Key insights

• ⚠️ Marques and Andrew working in the studio on furniture, videos, and podcast, Unexpected visit from FBI and IRS agents regarding the Escobar phone, Initial confusion and concern, followed by relief upon learning the purpose of the visit
• 💰 Company promoted $400 gold folding phone as a competitor to Apple and Samsung, Exposed scam involving cheaply modified Samsung Galaxy Folds, FBI and IRS investigation due to scamming customers, Requested all communications with the company for the investigation
• 🕵️ FBI and IRS took tech products from videos as evidence, Funny incident with team member and FBI arrival, Request for secrecy from FBI and IRS
• 🔒 YouTuber withheld information about a scam involving phone sales, Legal concerns prevented the YouTuber from discussing the scam earlier, Scammer's operation started falling down after PayPal and Klarna stopped working with them, Scammer named Olaf Gustafsson got arrested for fraud and money laundering, FBI agents confirmed that it's now okay to talk about the incident, Proof provided by FBI agents included phones used in the case
• 📹 Encounter with the FBI related to tech scam coverage, Plan to create more investigative videos, Experience of being viewed as a villain for a period of time

Q&A

• What encounter did the creator have with the FBI, and what are his future plans?

  The creator had an encounter with the FBI related to a tech scam coverage and plans to create more investigative videos. Additionally, he shares an experience of being viewed as a villain for a period of time.

• Why did the YouTuber initially withhold information about the phone scam?

  The YouTuber withheld information about a scam involving phone sales due to legal concerns, as the scam involved non-refundable direct transfers. However, the scammer was later arrested for fraud and money laundering, and the YouTuber received proof from FBI agents, allowing them to talk about the incident.

• What was the humorous incident involving the FBI and IRS agents?

  The FBI and IRS took tech products from videos as evidence, leading to a funny incident with a team member and the arrival of the FBI. The YouTuber was then requested to keep the incident confidential by the FBI and IRS.

• Why did the FBI and IRS agents show up at the studio?

  The company was promoting a $400 gold folding phone as a competitor to Apple and Samsung, turning out to be a scam involving cheaply modified Samsung Galaxy Folds. This led to an FBI and IRS investigation due to scamming customers, resulting in a request for all communications with the company for the investigation.

• What happened during the unexpected visit from the FBI and IRS?

  Marques and Andrew were working in the studio on furniture, videos, and podcasts when they experienced an unexpected visit from FBI and IRS agents regarding the Escobar phone. Initially, they were confused and concerned, but later relieved upon learning the purpose of the visit.

• 00:00 A YouTuber finally shares a story about the FBI visiting his studio and asks him not to talk about it, but he can now tell the story. He has a good relationship with the building security and has a rule to meet anyone who comes to the front desk for him. During peak COVID, he sent everyone home from the studio.
• 01:25 Marques is surprised by FBI and IRS agents showing up to ask him about the Escobar phone, initially concerned but later relieved.
• 03:01 A company selling gold folding phones with a marketing campaign aimed at Apple and Samsung turned out to be a scam, leading to FBI and IRS investigation.
• 04:38 A humorous incident involving the FBI and IRS confiscating tech products for evidence, with a request for secrecy from the YouTuber.
• 06:05 A YouTuber withheld information about a scam involving phone sales due to legal concerns, but now that the scammer has been arrested, they feel comfortable sharing the story. The scam involved non-refundable direct transfers, the scammer getting arrested for fraud and money laundering, and the YouTuber receiving proof from FBI agents to talk about the incident.
• 07:48 The creator had an encounter with the FBI related to one of the tech scams he covered, and he plans to create more investigative videos. He also shares an experience that led to him being viewed as a villain for a period of time.