Welcome to The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, where I, Danny de Hek, expose and shame scammers running Ponzi schemes and fraudulent operations.

My mission is to raise public awareness and save mum and dad investors from losing their hard-earned money to these multilevel marketing predators.

Gary Wood: Money Launderer Exposed

This morning, we are diving deep into Gary Steven Wood, a key figure in SmartLab, who has been caught on video teaching others how to launder money. His shocking methods include bypassing withdrawal fees by facilitating peer-to-peer transfers within SmartLab, avoiding financial oversight and creating a system that encourages illegal activity. His casual explanation of this process in the leaked video demonstrates a blatant disregard for ethical financial practices and highlights the dark reality of these scams.

The Roman Gathering

SmartLab is planning a major event in Rome, marketed as an exclusive opportunity for members. They are promising to reimburse attendees for their travel expenses — a classic recruitment tactic commonly used in high-risk schemes. While some may be attending in ignorance, this event serves to further SmartLab’s operations, which raise serious red flags related to money laundering, crypto manipulation, and unlicensed investment activities.

Those attending should understand the consequences of their involvement. Whether knowingly or not, their presence at this gathering helps legitimize and promote a program that many experts — including whistleblowers and financial professionals — believe to be fraudulent.

Here is the list of individuals reported to be attending the Rome event:
Gary Steven Wood, Margaret Rose Wood, Bryan Jason Clum, David Michael Bays, Tyler McKee Shaner, Joseph R. D’Amico Jr., Robert Joseph Bearden, Paul Esteban Torzel, Jacqueline Nicole Van Auken, Mark Edmond Dally Sr., Aloa Praner Shafer, Felton James Jackson III, Laura Alice Lambert, Jessie Garner Daniel, Justin Fauser, James Jackson, Firas Isa Mansur, Grach Serobyan, Dena Renee Skoko, Tom Cai Karl Dziomba, and Carsten Illes.

We are naming these individuals publicly because they are connected to a promotional event for an organization facing serious allegations. By attending, they risk being seen as complicit — or at the very least, supportive — of operations tied to crypto-based payouts, unregulated investment promises, and opaque financial structures. If they believe otherwise, they are welcome to speak up.

Statement from Jacqueline Van Auken

In her private professional capacity, Jacqueline Van Auken investigated SMARTLAB after her client, Bryan Clum, was recruited into the scheme. Red flags emerged early — including that SMARTLAB is registered in Vietnam, making it difficult to regulate, and that the address listed as its headquarters was found to be fake. Jacqueline reviewed the company’s vague and hype-driven materials, joined the Telegram chat where promotions were happening, and conducted independent due diligence. She did not attend SMARTLAB events or calls and was not working through a company — her involvement was a personal effort to help a vulnerable client.

Her client later hired a casino industry consultant to analyse SMARTLAB’s financial structure. According to Jacqueline, the findings revealed the model was mathematically unsustainable, relied on continuous new investment, and couldn’t support the promised bonuses — meeting the definition of a Ponzi scheme. She also raised concerns about the promoters’ inability to answer basic financial questions and their ties to other questionable ventures.

Although Jacqueline did travel to London at the same time as SMARTLAB recruitment events in September 2024, she maintains her sole intention was to dissuade her client from investing further — not to support or attend any SMARTLAB activities. She says she purposely stayed away from presentations, distanced herself from recruiters, and urged her client to cut ties.

Tragically, Bryan Clum later died by suicide. Jacqueline has expressed that he was emotionally vulnerable, seeking purpose, and manipulated by people who made promises of wealth and community. She has made it clear she never supported SMARTLAB, never received financial benefit from it, and worked to protect someone in crisis.

She has approved the following statement:

“In my professional opinion, SMARTLAB is not a legitimate investment. I advised my client to withdraw due to red flags around their financial model and transparency. I was never affiliated with SMARTLAB and did not benefit from it, and only traveled to London to provide my professional advice to my client.”

While Jacqueline is not accused of any wrongdoing, her name was listed among attendees due to her proximity to the event and client. This blog includes her to provide important context — not to shame or assign guilt. It also serves as a broader warning to professionals: sometimes, simply being connected to a scheme — even privately, even for good reasons — can create serious reputational consequences.

We appreciate Jacqueline’s willingness to clarify her role and speak out. The damage caused by operations like SMARTLAB runs deep, and her insight helps others better understand how easily even well-meaning individuals can be caught in the crossfire.

Gary Wood’s Shady Past

Through archived material from an old website, we’ve uncovered details about Gary Wood’s career history. He claims to have a prestigious military background, including service in the United States Army Special Forces and a decorated role as an ROTC Battalion Commander. His business ventures span multiple organizations, including A.L. Williams Insurance, Freedom Equity Group, and Karatbars, all of which have dubious reputations.

While he promotes himself as a successful businessman and leader, Gary’s current actions speak volumes about his true character. Teaching others how to bypass financial systems and launder money under the guise of “helping” investors exposes his blatant disregard for legality and morality.

The Leaked Video

In the leaked video, Gary Wood explains his methods for avoiding SmartLab’s 5% withdrawal fee by transferring funds internally between members. He encourages using external payment platforms like Zelle, Cash App, or wire transfers to exchange money directly, bypassing regulatory oversight. This process not only enables money laundering but also puts new investors at risk of unknowingly participating in illegal activities.

Here’s an excerpt of what Gary said in the video:

“You never want to take a withdrawal. If you need to and have nobody else to sell to, fine, but the smarter way is to transfer funds to others in the company with a code number for free. It’s instant, fast, and there’s zero fee. Everyone in the business knows this method. Just send the money through Zelle, Cash App, or wire transfer, and I’ll load it into the SmartLab wallet in seconds. It’s the best way to avoid the fees.”

This blatant promotion of illegal activity is a prime example of the toxic and unethical practices within SmartLab.

Join the Fight Against Fraud

In this live stream, we will break down Gary Wood’s money-laundering tactics, expose the full list of attendees supporting SmartLab’s Roman gathering, and discuss the broader implications of these scams. Together, we can raise awareness, hold scammers accountable, and protect potential victims from falling prey to these schemes.

If you know anyone considering attending this Roman event, warn them now. By showing up, they’re endorsing fraud, and we’re here to ensure they’re held responsible for their actions.

Spread the Word

Make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video to help spread the word. The more awareness we create, the harder it becomes for these scammers to operate.

Anonymous tips are always welcome through my website. Join the fight against Ponzi schemes and help save mum and dad investors from losing their kids’ inheritance to these deceitful schemes. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and let’s make a difference together.

Thank you for supporting The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger. Let’s expose the truth!

Transparency Amendment: Cease and Desist Demands from SmartLab Event Attendees

In the spirit of full transparency and journalistic accountability, I am publishing the following timeline and full correspondence from individuals who demanded that I remove their names from this article. These individuals were listed as attendees at a SmartLab-sponsored event, where each person was reportedly compensated up to $1,000 USD in travel assistance to attend a recruitment-focused gathering associated with a fraudulent operation.

While some claim they were merely “investigating” or “advising” others at the time, the fact remains: they traveled across borders, accepted money from a known scam entity, and only began objecting after public exposure. This is a common pattern seen in the aftermath of every collapsed scam—people suddenly rush to rewrite their roles and claim victimhood when their names go public.

Here is the documented timeline of complaints I received within a 24 hour period from each other, indicating a likely coordinated attempt to pressure me into censorship:

June 29, 2025 at 10:03 AM: Email from Tyler Shaner

Dear Mr. de Hek,

I am writing to formally demand the immediate removal of my name from your recent article titled “Money Launderer Exposed: Gary Wood’s Shocking SmartLab Scheme & Recruitment Push in Rome.” The article falsely implies that I was involved with or supported SmartLab and its associated activities. That is entirely untrue and deeply defamatory.

To clarify: I have never invested in, supported, nor had any ongoing association with Smart Labs. In September 2024, I was invited to London by the now-deceased Bryan Clum, who asked me to assess the legitimacy of the company. Upon meeting individuals involved and observing the situation firsthand, it was immediately clear to me that this was not a legitimate operation. I made the decision to leave within days and have had no contact with anyone from the company- or with Mr. Clum, due to his subsequent passing- since then.

Your article irresponsibly includes my name without fact-checking or contacting me for comment. I have absolutely no affiliation with SmartLab and have taken clear steps to distance myself from any association. Including my name in this context suggests complicity and subjects me to reputational damage for something I neither endorsed nor engaged in.

I have consulted legal counsel and will pursue action for libel if my name is not removed from the article and any related material immediately. I expect written confirmation that this correction has been made within 48 hours of receiving this notice.

This situation is a direct result of negligent and unverified reporting. I urge you to act responsibly and correct this error without delay.

Sincerely,

Tyler shaner
Tshaner80@gmail.com

Jun 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM reply from Danny de Hek

Dear Mr. Shaner,
Thank you for your email.
I appreciate you reaching out to clarify your position regarding SmartLab and the events referenced in my recent article. If you have genuinely distanced yourself from this organization and were not involved in its promotion, recruitment efforts, or financial activities, then I welcome the opportunity to correct the record where appropriate.
The names published in the article were based on information provided by sources identifying attendees connected to the Rome event associated with SmartLab, as well as those previously engaged with its activities. If your name appeared among those linked to the company, it was not to falsely accuse you of wrongdoing, but to document public involvement and association for transparency and public awareness.
I am not in the business of defaming individuals, but rather exposing fraudulent schemes and those who knowingly or unknowingly support them. That said, I take all claims seriously and will now review your request further.
In the interest of fairness, I invite you to provide any supporting evidence or documentation that demonstrates your disassociation from SmartLab and your early departure as stated. Once reviewed, I will assess whether an update or correction is warranted.
Please note that the intention of my content is to protect the public and promote truth—not to cause reputational harm where it is undeserved. If your inclusion was in error, I will address it accordingly and in good faith.
I will respond again within 48 hours once I have had the opportunity to verify and review your claims.
Regards,
Danny de Hek

June 30, 2025 at 1:08 PM: Email from Tyler Shaner

Yes you want to make sure to do the research, nobody paid me back for anything. My friend Bryan paid for my one way flight there to vet this company he was investing in. I could tell from a mile away it was a scam. I never invested a dollar in it. He offered to have them pay for this and that such as hotels and boat rides. I denied that. I know nothing is free.

I paid for my own hotel rooms at a Marriott which is the only hotels I stay at. They stayed at the Chelsea stadium hotel. I have receipts. I flew home early before Bryan and the end of the sales pitch, didn’t attend one event after the opening schtick.

I’ve sat through a ton of time share and pyramid scheme pitches. I explained to Bryan that it was not above board and he should stay away. It was the last time I had contact with Bryan or anyone from that company.

If you want to state facts those are them. I was never paid a dollar or gave anyone a dollar. Bryan bought me a ticket which I even said I would use Miles for, but he said he wanted me to go to see my thoughts. They were all negative. They were a common pyramid scheme looking for fresh money. They didn’t even show Bryan the algorithm work.

I never intended to go to Rome with them or ever really be incorporated with them again. I explained to Bryan what they were and NOT to invest and get any money back. I haven’t seen him since. As I explained, he passed around Christmas. Our last conversations were in London and disagreements as to the intentions of SmartLabs.

I feel bad his name is being slandered with this company and its negative press, as he is not alive to defend himself. But I don’t know his further involvement after we talked in London.

If you can remove my name as any supporter or co-conspirator of that shady company I was never involved in, much appreciated. I have stated exactly what happened on my part.

The lawyer I contacted did research on you and found an article in Sept of last year, hopefully not true as well, but being front man of some Ponzi scheme. Like you, I haven’t researched like in this case with my name, but hopefully this isn’t true as well. You can see how your name can be wrongly associated with something terrible and underhanded or illegal.

You can research everything I have said. I have never been paid or paid SmartLabs anything ever, and no contact or association with them after meeting them in September in London.

Not sure what to believe, but hopefully it is that you’re helping people from being defrauded or screwed over by these types of scams. I know a lot of people who have lost a lot in a 100 different ways similar to these.

As I explained, that was only role I had—was to help a friend who saw this as a good investment plan and wanted me to get my insight and judgment.

Thanks
Tyler Shaner

Jun 30, 2025 at 04:36 PM reply from Danny de Hek

Hi Tyler,

Thanks for your message. I can tell you’ve taken time to write it out, and I appreciate the clarity you’ve shared about your experience. That said, there are a few important things that need to be addressed directly.

First off, I understand you’ve taken issue with being named in my reporting. However, it’s a matter of public record that you traveled to the UK alongside your colleague to attend an event hosted and funded by SmartLab. Whether you believe your role was passive, critical, or simply observational, the fact remains that you attended a scam-funded recruitment event and were part of the logistical and social environment of that gathering. That is—by definition—association.

You say there was “no association,” but you still flew over with a colleague, stayed in the same city during the event, and were close enough to observe the pitch. That proximity is enough to be included in the broader evidence trail, especially in cases like this where patterns of influence, grooming, and passive legitimisation by attendees all play a role in how scams gain traction.

You also mentioned your lawyer came across some “negative articles” about me. That’s no surprise. I’ve had several legal threats from the very scammers I investigate. One individual in particular—who lost a $3.8 million lawsuit in the New Zealand High Court—went on to publish over 100 smear articles trying to discredit me. If your lawyer is using that as evidence, I’d seriously question their judgment. I’m fully transparent, and if there was any actual wrongdoing on my part, someone would’ve succeeded in court by now. No one has.

Now, let’s talk about context.

You’ve acknowledged SmartLab is a scam. That’s meaningful. Do you realise how many people I deal with every day who are still adamantly denying it? For example, Harvey Joseph Dockstader Jr.—a name that continues to come up from victims—is allegedly still promoting SmartLab actively. Some believe he’s earning upwards of $5 million a year just off referral kickbacks. I’ve had recent conversations with victims who’ve invested $140,000 or more, just trying to scrape back their “daily rewards” in the hope of breaking even. It’s heartbreaking.

So yes—your email shows a level of self-awareness most of these people don’t have. And yes, I appreciate your effort to distance yourself and tell your side of the story. But public accountability isn’t always comfortable. My job is to document events and names as they appear, not revise history based on how people feel once the house of cards collapses.

Your name was on the attendee list. Your travel coincided with the event. You were part of the timeline. I won’t retract it. You may not be a promoter—but you are part of the story.

And if your intent truly was to help a friend avoid a scam, then I’m glad you now see just how dangerous this operation really is. But being uncomfortable with your name in print doesn’t make the reporting inaccurate.

Thanks again for your response. Whether you agree with me or not, your email adds valuable perspective—and I may include it as part of the public timeline for transparency.

Regards,
Danny de Hek

June 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM: Email from Tyler Shaner

One big disconnect is this Rome location I’ve never was going to planned on or anything to do with Rome. The only place I went is London and not on any deal to be paid or paid back or any investment. I see you are saying you’ve had smear campaigns and articles written about you that were not true.
Having that experience I wish you would have at least sympathy for facts I don’t support them nor money laundering nor ever invested in them never went to Rome or attended any other events they held. I went as a friend to London and gave my opinion before the first day was 1/2 over.

Jun 30, 2025 at 05:08 PM reply from Danny de Hek

Hi Tyler,

I’ve taken the time to read through your follow-ups carefully, and I want to respond with complete clarity and professionalism—because this isn’t about personal attacks. It’s about accountability.

You’ve now confirmed multiple key details yourself:

  • You flew to London with a friend who was involved in SmartLab.

  • You were present during the SmartLab presentation.

  • Your travel was arranged at the invitation of someone financially entangled in the scheme.

  • You left early after determining it was a scam.

That’s not “no association,” Tyler—that’s direct proximity to a known fraud. It’s not just that you went to London—it’s why you went and who you went with that matters. You were part of the onboarding process, even if your intent was to assess and critique. And whether you accepted a hotel or not, you traveled on behalf of someone already connected to SmartLab to attend their pitch.

The Rome reference seems to be a distraction. The London event was a SmartLab operation. Your presence there, as part of their guest list, positions you within the event structure of a scam—whether you invested or not. That makes your name a relevant part of the public record. You weren’t just some outsider observing from afar—you were flown in. That carries weight.

You say you sympathize with being misrepresented because others have smeared you. I get that. I’ve lived through it. I’ve had scammers launch over 100 articles trying to defame me after I exposed them. One of those individuals lost a $3.8 million lawsuit in the New Zealand High Court. The difference is—what they wrote wasn’t true. What I’ve published about you? Factually accurate.

You traveled to attend a recruitment event for a scam company. That’s not defamation. That’s documented association.

You say you disapproved of the scheme—and that’s good. I appreciate that you now recognize it for what it is: a predatory operation. But distancing yourself after the fact is a tactic I’ve seen many times. The reality is: you were there. You helped give legitimacy to the event by being in the room, even if your intent was to challenge it. That is exactly how many people get recruited—by seeing “normal” or “credible” people sitting in the audience.

So, no—I won’t be removing your name. It’s not personal. It’s investigative integrity.

If anything, I’d encourage you to publicly share your experience. You could help prevent others from getting duped. But trying to disappear from the record won’t undo the fact that you were part of the timeline—and people have a right to see that clearly.

Thanks again for your response.

Regards,
Danny de Hek

June 30, 2025 at 6:37 AM: Email from Jim Jackson (Felton James Jackson III)

PDFHi Danny,

I really appreciate the work you’ve done exposing the scammers at SmartLab. However, I noticed that your article includes names of people who were potential victims, not members of the organization. You mentioned me and some friends who were invited to join the group for an investment in sports betting. They wanted to convert our money into cryptocurrency and invest it in a betting software that supposedly played both sides. I suspected it was a scam, so I never attended any onboarding meetings.

Unfortunately, some of our friends did invest, and one of them told me they handed over about 1.2 million dollars. Sadly, he passed away a couple of months ago, and while I’m not sure if there was any foul play involved, you never know. We urged him to get his money back, but I’m not sure what happened with that. That’s all I know about the situation.

I noticed my name was mentioned as someone involved with the group and its activities, which isn’t accurate. Could you please remove my name from the article? I’ve attached a Cease and Desist Letter for your review.

Thanks!
James Jackson

June 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM reply from Danny de Hek

Dear Mr. Jackson,
Thank you for your email and attached cease and desist letter. I have reviewed your statements carefully.
Let me begin by making one thing absolutely clear: your name was included in the article because you were listed among those receiving financial compensation (up to $1,000) from SmartLab to attend a SmartLab-sponsored event. That list was verified through multiple sources. Whether you ultimately invested in the scheme or not is immaterial to the broader issue—you accepted money from a scam operation and chose to attend a recruitment-based event hosted by a known fraudulent entity.
If we apply basic logic: what ethical person flies to another country, accepts paid lodging and travel from a financial opportunity, and fails to do proper due diligence before showing up? Your decision to attend—even if only as an observer—places you within the orbit of SmartLab’s operations and makes your name relevant to the public interest.
This is not defamation. This is documented association.
There were no false claims made about your level of involvement—your name was published in the context of those present at an event funded by SmartLab, not as someone accused of committing fraud. You may not have handed over money, but you did engage. Trying to rewrite your role after the fact—especially now that the scheme is under public scrutiny—is a common reaction from those trying to wash their hands clean after associating with failed scams.
I operate a platform under internationally recognized journalistic protections. My website is protected by Google Project Shield, which exists specifically to defend reporting like mine from legal intimidation and bad-faith takedown attempts. Your cease and desist letter, while noted, carries no legal weight in this context. I will not be removing your name from the article, nor will I be issuing any form of retraction.
If you genuinely wish to distance yourself from SmartLab, the appropriate response isn’t to demand silence from those exposing it—it’s to publicly denounce the operation and share your experience to warn others.
This will be my final response on the matter. Your name will remain published as a matter of public record and investigative relevance.
Regards,
Danny de Hek

June 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM: Email from Jim Jackson (Felton James Jackson III)

Danny,
Your skills as a newb journalist are lacking, and you are not performing well in the role you believe you are fulfilling. Furthermore, you are now contributing to the dissemination of false information, akin to the criminals who spread such falsehoods globally. Thankfully your a nobody any nobody gives a shit about your shitty hack site.

June 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM reply from Danny de Hek

Hello Jim,

Your recent message—laced with insults and dismissive remarks—has done nothing but confirm the tone and judgment that led to your presence at a SmartLab-funded scam event in the first place.

Given your continued attempts to discredit my reporting while refusing to take accountability for your documented association with SmartLab, I will be adding an amendment to the article. This amendment will include a full summary of all correspondence received from you, as well as from others like James Jackson, who also attempted to rewrite history after accepting funds or travel from this fraudulent organization.

The purpose of my platform is to create transparency, and that includes showing how individuals react after the scam collapses. If you feel your name has been unfairly included, your own messages will now speak for themselves in full public view.

The amended section will provide a factual record of:

Your attendance at the SmartLab event

Your attempt to distance yourself only after exposure

Your communications with me, including your most recent email

This is not defamation—it’s documented reality.

You’ve made your position clear. Now I will make mine clear to my readers.

Regards,
Danny de Hek
The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

June 30, 2025 at 10:34 AM: Email from Jim Jackson (Felton James Jackson III)

Your a shitty journalist.. And you know it..

James Jackson

June 29, 2025 at 5:19 PM iMessage from Danny de Hek

You are promoting a scam?

July 01, 2025 at 5:47 AM iMessage from ‭+1 (435) 817-7267‬ (Harvey Joseph Dockstader Jr.)

Says who???

Danny de Hek, a NOBODY from New Zealand??? https://vocal.media/journal/the-crypto-ponzi-scheme-avenger-the-biggest-liar-danny-de-hek
What makes YOUR opinion more valid that anyone else???

You are NOT active in Smart Lab, You’e NEVER been to a live event…

You spend your time “Hacking into other people’s Zoom, (Like you tried to do to mine last fall).

You’re one of the most Unprofessional, Disrespectful, arrogant Assholes I’ve ever had the displeasure to listen to your slanderous recordings…

You LIED about being a government agent and as far as I can tell, you’re a self appointed pond scum who spends his time tearing down the dreams of others to make himself feel better…

YOU tried to hack my Zoom and you were NOT Successful…

This was BEFORE the live event in Rome and you stated that attendees who went to Rome would NOT get their flights reimbursed and guess what???
They ALL did so YOU ARE a LIAR…

As far as I’m concerned, you have ZERO credibility…

You made SLANDEROUS LIES about Smart Lab supporting Human Trafficking and War Crimes…

YOU HAVE ZERO PROOF!!!

Go climb back under the pond scum rock you came out from under and spend your time on something productive, rather than demonstrating how unprofessional, narcissistic, arrogant, rude, and offensive you can be by opening your UNEDUCATED mouth tearing down the dreams of well meaning individuals…

AND… FYI, I WON my case in Texas and do NOT have a CRIMINAL Background…

I DARE you to do the right thing and go add this truth to your slanderous YouTube Page…

July 01, 2025 at 8:44 AM iMessage from Danny de Hek

Harvey,

Thank you for confirming exactly the kind of person I’ve been warning the public about.

Let’s break this down, because your little tantrum doesn’t change the facts—it just highlights your desperation.

You sent me a link to some random, anonymous blog post claiming I’m a fraud. Wow. Is that the best you’ve got? Anyone with half a brain, as you say, would see that article for what it is: a classic smear piece written by someone who’s clearly pissed they got exposed by The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger. And if that’s your “evidence,” then frankly, your $5 million earnings must’ve bought you the cheapest PR spin money can buy.

Now, regarding the two PDFs you sent—thank you. Very helpful.

Let’s be clear:
Yes, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned your pyramid scheme conviction—but not because you were innocent. It was overturned due to a technicality: ineffective legal counsel stemming from a conflict of interest. That’s it. You were convicted. You were sentenced. And now you’re holding up a procedural appeal as if it magically erases your history?

That’s not exoneration, Harvey. That’s a lucky break on a legal technicality. The court didn’t say you were innocent—they said your lawyer was too conflicted to represent you properly. And let’s not forget: the appellate ruling remanded you back to answer the charge. That speaks volumes.

As for your insults about my credibility—let me remind you:

•    I’ve never been convicted of a financial crime.
•    I’ve never defrauded a soul.
•    And despite dozens of legal threats and smear attempts, no one has successfully sued me, because I deal in facts.

You, on the other hand, have a long trail of association with pyramid schemes and fraudulent ventures. Victims of SmartLab have alleged you’re earning millions from this latest operation, and you’ve been name-dropped by multiple whistleblowers and participants who are now suffering massive financial losses while you sit back and collect commissions. That’s your legacy.

If you want to go public claiming you’re clean, be my guest—but don’t expect people to believe you over victims who have lost $100,000+ and still can’t get their money back.

Your deflection tactics don’t scare me. Your legal games don’t impress me. And your opinion of me is irrelevant.

Your name will remain in my reporting because the public deserves to know exactly who’s profiting from these schemes.

Regards,
Danny de Hek
The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

July 01, 2025 at 5:47am iMessage from ‭+1 (435) 817-7267‬ (Harvey Joseph Dockstader Jr.)

Actually I was charged criminally because I followed the advice of my attorney who got me charged and then failed to defend me in court.
Since you’re obviously formed your opinion regardless of facts, I won’t bother to send any more information.
As far as victims, the people who are accusing me have NEVER worked with me. They are piggy backing on gossip which apparently you’re now doing the same.
If you had ANY integrity you’d have a conversation with house you accuse BEFORE you deploy your narcissist tactics.
I’ve NEVER scammed anyone. I’ve donated 1000’s of hours building up my community, helping the downtrodden.
I’ve founded a local Chamber of Commerce, I assisted with restoring the local economy after it was wreck by a cult leader, and I’ve helped a lot of people personally.
It’s too bad you’re unwilling to seek out the truth.
Either way you’re still a rude, obnoxious ass as demonstrated by your actions when you made the “dumb and dummer” video.

July 01, 2025 at 9:06 PM iMessage from Danny de Hek

Harvey,

Thanks for the follow-up. Let me be crystal clear.

You were criminally charged. Whether that happened because of your attorney’s incompetence or your own decisions, the facts remain: you were convicted of promoting a pyramid scheme. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned your conviction due to a legal technicality—ineffective counsel—not because you were proven innocent. That’s public record, not gossip.

Now, let’s address your claim that victims “never worked with you.” You’re correct—they didn’t. They saw your name connected to SmartLab, a scheme currently under fire for allegedly defrauding hundreds of people. Multiple people have independently named you as a top promoter in this operation, claiming you’re making millions while they’re stuck trying to recover basic payouts. That’s not gossip. That’s a consistent, credible pattern. And guess what? Patterns matter.

You mention that I haven’t “had a conversation” with you. Why would I need to? I don’t require your permission to report publicly available information and patterns of behavior. Victims don’t owe scammers a phone call, and neither do I. Integrity isn’t about coddling conmen—it’s about confronting systems of exploitation and holding people like you accountable.

As for your community service résumé—great. You can be a charitable person and still promote scams. One doesn’t erase the other. Many scammers wrap themselves in good deeds to mask darker dealings. So no, I’m not impressed by your Chamber of Commerce badge or your hours of “giving back.” It doesn’t change the financial wreckage your name is attached to.

And yes—I made the “Dumb and Dumber” video. That wasn’t unprofessional. That was satire. When someone fronts a scheme that’s ruining lives while parading around with fake legitimacy, they should expect to be challenged—loudly and creatively.

You call me rude, narcissistic, and obnoxious? Fine. But I’m not the one hiding behind emojis, anonymous YouTube comments, or half-truths about my criminal record. I put my name, face, and reputation on the line every day to protect others from people exactly like you.

Your story is full of contradictions. The receipts don’t lie. The victims don’t lie. But promoters always do.

See you in the next exposé.

Regards,
Danny de Hek
The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

July 01, 2025 at 9:16 PM iMessage from Danny de Hek

Public Record Doesn’t Lie, Harvey

Harvey,

Your attempt to paint yourself as a misunderstood good guy who was railroaded by a bad lawyer is both predictable and, frankly, insulting to the intelligence of anyone who’s read the Actual Court Records.

Let’s be crystal clear:
You weren’t just accused of promoting a pyramid scheme. You were convicted by a jury in Harris County, Texas for promoting a pyramid promotional scheme via your scam operation called Elite Activity. The scheme operated with no products, no services, and no value—just pure money in, money out, based entirely on recruitment.

Not only was the conviction upheld on appeal by the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Texas, but the court stated clearly that the evidence was legally and factually sufficient to uphold the conviction. They examined the website, your press statements, your testimony, and even your religious deflections—and still ruled that the scam fit the legal definition of a pyramid promotional scheme under Texas law.

Here are a few highlights from the ruling:
•    Your program was “a highly organized plan in which people pay money for the opportunity to receive money.”
•    It was found that participants had to recruit two others to progress—a textbook pyramid model.
•    You held a press conference encouraging people to join, and even referenced Luke 6:38 to try and sanctify your scam.
•    The court rejected your claim of religious justification and your “mistake of fact” defense.
•    The appellate court affirmed the conviction and the maximum sentence: two years and a $10,000 fine.

The only reason your conviction was later overturned in 2010 was not because you were innocent, but because your legal representation had a conflict of interest—an entirely procedural issue. The court said nothing about your conduct being lawful. They simply vacated the judgment because your lawyer didn’t do his job properly.

So no, Harvey—you didn’t win. You got lucky.

And now here you are, all these years later, allegedly earning millions from SmartLab, a scheme operating with eerily similar mechanics: unverifiable systems, no real product, profit promises, international recruitment, and kickbacks to top-level promoters like yourself.

Your pattern speaks louder than your protest.

You can talk about your community work, your Chamber of Commerce, or how many “people you’ve helped”—but none of that erases your direct, documented involvement in repeated recruitment-based financial schemes that result in everyday people losing their life savings.

I’m not here for popularity, and I’m not here for ego. I’m here to warn the public. Your name stays in the record because it belongs there.

Regards,
Danny de Hek
The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

Summary

These individuals are not victims—they are adults who knowingly attended a scam-funded event, accepted paid travel or accommodation from a fraudulent organization, and only later demanded anonymity after their names were published. My investigative reporting will remain live and intact.

If you are willing to take money from a scam to travel and attend a crypto recruitment pitch, expect to be held publicly accountable.

– Danny de Hek
The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

About the Author

I’m DANNY DE HEK, a New Zealand–based YouTuber, investigative journalist, and OSINT researcher. I name and shame individuals promoting or marketing fraudulent schemes through my YOUTUBE CHANNEL. Every video I produce exposes the people behind scams, Ponzi schemes, and MLM frauds — holding them accountable in public.

My PODCAST is an extension of that work. It’s distributed across 18 major platforms — including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio — so when scammers try to hide, my content follows them everywhere. If you prefer listening to my investigations instead of watching, you’ll find them on every major podcast service.

You can BOOK ME for private consultations or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, where I share first-hand experience from years of exposing large-scale fraud and helping victims recover.

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