Crimes of Persuasion

Schemes, scams, frauds.



Franklin Asset Management penny stock scam

Simon Cheyne of Franklin Asset Management offered unrestricted shares in World Wide Auctioneers WWA  ( currently trading under the symbol NOMD, with the website www.wwauctions.com ) for $1.35, and kept pointing me to the latest dealings on the OTC market - $1.80, $1.90, $2.10 … said I was lucky to have reserved them while they were still at a low price.

He rang me on the day my ‘reservation’ was due to expire. I told him that I needed another 24 hours. He said that would be OK!

I could almost believe that a legitimate company would grit its teeth and stick to the agreed price after the share value had soared. I could even see how they would ring up to remind me that I was risking losing this superb offer if I didn’t move fast.

But to keep to the agreement – to sell $2.10 shares for $1.35 – after it had expired … well, I gave up believing in Santa Claus 40+ years ago.

He's telling me that there are a lot of people out there who would be willing to buy my shares at $2.10 or more, yet he's eager to sell them to me at $1.35. Come on!


Franklin Asset Management have also contacted me selling WWA. I have been speaking with a Anthony Francis.

If you are looking for further proof that all is not legit, then take a look at: www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17654.htm below which details a criminal complaint about James R Harrold who is the big cheese at Franklin Asset Management.


09/01 - The SEC got an Order of Permanent Injunction against James R. Harrold, a resident of Indiana and the Entity Defendants alleging that they raised approximately $2 million in a fraudulent prime bank scheme. The defendants consented to the order without admitting or denying the allegations.

Even after the FBI warned Harrold in October 1999 that prime trading programs do not exist, since October 1999 through at least February 2001, they raised at least $2 million by selling investments in the Rubix Program, a purported "prime bank trading program" and are currently soliciting investors to invest in at least two other fraudulent investment programs.

In the Rubix Program, they made false claims that the money raised would be used to purchase prime bank debentures issued by top world banks; that their principal was never at risk and promised a 20% monthly rate of return; when actually the majority of funds raised were misappropriated and used for business and personal expenses.


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.

Litigation Release No. 17654 / August 2, 2002

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. James R. Harrold, Franklin Management and Consulting, LLC, Accipter, LLC, Franklin Asset Management and Consulting, LLC, Franklin Management and Consulting, Inc., and Concord Development Group, LLC., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Cause No. IP 01-1318-C T/K (S.D. Indiana 2001)

Criminal Complaint and Arrest Warrant for James R. Harrold are Unsealed

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced that on July 26, 2002, an order was issued, unsealing a criminal complaint and arrest warrant for James R. Harrold.

On September 7, 2001 the Commission filed a civil complaint alleging that James R. Harrold ("Harrold") and the Entity Defendants violated the registration and antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws by operating a prime-bank scheme. On the same day, the Honorable Judge David F. Hamilton of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana entered a Temporary Restraining Order freezing three accounts controlled by Harrold.

On September 10, 2001, Judge Hamilton entered a Temporary Restraining Order freezing all of Harrold and the Entity Defendants' assets. On September 14, 2001, Harrold and the Entity Defendants consented to the entry of an Order of Permanent Injunction, which continued the asset freeze and enjoined them from engaging in violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.

The Order also requires Harrold and the Entity Defendants to disgorge their ill-gotten gains and pay civil penalties in an amount to be determined in a separate hearing by the Court. Harrold and the Entity Defendants consented to the entry of the permanent injunction, without admitting or denying the allegations of the complaint.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana originally filed a criminal complaint, under seal, on November 29, 2001, and alleged that Harrold committed offenses of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341, 1343 and 1956(a)(1)A)(i). On the same day, Magistrate Judge Kennard P. Foster issued an arrest warrant that was also under seal.

The Commission wishes to acknowledge and thank the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indiana Division of Securities for their assistance in this matter.

http://www.sec.gov/litigation/litreleases/lr17654.htm


James R. Harrold, et al. Victim claims info


From Simon Cheyne at Franklin Asset Management,

Further to our earlier telephone conversation, please find herewith the details of World Wide Auctioneers offering. It is also recommended that you go to the investor relations website at: www.wwauctions.com

From there you can access the full corporate profile, financial summary and management profiles.

Also for further information relating to our company, please visit our website at: www.franklinassetmanagement.com
I look forward to speaking to you again soon.

Best regards,
Simon Cheyne
Contacts:
43 1 99 460-6436 Tel
43 1 99 460-5000 Fax
Info@Franklinassetmanagement.com

Please find herewith the attached confirmation of your purchase of shares in World Wide Auctioneers, along with the payment instructions. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Simon Cheyne
-------------------------
Here are the details of the transfer forms:

Franklin Asset Management
18th Floor, One International Finance Centre,
1 Harbour View Street, Hong Kong

This is to confirm your purchase of shares in World Wide Auctioneers.
At: US$1.35
Shares Ordered: 10000 Amount Due: US$13,500.00

We have forwarded to World Wide Auctioneers all the details of your purchase.

In order to secure your shares please make your Telex Transfer as promptly as possible as outlined on the following page. Upon doing so would you kindly fax a copy of the transfer form to Franklin Asset Management's administration office so they can assist in the processing of your payment.
Franklin Asset Management Fax No. 632 400 0281
Contacts:
+43 1 99 460-6436 Tel
+43 1 99 460-5000 Fax
Info@franklinassetmanagement.com

Payment Instructions
For Franklin Asset Management Custodial Trust Account
Funds will be held with the escrow agent below until share certificates are prepared and available for release to subscriber(s).

The most secure and preferred form of payment is to send the amount due in U.S. Dollars by telex transfer to:

ACCOUNT NAME: Legacy Investments Ltd.
BANK: Standard Chartered Bank
1st Floor, Edinburgh Tower
Landmark, Hong Kong
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 447-1-066639-2
SWIFT CODE: SCBLUS33

* In order for our bank to verify your deposit, it is essential that YOUR NAME appear in the comments section of the transfer form.
* Please fax a copy of your telex transfer to: 00 632 400 0281.
All client funds will be acknowledged immediately with a receipt and the share certificates will be processed accordingly.
NOTE: Some online banks may require the Hong Kong swift code. This is SCBL HK HH


Interesting address for them as it has come up before..
See also EMC/ Bassettrent/ Prentace Gates etc.,

Basset Trent Ltd.,
18th Floor,
One International Finance Centre,
1, Harbour View Street,
Hong Kong.
Tel No. 852 2166 8038.


Since WWA is a traded company, as the target sucker I can actually see a share price. So, I'm offered 10,000 shares at $1.35, and I can see the price closing at $1.80, $1.90, $2.10 ... how can I lose?

A little more research shows that the volumes traded are very light - just a few hundred at a time, presumably to keep massaging the price up. 'Mr Cheyne' assured me that the shares had no restrictions and could be traded as soon as I had the certificate.

Maybe that's true, though a lot of people seem to have been assured that they were getting unrestricted shares, only to find out different later. And maybe my share certificate would arrive promptly, or maybe not. But to sell, I'd have to find a buyer. And that, I think, is where the real problems would start!


Simon Cheyne of FAM has been in touch again. This time, selling shares in Otis-Winston Ltd. They’re $4.25 per share. There’s a 2-for-1 share split about to happen, and after the split EACH SHARE will be worth $4.25! So, within days, I will have doubled my money! No restrictions on the shares, and I don’t even have to wait for my certificates. Franklin Asset Management won’t be charging commission on the deal, as it’s an introduction to their services.

I’m used to people ringing me up and offering me returns of 20-30% within three months. Too high, but almost believable. But 100% in a couple of days? Does anybody fall for a script like this?

I asked him about the WWA shares he had been pushing before. The ones he’d been selling for $1.35, with the quoted price about to go through the $2 barrier.

He didn’t really want to talk about them, but they are now apparently a ‘long-term hold’, whereas Otis-Winston is easy, fast money. I looked up WWA, and they’ve dropped back today from $1.50 to $1.40. No doubt they’ll start massaging the price back up again soon ready to call a new set of victims.


A lot of activity this week regarding Otis-Winston. Apparently, all I have to do is send them $4,250, and immediately (that is, 5 days later when the funds have cleared) I will be able to sell the shares for $8,500. I had two calls on Monday, SIX on Tuesday, three on Wednesday, one yesterday and one more today.

I said that I'm nervous about boiler room scams, and that a Google for "Franklin Asset Management" turns up a lot of criminal activity. They reply that it's not them - it's "Franklin Asset Management SA", based in Barcelona, whereas they are in Austria.

Their reply to 'The FSA tell me that it's against the law to cold-call people for share sales': they agreed, but pointed out that the law only applies to the UK. It's perfectly legitimate to cold-call from overseas.

I pointed out that the FSA (and many other people) say 'if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is'. They replied with a lot of guff about Microsoft and Harley-Davidson shares leaping in price. That isn't what I was talking about, I said. Those were possible gains in the future, whereas you're telling me that I can double my money virtually overnight, guaranteed. They said that yes, this is a very rare opportunity. Talked a lot about escrow accounts and security.

They were bloody convincing, and I've had to be strong-willed to resist the pressure. I'm sure they are having a lot more luck elsewhere. A tiny voice in the back of my head is saying 'you're a mug. If they're real, as they sound, you're missing out on a good thing.' A louder voice is saying 'Why on earth are they trying so hard to give you money. You've told them twice you're not interested; if there was nothing in it for them they'd have given up long ago.'


August 5, 2003, NovaMed, Inc., ("Company") entered into a Stock Exchange Agreement ("Agreement") with World Wide Auctioneers, Inc. ("WWA") wherein the Company agreed to issue to the shareholders of WWA 13,887,447 shares of its common stock in exchange for the 50,000 shares that constitute all the issued and outstanding shares of WWA's wholly owned subsidiary World Wide Auctioneers, Ltd. ("WWA Dubai"). The parties closed the Agreement on August 8, 2003 with the Company's acquisition of WWA Dubai.

NovaMed, Inc. 1403 East 900 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 Attention: Ruairidh Campbell, President Phone Number: (801) 582-9609 Fax Number: (801) 582-9629

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/030808/85567_1.html

Oct. 2, 2003--WWA Group Inc., ("WWA Group")(today announced that effective as of the commencement of trading Oct. 3, 2003, the OTC Bulletin Board will reflect the change in the company's name from "NovaMed Inc." to "WWA Group Inc.," which will trade under the new symbol of "WWAG
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031002/25753_1.html


Nevada
WWA GROUP, INC
File Number: C24259-1996
Incorporated On: November 26, 1996
President: RUAIRIDH CAMPBELL

===
NOVAMED MEDICAL SUPPLIES CORPORATION
NEVADA
Status: Revoked
President: RUAIRIDH CAMPBELL

====
ALEXANDRIA HOLDINGS, INC.
1403 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
(801) 582-9609

/s/ Ruairidh Campbell
Ruairidh Campbell
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
July 15, 2003
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104673/000078873803000152/alex10qsb.txt

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Stock Purchase
Agreement as of the day and year first appearing herein.



Alexandria Holdings, Inc. Kelly's Coffee Group, Inc.

/s/ Ruairidh Campbell /s/ David Wolfson
---------------------------- ------------------------------
Ruairidh Campbell, President David Wolfson, Vice-President
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104673/000078873801500097/alexholdings10q.txt
MONTANA MINING CORP.
(Formerly known as "Aswan Investments, Inc..")

403 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
-----------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(801) 582-9609

/s/ Ruairidh Campbell
Ruairidh Campbell
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
July 15, 2003

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104672/000078873803000151/mont10qsb.txt

Aswan Investments, Inc.
The Company's officers and directors have used the services of Hudson Consulting
Group, Inc. and/or Canton Financial Services Corporation, both of which are
subsidiary companies of CyberAmerica Corporation. CyberAmerica Corporation, and
its subsidiaries have used the services of A-Z Professional Consultants, Inc., a
beneficial shareholder of the CyberAmerica Corporation. A-Z Professional
Consultants, Inc. is a Utah corporation, which is owned 100% by Allen Z. Wolfson. Allen Z. Wolfson is also the uncle of Richard D. Surber. All of the
above mentioned entities and their personnel have been used by Richard Surber as
either advisors or consultants because of Richard Surber's position with
CyberAmerica Corporation as its president and a director and his relationship
with Allen Z. Wolfson. Irrespective of Mr. Surber's relationship or use of the
abovementioned entities, it is the Company's intention to rely solely on the
expertise of its officers as advisors. The Company may rely on the clerical and
accounting services of Hudson Consulting Group, Inc., but will not rely upon
Allen Wolfson, A-Z Professional Consultants, Inc., Hudson Consulting Group, Inc.
or Canton Financial Services Corporation to find a potential acquisition or
merger candidate for the Company. The probability that a fee will be paid to
Ruairidh Campbell or Richard Surber is greater than for any other person who may
solicit the Company for a merger, acquisition or business combination.

The following individuals constitute all of the Company's Executive Officers and
Directors as of April 3, 2000.

Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Ruairidh Campbell 37 President and Director
Richard D. Surber 27 Secretary, Treasurer and Director
Aswan Investments, Inc.


/s/ Ruairidh Campbell
---------------------------------
Name: Ruairidh Campbell
Title: President/CEO and Director


http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104672/000107054400000229/0001070544-00-000229-0001.txt




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Stock Purchase
Agreement as of the day and year first appearing herein.



Aswan Investments, Inc. Kelly's Coffee Group, Inc.
/s/ Ruairidh Campbell /s/ David Wolfson
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Ruairidh Campbell, President David Wolfson, Vice-President


http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104672/000078873801500099/aswan10q.txt


STAR ENERGY CORPORATION
(Formerly known as "Cairo Acquisitions, Inc.")
403 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
-----------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(801) 582-9609
/s/ Ruairidh Campbell

Ruairidh Campbell

Chief Financial Officer

July 15, 2003
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104671/000078873803000150/star10qsb.txt


Cairo Acquisitions, Inc.
The Company's officers and directors have used the services of Hudson Consulting
Group, Inc. and/or Canton Financial Services Corporation, both of which are
subsidiary companies of CyberAmerica Corporation. CyberAmerica Corporation, and
its subsidiaries have used the services of A-Z Professional Consultants, Inc., a
beneficial shareholder of the CyberAmerica Corporation. A-Z Professional
Consultants, Inc. is a Utah corporation, which is owned 100% by Allen Z.
Wolfson. Allen Z. Wolfson is also the uncle of Richard D. Surber. All of the
above mentioned entities and their personnel have been used by Richard Surber as
either advisors or consultants because of Richard Surber's position with
CyberAmerica Corporation as its president and a director and his relationship
with Allen Z. Wolfson. Irrespective of Mr. Surber's relationship or use of the
abovementioned entities, it is the Company's intention to rely solely on the
expertise of its officers as advisors. The Company may rely on the clerical and
accounting services of Hudson Consulting Group, Inc., but will not rely upon
Allen Wolfson, A-Z Professional Consultants, Inc., Hudson Consulting Group, Inc.
or Canton Financial Services Corporation to find a potential acquisition or
merger candidate for the Company. The probability that a fee will be paid to
Ruairidh Campbell or Richard Surber is greater than for any other person who may
solicit the Company for a merger, acquisition or business combination.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104671/000107054400000231/0001070544-00-000231-0001.txt


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Stock Purchase
Agreement as of the day and year first appearing herein.



Cairo Acquisitions, Inc. Kelly's Coffee Group, Inc.

/s/ Ruairidh Campbell /s/ David Wolfson
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Ruairidh Campbell, President David Wolfson, Vice-President

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1104671/000078873801500098/cairoacq10q.txt
ALLIED RESOURCES, INC.
1403 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
(801) 582-9609

Date: June 4, 2003

/s/ Ruairidh Campbell
Ruairidh Campbell, President and Chief Financial Officer
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1211524/000078873803000136/allied10ka.txt



INVESTNET, INC.
1403 East 900 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
(801) 582-9609

INVESTNET, INC.


/s/ Ruairidh Campbell

Ruairidh Campbell
President, Chief Financial Officer, and Director

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1017699/000078873803000110/investnet.txt




EnterNet Inc ( formerly Secured Data)

EnterNet, Inc.
403 East 900 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 (801) 582-9609

Ruairidh Campbell, President With Copy to: Richard Surber, Esq.
1403 East 900 South 268 West 400 South, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 582-9609 (801) 575-8073


So, there are links between WWA (the share that Franklin keeps pushing) and Surber and both the Wolfsons.

Who was it said that you can tell a man by the company he keeps? Clearly Ruairidh Campbell (President of WWA) isn't on the side of the angels!


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