*Evans is a CILEx Chartered Legal Executive, not a solicitor, barrister or lawyer anywhere else in the world. He has limited practice rights in his own country of England and does not have a practice certificate to actually represent clients in things like criminal law, real estate, or even family law. Yep. Which is why him being able to call himself a lawyer is an absolute farce and miscarriage of justice.
DISCLOSURE: DUNSMOOR LAW IS CLOSED AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2023. SEE DUNSMOOR.IO THIS INFORMATION IS TO PROTECT THE INVESTING PUBLIC. NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE IS LEGAL, FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVICE.
In today’s fast-paced world of conferences and events, it’s more important to ensure the credibility and integrity of invited speakers, especially in the world of crypto, but it is very difficult given the complexities of global life and the utter insanity of the crypto industry. However, attendees rely on organizers to curate a lineup of knowledgeable, trustworthy experts to provide valuable insights and information but not all speakers are who they claim to be. Some may exaggerate their qualifications, while others could be outright frauds looking to exploit the platform for personal gain.
It is my personal and professional belief that we must unite as an industry to make sure we do not have bad actors at our events especially those with a long history of documented deception and fraud. As an event organizer, sponsor, or attendee, you have a responsibility to perform basic due diligence, as much as humanly possible, on conference speakers to protect yourself and others from potential scams and misinformation. One simple but effective technique is to Google the speaker’s name along with the word “scam” to see if any red flags appear.
Why Google “’[Speaker Name]’ Scam”?
Searching for a speaker’s name in combination with the word “scam” can quickly surface any public allegations, complaints, or exposés related to fraudulent behavior. This could include:
– Blog posts or articles detailing the speaker’s involvement in scams or fraud
– Consumer reviews or forum discussions alleging dishonest practices
– Legal cases or regulatory actions against the speaker for unethical conduct
– Whistleblower accounts from former colleagues or associates exposing misdeeds
If a speaker has a history of scamming others or engaging in deceptive practices, chances are that some of their victims or critics have written about it online. A “scam” search can help uncover this valuable information that the speaker is unlikely to disclose voluntarily.
Real-World Example: “Cal Evans”+ Scam
Let’s examine a case study to illustrate the importance of this due diligence step. Cal Evans, a self-proclaimed “international crypto lawyer” and managing associate of Gresham International, was recently invited to speak at an upcoming AIBC conference in Malta this November on the topic of EU cryptocurrency regulation.
(Source: https://aibc.world/europe/agenda/ under November 12, 2024, AIBC Stage, 10:00-12:00 Crypto & Digital Asset Trend. It should also be noted that Cal Evans is not licensed in any jurisdiction in the European Union. The other panelist appear incredibly qualified using this standard of basic due diligence especially when compared to Evans.)
However, a quick Google search for “Cal Evans” and the word scam (as seen here in this Google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22cal+evans%22+scam) reveals a trove of my articles and blog posts examining and explaining, with verifiable public evidence, that Evans is a fraud who has greatly exaggerated his legal qualifications, academic achievements, and committed fraud. The search results include:
– Claims that Evans lied about his law school admissions test scores
(https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/07/26/understanding-basic-due-diligence-lsat-lnat-admissions-exams/)
– Evidence that he misrepresented having a master’s degree in law
(https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/05/28/part-i-cal-evans-of-gresham-international-is-a-scammer/)
– Evidence that he provided legal advice years before being licensed
– Reports of his involvement in several cryptocurrency scams and failures
(https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/05/28/part-i-cal-evans-of-gresham-international-is-a-scammer/)
Furthermore, the search uncovers that Evans is currently under investigation by multiple regulatory bodies and has even been referred for criminal prosecution in one jurisdiction for the unauthorized practice of law in Wisconsin. (https://dunsmoorlaw.com/2024/06/11/part-iv-evans-receives-a-criminal-referral-from-the-supreme-court-of-wisconsin/)
Had AIBC organizers performed this basic ‘scam’ search, they would have quickly realized that Evans is not a credible speaker and that inviting him to present could jeopardize their own reputation. I even took the time to message AIBC organizers and sent them an email through official channels to warn them of Evans’ misdeeds. The did not respond and the messages I sent were not acted upon. Instead, they now have to defend themselves for providing a platform to a documented fraudster.
Limitations and Further Steps
While a “’[speaker name]’ scam” search is a good starting point, it’s important to recognize its limitations. An absence of scam-related results does not necessarily mean a speaker is trustworthy, as not all misconduct is reported publicly. Additionally, false allegations or mistaken identities could lead to inaccurate search hits or the scammer could be using puff pieces to bury search engine results, a tactic Evans has employed with Medium and other blog posts sites.
It is nearly impossible to vet speakers for all positions and it is truly cumbersome to do for large multi-day events, however, if there are factually evidence on reputable websites including ongoing criminal investigations into a speakers conduct, the conference should take these matters seriously. To further vet speakers, especially when conference organizers receive a legitimate complaint or those that wish to be proactive in limiting who is on their stage to not reputationally harm their company and the industry they are in they should:
– Verify academic and professional credentials directly with the appropriate regulatory body
– Check speaker’s disciplinary records with relevant licensing bodies
– Consult with colleagues and industry insiders for personal references or have verified speakers recommend panelists or other speakers for the conference
– Critically evaluate the speaker’s published work for signs of plagiarism or fraud (The simple Google search of their name is often enough to find out of there have been critiques or lawsuits, enforcement actions or other negative actions)
By combining a scam search with these additional due diligence measures, event organizers can better screen speakers and protect the integrity of their conferences.
Key Takeaways
– Always Google “’[speaker name]’ + scam” as a basic due diligence step
– Scam searches can uncover red flags like fraud allegations and legal troubles
– The case of Cal Evans illustrates the importance of vetting speaker claims
– Scam searches have limitations and should be supplemented with further research
– Thorough speaker vetting is essential to maintain conference credibility
Finally, I understand how challenging it is to run a conference, as I have been part of more than I care to count. I do know running due diligence is time-consuming and expensive, and we are working on bringing that time and costs down, but at the very least, if you received an email from a reputable source that someone is a threat to your attendees, then you should reconsider having them at your events. Everyone has enemies, especially in the securities and/or crypto space; however, being a fraud and scammer is completely and utterly unacceptable in an industry that is cursed with them at this time.
In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, conference organizers must be vigilant in screening speakers to ensure they are providing a platform for genuine expertise, not fraudsters seeking to exploit the audience. By making “’[speaker name]’ scam” searches a standard part of the due diligence process, organizers can better serve and protect their attendees while upholding the integrity of their events.