ScamTelegraph has learned of GiveOpp.com, a secretive business venture launched by John and Shannon Lavenia, operators previously linked to the collapsed Polaris Global enterprise. The new membership site mandates non-disclosure agreements for access, a tactic familiar from prior schemes, raising immediate concerns about transparency.
The operation appears to be connected with Don Glanville, a former associate of Liberty League International. Glanville is the owner of Retro Hosting, the company responsible for registering the GiveOpp.com domain on October 15, 2009. The domain was privately registered, effectively obscuring the true identity of the site's operator.
Glanville's involvement extends beyond domain registration. He filed an application to trademark Retro Hosting itself on January 21, 2010. As of mid-April 2010, this trademark application faced unresolved issues from the trademark office, requiring Glanville to respond within six months to address the concerns.
This is not Glanville's first foray into web-based ventures. He previously owned Quicklister, a service that hosted websites for members of Liberty League Associates. Archived testimonials from Quicklister show praise for the service from John and Shannon Lavenia themselves. While Quicklister appears to be defunct today, Glanville still maintains its trademark.
A notable pattern in the timing of these activities has emerged. The Quicklister domain was transferred to Retro Hosting on April 20, 2010. The very next day, Glanville submitted the trademark application for Retro Hosting. Weeks prior, on November 12, 2009, he had applied to trademark the name "Give Opp." The "Give Opp" trademark application reached "Published for Opposition" status by April 13, 2010, initiating a 30-day period for potential challengers to contest the mark.
Currently, GiveOpp operates as a login-only website. The platform provides no public details regarding membership, pricing structures, or its core business model. A "beta" logo displayed on the site suggests the operation remains in its preliminary stages.
The high level of secrecy surrounding GiveOpp mirrors recruitment strategies employed by previous schemes involving the Lavenias. Both Liberty League International and Polaris Global were criticized for functioning as multi-level marketing enterprises that offered vague "business opportunities" to prospective recruits, often lacking clear product or service definitions.
The actual products or services sold by GiveOpp remain unconfirmed. Initial suggestions of a connection to the travel industry have not been substantiated. The mandatory non-disclosure agreements effectively prevent members from publicly discussing the opportunity, a practice that historically has served to obscure problematic compensation structures and unrealistic income projections in similar ventures.
The Lavenias' track record warrants caution. Both of their previous enterprises ultimately collapsed, leaving many participants with minimal returns and significant financial losses. Potential recruits considering GiveOpp should insist on complete transparency and clear information about the business model and compensation plan before committing to any agreements or investing capital.
The combination of a secretive operational infrastructure, private domain registration, and multiple trademark applications indicates a strategic preparation for potential rapid expansion. Whether GiveOpp represents a legitimate commercial endeavor or another iteration of the multi-level marketing model remains to be seen. However, the operational playbook employed feels notably consistent with patterns observed in the Lavenias' prior schemes.
What is GiveOpp.com and who launched it?
GiveOpp.com is a new membership-based platform launched by John and Shannon Lavenia, who were previously associated with the collapsed Polaris Global enterprise. The site operates with restricted access and requires non-disclosure agreements.
Who is Don Glanville and what is his role in GiveOpp.com?
Don Glanville, a former associate of Liberty League International, owns Retro Hosting, the company that registered the GiveOpp.com domain on October 15, 2009. He is also involved in trademark applications related to Retro Hosting and "Give Opp."
Why does GiveOpp.com require non-disclosure agreements?
The requirement for non-disclosure agreements restricts public access to information about GiveOpp.com's business model, pricing, and operations. This practice has historically been used in similar ventures to prevent external scrutiny of compensation structures and income claims.
What is the Lavenias' history with previous ventures?
John and Shannon Lavenia were involved with Polaris Global and Liberty League International, both of which were criticized for operating as multi-level marketing schemes. These previous ventures reportedly collapsed, leading to financial losses for participants.