| Country | United States |
| State | Aruba |
| City | San Francisco |
| Address | 505 Montgomery Street 10th Floor |
| Website | www.miller-gold.com |
Miller-Gold Partners Ltd Miller-Gold and Jonathan Miller failed to assist in financing AutoWoopie... after payment of $10,000. They took my money and ran! Shanghai, China Shanghai, China
I entered into a formal agreement with Jonathan Miller the founder and Executive Director of Miller-Gold.
I paid Miller-Gold $10,000 in advance.
In summary, they were: to help me prepare to present my company, AutoWoopie...for introduction to investors; they were to introduce my company to their "large network of high-net-worth individuals, funds, groups, financial institutions, invewstment banks and venture capital firms"; and they were to assist in securing financing from one of their sources.
Although financing was not guaranteed I was assured that 80% of their deals go through. I worked with some of their team for several months on a presentation for investors. I would say unexpectedly, their team apparently disintegrated. Every one disappeared who was supposed to complete the financing except for Jonathan who works from China. I was told that they left Miller-Gold because they were not being paid by Jonathan Miller. [continued below]....
..... There was no follow-thru.
Miller-Gold never introduced AutoWoopie...to any potential investors.
They never helped secure financing.
All of their work, and talk and implied promises to assist in financing were worthless...
but they took my money.
From: SW
Subject: Re: lawsuit against MG
Date: December 12, 2013 9:14:17 AM GMT+08:00
To: Roger Wu
He took us for $15k. He produced two presentations that an amateur could have ( using mostly our wording). We had three phone interviews with people who weren't even close to being serious investors. He promised to make a $150,000-200,000 placement from his Miller Gold fund, which he kept deferring on until we realized he had no funds and was lying to us. We then fired him.
We had weekly phone calls which were a joke. He began to miss more and more of then.
He was nothing more than a gasbag.
More later.
Cheers
SW
P.S. Regardless of our decision I applaud you for your zeal
From: Dean
Date: September 23, 2013 11:05:52 AM GMT+08:00
To: "Jonathan Miller" <[email protected]>
Cc: Doug B.
Reply-To: Dean
Jonathan-
My patience is running low as we're now approaching Q4 and have had only 1 party of interest ..by way of 3 separate MG staff, 2 of which are no longer with your company. My gut feel is I've been scammed and I'm not the only client -having spent 1000s $$ feel the same way.. Have you personally sent me a progress report --ever?? Instead you're leading your business with a blindfold not knowing anything that's happening. Who's my rep now? Is it still Keneavey who's not once reached out to me or Christophe.. who hasn't been paid by your firm in 8 wks.
Unless you intend to remedy this situation promptly by introducing me to the investors -as agreed to over 6 months ago-- I will see to it my attorney gets knee-deep in this and very soon. I also doubt that your online reputation can afford to handle any additional derogatory press. Let me know how you wish to proceed..
Regards,
Dean
What I can tell you is that during my 6 months or so there we didn't take on a single client without upfront fee. None of the clients at the time were success fee only. Miller used exactly the same phrase you quoted Ryan saying ("only if they blow me away"). Most of the companies we took on were crap with a few exceptions. Miller's only goal was to get the upfront fee to help him finance his life. The biggest lie was the 20% investment in my view. How? There was no money to invest. And obviously companies asked why we wanted to be the last and not the first to invest, which would have made it easier to raise the other 80% when you already have one investor. The lies he pulled out of the hat for that one made me cringe. Hope this helps.
AK
Dean Mavrikis
Founder,MobileGiftcard.com| DinersGroup, Inc.
I couldn't help but notice the success stories he illustrates for himself in his latest newsletter.. Complete joke. I'm usually pretty accurate when judging people's characters in business, but man was I off the mark with this guy. He sold us on a piece of swampland in Florida. But again guys, the back n fourth duologue in these blogs are only going to get lost in the rankings. We should deploy the plan we recently discussed and bring Jonathan Miller down while protect others from the same fraudulent activities demonstrated by this asshole; ie: law suit, publication journalists/reporters, SEO contacts, etc.. I'd say we move ahead swiftly with all of the above..
Here is some of the fact checking done by a friend of mine
Chris Marshall
Head of Sales and Marketing at Keen Systems, Inc.
I am listed as a MG partner, I have never done work for, signed a document, or received compensation in anyway from this company. I have asked to be removed from the web page and have not been. I have never solicited funds from a customer or investor on MG or Jonathan Miller's behalf. I dont have any idea why he wont take me off his page, but I have done NO work on his behalf other than a couple calls to help evaluate customer ideas
(now you've removed that claim)
Lesley Anne Rubenstein-Pessok
International Business Development Services - Driving Your Business Forward
I was listed also, right in the beginning - can't remember what as - possibly a UK Associate Partner - I only found out that I was listed when someone contacted me re their executive summary! Then a friend called me and asked why I was working with/for them. The only connection I had with Jonathan was a couple of phone calls! He's very convincing and talks the talk - shame he puts so much energy into talking and not actually doing - where's the satisfaction in that? He does have an eye for quality partners though ;-)
Roger Wu
Experienced Executive in TMT and other game changer ventures
Ellen,
Thank you for the comment. First of all, let me say that I am not alone. I would invite you to talk to people I have named who had worked or are working at MG. I don't think you have talked to any of them to begin with. I am not disgruntled because I have given Jonathan Miller every opportunity to come clean, and pay everyone at MG he's been owing money since July. Same thing happened with the people who were working at MG back in February. People like Ryan Kim, David Wolf, David Taylor, Christophe Lerch, David Keaveney are owed $ like me. That's just the people at MG. This is not to mention clients like Summit Wine, DinersGroup, Ascension, Phoenixpro etc. They are all getting ready to file lawsuit against MG due to misrepresentations, empty promise to invest etc. I don't think you understand the grave consequences and harm Jonathan Miller has caused to many people. I am glad to see at least one person who is not hurt as much but you will see how dysfunctional MG is. I know from the inside out. Don't claim I am disgruntled because I would seek fair and reasonable compensations for EVERYONE who's owed $ by Jonathan Miller. That's something you likely don't understand. I don't expect you to either.
My intent is clear: to make people aware of the scam and fraud Jonathan Miller is doing to startup companies, and hope he will NOT have another chance to do more damage to other entrepreneurs. Let the truth speaks for itself
Emily Benkert
Founder, CEO at Guesthop
Jonathan Miller is a scam! Believe it, I was involved with a company about 7 or 8 years ago "Status" (Womens handbags). He did not pay many of the employees per their contract, me neither, giving lame excuses or none at all, just no pay for hard work.
He was hesitant to sign contracts, and beat around the bush as much as he could get away with, getting people to work for him and then not paying them was a common occurrence. He would get people to work without contracts until cornered, yes he's very convincing. Everyone that worked for him invested lots of time and energy, and walked away with nothing.
DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH HIM, YOU WILL LOSE!
Roger
Roger Wu
Experienced Executive in TMT and other game changer ventures
An update: 2 investment managers, Christophe L. and David K. have resigned from Miller Gold this week in disgust from Jonathan Miller's antics and failure to pay. Everyone (3 people) who's there is supposedly still owed $. I feel sorry for the MG clients who have paid the hefty fees to Jonathan and got nothing in return. We have got over 10 ex-employees, ex and current clients who are looking to take legal actions against Jonathan, even though he's hiding in Sanya, Hainan (China). Stay tuned.
Jay
Jay Boyle
ECFO Services LTD; CMF Associates
I can not comment about Miller Gold. However, in his previous company, International Bag, he was the CEO and I was hired to set up the accounting, act as an interim CFO and help him raise money.
I had serious issues with his ethics. When I came on as CFO I tried to install professional financial controls. He had a debit card that gave him direct access to the corporate account and regularly raided the company bank account for personal use at the same time we were having problems paying service providers and employees. I reported this to the investors and the board and tried to take him off the corporate bank accounts but as he controlled the board I was over ruled so I resigned. We also were never paid for our services.
However, the greatest damage was to my company and my reputation as many of the investors knew me personally and invested because I was on the project.
An ex Miller Gold Partner writes
Steve Higgins
Founder & Managing Partner - SJH Ventures
The scale of the fraud and deception by Jonathan Miller beggars belief. To the best of my knowledge NO-ONE has ever received investment through Miller Gold. The list of 'Partners' and offices on his web site are fictitious. They are all people who once worked with him (including myself) before they found out what he was really like. He refuses to remove our profiles from his website. Thus creating the appearance of a legitimate business. It isn't. It is just Jonathan scamming people from his home in China. He regularly recruits 'Partners' and 'Associates' and then doesn't pay them but it is the multitude of Miller Gold clients who have paid fees in good faith and not got the investment promised that will be of most interest to the authorities. Beware
Be aware of this crook, Jonathan Miller of Miller Gold. He is a scam & fraud. miller-gold(dot)com He claims to co-invest for companies who need to pay large sum of upfront retainer fees to enrich himself.
The agreement he has sent out to clients has fictitious people and names. They don't exist. Try to scam startup companies into paying large fees of $20K to $30K USD for ludicrous prep work. I strongly encourage people to do their due diligence with this company. Don't be fooled by its pitch to invest or co-invest. It can not even pay its people. People left because they were owed $ for several months. The owner, Jonathan Miller claims to be a trust fund kid but can not even pay people working there. Many people are owed $ by him and entrepreneurs are getting cheated by him with false promises of co-investment. Jonathan Miller may claim he lives in China but he knows nothing about China, or have ability to raise $ for companies. He's simply looking to get $ from individuals who are tricked by his false promise of investment. Be aware of this scam
People are beginning to know the real Jonathan Miller who just takes the large retainer fees and has never intended (nor the resources) to raise money for its clients. I have several current Miller Gold clients who are very upset, and are considering a possible lawsuit for fraud and misrepresentation. Just want to let folks now about this crook.
looks like other sites have banned him
http://www.fund2.me/en/investors-blacklist/
Be aware of this crook, Jonathan Miller of Miller Gold. He is a scam & fraud. miller-gold(dot)com He claims to co-invest for companies who need to pay large sum of upfront retainer fees to enrich himself.
The agreement he has sent out to clients has fictitious people and names. They don't exist. Try to scam startup companies into paying large fees of $20K to $30K USD for ludicrous prep work. I strongly encourage people to do their due diligence with this company. Don't be fooled by its pitch to invest or co-invest. It can not even pay its people. People left because they were owed $ for several months. The owner, Jonathan Miller claims to be a trust fund kid but can not even pay people working there. Many people are owed $ by him and entrepreneurs are getting cheated by him with false promises of co-investment. Jonathan Miller may claim he lives in China but he knows nothing about China, or have ability to raise $ for companies. He's simply looking to get $ from individuals who are tricked by his false promise of investment. Be aware of this scam
People are beginning to know the real Jonathan Miller who just takes the large retainer fees and has never intended (nor the resources) to raise money for its clients. I have several current Miller Gold clients who are very upset, and are considering a possible lawsuit for fraud and misrepresentation. Just want to let folks now about this crook.
Be aware of this crook, Jonathan Miller of Miller Gold. He is a scam & fraud. miller-gold(dot)com He claims to co-invest for companies who need to pay large sum of upfront retainer fees to enrich himself.
The agreement he has sent out to clients has fictitious people and names. They don't exist. Try to scam startup companies into paying large fees of $20K to $30K USD for ludicrous prep work. I strongly encourage people to do their due diligence with this company. Don't be fooled by its pitch to invest or co-invest. It can not even pay its people. People left because they were owed $ for several months. The owner, Jonathan Miller claims to be a trust fund kid but can not even pay people working there. Many people are owed $ by him and entrepreneurs are getting cheated by him with false promises of co-investment. Jonathan Miller may claim he lives in China but he knows nothing about China, or have ability to raise $ for companies. He's simply looking to get $ from individuals who are tricked by his false promise of investment. Be aware of this scam
People are beginning to know the real Jonathan Miller who just takes the large retainer fees and has never intended (nor the resources) to raise money for its clients. I have several current Miller Gold clients who are very upset, and are considering a possible lawsuit for fraud and misrepresentation. Just want to let folks now about this crook.
we have been taking to Jonathan for about 3 months. Never meet him but my business partner is on the phone worth him 4/5 times a week. He has sent us these beautiful graphs and told us all the right things but there has been no action. Our investment should have been done on the 15th but after delays I did research and found you. Can you please email me and fill me in a little more before we lose the little money we have please? Thank you, Wilton
I got screwed by Miller Gold too
What I can tell you is that during my 6 months or so there we didn't take on a single client without upfront fee. None of the clients at the time were success fee only. Miller used exactly the same phrase you quoted Ryan saying ("only if they blow me away"). Most of the companies we took on were crap with a few exceptions. Miller's only goal was to get the upfront fee to help him finance his life. The biggest lie was the 20% investment in my view. How? There was no money to invest. And obviously companies asked why we wanted to be the last and not the first to invest, which would have made it easier to raise the other 80% when you already have one investor. The lies he pulled out of the hat for that one made me cringe. Hope this helps.
AK