LunaOne promised the moon—and delivered dust. Now, a rebranded company called FourthStar claims it has bought the “intellectual property” from LunaOne and wants to start fresh, while distancing itself from the failed crypto metaverse scheme that allegedly scammed thousands.

But the crypto community isn’t buying the redemption arc, especially when the new players admit they’ve inherited the tech—along with some of the same faces and stories.

The Rise and Fall of LunaOne

LunaOne, a flashy metaverse crypto project, lured in more than 11,000 investors with slick marketing, paid influencer promotions, and bogus claims of brand partnerships. Investors like Cindy and Ann were told that buying in early meant big rewards: pre-sale tokens offered at $0.15 were supposed to launch at $0.25.

But when launch day arrived, tokens debuted at just $0.05—and the platform fell silent.

Some investors didn’t even receive their tokens until after the crash. Others reported never receiving them at all. Promised partnerships with Coca-Cola, Xbox, and PlayStation turned out to be smoke and mirrors. Discords were silenced, admins were paid in tokens to suppress criticism, and investors who asked questions were kicked out.

False Promises and Delayed Tokens

The core deception lay in the tokenomics. Buyers were promised a controlled launch at $0.25—yet what happened was the exact opposite. Many received nothing. Others were air-dropped tokens too late to salvage any value.

The leadership, including Stephen McCullah and Daniel Puzny, disappeared from the project. Puzny, allegedly stepping down for “health reasons,” went on to launch a suspiciously similar project called NuUReal. McCullah, meanwhile, is the man who once raised money on Kickstarter to hunt dinosaurs in the Congo. Yes, really.

Who’s Really Behind LunaOne—and Now FourthStar?

Documents and interviews reveal that McCullah was always the true architect of LunaOne. The front-facing CEO, Daniel Puzny, was little more than a placeholder. McCullah’s name appears on legal documents, company registrations, and apology letters to the LunaOne community.

FourthStar’s current team includes Craig Wilshere, a developer who was contracted by LunaOne and never paid, according to insiders. John Seia, an Australian investor-turned-contributor, reached out to Danny de Hek in a phone call (recorded and published with this blog), claiming he lost $40,000 of his own money and is now helping FourthStar voluntarily. His words:

Misleading Marketing & Red Flags

LunaOne mastered the playbook of crypto hype: fake brand endorsements, influencer-driven sales funnels, staged AMA calls, and vague promises of “world-changing tech.”

They convinced the average person to part with thousands using “starter packages” and gamified staking options.

Meanwhile, The Run Guys—crypto influencers with huge followings—endorsed the project for months, even meeting with McCullah before launch. They later scrubbed their YouTube channel and released a non-apology.

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I’ve spent countless hours uncovering Ponzi schemes and helping victims understand the true nature of these scams. My goal has always been to empower people, helping them avoid losing their hard-earned money. However, my recent experience with an individual I’ll call Ethan Graves (a pseudonym) and his associate, representing companies based in Austria and elsewhere, opened my eyes to a concerning aspect of the recovery services industry. This is my account, my observations, and my opinion, shared to provide cautionary insight to others.

The Podcast That Raised Red Flags

Ethan Graves and I recorded the podcast in one of the meeting rooms at the Global Financial Crime Summit 2024. The discussion centered on the event itself—how insightful the sessions were, the innovative strategies shared by experts, and the importance of global collaboration in fighting financial crime. Ethan brought a cameraman to document the podcast, which seemed like a straightforward way to capture and share the moment.

After the podcast, Ethan posted photos and videos on social media, including images of himself standing at a podium with the summit’s signage prominently displayed in the background. To someone unfamiliar with the situation, these posts might give the impression that Ethan was closely affiliated with the summit or had an official role as a delegate or speaker. In reality, Ethan’s only connection to the event was being invited to record the podcast in the venue.

While the posts didn’t explicitly claim he was part of the summit, in my opinion, the way they were presented could mislead people into believing Ethan was more involved than he actually was. At first, I thought little of it, assuming Ethan was simply proud of being associated with such an important event. However, things began to shift after the podcast aired.

A week after I returned home, I started receiving emails from people who had seen the podcast. Many of these messages were supportive, but a significant number raised serious concerns about Ethan. Several individuals claimed he was a scammer, warning me to be cautious. Others shared documents that painted a troubling picture of his professional activities.

These emails stopped me in my tracks. Until then, I had seen Ethan as a fellow advocate for scam victims—someone committed to helping those who had been defrauded. But the allegations and evidence I was receiving suggested a different story.

The documents I received included:

• Contracts and agreements related to recovery services that raised questions about transparency and fairness.
• Complaints from individuals who claimed they had paid fees upfront but had seen no progress or results.
• Information suggesting that Ethan’s professional partner and their organization were more focused on collecting fees than on delivering real outcomes.

What had started as an impromptu podcast to highlight the value of the summit quickly backfired on Ethan. Instead of boosting his credibility, it prompted people to come forward with concerns and evidence that cast doubt on his intentions.

Returning Home: The Proposal That Changed Everything

Shortly after I returned to New Zealand, Ethan reached out with a proposal that changed my perspective entirely. He explained that he had been discussing with his professional partner at their organisation the idea of pursuing a recovery initiative for victims of Ponzi schemes, particularly HyperVerse. They wanted me to direct victims to their services and, in return, offered to pay me a flat-rate fee

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In this episode, The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger—Danny de Hek—dives deep into Megan Lynch’s latest attempt at gaslighting her audience into believing the VYB scheme is anything but another shady MLM scam. If you’ve ever wondered how scammers manipulate people into staying loyal to a sinking ship, this is the episode for you!

Megan’s video is a psychological rollercoaster, packed with blame-shifting, emotional manipulation, and classic cult-like MLM tactics designed to keep people trapped in the illusion of financial success. She categorises people into "quitters," "players," "workers," and "studs," making it clear that if you question the business model or fail to recruit others, you’re just a weak-minded loser who doesn't "want it bad enough."

But let’s be real—this is not about mindset or hard work. This is about a system that benefits the people at the top while everyone else fights for scraps. The red flags are everywhere:

🚩 Demonizing anyone who questions the scheme
🚩 Encouraging blind loyalty to leaders
🚩 Focusing on recruitment over actual product sales
🚩 Guilt-tripping participants for not working 24/7
🚩 Selling a dream that only works for the few at the top

VYB’s so-called "business opportunity" is crumbling, and instead of taking responsibility, Megan is spinning an elaborate web of excuses to keep people locked in. The irony? She warns about people who “stay busy being busy” while she herself delivers hours of fluff without providing a single concrete solution on how this company actually generates sustainable income.

If you’ve ever felt pressured into an MLM or been guilted into thinking you just weren’t working hard enough, this episode will open your eyes. Tune in as I break down the psychological tricks, expose the manipulation, and shine a massive spotlight on the tactics used to keep these schemes alive.

💥 Don’t be a victim of gaslighting—be informed. 💥

Hit play and let’s dismantle this nonsense together!

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For years, I’ve spent countless hours uncovering Ponzi schemes and helping victims understand the true nature of these scams. My goal has always been to empower people, helping them avoid losing their hard-earned money. However, my recent experience with an individual I’ll call Ethan Graves (a pseudonym) and his associate, representing companies based in Austria and elsewhere, opened my eyes to a concerning aspect of the recovery services industry. This is my account, my observations, and my opinion, shared to provide cautionary insight to others.

The Podcast That Raised Red Flags

Ethan Graves and I recorded the podcast in one of the meeting rooms at the Global Financial Crime Summit 2024. The discussion centered on the event itself—how insightful the sessions were, the innovative strategies shared by experts, and the importance of global collaboration in fighting financial crime. Ethan brought a cameraman to document the podcast, which seemed like a straightforward way to capture and share the moment.

After the podcast, Ethan posted photos and videos on social media, including images of himself standing at a podium with the summit’s signage prominently displayed in the background. To someone unfamiliar with the situation, these posts might give the impression that Ethan was closely affiliated with the summit or had an official role as a delegate or speaker. In reality, Ethan’s only connection to the event was being invited to record the podcast in the venue.

While the posts didn’t explicitly claim he was part of the summit, in my opinion, the way they were presented could mislead people into believing Ethan was more involved than he actually was. At first, I thought little of it, assuming Ethan was simply proud of being associated with such an important event. However, things began to shift after the podcast aired.

A week after I returned home, I started receiving emails from people who had seen the podcast. Many of these messages were supportive, but a significant number raised serious concerns about Ethan. Several individuals claimed he was a scammer, warning me to be cautious. Others shared documents that painted a troubling picture of his professional activities.

These emails stopped me in my tracks. Until then, I had seen Ethan as a fellow advocate for scam victims—someone committed to helping those who had been defrauded. But the allegations and evidence I was receiving suggested a different story.

The documents I received included:

• Contracts and agreements related to recovery services that raised questions about transparency and fairness.
• Complaints from individuals who claimed they had paid fees upfront but had seen no progress or results.
• Information suggesting that Ethan’s professional partner and their organization were more focused on collecting fees than on delivering real outcomes.

What had started as an impromptu podcast to highlight the value of the summit quickly backfired on Ethan. Instead of boosting his credibility, it prompted people to come forward with concerns and evidence that cast doubt on his intentions.

Returning Home: The Proposal That Changed Everything

Shortly after I returned to New Zealand, Ethan reached out with a proposal that changed my perspective entirely. He explained that he had been discussing with his professional partner at their organisation the idea of pursuing a recovery initiative for victims of Ponzi schemes, particularly HyperVerse. They wanted me to direct victims to their services and, in return, offered to pay me a fl

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Scammers are getting smarter, and one of the latest tactics involves convincing victims to enable face recognition on their Binance accounts.

In this blog, we’ll break down how these scams work, the psychological tricks they use, and why you should never enable face recognition for financial accounts.

The Scam: A Fake Binance Security Call

I recently received a call from someone claiming to be from Binance’s security team. The caller told me that my account had been compromised due to a login attempt from an unfamiliar Samsung S20 device. They assured me that Binance had blocked the attempt but insisted that I needed to set up a new Binance account with face recognition enabled for extra security.

This was a classic scam designed to gain control of my account using biometric authentication. If I had followed their instructions, the scammers would have likely used my facial recognition data to bypass Binance’s security features and drain my funds.

How Scammers Groom You

Scammers rely on manipulation and trust-building to make their victims comply. Here’s how they tried to trick me:

1. Asking for my Binance balance – The scammer wanted to know how much I had in my account. If I had said there was no money, they would have hung up and moved on to the next target. Since I lied and told them I had $15,000, they saw me as a worthwhile victim.
2. Using fake security concerns – They created a sense of urgency by telling me my account was compromised, making me feel like I needed to act fast.
3. Fake reference numbers – The first scammer gave me a reference number, but when I spoke to their “supervisor,” I intentionally gave a completely different number, and they didn’t even notice! This proved they weren’t looking at any real records—they were just making it up as they went.
4. Insisting on face recognition – They repeatedly tried to get me to enable biometric authentication, claiming it was the safest way to protect my funds.
5. Scripted responses – When I questioned their logic, they stuck to a rehearsed script, avoiding my direct challenges.

By keeping them talking, I was able to expose more of their tricks. The longer they spoke, the more inconsistencies appeared, proving they were fraudsters.

Best Security Practices Instead of Face Recognition

To keep your Binance account safe, follow these security best practices instead of using biometric authentication:

• Use Strong Passwords – A unique, complex password is harder to breach.
• Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) – Prefer Google Authenticator over SMS (SIM swap attacks are common).
• Use a Hardware Security Key – A YubiKey or similar device adds another layer of protection.
• Disable Biometric Login – If you’ve already enabled face recognition, turn it off immediately.

Final Verdict: Avoid Face Recognition for Binance

While facial recognition may seem convenient, it is not secure enough for financial accounts. The risks of hacking, deepfake attacks, and coercion far outweigh the benefits. Instead, use strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and hardware security keys to keep your assets safe.

Have you ever received a scam call like this? Share your experiences in the comments! And remember—no real Binance employee will ever call you about account security. Stay alert and protect your crypto!

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Join me, Danny de Hek, aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger, on January 18th for an exclusive interview with Megan Lynch, the voice behind the controversial VYB initiative. Megan is known for her bold claims and passionate leadership, but this interview goes beyond the surface to scrutinize the structure, ethics, and promises of her latest venture.

As someone committed to exposing scams and protecting everyday investors, I’ll ask the tough questions about VYB's business model, recruitment tactics, and transparency. Some of the key topics include:

• The ethics of involving a six-year-old in a Zoom meeting to defend the legitimacy of the business.
• VYB’s strong emphasis on recruiting downlines and the $442,860 monthly income claims.
• The product offering—or lack thereof—and the justification for the $25 entry fee.
• The role of accountability in previous ventures and why trust should be placed in this one.
• Questions about qualifications, credentials, and compliance with regulations like Zoom’s MLM policy.

Megan will have the opportunity to clarify her position and address the concerns raised by critics, including her controversial partnership with her sister, Ragan Lynch. While Ragan will not be present in the interview, her involvement in this initiative and others will undoubtedly be a point of discussion.

This interview isn’t just about disagreement—it’s about creating a platform for transparency and accountability. Megan will have the chance to share her perspective, and we’ll leave it up to you, the viewers, to decide.

📅 Mark your calendar: January 19th 📍 Watch Live on The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger

💬 Have questions you’d like to ask Megan? Drop them in the comments below, and I might include them in the interview!

🔗 Join the Discussion: Stay updated on this and other investigations by joining our WhatsApp group, EXPOSING MEGAN & RAGAN LYNCH TWINS DECEIVERS

🔍 Together, let’s expose scams and protect families from financial ruin. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind interview! Subscribe, hit the bell, and be part of the movement.

READ THE BLOG

Interviewing Megan Lynch: Tough Questions About VYB and MLM Practices

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Welcome to The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger! I’m Danny de Hek, here to expose scams and unethical practices that harm everyday people.

This video uncovers the shocking behavior of Matthew Edwards, founder of Mars Digital, who aggressively sent unsolicited emails promoting his SEO services—violating New Zealand’s Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007.

After receiving two emails from Matthew, I decided to confront him directly. What followed was a heated 30-minute phone call where he repeatedly dismissed the law, ridiculed me, and claimed he wouldn’t provide his services because I’m “not a nice person.” Instead of addressing his blatant disregard for anti-spam regulations, he fixated on accusing me of swearing during our conversation.

WHAT IS THE UNSOLICITED ELECTRONIC MESSAGES ACT 2007?

This legislation, designed to protect individuals and businesses from spam, applies to all commercial electronic messages with a New Zealand link, including emails sent to, from, or within the country. Key points of the law include: Consent is Mandatory: Businesses must obtain express, inferred, or deemed consent before sending commercial emails.

• Express Consent: The recipient has explicitly agreed to receive messages.
• Inferred Consent: A prior business relationship implies the recipient would reasonably expect contact.
• Deemed Consent: The recipient has published their contact details publicly without stating they do not wish to be contacted.

Content Requirements: All commercial messages must:

• Accurately identify the sender, including valid contact details.

Provide a functional and free unsubscribe option.

• Penalties for Non-Compliance:*

Organizations violating the law can face fines of up to $500,000, while individuals can be fined up to $200,000. HIGHLIGHTS

FROM THE CALL:

1. Matthew’s Email Tactics Exposed:

• His first email included a pitch for a “Christmas Sleigh-EO Audit,” claiming his team would analyze local e-commerce sites for SEO improvements.
• A follow-up email three days later insisted the initial email might have been “buried.”

2. Defiance of the Law:

• During our conversation, I explained the legal requirements for sending unsolicited emails, but Matthew dismissed these concerns outright, insisting he was within his rights.

3. Unbelievable Responses:

• Instead of engaging professionally, Matthew ridiculed me and accused me of being unkind, pivoting the focus away from his questionable practices.

4. SEO Irony:

• Despite claiming to be an SEO expert, Mars Digital’s website fails to rank for fundamental search terms like “SEO Website Marketing Services NZ.”

WHY THIS VIDEO MATTERS:

Unsolicited emails are more than an annoyance—they undermine trust in business and infringe on privacy. Many New Zealanders remain unaware of their legal protections, making them vulnerable to these tactics. This video not only exposes one company’s practices but also aims to educate the public about their rights under the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007. By holding businesses accountable, we can push for better compliance and reduce the prevalence of spam in our inboxes.

For the latest see the BLOG

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The Global Financial Crimes Summit 2024 is set to take place at the prestigious InterContinental in Sydney, a stone's throw from iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Hosted by IFW Global in partnership with the International Association of Cybercrime Prevention (A.I.L.C.C.), this two-day conference on November 14-15, 2024, is poised to bring together top experts from around the world to tackle one of the most pressing global challenges: financial crime.

Why Attend the Global Financial Crimes Summit?

Financial crime is growing at an alarming rate, with Australians alone reporting over $6 billion in losses due to scams since 2022. This summit will address these urgent issues head-on, offering insights into the latest trends, case studies, and technological advancements in financial crime prevention and enforcement. Here’s what makes this event invaluable for professionals across sectors:

1) Effective Strategies to Combat Crime
The summit will explore actionable strategies to combat financial crime through enhanced public-private partnerships, offering practical solutions and collaborative approaches that can be implemented across organizations and borders.

2) Adaptation to New Threats
As we navigate a post-pandemic, digitalized world, safeguarding assets against evolving threats is crucial. Sessions will cover how organizations can effectively adapt their strategies to protect against emerging threats.

3) Real-Life Case Studies for Real Insights
Learn from real-world case studies presented by leading global experts. This deep dive will provide insights into financial crime's impact on a global scale and the steps necessary to mitigate these risks.

4) Data-Driven Solutions for Detection and Prevention
With data becoming more essential in fighting crime, sessions will focus on how organizations can leverage it to enhance detection and improve financial crime prevention systems.

5) Building Stronger Defenses
Understand best practices for strengthening internal controls, governance structures, and organization-wide resilience against financial crimes.

6) Global Perspectives and Cross-Border Collaboration
Hear from experts worldwide, offering a chance to learn from successful international initiatives and collaborate on best practices.

Expect to connect with 150+ delegates from various sectors and industries. Attendees include high-level professionals from the public and private sectors, law enforcement, finance, and academia, such as:

- Heads of Financial Crime
- AML, Fraud, and Compliance Leaders
- Government Officials and Law Enforcement
- Cybersecurity Experts

This event is the perfect opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, build meaningful connections, and gain insights from some of the industry’s leading voices.

Some of the leading experts you’ll hear from include:

- Ken Gamble – Executive Chairman, IFW Global
- Dr. Mohamed Chawki – Associate Professor of Cybercrime, Naif Arab University
- Erin West – Deputy District Attorney, REACT Task Force, USA
- Chris Parrish – Resident Agent, Bangkok, U.S. Secret Service
- Amit Levin – Global CTG & AML Advisor, Binance

These experts, along with many others from major organizations like the Australian Taxation Office, Commonwealth Bank, OFX, and the United Nations Office on

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