Mike Koschine manages KB Gold, a purportedly German gold investment company that began its gold purchase plan in May 2008. The company claims over 30,000 customers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its official website exists solely in German, offering no direct company information.
Information about KB Gold, also known as Karat Bars Gold, largely comes from affiliate-owned websites. These sites state KB Gold operates as a division of KB Kapital & Business GMBH. That parent company, 16 years old, reportedly owns gold mines, production facilities, a refinery, and storage infrastructure.
KB Kapital & Business GMBH spent its first 14 years focused on wealth management, insurance, and pension plans. The gold purchase plan, introduced in 2008, quickly grew in popularity. All details regarding the company's structure and history come from German sources and remain unverified independently.
Koschine appears to be a real person. He reportedly launched KB's operations in 1994, but no past history in multi-level marketing could be confirmed. No other executive position holders are publicly named.
KB Gold markets gold itself to investors, positioning it as a savings plan. Customers send money to KB Gold, which the company claims to convert into gold from its own production. Monthly payments are typical, with gold stored in Switzerland.
The company states gold valued at €3,000 or more can be delivered directly to a customer's door without charge. German authorities opened several investigations in 2010 into whether KB Gold actually produced the gold it claimed. These investigations closed after authorities verified the gold's existence. The gold manufacturing side of the business appears legitimate.
The "KB Franchise System" outlines KB Gold's compensation plan. It ties directly to gold purchases. Each 100 EUR invested generates 100 points for the affiliate who referred the customer.
The compensation plan includes nine membership ranks. These start with Consultant in Training, an entry-level affiliate position. Further ranks include Consultant, requiring 300 cumulative points, and Junior Consultant, needing 800 cumulative points. Senior Consultant requires a minimum of 500 points generated monthly. Supervisor needs 1250 points monthly, and Manager needs 2500 points each month.