DANNY : DE HEK

Michael Popovich isn’t just another failed entrepreneur pushing inflated promises — he’s a calculated manipulator who has spent years weaponizing faith, misusing nonprofit protections, and exploiting multilevel marketing (MLM) models to enrich himself at the expense of vulnerable people.

This exposé reveals how Popovich’s so-called spiritual mission is actually a front for a much darker financial exploitation campaign — and why it’s time the world knew the truth.

The Whistleblower Who Finally Stepped Forward

We’ve been contacted by a confidential insider who worked closely with the core team behind VIDME. This whistleblower has come forward with first-hand knowledge, supported by documents, emails, and Zoom transcripts, exposing years of deception, affinity fraud, and financial misconduct linked to Popovich.

This source has provided a clear timeline that connects the dots between Popovich’s past failed ventures, his current abuse of nonprofit status, and the inner workings of the VIDME scheme. The evidence includes:

  • Affinity fraud masked as “investment opportunities”
  • The misuse of religious donation channels to fund private businesses
  • Illegal duplication of affiliate accounts to double-dip commissions
  • Recruitment of known MLM leaders to build a hidden pyramid beneath VIDME’s surface

How Popovich Exploited Faith for Profit

Through his 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Freedom Ministries, Popovich solicited money from followers under the guise of spiritual abundance, divine favor, and kingdom impact. But the donations he collected were funneled — without disclosure — into his personal business interests.

One such venture was VIDME, where Popovich registered affiliate accounts under Freedom Ministries and positioned the church to earn commissions through its downline. He simultaneously used the ministry to build credibility and lure spiritual followers into his monetized ecosystem.

From Helping Single Mothers to Exploiting Them

Popovich has often claimed that VIDME was born out of a desire to help single mothers — inspired, he says, by the hardships his own mother endured. He spoke publicly about giving women the tools to generate “life-changing income” by sharing their faith and stories through video.

But behind closed doors, his actions paint a very different picture.

Multiple testimonies and archived livestream comments reveal a pattern of emotional manipulation, particularly toward women who saw him as a spiritual mentor or even a father figure. These individuals were encouraged to believe that their trust and financial support would lead to divine abundance — only to find themselves entangled in a system that prioritized Popovich’s personal gain over their well-being.

The VIDME Deception

VIDME was marketed as a platform “for creators, by creators” — but internally, it became a Trojan horse for an MLM-style commission structure run by Popovich and his recruited network of affiliate marketers.

Key red flags include:

  • Over 1,500 fake affiliate accounts created to simulate momentum
  • Known MLM recruiters like Patrick Laing and Larry Lane placed high in the downline
  • Stripe payment links issued by unauthorized parties to external leads
  • Investor documents distributed without proper board consent — now part of an active civil case
  • A second affiliate profile secretly registered under Freedom Ministries to earn duplicate commissions

Cult Tactics and Psychological Control

Popovich’s behavior echoes the playbook of a spiritual cult leader. According to former staff and ministry insiders:

  • He used guilt and gaslighting to silence critics
  • He solicited tithes and donations under false pretenses, including fundraising for the sick — only to spend the money on personal luxuries
  • He lavished gifts on his inner circle, while preaching humility and generosity
  • He presented financial investment decisions as divine guidance, positioning dissent as spiritual rebellion

Archived Zoom calls and social media comments confirm that recruitment often took place during “prayer calls” and spiritual gatherings — a classic example of affinity fraud disguised as fellowship.

The Truth About VIDME’s Founding

VIDME was not Popovich’s idea. According to internal sources, the original concept, platform architecture, and creative vision were spearheaded by someone else entirely. Popovich hijacked the concept, using it to present himself as a visionary — and then began soliciting investment behind the backs of the legitimate team.

The whistleblower confirmed Popovich:

  • Misrepresented his role and equity in the company
  • Leveraged ministry trust to solicit investment “opportunities”
  • Partnered with MLM consultants to engineer a 3-tier commission structure
  • Gained unauthorized access to backend systems through his associate, Andrew “Charbo” Charbo, who was later removed for impersonating company ownership

Legal Proceedings Have Begun

In recent months, Popovich has been formally expelled from the company and named in civil filings in Douglas County, Colorado for fraud and misconduct.

Additional complaints have been submitted to:

  • The SEC (securities violations)
  • The IRS (nonprofit misuse and tax fraud)
  • The FBI (affinity fraud and investor deception)

These filings include detailed evidence such as offering memorandums, affiliate payouts, and internal communications.

This Is Just the Beginning

We are committed to exposing Michael Popovich’s full pattern of abuse — and we are calling on others who have been silenced, misled, or manipulated by this man to come forward.

In Part Two, we will reveal:

  • More testimonies from victims and former staff
  • How internal systems were manipulated to show false growth
  • Behind-the-scenes conversations between Popovich and senior marketers
  • Archived livestreams, documents, and payments that tell the real story

We are not protecting Michael Popovich. We are protecting those he’s harmed.

Have You Had Dealings with Michael Popovich?

If you or someone you know has had direct involvement, financial dealings, or spiritual engagement with Michael Popovich, we invite you to come forward. Whether it’s related to Freedom Ministries, VIDME, or any other venture he’s promoted, your story matters.

You can remain completely anonymous, and your information will only be added to our private investigation database to help build a clearer picture of the harm caused. No detail is too small. Every lead helps us protect future victims and hold predators accountable.

To share confidentially, email Danny de Hek directly at danny@dehek.com
Or submit anonymously via the contact form at dehek.com/contact

Author’s Disclaimer

This exposé is based on confidential whistleblower evidence, internal documents, and first-hand testimony provided to me directly. While much of this information has not yet been made public, I have reviewed and verified supporting materials, including investor correspondence, financial screenshots, and private Zoom transcripts. This content is published in the public interest as a matter of investigative journalism. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law. Any corrections, clarifications, or right of reply will be respected.

— 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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