Perry Belcher: Internet Marketer Pleads Guilty and Forfeits Assets
Frankly, I took a lot of grief from Perry Belcher’s defenders for posting Perry Belcher – The Arrest of an Internet Marketer. The post was not an attack on Belcher but rather a warning to all Internet marketers about the type of behavior that draws unwanted attention from the government.
Some flames accused me of attacking Ryan Deiss in the process. While it is true that Deiss is Belcher’s friend and supporter, it is insane to infer that pointing out Belcher’s arrest somehow meant I was going after Deiss too.
Now back to Belcher. According to The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Shelby County man sentenced for health-remedy scam), Belcher has pled guilty to computer fraud, received a 10-year suspended sentence, forfeited many websites, and more than $1 million in assets as part of the plea agreement.
The next time you consider treading into gray or black hat Internet marketing tactics, consider what has happened to Belcher.
I have no doubt that he’ll rebound from the experience and do well if he positions himself in Internet marketing circles as a martyr to a government witch hunt.
But that’s beside the point. It could have been avoided. And you can learn from his experience to prevent it from happening to you.
Hat tip to the AP – Fake health care scam draws guilty plea in Memphis.
What do you think about the plea deal? Was Belcher picked upon? Did he get a fair deal? Was the sentence a slap on the wrist? Should Belcher’s alleged victims receive restitution from him?
03/08/09 Update - Tenn. auctions off fortune amassed by Internet scam artist.
08/30/09 Update - Perry Belcher’s criminal records are now available for download.
About the Author
With an advanced international law degree from Georgetown University and more than 15 years of real world legal experience, Attorney Mike Young is President of the Internet Ethics Council and creator of Website Legal Forms Generator software. He helps entrepreneurs protect and grow their businesses online.
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Hi Mike
Thnaks for the informative blog post.
He pled guilty so let’s assume the allegations were right.
I don’t see how Belcher even came close to anything like punishment. Sure he forefeited what looks like ’some’ of the ill-gotten gains. But it also seems like he got to keep plenty.
Additionally he has enjoyed several years of a good life style too. And as you suggested he’ll probably enjoy some form of dark celebrity status in IM.
Blatant fraud, if indeed that was the case, deserves at least a custodial sentence. Many people get that for a lot lesser crimes.
Keep up the good work Mike and thanks again
Sami
Sami,
Thanks for your response. I haven’t seen a copy of the actual plea deal so don’t know if any of the forfeited assets can be claimed by Perry Belcher’s customers. If not, that means anyone injured will probably have to hire a good trial lawyer and sue him in civil court to collect damages. Not a litigator so won’t weigh in on the merits of doing so.
Best wishes,
-Mike
On one of Ryan Deiss’s videos where he extolls the virtues of “Mr. X” (actually Belcher), they show a single adwords account with 7 million total billed. That’s just one of what they say are multiple adwords accounts. And you can assume that the gross had to be a multiple of that figure. So he had quite a sizeable operation there.
He is very lucky. Gary Halbert wasn’t as lucky as him.
Belcher is clearly very street savvy (his grammar leaves a lot to be desired). He seems to be one of those folks who could dig themselves out of a hole and end up back in the game, so I think you are right, he will survive. Hopefully he has learned and will be more cautious.
Interesting story though.
Hi Mike,
I just received an offer from Perry Belcher, which actually was sent by one of his affiliates, Jeff Johnson. (I’m on Jeff’s list, not Perry’s). Here’s what it say, below. So, I guess this means Belcher is back in business?
What’s up with that, do you know?
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Vonalda,
It is my understanding that Perry Belcher moved to Austin, Texas, and is now working with his friend Ryan Deiss on creating and promoting new products and services.
-Mike
This is really an alarming situation for us all.Thanks Mike for pointing this in time.
I have just listened to Perry Belchers Info on making money with Google. It was sent to me from a Shawn Casey, perhaps you have heard of him. It all sounded too good to be true for just a minimal payout, but obviously this is where he makes his money. After now reading about his indictment I am happy I did not part with any money. It just goes to prove you can never get anything for nothing. Thanks again for the info.
Brian R. London England
“I have no doubt that he’ll rebound from the experience and do well if he positions himself in Internet marketing circles as a martyr to a government witch hunt.”
Worked well for Frank Kern (albeit a different case).
I love both Frank K. and Ryan Deiss’s contributions to IM.
I guess the lesson here is to consult with a Lawyer who is knowledgable in e-commerce, internet law and such…especially if you plan to be anything other than ‘underground.’
Hi Marc
Like you say, Frank Kern’s situation was different. I believe he gave a guarantee about making money that is illegal.
Though I am not defending Frank Kern, anyone of us could get over exuberant in terms of belief in our product.
Based on what I have read, Belcher was selling useless supplements and also making false claims about their effectiveness (allegedly). He may have made false claims about his online success and how he was achieving it too – I can’t remember the details of the case now.
Yes Frank Kern should have consulted a lawyer. But Belcher’s case to me is much more clear-cut and I think anyone could have told him that is a definite no-no. There was ‘intent’.
I still can’t believe how many big names are promoting him presumably because they are doing a favor to Ryan Deiss.
I would have thought the prudent thing to do is to let him prove his worth like the rest of have to before we get all the support.
Sami
From what I know Perry lost a heck of a lot. You are upset because he “got to keep some.” Maybe he should’ve been left naked on a street corner or hung on the courthouse lawn? Some people are unbelievable. Mr. Belcher has paid a stiff price. You are upset because he still had some shred of anything left. Give me a break.
He plead guilty. He paid a huge price. Let’s be realistic for a minute. This guy didn’t con people out of their life savings claim he has a miracle cure for cancer. It was stuff like ring worm and acne, and probably the books were pretty cheap. That doesn’t make it right and I don’t condone it. But this man has paid his price. Some of you want his head on a platter. You would’ve fit in well with the holy inquisition.
Get money from google was actually a good buy. It teaches how adwords really works – and how you can take advantage of the system. Most marketers are still stuck on the old outdated adwords tecniques… ah well…
As for Perry – did he actually know that he was selling something fake?