DANNY : DE HEKMy name is Danny de Hek, though many know me by my nickname: The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger. As a cult survivor, public speaker, and investigative satirist, I’ve dedicated my life to exposing scams, sharing my story of resilience, and inspiring others to stand against exploitation.

My journey has been shaped by growing up in a high-control religious cult, navigating the trauma of family tragedy, and fighting financial predators who prey on the vulnerable.

Why I Speak

There is a shocking parallel between religious cults and Ponzi schemes. Both use manipulation, fear, and false promises to control people and strip them of their money, relationships, and sense of self. As someone who has experienced the devastating effects of cult control and lost loved ones to the pressures of unrealistic expectations, I speak out to educate and empower others.

My Journey

  • Cult Survivor: Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, I was disfellowshipped twice by the age of 23, leading to intense loneliness and thoughts of suicide. The strict shunning policies of the religion severed my ties with family and friends, but I found the strength to rebuild my life.
  • Family Tragedy: Both my stepfather and sister took their own lives at the age of 36, on December 3rd. My stepfather died when I was nine, and years later, my sister—two years older than me and someone I was very close to—followed the same tragic path despite being on suicide watch. Unable to meet the rigid standards of the Jehovah’s Witness organisation, their struggles were deeply shaped by the pressures of “the truth”.
  • Scam Fighter: Today, I expose Ponzi schemes and multilevel marketing scams, drawing on my personal experiences to reveal how these systems exploit people’s trust and vulnerabilities.

Topics I Cover

I bring energy, authenticity, and a unique perspective to a range of speaking topics, including:

1. Exposing Financial Scams

  • Behind-the-scenes stories of uncovering and disrupting Ponzi schemes.
  • The psychology of scams: why people fall victim and how to protect yourself.
  • My role as The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger and the scams I’ve disrupted, including:
    • Karatbars International, OneCoin, Daisy, GSPartners and Auratus Gold
    • Blockchain Global, ACX, HyperOne, HyperTech, HyperCapital, HyperFund, HyperVerse, HyperNation, HyperCosmo, HyperPlanet, DAOVersal, StableOpinion, StableDAO, ViDiLOOK, V.E.N.D. (ViDiLook Effort Never Dies) and We Are All Satoshi
    • Affiliate Marketing 2.0, BitcoinCodeBTCC, Boomerang, Capital 3.0, and D0D0.app
    • Alyx Union, Aelf Union, NovaTechFX, CashFX, and Affiliate Advertising Club
    • LYOPAY, WEWE Global, Zeniq, Safir, The Success Factory, Organo Gold, One Life, Avalon, The Blockchain Era (TBE), XERAPRO, Homnifi, and XPRO
    • CoinMarketBull (CMB), Maxpread Technologies, TayGeta, Vortic United, CloudFi, SureX, and BitHarvest
    • Ultima, YieldNodes, Apollo Fintech, LunaOne, Gold Inc, and Fourth Star
    • Other schemes such as Velocity Achieves Victory (AVA), Trage Technologies, Team Validus, SuperOne, 7K Metals, Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS), BitConnect, Hex, RideBnB, Robex AI, Trade11, Local City Places, OakSmart, SmartSteps, GetFit (Movevest), SmartLAB, MevBridge, AMA Global, Systems, Cryptex, BitFoot, and many more.

2. Life After Leaving a Cult

  • The personal cost of leaving a high-control religion and rebuilding life from scratch.
  • How cults manipulate, isolate, and control people, and the parallels with Ponzi schemes.
  • Stories of resilience, healing, and reclaiming my life.

3. Understanding Dyslexia

  • My journey with dyslexia: turning challenges into creative problem-solving.
  • Why traditional learning methods didn’t work for me, and how I use technology to thrive.
  • Encouraging others to embrace their unique abilities and think differently.

4. Personal Empowerment and Advocacy

  • Overcoming adversity to become a voice for justice.
  • How I’ve turned my pain into a mission to protect others.
  • Lessons on resilience, adaptability, and challenging injustice.

Accolades and Recognition

  • The New York Times: Featured in a two-page spread on November 11, 2022, earning the nickname The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger.
  • The Guardian, ABC News Australia, and The Press Christchurch, NZ: Highlighted for my investigative work and advocacy.
  • Media Appearances: Regular guest on radio and podcasts, sharing insights into cults, financial crime, and personal empowerment.
  • Law Enforcement Collaboration: Provided critical intelligence that led to the disruption of multimillion-dollar scams and the incarceration of scammers.

Why Book Me?

I bring humor, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to the stage. Whether I’m discussing cults, financial fraud, or personal resilience, I connect deeply with audiences, inspiring them to think critically and act courageously.

Booking Information

I am available for speaking engagements across New Zealand and internationally, including:

  • Crypto and Blockchain Events
  • Banking and Financial Sector Conferences
  • Survivor and Advocacy Seminars
  • Educational and Community Talks

To inquire about availability and fees, CONTACT me at [email protected] or 021 961 652. Let’s collaborate to educate, inspire, and protect your audience from financial crime.