The Shadowy Network Targeting Young Tradies
Young Australian tradies are being lured into a high-pressure sales scheme promising financial freedom. Instead, many say they found brainwashing, debt, and a culture of exploitation.
A network of social media influencers and online course sellers, operating under names including ABC Sales Agency, ABC Empire, or ABC Academy, is targeting Australian tradies and apprentices with promises of financial freedom. Several young men who participated in the scheme reported feeling trapped, brainwashed, and out of pocket.
How the Scheme Works
The core offering is an online course costing approximately A$10,000 to $12,500, which claims to teach skills in content creation and online sales. However, many participants reported that the primary activity was not learning these skills, but rather reselling the same course to others.
- Appointment setters and remote closers work on commission to recruit new members and close sales.
- Course payments were directed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The company is not a registered training organization in Australia and does not have a public website.
Dubious Financing and False Statements
One apprentice was offered a loan for the course fee, with the stated purpose falsely listed as dental work. The financier, Latitude Financial Services, stated it terminated its relationship with the third-party broker involved after learning of the falsification.
“The stated purpose was falsely listed as dental work.” – Latitude Financial Services statement
The Founder and the Culture
The founder of ABC Sales Agency has been identified as Tremayne Turner, who described the agency as a "done for you" sales agency.
Participants described intense pressure to sacrifice sleep, workouts, and free time, and characterized the culture as "brainwashing."
Red Flags and Expert Warnings
A consumer rights advocate, Stephanie Tonkin from the Consumer Action Law Centre, stated the scheme has hallmarks of a multi-level marketing scheme and that most participants lose money.
University professors Deanna Grant-Smith and Crystal Abidin noted red flags, including targeting of vulnerable individuals and the difficulty of regulating digital products.
Regulatory Gaps
- The Australian Skills Quality Authority stated it does not regulate ABC Sales Agency as it is not a registered training organization.
- The Australian Financial Complaints Authority cannot consider complaints about ABC Sales Agency as it is not a member.
- The Australian Consumer Law prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct, but enforcing it is challenging when businesses operate from overseas.
Response from ABC Sales Agency
ABC Sales Agency and its affiliates did not respond to specific questions about whether the scheme is a pyramid or multi-level marketing scheme. One former affiliate declined to comment, and another responded with an obscenity.
Names changed to protect identities.