Jowen Sapiano Options Trading Fraud, Scuba Instructor Cheat ripoff Palmdale California
Jowen Sapiano CLAIMED: 1)he had made $$$ Millions in Options Trading, 2) that he helped to found a $$$ Billion Dollar company, 3) that he had trained numerous others who had made so much they left their previous careers to do nothing but trade options, 4) that he helped to found the Mexican National Aquarium, 5) That he trains Navy Seals in scuba diving on San Nicholas Island and 6) much more. He convinced me and one of my coworkers to take his $10,000.00 Options Trading Class. We signed the contract.
Unfortunately, Jowen Sapiano did not have the experience, or expertise, or success, or track record he claimed. There was no group of millionaire students. Jowen's scam was just to repeat Optionetics videos and techniques and sell pirated software.
The Optionetics Representative testified in our court case, showing documents that Jowen had sold me pirated software, and had just begun to learn to trade Options with them just a year before. A Novice fraud claiming to be an expert with a history of success!
After a few meetings of his "class" (me an a friend I convinced to take the class with me) I started to insist he make good on his promises to team me up with his more experienced, successful students. The thing blew up when Jowen totally denied ever having made any of the promises or claims of success.
I refused to continue making payments (I had payed $6,000+ already, so Sapiano stole my Scuba gear left on his boat (which he later gave back) and sued me in small claims! Turns out he had sued others. Of course I had no proof of his many grandious claims, so it was just his word agains mine, and my signiture on the $10,000.00 contract. OUCH!!!
He also trained me in scuba diving. When his boat broke down near Catalina Island, he just signed off the dive as if I had completed it. Dangerous. He certified me without me actually doing the required dives!
I contacted people in the town he had moved from. They told me that when he lived there (2 years before) he was not an options trader, but a software writer! And had hired teenage software writers, then failed to pay them!
Beware of Jowen Sapiano's "history of success". He is vey slick, very gifted, very convincing. Since being taken I have searched the web and find no history of his existance until a few years ago, when he owned a musical instruments store near Palo Alto. Then he owned that software writing company near Filmore. Now he owns a options trading training business. What's next? Heart Surgery? Probably been at it for decades and saved thousands of lives already (sarcasm intended).
Roger
Palmdale, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Mark
Palmdale,California,
U.S.A.
Character Witness
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, May 15, 2006
I met Jowen Sapiano about a year ago, and I also know Roger Steel very well so I feel compelled to shed some light on this distorted report.
I have found Jowen to be a man of integrity and principle. He has treated me honestly and I trust him.
Roger Steele (AKA Buck Steele) is dishonest and not trustworthy. The root of the problem is that Roger is a Jowen wanabee.
Jowen is taller, stronger, healthier, smarter, richer, more educated, more successful, more popular, more fun, etc, etc . After meeting Jowen, Roger bought the same SUV, took flying and scuba diving lessons, bought motorcycles, learned about options trading and married a (3rd) younger wife all to be more like Jowen. Roger eventually realized that he could only attempt to imitate, and never equal his idol and this enraged him to the point that he has resorted to venting his frustration publicly on this website.
Here are just a few facts about Roger for comparison:
Fact In June 2005, Roger filed for bankruptcy and now owes over $197,508.04 mostly personal credit card debt. 11 months later, his case is still pending because of fraudulent claims. (See Bankruptcy Case 1:05-BK-13769-KT, Central District of California, San Fernando Valley)
Fact Roger is the biological father of 6 children and owes over $71,099.00 in back child support. (see Notice to Obligor of Order to Withhold Income; 3/15/2006, Oregon Department of Justice)
Fact Roger cheats on his taxes and owes the IRS $42,688.49 and California $13,237 (see bankruptcy documents).
Fact Roger lied about his residence and is now facing felony poaching charges in Utah. (See Case 031600115, Kane County Utah)
Fact Roger lied about his residence to obtain a fraudulent out of state divorce from his second wife. (See Divorce application from Utah County, Utah and LA County Family Court affadavits)
Fact Roger argued before a judge in small claims court that he should not have to pay this money he owes to Jowen Sapiano and LOST. (See Palmdale, CA small claims court records).
Fact All of Rogers business ventures are failures (see bankruptcy documents).
Fact Since August of 2004, Roger has earned less than $1,500 on average per month and he is dependent on his family for most of his support. (see bankruptcy documents).
Fact Roger has retained (at least) eleven different law firms in the last two years. (see court documents listed above).
Fact Roger has a criminal record (see California court documents).
Do not believe Roger unless you see the actual court documents or solid evidence he is a compulsive liar and cannot be trusted.
Marianne
Lancaster,California,
U.S.A.
Incorrect Information
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, May 04, 2006
I am Roger Steele's ex-stepdaughter, the man who filed this report. I thought the readers should know that Mr. steele is not providing the correct information about Jowen Sapiano.
Firstly, I would like you all to know that mr. Steele has a history of not giving the correct information. He is currently facing a felony for lying about his address for a deer hunt. Mr. Steele has also had problems with filing bankruptcy and withdrawing, failure to pay child support, as well as many other cases against him.
Now as we are talking about Mr. Sapiano I would like to get straight to the issues Mr. Steele pointed out. Beginning with what was claimed about his scubadiving tactics. Mr. Sapiano also has certified myself, and he was quite contrary to what Mr. Steele had said. Mr. Sapiano actually had us do a couple of extra excersizes to make sure we would be safe undderwater after certification.
Now addressing what Mr. Steele commented about the Options classes. While Mr. Steele was taking these classes I was living with him and he would not do any of the work while he was home or put it off to the last minute. Mr. Sapiano did his best to work with Mr. Steele but it became increasingly difficult, especially when Mr. Steele had failed to pay some payments.
When Mr. Sapiano supposedly held Mr. Steele's gear hostage, I would like to point out Mr. Steele had left his gear on the boat. Mr. Sapiano washed and hung the gear. Now Mr. Sapiano was rightfully upset at Mr. Steele's failure of Options payments. Mr. Sapiano said he would hold onto the gear until sufficient funding for his classes had begun to be paid. Mr. Steele then tried to forcefully enter Mr. Sapiano's garage.
So I plead that you understand that these are false claims and Mr. Sapiano is indeed a man of integrity and doesn't deserve to be demeaned like this. Thank you for hearing what I have to say.
Erin
Ventura,California,
U.S.A.
I worked for the "Software Company" and Jowen
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, May 04, 2006
I have known Jowen for the past 5 years. I know of "Roger", but have never met him personally. I can account for and rebut almost everything he says. The following can be 100% verified by my 1099's and scuba certification exams.
Jowen hired me to work for his company in Filmore, CA shortly after I became aquainted with him. This company was not necessarily a software company, but rather an online scuba diving service that benefited both divers and instructors. I was generously paid for the programming I did, as were the 3 local high school students that did wonderful work for us. I supervised these students and even handed them their paychecks on more than one occassion.
I also I took a Scuba Certifcation course from Jowen - who is a CERTIFIED PADI Dive Instructor. The scuba training I received was amongst the best, well taught course of any I ever had. Jowen did not cut any corners during the training with myself or the high school student that was also taking the training course with me.
I have since gone diving with Jowen on three other occassions, two of which were to assist in certifying some of his students. I have seen him fail students, and know that he wouldnt do anything to jeopardize his status as dive instructor.
Although I am not one of his options students, I am familiar with his current and prior endeavours. Although his portfolio and success with options trading & training is impressive, I havent the time to allot towards being a student.
Jowen never owned a music store, and has never claimed to have owned one. He was on the commitee to create an aquarium in Mexico - I have seen the official filed plans, but it was never funded, and thus never created. I know he trained military personel on San Nicholas Island, and have seen his personal effects (photos, accolades, etc..) that prove it.