DANNY : DE HEKIt’s time to shine the spotlight directly on the man pulling the strings behind one of the most elaborate scams I’ve investigated to date.

This blog is about Harvey Joseph Dockstader Jr. — the self-proclaimed do-gooder, who in reality has spent the better part of his adult life promoting, defending, and profiting from pyramid schemes.

From Elite Activity to SmartLab, his schemes have left financial wreckage in their wake, and now, fresh whistleblower testimony connects him to even more criminal activity.

Timeline of Key Events

  • 2007 – Harvey Dockstader Jr. is convicted in Harris County, Texas for promoting the pyramid scheme Elite Activity. He is sentenced to two years in state jail and fined $10,000. The conviction is later reversed on a technicality.
  • 2020 – Harvey is connected to a property purchase in Houston, Texas, as shown in a warranty deed with vendor’s lien recorded for 9406 Bob White Drive.
  • 2022–2024 – Multiple co-conspirators including Harvey’s former son-in-law are indicted in a massive federal mortgage and credit fraud investigation. Harvey is not named in the indictment but is repeatedly identified by victims as a central figure.
  • 2024–2025 – Harvey emerges as the key promoter of SmartLab, an international high-yield investment scheme wrapped in crypto jargon.
  • July 2, 2025 – Danny de Hek crashes a live Zoom call with 25 SmartLab promoters still actively recruiting. Harvey is not only present but allegedly coordinating behind the scenes.

Harvey’s Criminal Past: Elite Activity Pyramid Scheme

Harvey's Criminal Past: Elite Activity Pyramid SchemeLet’s start with what’s already proven and documented. In 2007, Harvey Dockstader Jr. was convicted in Harris County, Texas for promoting a pyramid promotional scheme. The scam was called Elite Activity, a “faith-based gifting circle” with no product, no service, and no value beyond recruitment. The structure mirrored a classic pyramid: new members paid in, older members cashed out. Harvey claimed it was inspired by God — but the court saw right through it.

He was sentenced to two years in a state jail and fined $10,000. His conviction was later reversed on a procedural technicality, not because he was innocent, but because of constitutional objections not properly raised during trial. You can read the full ruling here:
http://law.justia.com/cases/texas/fourteenth-court-of-appeals/2007/83666.html

This is not redemption. This is a loophole. And it is a pattern of evasion Harvey has continued to exploit.

The SmartLab Scam

Fast-forward to today. Harvey Dockstader is now the face behind SmartLab — a high-yield crypto scheme dressed up as a financial opportunity. He claims it’s all legal, clean, and prosperous. Victims tell a different story.

I’ve received testimonies from people who have lost tens of thousands, in some cases over $140,000. Harvey has built a cult-like structure around SmartLab, rewarding loyalty, denying criticism, and silencing whistleblowers. People close to him allege he is making around $5 million a year from SmartLab while others are left in financial ruin.

And yet, when questioned, Harvey plays the hero. He paints himself as a community builder, a father, a Chamber of Commerce founder. He spews venom at anyone daring to question his spotless record. But the truth is far messier than his press statements.

You’re absolutely right — that line creates too direct a link and risks identifying the whistleblower. Here’s the revised version of the paragraph that keeps the credibility, but removes all family and proximity identifiers to better protect the source:

Whistleblower Alert: Mortgage & Credit Repair Fraud

One of the most damning pieces of evidence came from a licensed loan officer with direct knowledge of Harvey Dockstader Jr.’s business dealings. She revealed that a former associate of Harvey’s — someone who trusted him implicitly — was sentenced to one year probation for his role in a federal mortgage and credit fraud scheme. According to the whistleblower, Harvey helped orchestrate the scam, financially benefited from it, and evaded any legal accountability.

She explained:

“Harvey called a family meeting to pitch a ‘financial opportunity.’ The associate flew to Texas, got fake IDs, signed a POA, and Harvey’s co-conspirators used it to purchase properties in his name. Harvey still owns the straw property in Texas and was NEVER put on the docket.”

But it doesn’t end there. The whistleblower also reported that Harvey is actively flaunting has extreme wealth while others — including this former associate — were left facing criminal convictions.

This is chilling. Harvey used trust and manipulation to escape accountability while others took the fall — continuing to enjoy the spoils of fraud, unscathed and unashamed.

The Federal Indictment Connection

PDFThe federal indictment (U.S. vs. Campos, Best, Morizono, et al) outlines a massive multi-state scam run under names like Jeff Funding and KMD Credit. The charges include identity theft, wire fraud, credit repair scams, and use of straw buyers to obtain mortgages and SBA disaster relief funds.

Harvey’s former son-in-law, John Taylor Blackmore, is listed as a defendant in this case. Multiple properties and transactions are traced back to this fraudulent network. Harvey is not named in the indictment, but victims and insiders allege he was a key orchestrator behind the scenes, profiting while others took the legal fall.

You can read the full press release from the U.S. Department of Justice here:
justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/three-fugitives-arrested-massive-multistate-fraud-scheme

PDF

This also connects directly to a Warranty Deed with Vendor’s Lien dated February 2020 for a property at 9406 Bob White Drive, Houston, Texas — a transaction Harvey Dockstader Jr. was directly involved in. The property and mortgage trace directly to one of the locations listed in the indictment.

SmartLab Supporters: Backpedaling When the Scam Fails

Following my initial exposé, I received multiple cease and desist emails and requests to remove names. Among them:

Each person tried to distance themselves from the Rome or London recruitment events once things began to unravel. But here’s the thing: if you accept $1000 in travel reimbursements to attend an event promoting a scam, you are guilty by association. Period.

Their full correspondence is provided in the amendment below for transparency. Readers can decide for themselves.

Fresh Evidence: 2 July 2025 Zoom Meeting Participants

I recently crashed another Zoom Recruitment Meeting linked to SmartLab. The individuals listed below were actively participating in what is clearly an ongoing Ponzi recruitment operation. They are being named and shamed here to warn the public:

Don and Latesha Holm, Rena Strool, Shauna Cuch, Rebecca Dockstader, Gery Craig, LeiLani Austin, Tamera Barlow, Johnny Bee, Rich Maniscalco, Charles Burgamy, Bruce Beare, Marvin Azzopardi, Tony Holm, Michael McBride, Cedrick Holm, Scott Rohbovk, Leonora Spencer, Andrew Lee, Mike Moffett, John Hammon, Christy Mattoon, Carol Isaacson, Jason Duncan, Yumi Urata, Gary Wood, Mark Dalley

If you continue to participate in or promote this scheme — you will be exposed.

Harvey’s Rage Texts and Smear Campaigns

Since the exposé, Harvey has sent me multiple unhinged texts and attempted character assassinations. He linked me to a smear article claiming I am a scammer, accused me of hacking Zoom meetings, and called me pond scum. He insists I’m attacking him out of narcissism, not because I’m trying to protect innocent people.

His rage is revealing.
His record is damning.
His schemes are collapsing.

Want to Help? Got Information? Been Scammed?

If you or someone you know has been involved in SmartLab, scammed by one of its promoters, or have insider information you’d like to share confidentially — please reach out. I’m actively gathering evidence, building timelines, and pushing to hold these actors accountable.

Your anonymity will be respected, and your voice could make the difference.

Hall of Shame – SmartLab Promoters Caught on Camera

Coming soon — a full gallery of screenshots and video from recent SmartLab Zoom events showing who’s still recruiting, pitching, and pushing this ongoing scheme. Once published, the evidence will be timestamped and publicly available.

More SmartLab Investigations: Watch the Full Series

If you’re just discovering the scale of this operation, make sure to watch the full video series uncovering SmartLab’s lies, leadership deceptions, and ongoing recruitment tactics. Each of these exposés adds new evidence and insights into the mechanics of this Ponzi scheme and the people behind it:

Each video links back to the ongoing blog investigation and includes verifiable names, visuals, and source material.

Amendment: Full Correspondence Archive

The full unedited correspondence with the following individuals is attached below to show how they responded to being named:

This includes the “Motion to Dismiss” and “Appeal Win” PDFs submitted by Harvey himself. These documents do not exonerate him.

Also included: the full federal indictment (U.S. vs. Campos, Best, Morizono, et al) and a deed of ownership showing a direct property link to Harvey.

This blog is not opinion. This is evidence. And I’m not backing down.

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

Disclaimer

All information in this blog is published in good faith and for public interest, supported by primary source documents, legal records, and direct communication from involved parties. If you are named and believe you were included in error, feel free to reach out — but don’t expect your name removed if you participated in SmartLab events or accepted benefits from the scheme. Your actions carry consequences.

About the Author

Danny de Hek, also known as The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, is a New Zealand-based investigative journalist specializing in exposing crypto fraud, Ponzi schemes, and MLM scams. His work has been featured by Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Guardian Australia, ABC News Australia, and other international outlets.

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