My name is Danny de Hek, though many know me as 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, shaped by overcoming the trauma of high-control religious environments and financial predators, fuels my mission to educate and protect others.
For years, I’ve spent countless hours uncovering Ponzi schemes and helping victims understand the true nature of these scams. My goal has always been to empower people, helping them avoid losing their hard-earned money. However, my recent experience with an individual I’ll call Ethan Graves (a pseudonym) and his associate, representing companies based in Austria and elsewhere, opened my eyes to a concerning aspect of the recovery services industry. This is my account, my observations, and my opinion, shared to provide cautionary insight to others.
Attending the Global Financial Crime Summit 2024
In November 2024, I traveled to Sydney, Australia, to attend the Global Financial Crime Summit 2024, a prestigious event held at the InterContinental Sydney. The summit brought together over 150 professionals, including law enforcement, financial crime experts, and cybersecurity leaders, to address the growing threat of financial fraud. With Australians reporting over $6 billion in losses to scams since 2022, the summit provided a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Some of the featured speakers included:
- Ken Gamble, Executive Chairman, IFW Global
- Dr. Mohamed Chawki, Associate Professor of Cybercrime
- Erin West, Deputy District Attorney, REACT Task Force, USA
- Chris Parrish, Resident Agent, U.S. Secret Service
- Amit Levin, Global CTG & AML Advisor, Binance
The summit covered a range of topics, from real-world case studies and data-driven solutions to cross-border collaboration and strategies for building stronger defenses against financial crimes. I left the first day inspired by the shared commitment to tackling scams and cybercrime.
On the evening of the first day, I arranged to record a podcast with Ethan Graves, someone I had connected with through my work exposing scams. This was the second time I had met Ethan face-to-face, and I saw it as an opportunity to get to know him better while discussing the insights shared at the summit.
The Podcast That Raised Red Flags
Ethan Graves and I recorded the podcast in one of the meeting rooms at the Global Financial Crime Summit 2024. The discussion centered on the event itself—how insightful the sessions were, the innovative strategies shared by experts, and the importance of global collaboration in fighting financial crime. Ethan brought a cameraman to document the podcast, which seemed like a straightforward way to capture and share the moment.
After the podcast, Ethan posted photos and videos on social media, including images of himself standing at a podium with the summit’s signage prominently displayed in the background. To someone unfamiliar with the situation, these posts might give the impression that Ethan was closely affiliated with the summit or had an official role as a delegate or speaker. In reality, Ethan’s only connection to the event was being invited to record the podcast in the venue.
While the posts didn’t explicitly claim he was part of the summit, in my opinion, the way they were presented could mislead people into believing Ethan was more involved than he actually was. At first, I thought little of it, assuming Ethan was simply proud of being associated with such an important event. However, things began to shift after the podcast aired.
A week after I returned home, I started receiving emails from people who had seen the podcast. Many of these messages were supportive, but a significant number raised serious concerns about Ethan. Several individuals claimed he was a scammer, warning me to be cautious. Others shared documents that painted a troubling picture of his professional activities.
These emails stopped me in my tracks. Until then, I had seen Ethan as a fellow advocate for scam victims—someone committed to helping those who had been defrauded. But the allegations and evidence I was receiving suggested a different story.
The documents I received included:
- Contracts and agreements related to recovery services that raised questions about transparency and fairness.
- Complaints from individuals who claimed they had paid fees upfront but had seen no progress or results.
- Information suggesting that Ethan’s professional partner and their organization were more focused on collecting fees than on delivering real outcomes.
What had started as an impromptu podcast to highlight the value of the summit quickly backfired on Ethan. Instead of boosting his credibility, it prompted people to come forward with concerns and evidence that cast doubt on his intentions.
Returning Home: The Proposal That Changed Everything
Shortly after I returned to New Zealand, Ethan reached out with a proposal that changed my perspective entirely. He explained that he had been discussing with his professional partner at their organisation the idea of pursuing a recovery initiative for victims of Ponzi schemes, particularly HyperVerse. They wanted me to direct victims to their services and, in return, offered to pay me a flat-rate fee. Ethan framed this as a way to “put me on the payroll” for all the work I had done exposing scams, emphasising that I could help victims while earning compensation for my efforts.
At first, this seemed like a reasonable acknowledgment of the value of my work. But as I thought about it more, I began to feel deeply uncomfortable. HyperVerse victims had already lost so much—how could I, in good conscience, direct them to a service charging a 16% recovery fee (9% upfront) without clear evidence of success? The idea that I might lend credibility to their operation by associating my name with it made me deeply uneasy.
The Reality of Recovery Services
From my perspective, recovery services like these often prey on victims’ desperation. Here’s why:
- False Hope: Victims are led to believe their money can be recovered, even when the chances are slim.
- Upfront Fees: Charging fees before delivering results adds financial strain to people who have already lost so much.
- Lack of Transparency: Ethan and his associate provided no verifiable proof of their past recoveries, relying instead on vague claims and polished presentations.
My Message to Victims
If you’ve been scammed, I want you to know you’re not alone. But here’s my honest advice:
- Be Cautious with Recovery Services: Ask for clear evidence of success before committing your money.
- Beware of Upfront Fees: If a service demands payment before delivering results, proceed with caution.
- Focus on Moving Forward: Sometimes, the best way to reclaim your power is to accept the loss and rebuild.
Conclusion
This blog is not about attacking individuals or organizations. It’s about sharing my experiences and observations to help others make informed decisions. Everything I’ve shared here is based on my personal encounters and opinions.
To victims of scams: Stay vigilant and demand transparency. To those offering recovery services: Be honest about your track record. And to everyone fighting financial crime: Let’s work together to protect those who need it most.
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