Wi-fi scam in Orlando
September 29th, 2005 | 
Author: He got us for the sum of 20K. on wi-fi hot spots. The company name they used was USA Teleservices inc. out of Denver, CO. I recently visited the spot that they rented and was told they left in the middle of the night a year ago. I got burned and need to find a way to serve these people involved. John Hites of Orlando sold us the wi-fi. He also is missing.
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I am from Ohio and also was taken for 10K. The company was called USA Teleservices, Denver Colorado and now can no longer be contacted. I am looking for anyone who is filing a class action lawsuit. I have been searching the internet for over two years trying to find some type of posting and I came upon you. Please let me know if you have heard of anything.
Hello there,
yes myself as well as many of my friends and family have been scammed by Richard and Mark Nagao and Dave Welch. There newest website is wififramework.com. They are now stationed in Dallas Texas. Last known number was 469-916-3294 Marks extension 107.It was disconnected last week but working the week bevore.Here another contact person. Tony Pugh at smarthotspots@aol.com. Hope this will help.
I am in the exact same situation, “John Hites” got me for 10k for a hotspot in orlando last year. If anyone is taking class action against this guy or would like to get a suit started please contact me.
I spoke to the BBB and they said they could not process anything at the current time because they did not know of a forwarding address. I sure would like to persue a lawsuit, but I don’t know where and how to start….any suggestions?
SA TELESERVICES INC Lic# UC2050530 Against: Unlicensed Company Action: Cease & Desist/Hearing Signed: 6/9/2005 File # SE 2500839 BD Allegation: Respondent sold unlicensed security. If you doubt they are related look at this page from 2003———– http://web.archive.org/web/20030402210843/usateleservices.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse&id=307&pageid=29—————- NOTICE!!!!! 651-342-0245 is now owned by a residence in stillwater. It is NOT Richards. RICHARDS NEW HOME PHONE 651-342-0803 new number as of 3/15/06 e-mail; richardradcliff@msn.com
Any doubt of Richards involvement with usateleservices.net and usa teleservices inc is resolved with this excerpt from USATELESERVICES website —————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
In January of 2003, USA Teleservices, Inc. became a founding member and Affiliate entity of the C4 Game Club. If you haven’t heard of them yet, not to worry! ANSAT Communications and the C4 Game Club will be a household name in 2003! As Bill Gates has prophesied: “All movies, games, and communications will be delivered via the computer and the Internet”. We have had some technical shortfalls in seeing such bold statements come to pass, however, “We’re not in Kansas anymore, ToTo! ” The technology has arrived through Wireless Fidelity technology (Wi-Fi), and those with the foresight and testicular fortitude to get in early WILL GET PAID! This program is not for the meek! We seek individuals that refused to give up, that continue to press on to achieve and build their dreams, that looked all the naysayers in the eye and said ” One day, you’re going to eat those words”! Well it’s here. The vehicle that is going to revolutionize the world as we know it and YOUR life. The question is, “What are you going to do about it?” If you are a results oriented person who refuses to quit, and will do whatever it takes to succeed and not settle for anything less than winning, than we should talk!
The USA Teleservices Inc. motto is: “Never give up, never give up, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give up” Ok, we borrowed that from good ol’ Winston Churchill. Remember, “Only the truth will set you free!” We’re here to assist qualified co-participants with any aspect of customer service related to the burgeoning field of Wi-Fi communications. If any questions arise as you surf through our site, please go to our contact page located at the top of this screen.
Does anyone know where to find these guys? They are not in Orlando and this Florida Corporation does not exist. Does anyone know what their involvement is with this water treatment deal? What problems have they caused as last year they solicited me to raise investment capitol? I do know someone who got involved with them a couple of years ago.
I too was scammed. I lost $10,000.00 almost exacly 5 years ago. I really couldn’t aford to loose that money. Here’s my saga.
Complaint regarding investment made with USA Teleservices Inc. a Colorado corporation and what I consider to be a scam.
In November of 2003 I was looking for business opportunities. Doing a web search I stumbled upon what I thought was a good one. It was a little company in Denver called USA Teleservices also known as Smartzone USA. I was told of their Christian beginnings and about how big the WiFi industry was going to become, and about how if I invested I would begin to receive cash flow within 6 months. It was supposed to be as big as cell phones and anyone who owned a position would make a killing. I was asked to select a territory. I was told that a single node would cover up to 30 mile radius. I selected the Tacoma Washington area, and did a bank transfer to their account. I was enthusiastic about the prospects. I sat back assured that a Christian based company would not mess me around. On June 7th I received a FedX delivery. I thought it was my first installment. It was a new contract they wanted me to sign. I called their offices. I was told to be patient that there were problems with the technology and that I should begin to see returns in early November. I waited patiently again.
In early November I received a letter to all affiliates. In the letter it invited me to contact the president of USA Teleservices Tony Pugh directly so I attempted to. A salesman by the name of Jeff McMurray returned my call and told me of a new plan they were touting. He gave me a web link a password and a username. It involved sales of AP’s, areas and license agreements. I was dubious because I thought I owned exclusive rights to one of the territories they were potentially reselling. So I decided to invite my long time associate Doug who I thought to have enough cash to buy probably ten of their licenses to get in on the deal. So, we did a ninety minute teleconference with Jeff in which Jeff tried to sell us on their plan. Doug was excited but also worried because the company had yet to give me any return on my investment. So he suggested we drive out to Denver Colorado and see firsthand what the company had to offer.
We arrived in Denver late Wednesday November 3rd, 2004 and spent the night. The following morning we showed up at the plant as expected. We were greeted and led into a conference room. Doug did most of the talking as he was interested in the business venture and sales aspects of the organization. I listened being more technical. They presented the technical aspects of their business and did a good job of convincing us of their legitimacy. Doug was still a little hesitant to just plunk down the $150,000.00 they required for a master license. So he negotiated a plan whereby we could begin selling the business before actually putting up the cash. I agreed with him and we came back to[redacted]with the intention of lining up business associates and starting into business.
Then after the weekend on Monday 11/8/2004 we received a contract via email which required us to sell $25,000.00 worth of Smartzone AP’s every week or so. It was unreasonable to think we could accomplish this in the time frame given. We returned the email stating how we felt. Then on Tuesday 11/9/ 2004 we got a call from Jeff. During the call it seems Doug irritated Jeff and Jeff hung up on Doug. This childish behavior was the first indication we were not dealing with a reputable businessperson. Towards the end of this conversation Jeff told Doug he would be happy to return my $10,000.00. I talked to Doug about this turn of events and we agreed that it might make sense to use that money to get us up and running.
The following day I received the following email from the Mr. Pugh the president of USA Teleservices:
Apparently during the last conversation Jeff had with Doug, the fact that you had not yet seen a return on your original investment was brought up four times and Jeff got a little offended.
After the conversation he recommended that we simply refund your original investment. In light of the fact that Doug has made no investment, we are happy to extend the same courtesy to you. We recognize that there are other opportunities in the marketplace and what we’re doing is not for everyone.
To which I promptly responded on 11/10/04:
Thanks Tony, yes that is correct and I will take you up on your offer. Please send the $10,000.00 payable to me, Those funds will enable us to get set up for the investors and customers that we are lining up right now. Doug and I are definitely looking to secure the Master License for the [redacted]Metropolitan area very soon. We are on track, but still need a little more time. Doug will continue to handle all negotiations.
Tony responded on 11/10/04:
I want to make sure I understand your request.
You’d like to relinquish your current position in our network and you’d like us to send you a check for the amount of your original investment.
When Doug believes you are ready to move forward, he will then contact us as regards the availability of the Master License for the [redacted] City area.
If the Master License is still available at that time, we will then reenter negotiations for the territory.
Is my understanding accurate?
To which I responded on 11/10/04:
You understand correctly. I would like to relinquish my current position and would appreciate you sending me a check for the amount of my original investment. Doug and I do not think it will take us long to secure the funding for the Master License, and we are definitely working toward that end. Doug will contact you when we are ready to go.
Tony responded on 11/10/04:
We will get a release out to you right away…
Then after a period of 9 days on 11/19/04 I wrote to inquire as to the whereabouts of the funds.
It was my understanding that you intended to refund the $10,000.00 initial investment. In emails dated Nov 10, 2004 you inquired as to my intent to which I affirmed my intent to cancel the agreement. You stated that you would get a release out to me right away. It is now November 19, 2004 and I have yet to receive any correspondence from your office at all. Please immediately forward funds to me. We would very much like to get on with it as we look forward to bringing your business to the[redacted]marketplace.
I have received two voice mails from Jeff which indicate that I am not dealing with reputable individuals or company. Jeff is attempting to renege on the agreement I had with Tony concerning the funds. I have been unable to get any further response from Tony with respect to this matter. I would like them to do what they told me they would do in written statements I received via email.
So, that is where it stands today a promise made a promise broken. So it looks like it is all a scam to sucker investors into putting up their money. Sure they install some equipment but I’d be willing to bet you’ll never break even on your investment. I hold little hope for the long term ability of USA Teleservices to survive. If it were such a hot opportunity they would have refunded my money and Doug would have been able to sell the opportunity to his investors and everyone would have made money. As it stands all we have are empty promises and the feeling of being deceived by a hot shot salesman. Further if this were a Christian organization they would realize that their word caries weight and would take the moral high ground required to back up their words with action, or not open your mouth in the first place. It leaves me wondering what is wrong with people who can so easily lie to and cheat others.
Is USA Teleservices WiFi opportunity a scam? I believe it is. Here’s why. First of all they are selling something that anyone can do without a license. There are other less costly ways to enter into the WiFi biz. ie: Check out Airpath, Boingo, Flash, Surfnet or Thinwires networks. Some of these offer promotion programs that require absolutely no investment your only cost is for the equipment. They have promotional material which you can distribute. Is seamless mesh a scam? I don’t think so. It seems advantageous to be a part of a seamless network where your end users may move between say their apartment, place of business or coffee shop while maintaining their connection.
Thanks for listening to my plight. I hope you’ll avoid USA Teleservices and their investment opportunity. I will undoubtedly have to pursue criminal proceedings against Mr. Pugh and Mr. McMurray due to the blatantly false claim they made in their conversations and emails. Most notably, “We will get a release out to you right away”. That is unless my complaint filed with the Colorado State Attorney Generals office or this posting prompt Mr. Pugh to do the right thing and return the funds which I now consider stolen. Otherwise within the next month I will seek legal counsel from an investment lawyer in the state of Colorado and get the ball rolling.
This is an update. On the 27th of November I received a letter from the Colorado State attorney generals office and BBB then a few days later I received confirmation by email that they had contacted the business and the business had 25 days to respond to them. On the 29th of November I received the following:
USA Teleservices, Inc.
9092 S. Ridgeline Blvd.
TELESERVICES Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
Release of Claims
Release executed on the 29th day of November, 2004, by Brian ******** (the ‘Releaser’) of ******************** (address,) to USA Teleservices the (the ‘Released’) of 9092 S Ridgeline Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO.
In consideration of the sum of Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Five ($9,995.00) USD upon receipt of payment, paid by cash, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, the Releaser releases and forever discharges the Released, his spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns from all manner of actions, causes of action, debts, accounts, bonds, contracts, claims and demands for or by reason of any damage, loss or injury to person and property which has been or may be sustained as a consequence of the following:
The claim or dispute arose as a result of dissatisfaction with the services rendered.
The Releaser acknowledges that this release is given with the express intention of effecting the extinguishment of certain obligations owed to the Releaser, and with the intention of binding his spouse, heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives and assigns.
For the above noted consideration the undersigned further agrees not to make claim or take proceedings against any other person or corporation which might claim contribution or indemnity under the provisions of any statute or otherwise.
It is agreed that the payment is not deemed to be an admission of liability on the part of the Released.
It is declared that the terms of this settlement are fully understood; that the amount or type of consideration stated is the sole consideration for this release and that the sum is accepted voluntarily for the purpose of making a full and final compromise, adjustment and settlement of all claims for injuries, losses and damages resulting or which may result from the above noted dispute.
This release contains the entire agreement between the parties to this release and the terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital.
This Agreement will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Colorado
In witness whereof, the Releaser has executed this release at Littleton, Douglass County, Colorado on the 2 day of 92004.
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED
in the presence of WITNESS: ISMAEL GALLEGOSA state of Kansas Appt.
Web: Phone: 303-800-1300 Fax: 720.344.2704
http://www.usateleservices.net Toll-Free: 866.815.2691
To which I immediately responded by certified mail:
December 2, 2004
Dear Tony:
Enclosed you will find the signed and notarized release of claims form along with a photocopy of the wire transfer receipt for the amount of $10,000.00 as requested in your letter.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
So, now it’s Dec 26th and I have not seen anything further from these people.
Sincerely,
Brian
I never heard from any of the principals again, I never received any money and I am definitely not satisfied.
Brian…