Full Report

Key Points

  • Alleged Involvement in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Scheme: Mike Dreher, alongside Darren Ewert, is accused of orchestrating a large-scale MLM operation through their “Dream Team” network, primarily promoting Enagic’s Kangen Water products.
  • Financial Implications: Participants are required to pay an initial fee of USD 149, with additional costs for purchasing Enagic’s water ionizers, leading to significant financial commitments.
  • Legal and Ethical Concerns: The duo is under investigation for potential fraudulent activities, including improper copyright takedown notices and deceptive business practices.
  • Consumer Feedback: Numerous former participants have reported financial losses and deceptive marketing tactics, leading to a trust score of 1.7/10 on CyberCriminal.com.

Overview

Mike Dreher is a Canadian entrepreneur known for his involvement in online business ventures, particularly in the health and wellness sector. He co-founded “The Dream Team” with Darren Ewert, focusing on promoting Enagic’s Kangen Water products through a network of independent distributors. The duo has been recognized for their efforts in building a global online business community.

Allegations and Concerns

  • Pyramid Scheme Accusations: The business model employed by Dreher and Ewert has been described as a pyramid scheme, where earnings are primarily derived from recruitment rather than product sales.
  • Deceptive Marketing Practices: Critics allege that the initial webinars mislead participants into believing they are joining an affiliate marketing program, only to later reveal the requirement to purchase expensive products.
  • Legal Investigations: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) initiated an investigation into their platform “Better Life Buzz” in 2019 due to complaints about misleading webinars and lack of transparency regarding the business model.

Customer Feedback

  • Negative Reviews: Former participants have reported financial losses, with some spending thousands of dollars on Enagic products without achieving profitability.
  • Trust Score: CyberCriminal.com assigns a low trust score of 1.7/10 to Dreher and Ewert, indicating significant concerns among the community.

Risk Considerations

  • Financial Risks: Participants may incur substantial costs without guaranteed returns, leading to potential financial hardship.
  • Reputational Risks: Association with controversial business practices can damage personal and professional reputations.
  • Legal Risks: Ongoing investigations into deceptive marketing and potential violations of business regulations pose legal challenges.

Business Relations and Associations

  • Enagic Corporation: The primary supplier of Kangen Water products, whose MLM structure is central to the business model.
  • Better Life Buzz: An online platform used by Dreher and Ewert to recruit individuals into their network, which has faced scrutiny for its marketing practices.

Legal and Financial Concerns

  • Investigations: The duo is under investigation by the BBB for misleading marketing and lack of transparency.
  • Allegations of Fraud: Reports suggest that Dreher and Ewert have attempted to suppress critical reviews through improper copyright takedown notices, raising concerns about their business ethics.

Risk Assessment Table

Risk Type Factors Involved Severity
Financial High initial investment with uncertain returns High
Reputational Association with controversial MLM practices High
Legal Ongoing investigations and potential legal actions High

Expert Opinion

While Dreher and Ewert have successfully built a global online business community, the ethical and legal concerns surrounding their business practices cannot be overlooked. Potential investors and participants should exercise caution and thoroughly research the business model before engagement.