This Week in Startups

Emergency Pod! Deconstructing the grift: Clubhouse coaching scams with Coffeezilla | E1178

Feb 25, 2021
Coffeezilla, a YouTube personality known for exposing online scams, dives into the murky waters of coaching fraud. He discusses how predatory schemes on platforms like Clubhouse manipulate vulnerable individuals, highlighting deceptive credibility tactics and psychological manipulation. The conversation critiques self-proclaimed gurus who exploit their alleged ties to reputable institutions. They also shed light on the severe financial and emotional impacts on victims, calling for greater skepticism in the face of flashy promises from unqualified coaches.
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ANECDOTE

Fake Harvard Speaker

  • Coffeezilla exposed Clint Arthur, who ran fake Harvard speech events.
  • Attendees paid to speak, creating a false impression of prestige for marketing.
ADVICE

Verify Affiliations

  • Verify claimed affiliations by checking for actual connections to institutions.
  • Look for proof of attendance, employment, or case studies, not just proximity.
INSIGHT

Target Audiences

  • Grifters target two main groups: those new to scams and repeat victims.
  • Repeat victims often get trapped in escalating cycles of financial exploitation.
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