A YouTube content creator, Richard from No Pants Profits, engaged in an email dialogue with Micah Theard, who represents a company involved in NFTs and securities. Richard accuses the company of potential securities fraud and a Ponzi scheme, asking for evidence that no American has purchased an NFT from them, despite hosting events in the U.S and Audio of him saying the opposite.
Micah’s responses are evasive, failing to directly answer the questions posed. Instead, he attempts to shift focus by accusing Richard of fear-mongering for profit and questioning why Richard feels the need to intervene when the SEC regulates their industry.
The absurdity of Micah’s replies lies in the obfuscation of the truth and the irony of his concern with Richard’s profit motive when his own company’s integrity is in question. The highlighted blatant lie, “To reiterate, not a single American individual has made a purchase of an NFT from us,” is especially egregious given the events they’ve held in the U.S., which suggest otherwise. Micah’s tactic of avoiding the questions and countering with accusations against Richard suggests a classic diversion strategy often seen in scams.
Micah’s attempt to appear compliant and regulated contrasts sharply with the lack of direct answers and evidence, making his responses appear not just absurd but also suspicious.
In another email exchange the weekend of November 4, 2023, a Texas businessman was trying to help recover money “invested” by an elderly cancer patient who invested $25,000 and a young mother who invested $50,000 on behlf of her Autistic child. Micah Theard agreed to refund their money, but only if the businessman signed a nondisclosure binding him to a “penalty of one millon dollars ($1,00,000 USD) for each instance of such unauthorized disclosure or use”
Not exactly the behavior of an innocent company. Nontheless, the contract was signed and Theard went silent, not performing his end of the bargain.