In the ever-evolving landscape of scams targeting South Africans, Stagwell TV South Africa (stagwelltv88.com) emerges as yet another intricate scheme.
Operating under the guise of a registered business, complete with CIPC documentation and a SARS tax notice, this operation uses every trick in the book to mask its true intent—to defraud unsuspecting victims. Let’s peel back the layers of this elaborate con to expose its deception.
The False Facade of Legitimacy
Promoters of Stagwell TV Group SA have widely circulated their CIPC company registration (2024/685537/07) and SARS tax registration documents on social media to bolster claims of legitimacy.
These documents, dated 31 October 2024, are flaunted as evidence of a credible, thriving business. However, the reality is far less convincing.
What These Registrations Really Mean
- CIPC Registration: Any individual or entity can register a company in South Africa by paying a nominal fee and completing basic paperwork. This does not imply legitimacy, operational transparency, or financial integrity.
- SARS Registration: Similarly, a tax number is issued to all registered businesses, but this is a procedural requirement, not a mark of trustworthiness.
The issue here isn’t the registration itself but the way these documents are being weaponized to mislead victims.
A company registered on 31 October 2024, with no financial track record or operational history, cannot reasonably claim to be a safe or credible investment opportunity.
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Contradictory Claims and Deceptive Tactics
The Stagwell TV scam’s pitch is riddled with contradictions that reveal its fraudulent nature. Initially, users are lured in with promises of earning money by simply watching 5 movie trailers a day.
However, as victims engage further, the narrative shifts:
- “Wealth Fund Investments”: Users are suddenly encouraged to “invest as little as R50 into short-term wealth funds,” despite Stagwell TV being unregistered as a Financial Services Provider (FSP) with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Handling investments without this registration is illegal in South Africa.
- Recruitment-Driven Earnings: The scam incentivizes users to recruit others, offering referral bonuses. This pyramid structure is a classic red flag for Ponzi schemes, where payouts are sustained only by new recruits.
- Grandiose Claims: Promises of up to R3.65 million annually for top-tier investors (“K8”) are wildly unrealistic, especially given the vague and inconsistent explanations of how the platform generates revenue.
These shifting narratives create a facade of opportunity but ultimately serve to confuse and entrap victims.
False Claims of Prestigious Associations
Adding to its deception, Stagwell TV falsely claims to be headquartered at Sanlam’s Head Office at 2 Strand Rd, Bellville, Cape Town, the legitimate headquarters of one of South Africa’s leading financial services companies.
However, this claim is completely fabricated. However, this claim is completely false. This assertion has been categorically debunked:
- Sanlam Connection Debunked: Checks confirm that Sanlam has no association with Stagwell TV Group SA in any capacity. The misuse of Sanlam’s name and address is a deliberate tactic to project credibility.
- Fake Google My Business Profile: To bolster this falsehood, the scammers have created a Google My Business profile using Sanlam’s address, complete with glowing but fake reviews.
The Registered Address in Emondlo
The actual registered address for Stagwell TV Group SA is in Emondlo, a small township 30 km south of Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal.
While there’s no inherent issue with this location, it is hardly the base of operations one would expect from a company claiming to operate on a national or international scale.
The stark contrast between the modest registered address and the grandiose claims of the scam underscores its fraudulent nature.
A Timeline of Deception
Domain Registration and Website Launch
- March 2024: The scam’s website, stagwelltv88.com, serves as the primary digital hub for this operation, spreading its fraudulent claims far and wide. The domain stagwelltv88.com is registered through a Singapore-based registrar, Gname.
- May 2024: Early promotional efforts begin, but initial traction is minimal.
- August 2024: Interest begins to grow, as evidenced by Google Trends data.
- November 2024: A surge in social media promotions drives significant interest. Influencers on Facebook and TikTok play a key role in amplifying the scam’s reach.
Exploiting Desperation
Stagwell TV’s rise coincides with the collapse of other high-profile scams, such as Trouva and Tiger Agriculture, in late 2024.
These collapses left a void, and Stagwell TV capitalized on the disillusionment of victims by presenting itself as the next big opportunity.
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The Mechanics of the Scam
Here’s how Stagwell TV ensnares its victims:
Step 1: The Hook
- Users are invited to join as “interns” for free, earning R12 per day by watching trailers. This small but consistent payout is designed to build trust.
Step 2: The Bait
- Users are encouraged to deposit money to upgrade to paid tiers (“K1” to “K8”) with promises of exponential earnings. Deposits range from R360 (K1) to R250,000 (K8).
Step 3: The Trap
- Recruitment becomes the primary focus. Referral bonuses and pressure to recruit new members sustain the pyramid structure.
Step 4: The Collapse
- As recruitment slows and payouts become unsustainable, the scheme inevitably collapses, leaving the majority of participants out of pocket.
Who Falls for These Scams, and Why?
South Africa’s high unemployment rate and widespread economic hardship make its citizens prime targets for schemes like Stagwell TV.
The allure of quick, easy money—particularly in a struggling economy—creates the perfect environment for scams to thrive. The aggressive promotion on social media further amplifies their reach, drawing in victims from all walks of life.
The Final Verdict
Stagwell TV South Africa, operating primarily through its domain stagwelltv88.com, is a textbook Ponzi scheme, draped in the superficial trappings of legitimacy.
Its use of routine business registrations, false associations with reputable entities, and aggressive online promotion paints a picture of credibility that collapses under scrutiny.
The reliance on recruitment, shifting narratives, and illegal investment claims are glaring red flags.
If you encounter Stagwell TV or similar schemes, remember:
- A company registration number does not guarantee legitimacy.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Verify all claims through trusted regulatory bodies.
Stagwell TV may enjoy a brief moment in the spotlight, but like all scams, it is destined to fall. The only question is how many victims will be left in its wake when the curtain finally drops.
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Have you taken into account the investment and the daily task over and above the recruitment?
Hi Wayne id love to talk about this also do you know who posted this about this company. There’s a few thing said witch isn’t precisely true especially the investments part. Its called staking. Go check binance they do same thing woth up to 39% daily interest I’ve been doing that for a while now they have ober 30 options.
All these I have done due diligence on for over two months before i decided to join. Why do they talk about address but nothing about we where there and no auch thing. Why have I been able to withdraw and money is in within the hour. I have been scammed plenty of times not just on e twice or thrice. No scammer let’s you withdraw. Upon the investments factor. If you did your homework it’s called staking investments i do the sam on luno and on binance and get my money so might as well call luno and binance a pyramid sceme as well. If you look up brokers on fsca sec if they are not registered it will say be careful they don’t pay don’t invest. I invest where i can looking up b okers on sec, fsca they will red flag it with a warning. Why nothing about stagwell. We cannot find work people are struggling why try debunk the only thing we can actually get some funds from to survive. Give us work please I beg you…
Hi Vernon I also invested in Stagwell TV have been able to make 1 withdrawal so far. What is the highest amount that you were able to withdraw thus far?
Hi Vernon I have not been paid as such, they are now implementing an AI to assist with the withdrawals also hope to get money out luckily I didn’t take personal funds it all due to investing I moved up and when you ask questions about Sars they don’t answer you they sent you documents, they never answer questions
How many times have you been able to withdraw and it reflected?
I hope to get my money back before then After that I cannot lose anything Then it will be just a game
Managers are based in New York There telephone numbers prove it
It’s a clear pyramid scheme but because of desperation people will close their eyes and keep on investing.
It’s quite sad.. There were people investing R40k up to 200 000k
We luckily only started a week ago.
This is how ponzi schemes work. They DO pay out, so you can show everyone you are really getting paid and sign them up. Then, the numbers grow and as the payments keep rolling in people become greedy. always. They start putting in massive amounts, life savings, pensions etc and this is when they know its time to cash in. They cannot sustain those payouts firstly, and the scheme has now reached benchmark, cash in and run. if you notice, no one has been able to draw for 3 weeks right? first christmas, then new years, no one could draw on the 31st. A nice 3 week head start to runaway with everyones money. I knew this was bogus, i was hoping to ride the gravy train while it lasted. those short term investments were a little too good to be true, dont you think? how is it that staff are not there to facilitate payments but manage investments portfolios. Just saying.
You are real🤞🤞🤞😏
Now they’re saying you must pay employee tax. Imagine for your account to be activated.
I agree totally. Ive lost R20,000 and the trust of many clients , that will never be fixed again. I have to pay back alll my clients money myself to earn back my trust again. I also started seeing red lights after my 1st withdrawel. Time now to change bank accounts. I hope these people get caught.
This is not a legitimate company. They are using information/photos from the legitimate Stagwell Global. Please see the fraud warning on their site: https://www.stagwellglobal.com/fraud-alert/
I believe that it is a scam, no one has gotten paid yet since last week it remains in processing but no has received moneys, they are throwing money at people to keep them there. I am on. K6 level, there is no manager to talk to and the answers a generic when you speak to your hiring manager and when you ask a question you are highlighted as being negative I have sent my hiring manager this article she still has not explained anything, we have meeting, but no one can ask questions that matter
definitley a scam, all members that have joined are waiting for the so called 16th of january to be paid, which will never happen no big amounts have ever been paid, they will be dissapearing shortly with everyones money.
Hey this is a scam cause on our whatsapp group the woman that work with the deposit told us about the tax money that must be paid and you get like 24hours time and if you dont pay the account will be removed and you will lost ur money and than suddenly she closed the whatsapp group a other girl on youtube that explain how the investment is working her videos is removed today she removed all her videos i think after the deposit of the tax money their will run and close the site
It’s is a scam and it is said that there are still people depositing, worse part they also recruiting others. I never recruited any1. I learned from Sbu and Sgumza… Unfortunately I Ddn’t get to the level of withdraw but I told my friend who invited me that this was written all scam, everything was fish, but we just tried our luck, fortunate he didn’t loose anything cz he withdraw something….. Lot are waiting for it to fly….
Undoubtedly a scam. They now want ppl to make a SARS payment. I received payment from these ppl but still lost money waiting for the last few cents. They finally got ppl to invest big amounts & are now coming with crap. The app is blocked till you make payment these ridiculous amounts. Something needs to be done to find these ppl & warn others on a massive scale
Agree !!!
Now they’re saying you must pay employee tax. Imagine for your account to be activated.
you were spot on.Stagwell just blocked all accounts and demand payment on taxes.Another Ponzi gone bang
@ Lionel, and if it wasn’t a scam, they should have allowed everyone to make withdrawals and then tell the to comply with SARS afterwards. I assume they were using that admin fee to comply with tax on behalf of users
AND NOW STAGWELL ISSUES THIS RUBBISH:
Tax payment notice on January 15, 2025: According to the requirements of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on January 15, 2025, all employees of STAGWELLTV are required to pay personal income tax. After consultation between the company and the tax authorities, it is now stipulated that all employees of STAGWELLTV are required to pay personal income tax uniformly. The remaining taxes to be paid will be borne by STAGWELLTV.
The registered company belongs to a Veronica Tshabalala. She claims that she had no idea but Stagwell SA is registered under her name with tax certificates. I feel that she has to be held responsible for making a scam look legit. She has to be taken and made a example of for future scammers. She may have been led into a trap, but surly she got compensation for her role in the scam. Die to her misleading part in the entire role people have used all they had to invest and was left without a cent.
I don’t know what to do it’s just only stress stagwell tv came to ruin my life
Hi im Desiree i just hope they get court and go to jail for scamming our people its a disgusting
Veronica tshabalala go and f### yourself they must lock her up
I also invest in Stagwell tv,i whas level 5, only made one withdrawall in the begining.
I hope they get what they deserve.
My husband and myself had 2 levels each. K7, k8, k5 and k6. We truly believed this was our answer. We lost everything due to this. And the manager spoke as if we were her friends. Clearly coz we deposited large amounts. Now we cant even buy bread. Or pay maintenace for his daughter. We lost everything and we were waiting for over R150 000 withdrawals. Please stop these people. I beg you