Kristi Johnson, co-founder of Achieve Community, announced December 18th that the company had secured Global Cash Card as its new payment processor. This move follows a tumultuous period for Achieve Community, which saw its previous processor, Payoneer, sever ties in early November.
The payment processing landscape for Achieve Community shifted dramatically in recent weeks. After Payoneer ended its services, deposits resumed two weeks ago through iPayDNA, an Asian processor. Members reported seeing "unrelated companies" listed on their credit card statements during this period. Now, Achieve Community states that withdrawals will resume via Global Cash Card.
Johnson's update detailed the new withdrawal process. Achieve will send member information directly to Global Cash Card, eliminating the need for separate sign-ups. Debit cards will ship to members, who must activate them to receive payouts. The new system establishes a daily withdrawal limit of $5,000. Cards will first go out to members who joined between Achieve's launch and October 31st.
Global Cash Card operates out of California. Its website prominently markets a "Payroll Card" designed to distribute employee wages, offering an alternative to traditional checks. Achieve Community, however, solicits $50 investments from its members, promising an 800% return on investment, or $400. This stark contrast raises questions about how Achieve Community's investors could be classified as employees receiving "wages."
The company also offers an "incentive card" for sales and marketing programs, promoting its use for motivating teams, issuing rebates, and recognizing staff. Yet, paying out returns from a suspected Ponzi matrix cycler model does not align with typical incentive programs. The update from Johnson also noted that members could repurchase positions directly from their back office using their Global Cash Card. This means Global Cash Card would handle both outgoing payouts and incoming repurchases for Achieve.
Whether funds will route through Global Cash Card to iPayDNA's Chinese-based high-risk accounts remains unclear. One might expect Global Cash Card to conduct thorough due diligence on Achieve's business model and compensation plan before entering this arrangement. Achieve affiliates, however, appear confident. One affiliate posted on social media December 18th, stating that Global Cash Card "has obviously done their homework and have deemed the Achieve community to be worthy of their services."
Co-founder Troy Barnes disappeared around the time Payoneer terminated Achieve's processing services. He has made only brief public appearances since then, leaving Kristi Johnson to manage the company's public face. Investors have alleged Barnes used company funds for personal purchases, including a house and a go-kart, and to cover family medical expenses.
Barnes' farewell message to the community hinted at his departure: "I'm sorry to say I wont be around much anymore. I have some Family issues to deal with and I'm sorry but that has to come first. Enjoy all that Achieve Money your going to be making. I'll be right behind you. I Love you all and wish you all a Happy Holiday. Get ready for the Greatest New Year Ever. To Your Success – Troy." This message offered no clear explanation for his abrupt exit to investors.
Comments from Johnson suggested Barnes would continue as an investor, stating, "Troy will always be a founder of Achieve and a member of our community. I just want to remind you all that Achieve was designed so that you could have exactly the life you want to have, and that includes Troy!" The precise amount Barnes invested or withdrew before his departure remains unknown. The timing of his exit coincides with heightened investor concerns about the potential recovery of their funds. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has previously issued investor alerts regarding schemes promising high, fixed returns, often a hallmark of Ponzi structures.