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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

One of my competitors gives another example of why EB-5 visa investors should only work with experienced and knowledgeable professionals.

I just read an article at http://foreignirg.com/blog/bid/270624/E-2-Business-Plan-Requirements-Source-of-Funds where the anonymous author claims, "A last general detail, not less important, is that for any business visa petitions, the source of funds has to be from outside of the US. This is true regardless of the citizenship of the investor. Put differently, a business started by an E-2 visa holder with $150,000 of qualified funds could not apply for an EB-5 visa if the US Company was worth $1 Million a few years later, as the profits were made inside the US."

The problem with this mistaken assumption is that the author is ignorant about fundamental accounting concepts as well as the actual rule of the law and legal precedents. There is something called retained earnings, and it is possible for E-2 or H1B or L1 visa holders to use income (salary, profits, judgments, lottery, etc.) earned within the US to apply for the H1B visa. Sadly, it is quite common for EB-5 visa investors to lose all or part of their funds due to receiving misleading advice.

Since 2004, I've helped 60 investors get Permanent Residence Status in the US under the EB-5 visa program under the Direct Investment Category. I've a track record of 100% success, and my firm is probably the only firm in the US that offers the following guarantees to EB-5 visa investors:

1) Guarantee of full disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis.
2) Guarantee of freedom from conflict of interest.
3) Guarantee of full fee refund in case a client is denied due to our fault for reasons such as incompetence, negligence, etc.
4) Guarantee of full control of your business and your funds throughout the process.

Why should you choose Direct Investments instead of partnerships or regional centers?

1) Direct Investment based EB-5 visa petitions usually get approved in about half the time it takes to get approved based on regional center based petitions.
2) You will usually NEVER find conflict of interest or fraud in Direct Investment Businesses, but you will almost always find conflict of interest and fraud in partnerships and regional centers.
3) The ANNUAL ROE in Direct Investments is usually 20-35% while the annual ROE in regional centers & partnerships is either NOTHING or a measly 1%.
4) It easy to sell and exit from a Direct Investment Business and quite hard to sell and exit from regional centers and partnerships. The easy exit strategy helps an investor in Direct Investment Businesses have full control of their funds, their business and their lives.

In case you wish to get your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call me on +1 407 535 0616.

Yours truly,
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed RE & Business Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com

Monday, October 28, 2013

Regional centers are running scared of the SEC and are now refusing to sign up EB-5 visa investors in the US.

US Securities laws offer significantly enhanced protections to investors, and due to the recent surge in SEC driven enforcement action against regional centers and unscrupulous partnership promoters, a new business practice has emerged amongst regional centers and partnerships, where they are simply refusing to sign up EB-5 visa investors within the US in order to avoid prosecution and liability for fraud and violations of securities laws.

This afternoon, a prospective EB-5 visa investor, CR, called me to ask about EB-5 visas, and during the conversation, he mentioned that a NY based regional center is now insisting that it will only take on EB-5 visa investors OUTSIDE the US and wasn't sure why. The poor fellow wasn't aware WHY regional centers and unscrupulous partnership promoters are refusing to sign up EB-5 visa investors within the US. The reasons are simple: Within the US, the regional center and partnership promoters have two important factors that scare them:
  1. A failure to fully disclose ALL material facts to an investor is termed as securities fraud, and it is a criminal offence classified as a felony. Pretty much all regional centers and partnership promoters conceal material facts from EB-5 visa investors, and due to some recent enforcement activities by DHS, SEC, FBI and IRS, the regional center and partnership promoter community seem to have heard the message that securities fraud will not be tolerated any more. In order to avoid prosecution and litigation, most regional center and partnership promoters are now refusing to sign up EB-5 visa investors within the US.
  2. US Securities laws require CPA audited financial statements for securities offerings over a certain amount, and if regional center and partnership promoters were compelled to provide CPA audited statements, their lies and fraud would be immediately exposed. To avoid being exposed (and consequently prosecuted) in the act of committing securities fraud, regional centers and partnership promoters are now avoiding any and all actions that may subject them to the jurisdiction of US Securities regulators.
What can EB-5 visa investors do to avoid being defrauded? What is the safest, quickest and easiest way to get an EB-5 visa?

Just a few weeks ago, I just read this investor alert (see http://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/ia_immigrant.htm) issued by the SEC warning EB-5 visa seekers about fraud committed by regional centers and other partnerships against EB-5 visa investors. It is common knowledge that almost every single partnership and regional center commits securities fraud, money laundering, securities law violations and tax fraud and other felonies. It is also common knowledge that most EB-5 visa seekers don't get their permanent green card if they've applied through a regional center or partnership, and that almost every single EB-5 visa seeker has experienced capital loss when investing in a regional center or partnership.

All EB-5 visa seekers should ask the following questions of regional centers and partnerships to detect and prevent fraud:

1) What is the mean and median amount of capital loss experienced by EB-5 visa seekers who invest in your regional center or partnership?

This is important because capital loss is very commonly experienced by EB-5 visa investors in regional centers and other partnerships, while none of our clients has experienced it, as we only offer Genuine Direct Investment Solutions to EB-5 visa seekers.

2) What is the mean and median processing time for regional center sponsored I-526 and I-829 petitions?

This is important as EB-5 visa petitions filed by regional centers and other partnerships now take about twice as long as Direct Investment businesses to get approved.

3) What is the mean and median lock in period for capital in regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors have easy exit strategies in our recommended businesses while they are stuck for years in regional centers.

4) What is the mean and median annual ROI that is offered by your partnership / regional center?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors usually earn a lot more in businesses recommended by us than in regional centers.

5) Are there ANY regional centers around where the promoters do NOT engage in conflict of interest? Hahaha.

6) Are the business founders, CFO and CEO willing to offer written guarantees of FULL disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis as well as freedom from fraud and conflict of interest?

Avoid those who refuse to offer this guarantee in a notarised affidavit.

7) Are you offering and selling securities overseas in full compliance of US and overseas securities laws?

Avoid those who refuse to confirm this in a notarised affidavit.

8) What are the percentage of regional center filed I-526 and I-829 petitions that were approved by USCIS in each of the past 3 years?

This is important information as it exposes the regional centers at their most vulnerable point in the argument, and proves conclusively why EB-5 visa investors should avoid them.

The above are questions that illustrate in objective and easy to understand numbers just why it is unsafe for EB-5 visa investors to use regional centers to apply for their green card.

It is quite common for honest and diligent RE brokers to offer a guarantee of freedom from conflict of interest and fraud, while crooks who try to lure EB-5 visa investors into investing in worthless regional center securities / partnerships / third rate franchises will always refuse to offer the following safeguards to EB-5 visa investors:

1) A written guarantee by the top 5 officers of the regional center / partnership firm AND the marketer, confirming that they will clearly disclose all material information at the very onset and on an ongoing basis. In the US, failure to disclose material information by sellers of securities is classified as SECURITIES FRAUD.

2) A written guarantee that the marketer and regional center / partnership officers will NOT engage in conflict of interest, and will procure goods / services and hire employees in a transparent and competitive manner.

3) A written guarantee that they will fully refund an investor's fees in case the investor's petition is rejected due to the fault of the regional center.

4) A full disclosure of what is the amount of capital that the firm's founders and investors have invested and what is the percentage of ownership stake and profits that they will get.

EB-5 visa investors need to remember that Direct Investment Businesses that choose blue chip franchises (such as BK, 5 Guys, KFC, etc.) wholly owned and controlled by the EB-5 visa investor usually offer a safer, faster and very profitable way to get the EB-5 visa, and those who opt for regional centers or partnerships or third rate franchises will usually end up with delayed processing, capital lossess and low (or no) ROI caused due to extensive fraud, nepotism & conflict of interest, terrible exit strategies and high rate of denial of I-829.

Our EB-5 investor clients who opted to start Direct Investment Businesses in quality franchises such as 5 guys, KFC, McDonalds, etc. as opposed to regional centers / partnerships / bottom tier franchises such as Voodoo or Marcos offered by our unscrupulous competitors, usually find that they have the following advantages:

1) Great annual profits, averaging 22% annually, and usually ranging from 20% to 30% annually. The lowest amount any of our clients has ever earned is 15% annual profit, and that was a special case.

2) Capital gains: Our recommended businesses usually appreciate while Marcos pizza locations or other third rate franchises will usually sell for a massive capital loss. In 10 years, none of my clients have had a capital loss, and most investors in regional centers have suffered full or partial capital loss.

3) Easy exit strategy: You will find more buyers for 5 guys / KFC restaurants in comparison to Voodoo BBQ offered by Joe Sloboda or Marcos Pizza or any regional center.

4) Easy approval with USCIS and with banks: Bank underwriters are very picky, and they won't approve Voodoo BBQ locations easily, but will easily approve premium franchises such as 5 Guys / KFC / etc. because of their track record and market reputation. USCIS will also easily approve known and reputed brands with solid track records, while they won't do so with our competitors.

5) Full disclosure of material facts: Unlike David Tashroudian or the Voodoo promoters Joe Sloboda & Fred Burgess or Regional Center promoters, we clearly and fully disclose material facts to our clients, which is why we confidently offer written guarantees of full and clear disclosure of material facts.

6) Fee refund guarantee: We know that we do a thorough job, and therefore confidently guarantee our work, while our competitors refuse to stand behind their work. This shows EB-5 visa investors who is a professional and who is not.

7) Full control of the investment and invested funds: As our EB-5 visa seeker clients own and control their own business and funds, they are able to avoid fraud and are also able to avoid being at the mercy of the crooks who operate regional centers and partnerships. EB-5 visa seekers who invested in regional centers usually find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous regional center promoters.

If you're an EB-5 visa seeker interested in getting your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call us.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com
Phone: +1 407 535 0616 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Attention EB-5 visa investors: One more serious case of investor fraud turns up. This is just the latest case of fraud being committed against EB-5 visa seekers.

I just read a case of Mahnaz Khazen, who has apparently duped at least 1 EB-5 visa seeker of over USD 1 Million. See link at http://dockets.justia.com/docket/california/candce/5:2013cv03044/267784/ and a news article at http://eb5news.com/categories/9-general/posts/230-fraud-and-embezzlement-suit-filed-against-usiic for more details. This just reiterates what I've been saying for the past few years that EB-5 visa investors should avoid ALL regional centers and partnerships like the plague, as the chances of getting defrauded are quite high, and capital losses are quite common.

Just a few weeks ago, I just read this investor alert (see http://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/ia_immigrant.htm) issued by the SEC warning EB-5 visa seekers about fraud committed by regional centers and other partnerships against EB-5 visa investors. It is common knowledge that almost every single partnership and regional center commits securities fraud, money laundering, securities law violations and tax fraud and other felonies. It is also common knowledge that most EB-5 visa seekers don't get their permanent green card if they've applied through a regional center or partnership, and that almost every single EB-5 visa seeker has experienced capital loss when investing in a regional center or partnership.

All EB-5 visa seekers should ask the following questions of regional centers and partnerships to detect and prevent fraud:

1) What is the mean and median amount of capital loss experienced by EB-5 visa seekers who invest in your regional center or partnership?

This is important because capital loss is very commonly experienced by EB-5 visa investors in regional centers and other partnerships, while none of our clients has experienced it, as we only offer Genuine Direct Investment Solutions to EB-5 visa seekers.

2) What is the mean and median processing time for regional center sponsored I-526 and I-829 petitions?

This is important as EB-5 visa petitions filed by regional centers and other partnerships now take about twice as long as Direct Investment businesses to get approved.

3) What is the mean and median lock in period for capital in regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors have easy exit strategies in our recommended businesses while they are stuck for years in regional centers.

4) What is the mean and median annual ROI that is offered by your partnership / regional center?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors usually earn a lot more in businesses recommended by us than in regional centers.

5) Are there ANY regional centers around where the promoters do NOT engage in conflict of interest? Hahaha.

6) Are the business founders, CFO and CEO willing to offer written guarantees of FULL disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis as well as freedom from fraud and conflict of interest?

Avoid those who refuse to offer this guarantee in a notarised affidavit.

7) Are you offering and selling securities overseas in full compliance of US and overseas securities laws?

Avoid those who refuse to confirm this in a notarised affidavit.

8) What are the percentage of regional center filed I-526 and I-829 petitions that were approved by USCIS in each of the past 3 years?

This is important information as it exposes the regional centers at their most vulnerable point in the argument, and proves conclusively why EB-5 visa investors should avoid them.

The above are questions that illustrate in objective and easy to understand numbers just why it is unsafe for EB-5 visa investors to use regional centers to apply for their green card.

It is quite common for honest and diligent RE brokers to offer a guarantee of freedom from conflict of interest and fraud, while crooks who try to lure EB-5 visa investors into investing in worthless regional center securities / partnerships / third rate franchises will always refuse to offer the following safeguards to EB-5 visa investors:

1) A written guarantee by the top 5 officers of the regional center / partnership firm AND the marketer, confirming that they will clearly disclose all material information at the very onset and on an ongoing basis. In the US, failure to disclose material information by sellers of securities is classified as SECURITIES FRAUD.

2) A written guarantee that the marketer and regional center / partnership officers will NOT engage in conflict of interest, and will procure goods / services and hire employees in a transparent and competitive manner.

3) A written guarantee that they will fully refund an investor's fees in case the investor's petition is rejected due to the fault of the regional center.

4) A full disclosure of what is the amount of capital that the firm's founders and investors have invested and what is the percentage of ownership stake and profits that they will get.

EB-5 visa investors need to remember that Direct Investment Businesses that choose blue chip franchises (such as BK, 5 Guys, KFC, etc.) wholly owned and controlled by the EB-5 visa investor usually offer a safer, faster and very profitable way to get the EB-5 visa, and those who opt for regional centers or partnerships or third rate franchises will usually end up with delayed processing, capital lossess and low (or no) ROI caused due to extensive fraud, nepotism & conflict of interest, terrible exit strategies and high rate of denial of I-829.

Our EB-5 investor clients who opted to start Direct Investment Businesses in quality franchises such as 5 guys, KFC, McDonalds, etc. as opposed to regional centers / partnerships / bottom tier franchises such as Voodoo or Marcos offered by our unscrupulous competitors, usually find that they have the following advantages:

1) Great annual profits, averaging 22% annually, and usually ranging from 20% to 30% annually. The lowest amount any of our clients has ever earned is 15% annual profit, and that was a special case.

2) Capital gains: Our recommended businesses usually appreciate while Marcos pizza locations or other third rate franchises will usually sell for a massive capital loss. In 10 years, none of my clients have had a capital loss, and most investors in regional centers have suffered full or partial capital loss.

3) Easy exit strategy: You will find more buyers for 5 guys / KFC restaurants in comparison to Voodoo BBQ offered by Joe Sloboda or Marcos Pizza or any regional center.

4) Easy approval with USCIS and with banks: Bank underwriters are very picky, and they won't approve Voodoo BBQ locations easily, but will easily approve premium franchises such as 5 Guys / KFC / etc. because of their track record and market reputation. USCIS will also easily approve known and reputed brands with solid track records, while they won't do so with our competitors.

5) Full disclosure of material facts: Unlike David Tashroudian or the Voodoo promoters Joe Sloboda & Fred Burgess or Regional Center promoters, we clearly and fully disclose material facts to our clients, which is why we confidently offer written guarantees of full and clear disclosure of material facts.

6) Fee refund guarantee: We know that we do a thorough job, and therefore confidently guarantee our work, while our competitors refuse to stand behind their work. This shows EB-5 visa investors who is a professional and who is not.

7) Full control of the investment and invested funds: As our EB-5 visa seeker clients own and control their own business, they are also in full control of their business. On the other hand, B-5 visa seekers who invested in regional centers usually find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous regional center promoters.

If you're an EB-5 visa seeker interested in getting your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call us.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com
Phone: +1 407 535 0616

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Why are Direct Investment Businesses the best choice for EB-5 visa seekers? Why is Florida the best place in the US for EB-5 visa investors? Why is my team the best choice for EB-5 visa seekers?

I just read an interesting article ranking the tax climates of different US states, and FL (the state I recommend most), came in at #5. Let's have a look at objective reasons why FL comes in as the best choice overall for EB-5 visa seekers. As the article Tax Climate rankings of US States shows, the states ranked 1- 4 are a lot colder compared to FL, which is the only state in the US to not have seen snow for quite some time now, whereas numbers 1,2 and 4 are famous for their freezing winters, and most of Nevada is quite cold too. Florida on the other hand, is famous for it's beaches, universities, world class tourist attractions and more.

Florida has a much more vibrant economy compared to NV, and actually hosts more visitors and tourists than any other state in the US. Like NV, FL also has zero personal state income tax. However, the universities, tourism industry, aviation and defense industry and commercial activity make FL the number 1 choice.

It is common knowledge that Direct Investments outperform regional centers in every measurable variable, due to which they are arguably the safest choice for EB-5 visa investors. Some reasons are listed below:

1) Great annual profits, averaging 22% annually, and usually ranging from 20% to 30% annually. The lowest amount any of our clients has ever earned is 15% annual profit, and that was a special case. In contrast, the poor fools who invested in regional centers are lucky to even get a 1% annual ROI, while most get no ROI whatsoever.

2) Capital gains: Our recommended businesses usually appreciate while investments in regional centers or Marcos pizza locations or other third rate franchises will usually sell for a massive capital loss. In 10 years, none of my clients have had a capital loss, and most investors in regional centers have suffered full or partial capital loss.

3) Easy exit strategy: You will find more buyers for 5 guys / KFC restaurants in comparison to Voodoo BBQ offered by Joe Sloboda or Marcos Pizza or any regional center.  This is simply due to the fact that we always place our customers in businesses we believe to have a reasonably easy exit strategy, whereas our competitors know that their businesses have a truly terrible exit strategy.

4) Fast and Easy approval with USCIS and with banks: Bank underwriters are very picky, and they won't approve Voodoo BBQ locations easily, but will easily approve premium franchises such as 5 Guys / KFC / etc. because of their track record and market reputation. USCIS will also easily approve known and reputed brands with solid track records, while they won't do so with our competitors. USCIS is reportedly approving genuine Direct Investment based I-526 petitions in about half the time taken for approving regional center based I-526 petitions for EB-5 visas.

5) Full disclosure of material facts: Unlike David Tashroudian or the Voodoo promoters Joe Sloboda & Fred Burgess or Regional Center promoters, we clearly and fully disclose material facts to our clients, which is why we confidently offer written guarantees of full and clear disclosure of material facts. When full disclosure of material facts is NOT offered, then the end result is FRAUD.

6) Fee refund guarantee: We know that we do a thorough job, and therefore confidently guarantee our work and offer to refund fees if our client is denied due to our fault, while our competitors refuse to stand behind their work. This shows EB-5 visa investors who is a professional and who is not.

7) Full control of the investment and invested funds: As our EB-5 visa seeker clients own and control their own business, they are also in full control of their business. On the other hand, B-5 visa seekers who invested in regional centers usually find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous regional center promoters.


All EB-5 visa seekers should ask the following questions of regional center to avoid and prevent fraud:

1) What is the mean and median amount of capital loss experienced by EB-5 visa seekers who invest in regional centers?

This is important because capital loss is very commonly experienced by EB-5 visa investors in regional centers and other partnerships, while none of our clients has experienced it.

2) What is the mean and median processing time for regional center sponsored I-526 and I-829 petitions?

This is important as EB-5 visa petitions filed by regional centers and other partnerships now take about twice as long as Direct Investment businesses to get approved.

3) What is the mean and median lock in period for capital in regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors have easy exit strategies in our recommended businesses while they are stuck for years in regional centers.

4) What is the mean and median annual ROI that is offered by regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors usually earn a lot more in businesses recommended by us than in regional centers.

5) Are there ANY regional centers around where the promoters do NOT engage in conflict of interest? Hahaha.

6) Are there ANY regional centers around where promoters are willing to offer written guarantees of FULL disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis as well as freedom from fraud?

No way!

7) Are there ANY regional centers around that offer and sell securities overseas in full compliance of US and overseas securities laws?

No way.

8) What are the percentage of regional center filed I-526 and I-829 petitions that were approved by USCIS in each of the past 3 years?

This is important information as it exposes the regional centers at their most vulnerable point in the argument, and proves conclusively why EB-5 visa investors should avoid them.

The above are questions that illustrate in objective and easy to understand numbers just why it is unsafe for EB-5 visa investors to use regional centers to apply for their green card.

If you're an EB-5 visa seeker interested in getting your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call us.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com
Phone: +1 407 535 0616 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Kevin Jeffers proves yet again why EB-5 visa investors should NEVER trust him as he tries to convince EB-5 visa seekers to invest in regional centers while SEC and NASAA are warning against them.

I read a post on LinkedIn.com (see http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=5793113746129825796&gid=2674029&goback=.gmr_2674029&trk=NUS_DISC_Q-ttle), where Mr. Jeffers tries to deflect the negative publicity that regional centers have attracted.

Mr. kevin Jeffers states 'I hear a lot about the “evil” RC conspiracy and see it as total nonsense.'

My question is, if it is total nonsense, just why is it that the SEC has issued an investor alert advising EB-5 visa seekers about the dangers of regional centers? If regional centers are so safe, why is it that they are listed in the top 10 investment scams by NASAA (see article at http://www.nasaa.org/3752/top-investor-threats/) ?

The plain and simple truth is that people like Kevin Jeffers or Fred Burgess or Brian Su make money by aiding and abetting the criminals who create regional centers to commit securities fraud, money laundering, securities law violations and other felonies.

The plain and simple truth is that on any given day of the week, an EB-5 visa investor will NEVER invest a penny in regional centers if they knew the facts about regional centers, simply because in every single way, genuine Direct Investment Businesses started with the guidance of professional and ethical Business Brokers are the safer, faster and usually a lot more profitable proposition in comparison to regional centers or the dubious direct investment franchises peddled by Fred Burgess & Joe Sloboda or even the Direct Investment 'partnership' brokered by David Tashroudian or Mr. Ansari.

EB-5 visa seekers who wish to learn more details about how to avoid fraud and get their EB-5 visas quickly, safely and usually quite profitably are welcome to contact me.

In case regional center marketers or third rate franchise promoters or fraudulent partnership promoters claim that their investments are safe or in any way better than genuine Direct Investment route for EB-5 visa seekers, I am open to having a live debate refereed by 3 immigration attorneys and 3 CPA's, and even broadcast the recording on Youtube.com, with the loser agreeing to stop defrauding EB-5 visa seekers by stopping their business activities permanently.

I am 100% certain that leave alone Kevin Jeffers, not one of the IIUSA members will dare take me up on my challenge, leave alone others who make a living in a dishonest and illegal manner by aiding and abetting fraud.

For more info, read my blog articles to learn how and why my services are hands down the best choice for EB-5 visa seekers.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Now SEC has issued a fraud alert warning EB-5 visa investors about fraud committed by regional centers. This is why we advise EB-5 visa investors to use our services.

I just read this investor alert (see http://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/ia_immigrant.htm) issued by the SEC warning EB-5 visa seekers about fraud committed by regional centers against EB-5 visa seekers. It is common knowledge that almost every single regional center commits securities fraud, money laundering, securities law violations and tax fraud and other felonies. It is also common knowledge that most EB-5 visa seekers don't get their permanent green card if they've applied through a regional center, and that almost every single EB-5 visa seeker has experienced capital loss when investing in a regional center.

All EB-5 visa seekers should ask the following questions of regional center to avoid and prevent fraud:

1) What is the mean and median amount of capital loss experienced by EB-5 visa seekers who invest in regional centers?

This is important because capital loss is very commonly experienced by EB-5 visa investors in regional centers and other partnerships, while none of our clients has experienced it.

2) What is the mean and median processing time for regional center sponsored I-526 and I-829 petitions?

This is important as EB-5 visa petitions filed by regional centers and other partnerships now take about twice as long as Direct Investment businesses to get approved.

3) What is the mean and median lock in period for capital in regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors have easy exit strategies in our recommended businesses while they are stuck for years in regional centers.

4) What is the mean and median annual ROI that is offered by regional centers?

This is important as EB-5 visa investors usually earn a lot more in businesses recommended by us than in regional centers.

5) Are there ANY regional centers around where the promoters do NOT engage in conflict of interest? Hahaha.

6) Are there ANY regional centers around where promoters are willing to offer written guarantees of FULL disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis as well as freedom from fraud?

No way!

7) Are there ANY regional centers around that offer and sell securities overseas in full compliance of US and overseas securities laws?

No way.

8) What are the percentage of regional center filed I-526 and I-829 petitions that were approved by USCIS in each of the past 3 years?

This is important information as it exposes the regional centers at their most vulnerable point in the argument, and proves conclusively why EB-5 visa investors should avoid them.

The above are questions that illustrate in objective and easy to understand numbers just why it is unsafe for EB-5 visa investors to use regional centers to apply for their green card.

It is quite common for honest and diligent RE brokers to offer a guarantee of freedom from conflict of interest and fraud, while crooks who try to lure EB-5 visa investors into investing in worthless regional center securities / partnerships / third rate franchises will always refuse to offer the following safeguards to EB-5 visa investors:

1) A written guarantee by the top 5 officers of the regional center / partnership firm AND the marketer, confirming that they will clearly disclose all material information at the very onset and on an ongoing basis. In the US, failure to disclose material information by sellers of securities is classified as SECURITIES FRAUD.

2) A written guarantee that the marketer and regional center / partnership officers will NOT engage in conflict of interest, and will procure goods / services and hire employees in a transparent and competitive manner.

3) A written guarantee that they will fully refund an investor's fees in case the investor's petition is rejected due to the fault of the regional center.

4) A full disclosure of what is the amount of capital that the firm's founders and investors have invested and what is the percentage of ownership stake and profits that they will get.

EB-5 visa investors need to remember that Direct Investment Businesses that choose blue chip franchises (such as BK, 5 Guys, KFC, etc.) wholly owned and controlled by the EB-5 visa investor usually offer a safer, faster and very profitable way to get the EB-5 visa, and those who opt for regional centers or partnerships or third rate franchises will usually end up with delayed processing, capital lossess and low (or no) ROI caused due to extensive fraud, nepotism & conflict of interest, terrible exit strategies and high rate of denial of I-829.

Our EB-5 investor clients who opted to start Direct Investment Businesses in quality franchises such as 5 guys, KFC, McDonalds, etc. as opposed to regional centers / partnerships / bottom tier franchises such as Voodoo or Marcos offered by our unscrupulous competitors, usually find that they have the following advantages:

1) Great annual profits, averaging 22% annually, and usually ranging from 20% to 30% annually. The lowest amount any of our clients has ever earned is 15% annual profit, and that was a special case.

2) Capital gains: Our recommended businesses usually appreciate while Marcos pizza locations or other third rate franchises will usually sell for a massive capital loss. In 10 years, none of my clients have had a capital loss, and most investors in regional centers have suffered full or partial capital loss.

3) Easy exit strategy: You will find more buyers for 5 guys / KFC restaurants in comparison to Voodoo BBQ offered by Joe Sloboda or Marcos Pizza or any regional center.

4) Easy approval with USCIS and with banks: Bank underwriters are very picky, and they won't approve Voodoo BBQ locations easily, but will easily approve premium franchises such as 5 Guys / KFC / etc. because of their track record and market reputation. USCIS will also easily approve known and reputed brands with solid track records, while they won't do so with our competitors.

5) Full disclosure of material facts: Unlike David Tashroudian or the Voodoo promoters Joe Sloboda & Fred Burgess or Regional Center promoters, we clearly and fully disclose material facts to our clients, which is why we confidently offer written guarantees of full and clear disclosure of material facts.

6) Fee refund guarantee: We know that we do a thorough job, and therefore confidently guarantee our work, while our competitors refuse to stand behind their work. This shows EB-5 visa investors who is a professional and who is not.




7) Full control of the investment and invested funds: As our EB-5 visa seeker clients own and control their own business, they are also in full control of their business. On the other hand, B-5 visa seekers who invested in regional centers usually find themselves at the mercy of unscrupulous regional center promoters.

If you're an EB-5 visa seeker interested in getting your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call us.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com
Phone: +1 407 535 0616

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

SEC prosecutes yet another fraudulent regional center for defrauding EB-5 visa investors. Is David Gunderson's regional center next in line to be shut down?

While folks at the IIUSA issue press releases that try to mislead EB-5 visa seekers by failing to include material information about the continuing SEC + FBI + DHS + IRS crackdown on regional centers, the SEC  and FBI have just initiated prosecution of yet another fraudulent regional center. See story at http://www.sec.gov/News/PressRelease/Detail/PressRelease/1370539854731#!

I, personally, wouldn't be surprised at all to see Mr. Gunderson's regional center named as the target of SEC + FBI + DHS raids in the near future. All EB-5 visa seekers should ask the following questions of regional centers:

1) What is the mean and median amount of capital loss experienced by EB-5 visa seekers who invest in regional centers? This is important because capital loss is very commonly experienced by EB-5 visa investors in regional centers and other partnerships, while none of our clients has experienced it.

2) What is the mean and median processing time for regional center sponsored I-526 and I-829 petitions? This is important as EB-5 visa petitions filed by regional centers and other partnerships now take about twice as long as Direct Investment businesses to get approved.

3) What is the mean and median lock in period for capital in regional centers? This is important as EB-5 visa investors have easy exit strategies in our recommended businesses while they are stuck for years in regional centers.

4) What is the mean and median annual ROI that is offered by regional centers? This is important as EB-5 visa investors usually earn a lot more in businesses recommended by us than in regional centers.

5) Are there ANY regional centers around where the promoters do NOT engage in conflict of interest? Hahaha.

6) Are there ANY regional centers around where promoters are willing to offer written guarantees of FULL disclosure of material facts on an ongoing basis as well as freedom from fraud? No way!

7) Are there ANY regional centers around that offer and sell securities overseas in full compliance of US and overseas securities laws? Not likely.

8) What are the percentage of regional center filed I-526 and I-829 petitions that were approved by USCIS in each of the past 3 years? This is important information as it exposes the regional centers at their most vulnerable point in the argument, and proves conclusively why EB-5 visa investors should avoid them.

The above are questions that illustrate in objective and easy to understand numbers just why it is unsafe for EB-5 visa investors to use regional centers to apply for their green card.

It is quite common for honest and diligent RE brokers to offer a guarantee of freedom from conflict of interest and fraud, while crooks who try to lure EB-5 visa investors into investing in worthless regional center securities / partnerships / third rate franchises will always refuse to offer the following safeguards to EB-5 visa investors:

1) A written guarantee by the top 5 officers of the regional center / partnership firm AND the marketer, confirming that they will clearly disclose all material information at the very onset and on an ongoing basis. In the US, failure to disclose material information by sellers of securities is classified as SECURITIES FRAUD.

2) A written guarantee that the marketer and regional center / partnership officers will NOT engage in conflict of interest, and will procure goods / services and hire employees in a transparent and competitive manner.

3) A written guarantee that they will fully refund an investor's fees in case the investor's petition is rejected due to the fault of the regional center.

4) A full disclosure of what is the amount of capital that the firm's founders and investors have invested and what is the percentage of ownership stake and profits that they will get.

EB-5 visa investors need to remember that Direct Investment Businesses that choose blue chip franchises (such as BK, 5 Guys, KFC, etc.) wholly owned and controlled by the EB-5 visa investor usually offer a safer, faster and very profitable way to get the EB-5 visa, and those who opt for regional centers or partnerships or third rate franchises will usually end up with delayed processing, capital lossess and low (or no) ROI caused due to extensive fraud, nepotism & conflict of interest, terrible exit strategies and high rate of denial of I-829.

Our EB-5 investor clients who opted to start Direct Investment Businesses in quality franchises such as 5 guys, KFC, McDonalds, etc. as opposed to regional centers / partnerships / bottom tier franchises such as Voodoo or Marcos offered by our unscrupulous competitors, usually find that they have the following advantages:

1) Great annual profits, averaging 22% annually, and usually ranging from 20% to 30% annually. The lowest amount any of our clients has ever earned is 15% annual profit, and that was a special case.
2) Capital gains: Our recommended businesses usually appreciate while Marcos pizza locations or other third rate franchises will usually sell for a massive capital loss. In 10 years, none of my clients have had a capital loss, and most investors in regional centers have suffered full or partial capital loss.
3) Easy exit strategy: You will find more buyers for 5 guys / KFC restaurants in comparison to Voodoo BBQ offered by Joe Sloboda or Marcos Pizza or any regional center.
4) Easy approval with USCIS and with banks: Bank underwriters are very picky, and they won't approve Voodoo BBQ locations easily, but will easily approve premium franchises such as 5 Guys / KFC / etc. because of their track record and market reputation. USCIS will also easily approve known and reputed brands with solid track records, while they won't do so with our competitors.
5) Full disclosure of material facts: Unlike David Tashroudian or the Voodoo promoters Joe Sloboda & Fred Burgess or Regional Center promoters, we clearly and fully disclose material facts to our clients, which is why we confidently offer written guarantees of full and clear disclosure of material facts.
6) Fee refund guarantee: We know that we do a thorough job, and therefore confidently guarantee our work, while our competitors refuse to stand behind their work. This shows EB-5 visa investors who is a professional and who is not.

If you're interested in getting your EB-5 visa in a quick, safe and usually profitable manner, please call us.

Yours truly
Mohammed Shaikh, MBA, CFE, Licensed Business & RE Broker (CA & FL)
Online: http://www.smartbusinessbroker.com