Complaint Review: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAMBER AND STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL

I am a start up company and when I started I looked for campaigns for agents to dial. I saw the Business Development Chamber and Stewardship International Council (BDC) and tried to touch base. I was immediately contacted to my surprise and accepted in Skype where I got to talk to a guy named Vic. 

He interviewed me and said that he saw in me the potential to make it big. I was upfront to him that I am just a start up and I would prefer pay per hour campaigns and he gave me a lot of options. He initially offered me a Chemical Campaign which he said he seldom would offer to any other companies but he assures that is a money-generating campaign that would help me in my cash flow. Vic was a very nice man at the onset. I told him I could have a few agents dial the campaign and I asked for a contract for us to move forward. The contract came in and at that time the cerrificate for my company registration was just released and I requested him to have it amended. I was asking for his email address but he said we could send communications through Skype. That disturbed me a bit because my previous work experiences taught me on how to be particularly careful on scammers. Normally, they do not have company email addresses, no pictures, phones are on VM, etc.

We started on the second week of March with 2 regular agents and me as 3rd. I dialled not all of the time as I had different home based campaigns that I was doing for myself. On the 3rd day, the agents did not produce anything so I requested them to stop at all of us will be hurt apart from BDC. The equipments were being rented and utilities were running so we stopped temporarily. Vc kept on pushing me to pursue it but I explained that I will have to stall it a bit because my cash flow would be hurt so much. He offered an appointment setting merchant campaign for $15$ per appointment and it sounded good. There were just 2 of us dialling and we finished with 2 leads. Over that weekend, I was able to close a pay per hour UK campaign. I had to dial for the UK campaign while monitoring the BDC campaign. The UK campaign only paid me partially so I had to stop it. I told Vic all my problems that the cash flow was real bad because the UK campaign did not pay.

On the 3rd week, I dialled alone. At the end of the 3rd week, I told me that the previous agents are trying to collect their pay, and the owner of equipments along with the space rentals too. In fact, my internet connectivity was cut because all campaigns that ran did not pay or were not paying yet. So I asked Vic for the payments for Invoices 1 and 2. I was so frustrated as I felt that both campaigns were not paying and I had to receive payment immediately. Vic was very nice and it even made me literally cry when he told me that moving forward, he will pay me 100$ weekly basic pay plus commissions and bonuses and for me not to worry as some of my previous leads are almost closed and that I will start generating huge amounts. On April 18, Manila date, I received payment for the 1st invoice and I was told that the payment for Invoice 2 had been deposited to the bank as instructed. 

Here are the Invoice dates and details:

Invoice 1 - covering March 23 - April 3  90$ - Due Date - April 8    Paid on April 18, 2016

Invoice 2 - covering April 4-10, 2016    30$   Due Date - April 15   Unpaid until today

Invoice 3 - covering April 11-15, 2016   75$   Due Date - April 22   Unpaid until today

Invoice 4 - covering April 18 -22, 2016  90$   Due Date - April 29   Unpaid until today

Upon receipt, I paid off bills and debts and of course the amount was insufficient. So when I started to dial on the 4th week, April 18 I asked Vic to what bank has invoice was Invoice 2 deposited but I did not get a reply. I still had food that could last up until the end of the week so I did not really mind but I was worried over the pay for the agents on Week 2. I received disconnection notices for water and electric bill and had to make arrangements for them including space rental. My pressures were really mounting as my deposit for the space was used up April 17. I was told by my landloard that I will be evicted if I don't make immediate payment. So at the end of Week 4 both Invoices for Weeks 2 and 3 are past due. My BP has gone up as I could not sleep because of the pressures over the bills. True, Vic offered me a way out but the payment scheme was something that we needed to fix as all payments are delayed. I was asking for the bank info for the whole of Week 4 but got no response.

So on April 22, I told him we need to talk about the payment scheme and on how I could possibly trace the status of the leads. There is an additional bonus of 15$ for appointments that were closed by the agents and residuals for each time the client makes payment. These were all gray areas that I wanted to know so that I would know how to promise my providers and would also know how to counter check leads submitted as they progress. This was all in the spirit of transparency. When I requested for those information Vic got mad and said to cut the bullshit and to start get a therapy. I then asked him if I could call the accounting office so I could get the information myself and he considered that as threatening him. So I asked him, the questions I asked are all basic information that are being done by businesses in the normal course of operations. I told him, I would be happy to introduce anybody in the accounting department if I were in his shoes, as that would help him of the trouble of being followed up. It is normal to chase past due bills. It is also normal to find out how leads progress and these areas needs to be transparent as there are corollary amounts attached to it in the contract. What makes that all wrong?

It was then that I started to doubt the entire operations of this company. I recalled that eveytime I asked on how the leads progress or if I ask on a particular lead he would say either I will find that out for or I will get back to you on that but he never does. I tried calling the number on the website and all of them were voicemails so they get the choice of people with whom that they could speak with. I do not even know his last name. I asked him that and he would not disclose. He once gave me an email address because there was a client asking for an email and he gave me vic@cmarttechnologies.com and told me that if anybody asks for an email address just ignore them because they will never communicate. They will just complaint. The same holds true for people asking for a call back number. I found that unusual too but I let it go. When I furnished him of a copy to David Green. the party who sent me the contract, that email bounced. I also remember that I kept on asking him for the signed version of the amended contract, he would just keep saying, he is on board a plane or he is busy and I will have somebody attend to it but it never happened. Somebody went to their office as provided in the Contract and there is no BDC Office existing. There is another office registered in the exact same office address. The contract specifically provides that a change in addresses must be notified to the other party. We checked the Register of Corporations of New York and Business Development Chamber and Stewardship International Council was not listed. 

Pressured over the mounting burdens that I needed to face in supporting this company, I started to come out as a liar that is something that I detested the most. The doubts were just mounting and after all that, he wrote me a Skype communication terminating the relationship and that their Comptroller will contact me the following Monday to arrange what was owed me. That was just ridiculous. I spoke to none other in the whole of 4 weeks. None other. Whenever we spoke through Skype, there were no background noises that could make think he was in an office.

Monday came and the Comptroller contacted me. His name was Christian Friedrich from Germany, of all places. I doubted again. If this company were a multinational and is as big as they claim to be, then their P&L's should be in house. The Comptroller and I waited for 12 hours. Nothing happened except that he was told that they are checking the bank if the 30$ had been really deposited but if not, we will send it through Xoom either today or tomorrow. He even said that  I was told that you prefer it to be sent through Xoom right? I said yes and he said Ok, either today or tomorrow the money will be sent through Xoom. This Comprtoller made to talk to me holding nothing. He said he did not know Vic and only knew Keith the Head of Accounting he said and.I then recalled me having been told by Vic for certain areas, tell them Keith will be the rep who will take the appointment as we have 5 Keith's in the office. Still makes sense, I told myself. I then gave him Vic's Skype ID and he told me that Vic did not reply at all. I pitied him at that time because he tried to make things work for me but was not getting a response.

The following day was a nightmare. His personality changed 360 degrees. The Comptroller was asking me to provide him Articles of Incorporation and other documents. I was so dismayed.  He does not even know that my company is a sole propretorship so where the hell will I get an Article of Incorporation. This is the kind of Comptroller of a multinational company that I was dealing with and he was also asking me to provide government issued ID at 230 am my time. Was he serious? I told him what are you trying to establish. The first payment to me had already been established that I am the one and only person that Vic was dealing with from the start. I gave him my Business Certificate Registration number and 2 ID numbers of my government issued ID's and I told him that if he has a cam, I could show all of them to him but all of these are moot and academic. The very fact that I received the money on the first payment means that I am the very person that his company was dealing with as I would not be able to claim the money without proper documentation. Was that not a stupid requirement for being a Comptroller of a multinational company? I checked his Skype contacts at that time. There were only 5.

He disconnected me from Skype and Vic sent me a message that he would pass me to another lady and if I insult that lady again, you will then be responsible for your actions. How thick-skinned I told myself. Does this person ever realize that we are starving here and I was at the point of being evicted and he is SO ARROGANT to say that I will be responsible for my actions when his company is owing us for work done and completed and he appreciated ALL THE QUALITY LEADS that we sent and could not even take the humility of asking, are you still ok or we are sorry for thid delayed payment. I have the feeling that this person is generating the income of the leads that we generated. This is just an intelligent guess because why would he be mad when asked those questions.

Nonetheless, there was another ARROGANT WOMAN named Joann Larson who invited me to accept her. I did. I asked Vic if Joann was the name of the person he requested to assist, he did not reply. How unprofessional.

The starting arrogant statement of Joanne was and I will try to copy paste all of them as it is but short to save me time and please take note of the NUMBER OF HOURS that I needed to wait just to elicit a response.

Hello Richard,  (sun)  I am an officer at BDC and have been asked by Mr. D  and Vic to process a final payment for you. I am traveling today, but please contact me tomorrow mid-afternoon US time. I should be in my office by then.

[4/28/2016 4:59:51 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Ok Joann. Thanks. Is there anything I need to prepare? I will have a class by then but I will ask permission ahead of time.
[4/28/2016 5:02:51 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Bye Joanne. It's dawn here and I will be looking for a place to stay. I had been evicted from my home early today. Have a safe travel.

The following day:

[4/29/2016 2:35:46 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Just please let me know once you are in JoAnn.

[4/29/2016 3:50:43 AM | Removed 3:51:02 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: This message has been removed.
[4/29/2016 3:52:04 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I would be stealing naps JoAnn ok? Just please feel free to call me once you are in. Hardly been sleeping the past week. This is just important to me. Thanks.
[4/29/2016 3:52:51 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: My headset is on. It worries me that I might fall asleep once you arrive.
[4/29/2016 5:22:57 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Joann?

[4/29/2016 5:46:23 AM] JoAnn Larson: Oh my goodness dear, I just came in to the office after a 17-hour flight and cannot be buried with messages from you. There are many things I must attend to. We process payments tomorrow. I will process your final settlement and be in contact with you if I need anything after I have looked at what is and what is left.
[4/29/2016 5:47:06 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I am sorry to disturb you Joann.

[1:39:57 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Good afternoon Joann. Just please let me know how payment had been processed. I would prefer having it sent thru Xoom.com as before. Thanks.
[1:42:29 AM] JoAnn Larson: Good afternoon Richard, though it is morning here still. I will be in the office at 2pm and will be in contact. BTW, We do not send through Xoom. Our only ways of settlement are SWIFT wire or paypal. I can make no exceptions.

[2:01:37 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I'm sorry Joann. Good Morning then. All invoices with their attachments had been pre-approved by Vic. Competent as he is, I would not foresee a problem Also, your Comptroller made menton that it can be processed thru Xoom but swift transfer should be fine. Here are my bank details:
[2:01:51 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Richard Anthony Rodriguez
Unionbank Bank of the Philippines - EON
Account Number - (((REDACTED)))
Routing Number (((REDACTED)))
Swift Code - UBPHPHMM

Business Address: Lapasan National Highway, Cagayan de Oro City

Contact Information
Telephone Number: (088)8562926-27
Official Website: www.unionbankph.com
[2:03:58 AM | Removed 2:05:31 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: This message has been removed.
[2:04:10 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Have a great day ahead. Thanks.
[2:04:57 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Sorry - email add is richardanthonyrrodriguez@gmail.com
[2:05:54 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Mobile Number =(((REDACTED)))
[2:06:44 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Please let me know if you have further questions. Thanks once more Joann. It is a pleasure e-meeting you.
[2:07:56 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Address: 12 corner 30th Streets, Nazareth, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines 9000
[2:11:04 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I will be back at 2pm as you mentioned. Thanks.

[5:35:24 AM] JoAnn Larson: Hello Richard (sun)
[5:36:17 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Hi Joann. I hope you are well.
[5:47:53 AM] JoAnn Larson: Thank you. Recovering from a very long trip with a mountain of things to do. In order to expedite things for you, please send me a listing of the dates and the leads which are included in each invoice as I have to match those to the field reports which validate the leads. Also, it looks like you are asking to be paid personally, since our contract is with Silversoul Support Media. Kindly send me in an attachment a resolution or signed authorization from Silversoul Support Media indicating that final payment should be made to you as an individual, and include your banking coordinates (as you did above) and copy of identification of signator for Silversoul and yourself. Once I have that I will process everything for you as soon as possible.
[5:52:13 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I own Silversoul Support. Actually I am a start up company that just started with 2 campaigns. I got my business certificate of registration. When Vic and I talked for this campaign, I was working on all the other variables that was exactly why the first payment was under my name. Both campaigns did not pay me yet that subsequently halted all other means to proceed. Vic said that we will just process everything under my name that is exactly why if you look at the contract it has my name on it apart from Silversoul.
[5:53:31 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I am preparing the attachments now. All had been to Vic already. Just please give me a few minutes to do it.
[5:58:33 AM] JoAnn Larson: Thank you.

I will be attaching all the documents later including their pictures. 

[6:04:44 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: The summary will give you the simplest way to compare them with the Invoices. Week 4 was a totally different set up where Vic agreed to pay me a basic pay of 100$ per week plus commissions and bonuses. This was after my UK campaign did not pay me and my cash flow was affected tremendously forcing me to halt that campaign. Vic offered the proposal in the light of the circumstances then. It was also the time when the 1st Invoice was paid.
[6:06:23 AM] JoAnn Larson: Dear, please do not send me long notes of explanation. I don't have time and I won't look at them. Do send me the things I asked.
[6:07:13 AM | Removed 6:07:24 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: This message has been removed.
[6:07:57 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: That's all that you need I believe as the Agreement was focused on what Vic and I agreed on.

[6:14:24 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: That should complete everything Joann. It was really very simple because at the start of Weeks 3-4, I was the only one left dialing as the rest stopped for non-payment.
[6:19:36 AM] JoAnn Larson: I don't know what you sent me file SLA BDC but it is not in a format that can be opened. Please read my request carefully and provide what I asked. Once I have it I will have your leads verified and process final payment. Thank you.
[6:21:28 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Joann, Silversoul is not a corporation. I own it solely. There was not a way to proceed with the banking requirements because as I said I was the only person left dialing. It was an arrangement between me and Vic.
[6:22:01 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Not BDC and Silversoul anymore.
[6:23:28 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: The SLA (Service Level Agreement) will show you that apart from Silversoul, it has my name on it. I could send you a copy via email if you wish.
[6:26:17 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Vic specifically told me to stop all else that I was doing and focus on BDC alone and that was what I did.
[6:33:53 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: My sister and our lawyer went to the office in New York as per the address indicated in the Contract but there was no BDC office there. The lawyer also told me that BDC is not a duly registered corporation in New York per his checking. I don't know if that would help.
[6:42:19 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I hope you can advise me on how payment is processed. Otherwise, if you could give me the physical office of BDC in New York that would also be great so the lawyer can talk to Vic personally and get it done. Thanks.
[6:44:08 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: My business certificate of registration number is 04011747.
[6:44:30 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: If you have a cam I can physically show that to you.
[6:46:59 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You can verify Silversoul Support and Media Consultancy Services as solely owned in this office

Department of Trade and Industry
Address: NACIDA Building, corner Luna & Corrales Streets, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
Phone:(088) 856 4486
[6:47:50 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: The company name in the Contract is one of the things that I wanted to get Vic rectify but we never came to that point as kept on telling me that it will be done but never was.
[6:49:03 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Add +63 and remove 0 when you call that number. 63 is the Country Code for the Philippines.
[6:49:20 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Let me know if there are other things that you need. Thanks.
[8:37:33 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Hi Joann. Can I be updated?
[8:38:07 AM] JoAnn Larson: Please do not ask me for updates. You have not sent in what I requested.
[8:38:40 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: What is it that you need? Do I need to give authorization to my own self?
[8:43:14 AM] JoAnn Larson: I am sorry Richard, If your next communication with me is anything other than what I requested in order to process this. I will turn you off. I a looking at a report that you impersonated an FBI agent, a serious crime which the company is making the necessary reports in cooperation with authorities. No one has any patience for shenanigans.
[8:45:02 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: That is exactly what I am exactly what I am trying to clarify. I am asking if I need to give an authorization to my own self which seems absurd. Impersonate an FBI agent? When? How?
[8:46:59 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Your company is indeed a scam and you point fingers to me. Too bad. We are looking at every angle to prosecute too.
[8:47:08 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: We are prepared.
[8:47:27 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Look at these:
[8:47:43 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You claim to be a BDC Officer.
[8:47:57 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You only have 9 contacts.
[8:49:19 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You can't dispense information as to your address. Particulars on your officers when requested. Look at your time stamp. Who knows where you are with a different location and time.
[8:50:47 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: All of the 3 "officers" of BDC that I dealt with at BDC do not have linked in accounts and could not even share an email address and you call me a shenanigan.
[8:51:15 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I do not even know if you are a male or a female or you are Vic fostering to be another person.
[8:51:38 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Look at this further:
[8:53:27 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Look at both addresses. They are exactly the same.
[8:53:33 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Here's more:
[9:01:08 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: That is updated as of yesterday. You are old enough to fool people. Your company has compromised my integrity here In the Philippines. I will use every inch of the law to get you to pay. Look at Ripoff Review. I will personally put your pictures on their and challenge you to give your exact location. You have my location. Go get the police here. Right infront of my house is the house of the Congressman of Cagayan de Oro. He is a Rodriguez too. Just who are you?
[9:03:01 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Your fave will forever will forever be carved in history as a SCAMMER just for 200$. That's how much you are worth. YOU DO NOT GET THE SHAME OF MAKING PEOPLE WORK AND NOT PAY THEM.
[9:04:35 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Ian Haines can vouch for my integrity. You call all my previous clients if I having a history of DUPING PEOPLE. Well, I can substantiate that you do. Shame on you.
[9:07:38 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You should be ashamed that your company big as it is as YOU PEOPLE CLAIM could not even pay 200$. NOW IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF INTEGRITY, CAN YOU FACE UP TO THE CHALLENGE of giving the exact address of VIC and his last name and position in the company? I promise you to get him handcuffed in 24 hours.
[9:13:38 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR SCAMMING SCHEME WITH YOUR FACES ON IT.
[9:14:16 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: That way, we can see each other in court. I would have to look at the faces of LIARS.
[9:15:27 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I have been industry for more than 10 years for me not to know that you are not able to read this.
[9:15:55 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: YOU CAN!!!
[9:16:28 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You up to the challenge?
[9:18:45 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You left with no choice but to FIGHT back. I will.
[9:27:50 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: It is SO FUNNY and WEIRD that you are the ones who are OWING and you dictate on me as though I owe you something.
[9:28:59 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Instead of you apologizing for not having been able to fulfill obligations in a timely manner, I have to BEG for my own money.
[9:29:05 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: You make me laugh.
[9:32:20 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Shortly.
[11:21:42 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: Almost done.
[11:21:58 AM] Richard Anthony Rodriguez: I will copy paste your arrogance.

She disconnected me when I asked that is what I was wanting to clarify. Are you telling me that I am to give authorization to my own self.

Clearly, this company just gave me the runarounds to evade payment. I will attach all pictures, contracts and all the pertinent documentations relative to this incident. I have backed up all my Skype communications and we are ready to prosecute but how can you prosecute somebody who is HIDING. Certainly, I was scammed.