Armando Montelongo Armando Montelongo Seminars Real Estate flipping scam San Antonio, Texas
Ill state to you first that I was taken by these people and hope this helps to keep anyone else from getting scammed. Im usually the biggest skeptic in the world, but these folks are good. With the thought of easy money dangled in front of you I assure you your guard will come down. It did me. Heres the short version:
On 9/15/10 I went to the free Armando Motelongo real estate sseminar where they assured you they would walk you through a real estate flip. Lance Robinson talked about how he wasnt a public speaker and about how you dont need money to control real estate. He spent time talking about hard money lenders and then about when he had you hooked he talked about how he had been broke when his kids got real sick years ago. I think he even started to cry a little. They were needing testimonial from the
Man I fell like a rock for it. I signed up without doing any research. That afternoon another guy talked about tax liens and how much money him and Armando were putting in them. Coincidentily they even had a software system for tax liens that you could buy for a grand. Lucky for me I didnt bite on that though. The next day I tried to cancel, but the toll free number on the agreement wasnt being answered and they didnt return any calls period. There was no fax number listed on there either.
First day of the live seminar a guy named Adam Sachs, some self proclaimed wealth magnet from
The second day Adam talked of a deal he made in
Remember when he was telling everyone to go home tonight and call their Credit cards to get a bump in their credit limit? Now you know why.
Day three was much of the same. Adam spent the morning with us talking about rentals and selling property on ebay while Chris spent the afternoon telling us how to sell a house in 5 days. Once again both guys stressed the need for everyone to sign up for the bus trip. However though Adam mentioned early in the day that anyone going on the bus trip would need spend an extra 3 days in San Diego to buy properties on their own because now Armando wasnt going to actually give the properties to his students. They said this real fast and moved on before anyone realized what was said. I mentioned it later to a few people and they couldnt recall that being said, but it was I assure you. When I asked Adam about that fact he admitted it and walked away. Obviously from then on I was avoided by anyone from that outfit because I was a negative for them. Chris made his final plea for takers and the bus trip explaining that this was truly a life changing opportunity for everyone here.
These guys are unbelievably good at what they do. They lay the bait out there, let you smell it and hook you right up. People that didnt have the money or business signing up for this trip were whipping out credit cards right and left. These people do this all over the country every week and they are making a killing bilking people out of money they dont have. Im on the hook for the $1497, but have disputed the charges on my credit card as they dont have an executed agreement for that fee. I hope that this will reach everyone that is thinking of signing up for any of the Armando Montelongo or Real Estate Training International, LLC seminars. Some phone numbers Ive been able to acquire are to Carol @210-399-4809 and Malinda @210-209-8875, but dont expect them to answer or return your call.
These people will take any and everything you will give them. Please do your own research and put your money in other places.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Billy
Arlington,Texas,
United States
I to was RIPPED OFF to the tune of $50,000
#7General Comment
Wed, February 27, 2019
I have already posted a complaint on Armando Montelongo. I was ripped off to the tune of $50,000 and my great credit was runined because of this man who promised if we became master mentor students a mentor would come to our area for 3days and show us step by step how to do a flip and within 90 days we would have our money back well that never happened we were tricked into a 3 day seminar in San Antonio Tx in which 2 1/2 days the internet did not work and was told while we were there that this was the 3 day training and that the 3 day in our area was canceled that is not what we paid for.
I started my tour with the AM group back in 2014 and to this day they can't get my email right, I haven't done a flip yet . At the seminar I was told I would have access to his many funding parners only to find out if we got a deal we were to post it on fackbook and see if anyone wanted to help fund the deal.
Then in Oct of 2018 he sent out a form for those of us who hadn't done a deal yet to fill out said they would be getting with us to help do a deal its almost March of 2019 and haven't heard a word from them. Folks best advice I can give You keep your money and join a local REI group in your area for 1/2 the price and you get more from a local than from AM group. After fighting like hell with Ryan in the AM office almost a year I did get a $10,000 refund back but I still lost $40,000 and runined credit which was the worse I could bounce back if it was only the money but money and credit since 2014 and I haven't bounced back yet. If I had joined a local REI club in the area and saved my $50,000 I could have already done many deals by now and my credit would still be good.
Gwen H
Santa Monica,California,
United States of America
Employee Morgan's Rebuttal & I was just at a seminar
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, February 24, 2011
Please note AMS Employee Morgan has submitted the same statement "cut-and-paste" verbatim on many complaints written here.
I just went to the Armando Montelongo seminar in Santa Monica, California (yesterday) - and was very impressed that Armando Montelongo was actually present in the banquet hall, behind the sign-up tables. This said to me that he stands behind the product, so gave it a shot. Sadly, by the break, my husband and I were walking out.Please see Report: #460238, Report: #624314, Report: #625434, Report: #645904 (and probably others)
"Armando Montelongo firmly stands by the quality and value of the goods and services offered, and genuinely wants his students to succeed. We are concerned about the reported circumstances and remain open and available to address these and any other concerns that you and other students may have. We are here for YOU and our ultimate goal is to see you succeed. Please let us know if there is any way we can assist you."
February 22, 2011 Santa Monica seminar notes:
The warning signs were: speaker Lance Robinson spoke for an hour, a large portion of it invested on content intended to trigger people's insecurities & desires...and then the $$$ came out. Lance did discuss some specific data on the real estate market today, and alluded to a strategy, my notes outlined below. I am very cautious. If anyone can give a report after the March 4, 5, 6, 2011 seminar, this would be great.
EMOTIONAL TOPICS: Some of the insecurity triggers (this is not verbatim, nor complete, but absolutely many subjects he talked about):
Show of hands: How many of you were born between 1946 and 1964? (many hands) Then went on to discuss baby boomer woes: how social security was going to tank once the baby boomers reached retirement age, how retirement age keeps rising and rising, and baby boomers should want to create a family legacy by building individual wealth. And...if you don't act now, younger people (like me) are going to snap up all the wealth out there.
How hard it is to get ahead, pay off debts. The most important thing is to get rid of the debt overhead (and talked about how most of the population and everyone's kids have gotten into a debt cycle)
How everyone who works on average goes through 4 careers changes in their life...always starting over in pay grade - and who is actually going to care? Your boss? Boss is the only one making money.
Who pays the most taxes? Poor, Middle Class or the Rich? (his answer: the Middle Class)...continuing to say that in time the middle class would shrivel up, and everyone is going to be either poor...or rich...which do you want to be?
Lance talked about how his father was a Long Beach Grand Prix (photographer? sorry he was talking fast) and that he grew up on the sidelines. How he was in his 20's and a millionaire wanted to take him under his wing, and how his wife was very skeptical of the whole thing - why would a millionaire want to share with you? What is so special about you? But once he brought home the first check - she was in his corner from that point on. (I was asking myself what was the check for? What did he do to earn it? Could've been for any business - not real estate)
Then, more in question form, rather than saying this is what he & Armando have as their mission statement: don't we all want to be wealthy and then do good things by sharing and raise others up too? (some audience members then vocalized in agreement)
Don't you all have a "bucket list" of things you want to do before you leave this earth? (this is where the slide show of the AMS sponsored "rookie" driver race car, and poker competitions, were displayed & subsequent adventure story how they made money off of both ventures)
Lance went on to discuss how the "middle class" take vacations, but is that money well spent? Sure, the justification is that you worked hard and "you deserve it" - but how do the rich make vacations work for them? As a write off!
He then regaled a story how he and Arnaldo (here come vacation pictures Lance, Arnaldo & wives in tropical setting) went on a recent vacation to Puerto Rico...had a great time...all we had to do was check out two properties while we were there! (I notice the non-committal language he was using throughout the speech but made mental note here - there was nothing Lance stated thereafter that said specifically if they actually went out, actually inspected two properties, nor if they actually got that vacation as a tax write off)
REAL ESTATE TOPICS:
Some of the things Lance said alluding to an actual strategy being offered & to be learned (All the things I wrote in my notes):
95% on Real Estate investors are not investing right now due to fear. This is a downturn market, and probably will be a downturn market for the next 8 years (those #s were what he stated)
Banks are not lending doesn't matter if you have bad credit or good credit. Banks are trying to straighten out the mess right now.
In an upturn market, there are conventional ways to flip. Save your own money to buy your first flip. Buy low, invest 10c-on-the-dollar maximum into a property, then sell high for a profit.
Let go of these conventional flip ideas. Don't go into it emotionally. This is not going to work in a downturn market. During a downturn, the strategy is to buy really low and still, sell lower than market value. Its about quantity not quality.
Do you know the term REO? No, it's not a cookie (laugh) its Real Estate owned property. Research the location. There are lots of opportunities in the OC LAC area. Did you know there were 79,000 default notices that went out last month?
How does this sound? Armando is moving 35 properties in a month. (and alluded to unlimited riches are out there, Armando can't do them all, so that's why he is sharing the info)
Have you heard how banks are putting a moratorium on foreclosure sales? This is an exciting time, once in a lifetime, because once they are released, there will be discounts - pennies on the dollar. Watch banks that have put a moratorium on sales.
Don't let the banks "BS" you: 85c on the dollar is what most are trying to get.
Buy 35c on the dollar, move to an investor 50c on the dollar. Move property in 3-5 days.
How can you do this little or no credit or money? Learn how to make money in this downturn market. Learn how to do it with NO money out-of-pocket.
Find the "investment deal" and "put it under contract"
The #1 RULE is an Exit Strategy: A way out.
Always have a buyer in place before. Sell to investors. Find a property, lock it up under contract, sell to an investor (who does the flip themselves).
Always have an investor in place before putting anything under contract. (this was almost verbatim)
Would you like to learn how to do this with NO RISK to family or ourselves?
The seminar in LA will deal with how to do the deal HERE. Learn how to do the deal.
This is when the particulars of the 3 day seminar came out & the $.
Good luck to all. I wish it was true, and would like to see a report from someone who goes to the March 4, 5, 6, 2011 seminar.
Mike
Texas,USA
Update
#7Author of original report
Sat, October 30, 2010
These folks are really unbelievable. After sending letters and calling about my refund I get a call from a guy named Mark Hess that said he worked for Armando. He wanted to know how I was doing after the seminar. I said you gotta be kidding me because I'm trying to get my money back. I told him the whole story and he stated to me that they have a "no student left behind program and I was the perfect candidate". Couldn't believe he said that. He also said that there was a bus trip coming up soon that he would like for me to go on and he would give me the discounted seminar price of some $24K. Hard to pass up right? I declined and told him to stick it in his goat smelling you know what. He said he would email me some videos that would help and also call in a week or so to check on me. And he also said he would talk to Armamndo about my concerns. Your not gonna believe this but I haven't heard a word from him since.
This just shows that these people don't ever quit trying to scam you. I hope that by posting all this that I have helped at least one person, hopefully more, not waste their money on this scam. I probably won't ever get my money back, but maybe I can help someone keep their money. Contact info for Mark: Mark Hess 801-545-9745 or 877-310-0535. Email: markteamarmando@live.com.
If you have any questions or comments email this guy at: rescueguy95@yahoo.com
Thanks and have a great day!
Jim b.
Fontana,California,
USA
DEDICATED TO YOUR WALLET!
#7Consumer Comment
Fri, October 22, 2010
The only thing AMS is dedicated to is YOUR WALLET! They prey upon people's desperation to succeed in this current California life, as "F" up as our government and our loving bankers have created it all that it is today. Can you say tax dollars? Sounds synonymous with AMS, after all this guy should be a politician... he's full of empty promises and bull _ _ _ _! all rolled up in one nut! TO ALL OTHER VICTIMS OF AMS... please take the time to review all AMS (Armando Montelongo Seminars) complaints, as it can offer you some advice and other input from victims like both me and you. I look forward to the day that the attorney general's office pulls the plug on the big "A" no I don't mean "A" hole... but although appropriate enough, I can see where some of you can make the connection. ATTENTION: ANYONE TAKEN BY AMS< NEEDS TO CONTACT YOUR STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL"S OFFICE AND THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND FILE YOUR CLAIM!!!
Mike
Wills Point,Texas,
USA
Really?
#7Author of original report
Mon, October 18, 2010
Obviously you are an employee of Armando's organization, not a former student so naturally you want everyone to think he is really trying to help everyone out. Why can I not get a phone call returned? I called numerous times inside the three days and no one answered or called me back. I didn't get any response from the letter I wrote trying to get a refund from a seminar that was less than advertised by your employees.
These people are preying on people and scamming them out of money that they don't have. There's unemployed people goping to these seminars thinking they are going to get rich. Remember that if something sounds to good to be true it usually is and I wish I had listened to myself and not spent the $1500. It surely wasn't worth it. I urge anyone thinking about going to one of these seminars to just save your money. I assure you they will just try to sell you a bus trip for $30K or so where you are told you can flip houses and make $40K. It's all a crock.
I've been a firefighter for over 26 yrs in the Dallas, TX area and know what it really is like to help people. I can't stress enough to anyone that this is as bogus a deal as there is please learn from my mistake. Save your money.
If I can help anyone to stay away from these folks please contact me at (((REDACTED))).
Thanks and have a great day!
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.Morgan
Texas,USA
We are dedicated to your success
#7UPDATE Employee
Fri, October 15, 2010
Armando Montelongo firmly stands by the quality and value of the goods and services offered, and genuinely wants his students to succeed. We are concerned about the reported circumstances and remain open and available to address these and any other concerns that you and other students may have. We are here for YOU and our ultimate goal is to see you succeed. Please let us know if there is any way we can assist you.