was one of the four original founders of eCTA and contributed valuable input at that time. However, he was remiss in submitting necessary paperwork to be accorded the founders status despite paying his membership dues. As both were required to achieve full status as a member he did not actually become a member until more recently when his paperwork and subsequent verification could be achieved. Further, in the initial setup of eCTA Mr. Kelly was named Interim President but, as he has admitted, did little to warrant the posting at that time. His public postings, by the way, seem to reflect that he doesn't remember that title as he keeps referring to the chairman. Perhaps, the confusion came about as I had asked if he would be willing to chair a committee for the eCTA during my meeting with him in Riga, last month. He agreed to that at the time, and I am still willing to pursue this, if and when he conforms to board decision and becomes a member in good standing once again.
Regards,
Frank Zuchristian
President
eCurrency Trade Association Inc.
www.exchangeprovider.net
'Setting the standard for the Gold Based Economy' "
[e-gold-list] Planet Gold interview, the eCTA and proposed GDCA
Michael Moore rants against Planetgold.com (Ragnar) and apparently Jim Davison for proposing/starting a Global Digital Currency Association over the eCTA.
" A Journalist running a secure ethical association? Well it's possible, after all he MUST have the experience and dare I say it? The hidden backing? But from where? Cambist maybe? Or perhaps those he interviews. Perhaps the real controversy is within the Planetgold ranks. "
Ragnar responds to Michael Moore's attack.
GoldNow (Graham Kelly) still signing people up for Osgold accounts via a link to http://www.osgold.com/index.php?id=10000007
Gold-today.com (Michael Moore) is still promoting Osgold accounts.
" You can create a free, no-obligation osgold account at the www.osgold.com web site. "
" Once you have created your account, you can then fund your account securely via cash, cheque, online deposit, wire or technocash at www.Gold-today.com. "
[e-gold-list] New OSGold Fees... and why we applied them
Graham Kelly ups his exchange free on Osgold noting Osgold is delaying payments to GoldNow.
" We are confident that OSGold is a viable ecurrency, but until OSGold admin stop fumbling the financial ball, we will have continued delays. "
[e-gold-list] OSGold is now getting up to speed!
Graham Kelly posts more news about Osgold.
" Good news! OSGold is now starting to release substantial funds. Over the past few days, GoldNow has funded a LOT of OSGold exchange orders, and OSGold funded debit card orders. "
Panamanian journalist, Monica Palm (La Prensa), writes a story investigating the background of David Reed's and Frank Zuchristian's www.cardaccounts.tv. This was the web site used for the Osgold debit cards linked to the bank.
[e-gold-list] eCTA Purpose & Accountabilities
Following the Osgold bubble bursting Michael Moore describes in general terms eCTA accountability for issuers.
" The eCTA is NOT accountable for Issuers and is a representative body for its members only. This does not mean the eCTA cannot undertake any research or investigative procedure with regard to any facet of the gold industry. An example is with the osgold scenario, where some of the Board Members are participating jointly in an investigative procedure with other parties into the OSGold issue.
It requires no major effort to dwell on the negative aspects of OSGold and adopt an accusative critical approach. . There is no requirement to exacibate the situation with inflamatory 'I'm right., your wrong' style remarks based on mis or not understood information. This does not contribute to any resolution of the problem. A more professional attitude would be to either assist in the resolution in some way or keep one's own counsel on the matter.
Michael Moore
Vice President
eCurrency Trade Association Inc
'Setting the Standard for the Gold Community' "
[e-gold-list] OSgold and market makers
Ragnar of Planetgold warns market makers.
" If you are a market maker (exchange provider) that holds OSgold currency, and if a client comes to you today who wants to purchase OSgold, and you sell him the currency without notifying the client of the current situation, your reputation will be harmed. Count on it. "
Planet Gold: OSGold Investigative Report
" Clients of OSGold are fearful that they will not see their money again. Some have offered 50% discounts on the OSGold currency that they hold. Planet Gold questioned some of OSGold?s clients and some exchange providers. "
[e-gold-list] Re: antiscam OSGold was: Re: Public replies to public questions
Michael Moore intimates he knew the demise of Osgold would come eventually. One wonders (or not) why he didn't let Osgold customers in on his insight.
" You would think that with OSGold it would be, 'Ho Hum ... knew it would come eventually.' and with ST it would be 'Good God ....what happened!!!' Instead the flavor of the discussion Boards have been. 'ST.! Oh what a bummer'. Now that nasty Osgold......' "
But a month earlier Michael Moore was promoting Osgold as A completely Offshore International Gold Storage and Payment System on his gold-today.com web site.
[e-gold-list] We have stopped offering OSGold
Graham Kelly stops offering Osgold.
[e-gold-list] We publicly withdraw our ECTA membership
Fastgold.net (James Shupperd) quits the eCTA - "They have been of no use to us."
[e-gold-list] Osgold/Osopps Recovery Team
ken small
a recovery action is started made up of:
* Ziral Capital Ventures
* Gaithmans Gold Nation
* EuroGoldLine
* TheTruthWillSetYouFree Financial Group
* Andros Bank
* Financial Prosperity Club
* HYIP Resource Group
* TheOffshoreProfessional Financial Club
* and other major OSGold owners
[e-gold-list] Lateko are withdrawing their debit cards
Graham Kelly
"Osgold's bank" withdraw's the debit cards that were set up.
[e-gold-list] Re: Gold economy is stagnant (was SR (was Re:Maybe they're winning
Goldtoday
Michael Moore states he has clients who have lost many thousands of dollars:
"The demise of osgold and SR have a lot to do with the current stunned effect the gold economy is having.
< snip >
I, for example, have clients who have losed many thousands, I am not talking about businesses here either, just individuals."
Civil Action 02 CV 8993 filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
OSRECOVERY INC.
v
ONE GROUPE INTERNATIONAL, INC., a/k/aOneGroup and its founders, officers and directors; OSGOLD.COM, a/k/aOFFSHORE GOLD, a/k/aOSGOLD, its founders, officers and directors; OSOPPS.COM, a/k/aOFF-SHORE OPPORTUNITIES, a/k/aOSOPPS, its founders, officer and directors; DAVID C. REED in his individual capacity and in his capacity as co-founder of OSGold and OSOpps; RANDY L. JOHNSON, JR. in his individual capacity and in his capacity as cofounder of OSGold and owner of Ecommerce Exchange, Inc.; LATVIAN ECONOMIC COMMERCIAL BANK, a/k/a LATEKO Bank, PAREX BANK, a/k/aParekss Banka; ECOMMERCE EXCHANGE, INC., its founders, officers and directors; ECURRENCY EXCHANGE, INC., its founders, officers and directors; PINNACLE DYNAMICS, LLC, d/b/a FASTGOLD, its Founders, officers and directors; JAMES SHUPPERD in his individual capacity and in his capacity as owner of Fastgold; GOLDNOW CORP., its founders, officers and directors; GRAHAM KELLY in his individual capacity and in his capacity as owner of GoldNow, Corp.; GAITHMANS GOLD NATION LTD., its founders, officers and directors; ERIC GAITHER in his individual capacity, and his capacity as owner of Gaithmans Gold Nation, Inc.; GOLDTODAY, its founders, officers, directors, and shareholders; MICHAEL MOORE in his individual capacity and his capacity as owner of Gold-Today; PECUNIX, INC., its : COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE : AND OTHER RELIEF : J u r yTrial Demanded founders, officers and directors; INTERNATIONAL, NEGOTIATIONS TEAM, its founders, officers and directors; RICK YOUNG, in his individual capacity and : his capacity as head of the International Negotiations Team; JOHN DOES 1-100 in their individual capacities and in their capacities as agents for John Doe, Inc.; JOHN : DOE, INC. 1-100, their founders officers and directors;
[e-gold-list] Legal action costs
Graham Kelly asks the forum to help him with his legal costs.
" We need cash to pay legals, and I'm asking for your donations to help defray costs. "
Goldtoday (Michael Moore) denies he promoted of the Osgold scheme.... somehow that doesn't appear to be the case when the old pages of Goldtoday are inspected on the Internet Archive.
[e-gold-list] ReLateko freezes Euro Gold Line accounts
Following suit being filed on co-defendants including Frank Zuchristian, Zuchristian's bank freezes his accounts
" Good afternoon all,
Please note that Lateko bank has frozen, WITHOUT notice all of our accounts. While we do not yet know the full extent of this, our operating funds for the main part are therefore also tied. We are in contact with our attorney in Riga, and expect to immediately return there.
Additionally, we have received an affidavit, submitted by Mr. Rupert Utley(Hill & Associates aka OSrecovery) and will be contacting counsel to initiate actions of perjury, with malice and intent.
we will update more, as soon as posible. We regret the inconvenience to our clients and will take all actions to remedy this as quickly as possible.
Further, we know that there has been a smear campaign against us and all exchange services and ask that clients send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] the proofs
of this. Regards,
Frank
Euro Gold Line B.V. "
[e-gold-list] Lateko: BE warned!
Graham Kelly
Lateko Bank in LV has just blocked our Lateko bank account... after we advised them 4 months ago that we wouldn't be dealing with them any more!
" The other real issue is that Lateko also released some of my banking transactions, upon request, to a Hong Kong investigator. "
[e-gold-list] For sale by Tender - Gold Today
For sale sign put up on Gold-today.com .
[e-gold-list] Re: Got this! Please comment... and the DGC-cleansing goes on:-)
Sidd
CEO of Pecunix, Simon Davis, comments on why he resigned from eCTA "right at the beginning".
"I have long suspected that Zuchristian is/was deeply involved in the OSGold scam (hence my resignation from the eCTA right at the beginning) and we also have info on other MM's who were in on the party as well..."
[e-gold-list] frauds, blacklists, and who knew what, when
Jim Davidson, President of the Global Digital Currency Association (GDCA), comments generally on exchange makers who dealt in Osgold and Graham Kelly (GoldNow) specifically.
"... OSGold was represented by GoldNow on your site. However, it was never represented by Cambist.net on their site. It was never represented by EZEZ.com on my site. It was never represented by many other highly reputable exchangers. It wasn't represented by Metal Escrow, it wasn't represented by IceGold. So, apparently, it was possible for some people to establish, through due diligence, that there was something wrong. Otherwise, everyone would have offered to exchange for OSGold, and everyone would have been named in the various lawsuits regarding that matter. "
[e-gold-list] ksw-club
Michael Moore launches a multi level marketing scheme called Kick Start to Wealth / ksw-club.com .
e-gold-list] Global Digital Currency Association
Michael Moore is now Vice President, Global Digital Currency Association Inc.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has acted to shut down a number of electronic currency exchange businesses that operate on the internet.The market makers didn't have an Australian Financial Services Licence.
Michael Moore through his www.goldcenturypress.com publishes a manual on gold ecurrencies with step by step diagrams on how to sign up for an account with them - "The Ins & Outs of Gold Currencies" (PDF). download
He recommends various exchange makers including Sydney Gold Sales which hasn't existed since late 2004 when ASIC had it withdraw as a business due to no Australian Financial Services Licence being held by this exchange maker.
This manual was funded by exchange makers like Graham Kelly's GoldNow.
A second suit is filed in Washington State
Graham Kelly states he has been contacted by Serious Fraud Office of the New Zealand Government.
OSgold co-founder, David Reed, is arrested in South Carolina on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.
The US Department of Justice is now calling for victims/witnesses to come forward.
OSgold has now moved into a criminal case and investigations are continuing.