Fla. attorney general sues AdSurfDaily for alleged scam

The state Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit seeking millions in damages against a north Florida company called AdSurfDaily. It accuses the company of bilking investors out of more than $100-million in a Ponzi scheme.

The suit was filed Wednesday after U.S. Secret Service agents raided the company's Quincy headquarters, northwest of Tallahassee. State officials said federal authorities are also pursuing a separate criminal case against the company, and have frozen $53-million of its funds.

In June, AdSurfDaily, under the name ASD, held a convention at the Tampa Marriott Waterside, where it sold packages of online advertisements to as many as 2,000 customers. Priced at thousands of dollars, the ad packages allegedly promised 150 percent returns. But the state claims they were a get-rich-quick scheme, where only a few people at the top of the company were getting rich.

Along with another Florida convention in Miami, the state's lawsuit claims the company took more than $100-million from consumers in Florida alone.

AdSurfDaily, which calls itself an Internet marketing company, is accused of promising huge returns on investors' money, but in reality made no real investments, instead relying on new investors to keep it going.

Florida attorney general spokesperson Sandi Copes said the state has been preparing legal action against AdSurfDaily and its president, Andy Bowdoin Jr., since late July after receiving about 20 complaints.

Copes said potential victims have not yet been identified, but the state is making a list in the run-up to court proceedings.

AdSurfDaily associates could not be reached for comment. Calls to the company's Quincy office were greeted by a recording from a man who says he is company president Bowdoin.

"We're getting our customer service people to do other work so we can get everything caught up for when we get back into action," the recording said. "We have some of the best legal minds in the nation working to resolve our issues. ... Until it's resolved, keep the faith."

Meanwhile, dozens of customer testimonials can be found on YouTube and online message boards raving about how easy and profitable AdSurfDaily can be. Other online chatter about the company also uses words like "scam" and "pyramid scheme."

Comments on this article

by Eclipse	Aug 13, 2008 1:22 PM
Strangley, no TRUE facts have been posted here. It's all assumption and speculation on the part of the press and the govt. Here is a FACT for you! Our money has been stolen from us and we can't pay our bills. We will fight for our company to the end.

by Judy	Aug 13, 2008 1:22 PM
ASD, Andy & Faye Bowdoin, the ASD Staff and all the members in ASD all are of the highest integrity. I'm pulling for ASD to win & hope we can get back the funds that were taken at the time of the seizure.

by Margaret	Aug 13, 2008 9:55 AM
I can't see how they think they're helping anybody by confiscating (stealing) thousands of peoples money. Grand theft at it's best. The AG is not helping anyone but hurting us. Help us Give the members of ASD back their money and company which we lov

by Lisa	Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM
GREAT company, AWESOME owner! Was he not just recognized at the White House not that long ago for his above board business ethics?! Once again the government coming down on the "little people", those trying to get ahead. Jesus is on your side Andy!!

by Michael	Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM
Purchased advertising on June 26th for the first time and hits to my site soared for the first time ever after trying many advertising mediums....I WANT ASD BACK IN BUSINESS....NOW....

by Tony	Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM
It's time for the FEDS to stay the hell out of our business. They found a lot of money and wanted to get their hands on it which is what they did by DEPOSITING our checks into the Treasury and signing our names. RETURN the money to ASD or is members.

by Judy	Aug 12, 2008 9:02 PM
One great company and everybody happy except 20 people. ASD will give them their money back. ASD opened up a world with possibilities and a platform for my new biz. Ruined in one day. The FEDS. A disgrace. They can't kill the essence of grassroots!!

by Alex	Aug 12, 2008 6:19 PM
I am a happy ASD member who believed in the advertising medium. Personally it was a great company and I enjoyed receiving a rebate % back. Didn't know that was illegal? To purchase advertisements online? Maybe someone should take a look at your paper

by Angel	Aug 12, 2008 6:19 PM
If you're going to say a story please get your facts straight. Geez how many reporters out there just wing it and don't do any research. How about you dig a little deeper and find out how the company works!? It's not that difficult.

by joseph	Aug 12, 2008 11:18 AM
Dominick, you aren 125% of your ad package purchase not 150%. Your article is not accurate. They called Amway a ponzi, remember? This is definetaly not a ponzi. Since 2006 ASD has never broken a promise to any member. The the truth shall set you free

by Joseph	Aug 12, 2008 11:18 AM
The charges will be dropped. This is NOT a ponzi. What is a crime is what the Gov did to thousands of people!!

by Robert	Aug 12, 2008 11:18 AM
I just want to thank Uncle Sam who has been taking money out of my check since I was 13 (45 years now) has found another way to steal my $ I became debt free and insurance poor 5 years ago and still almost live payck 2 payck I didn't want to retire.

by David	Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM
ASD is legitimate buiness, the Govt has to redefine their business guidelines and not follow the same rules written 30 yrs ago.A BIG SCAM is going to be exposed taking all our Money and will not pay back - SSN

by Patrick	Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM
Tao s report clearlyshow that he know little abouts how ASD operates.Tao , Can you honestly say that you have taken time to investigative the facts .You should be made accountable accountable for what you write,you cannot tell lies causing misely

by Henry	Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM
Member of ASD for 2 mos, very pleased with purchasing ad packages and national exposure of products thru websites generating sales. Company viable and performed as promised. Extensive hdwe upgrades 99% completed. No complaints, A+ business model.

by Sonya	Aug 12, 2008 11:17 AM
Since when did we start trusting this Government. I am not an ASD member, but do hope that you all stand for whats right...The US Government is your enemy and rated the #1 crook in the world...remember that! Stand strong!

by Holiday	Aug 11, 2008 8:22 PM
Several people tried 2 recruit me into ASD. They always used the pitch that you were guaranteed 150% of your money back, and I think that is what drew a lot of attention. 1 person emptied their IRA acct into ASD thinking they would dbl their money!

by Debbie	Aug 11, 2008 8:19 PM
The government are the crooks here. Andy has givin us little people away of life, change our economy for the better Prices keep going sky high, pay stays the same. We can't survive in this country. You, the government, are CROOKS! Andy was HELPING US

by Dennis	Aug 11, 2008 7:03 PM
ASD Advertising and rebates worked. If the government keeps the money seized then we have been scam by the government not ASD. This is your money people and you should support ASD because they did not scam your money. The truth will release our money.

by Diana	Aug 11, 2008 6:31 PM
Our gov. officials are the THEIVES with their SS & lottery PONZI scams. Who the heck do they think they are seizing $53 mil of 1,000's of peoples' money and announce that they may keep it?!! The Democrats are going after your right to bear arms next!

by Diana	Aug 11, 2008 5:47 PM
Our US Government is a JOKE!! Two people that made comments here got it right. . . SOCIAL SECURITY and THE LOTTERY are THE ULTIMATE PONZI SCAMS!!! WHY DON'T THE FEDS GO AFTER THEIR OWN CORRUPT BUDDIES and leave the innocent alone!!

by leslie	Aug 11, 2008 11:03 AM
ASD was working quite well for all who were involved in it from sells on affiliate sites to making rebates on ad cost. NOWWWWWWWW..the GOV. will step in call it a scam....AND "THEY" will steal our money...WHAT A JOKE and the PAPERS will back it up.

by leslie	Aug 11, 2008 11:03 AM
Known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution <~ papers guidelines for a comment...." THEY BROKE their own guidelines Priced at thousands of dollars, the ad packages allegedly promised 150 percent returns. <~~~ALL THIS IS UNTRUE...LOL

by Jeanie	Aug 11, 2008 11:02 AM
You people are very wrong. ASD is not a ponsi nor is it a piramid. Some sorry people decided to complain(20)people out of 150,000 complained.Who ever they are, that are supposed to be the do gooders have frozen my money.I am not happy with you peop

by John	Aug 11, 2008 11:02 AM
You people that have not been in ASD are just making blind sumations about a wonderful company that will succeed like microsoft& Google.Wait & SEE!!!!

by carla	Aug 11, 2008 11:02 AM
The only reason for the complaints were because of the phenomenal growth of the company. That just goes to show you what a good thing it was and will be when it comes back stronger than ever!

by bill	Aug 9, 2008 11:32 PM
D. Tao, get the facts straight before putting it in print. The ad packages are not "thousands of dollars" as you state, and they don't "promise 150%" return. Since last dec. I have gotten the adv. I paid for, and a good income. Tell the TRUTH!

by Rich	Aug 9, 2008 11:32 PM
Who lost money before the authorities got involved? If A.S.D. is a Ponzi then everywhere you turn there is one. Social Security,the stock markets,lotteries. At least ASD you got advertising and got paid in a short time. We'll see what the gov.keeps.

by blaine	Aug 9, 2008 11:32 PM
Joe, read the papers. Andy has been promoted from civil defendant to crimminal. He and his cheerleaders should be boiled in oil. They preyed on those who could least afford to lose.

by Cindy Y	Aug 9, 2008 11:31 PM
If you was at the Conference call tonight, we need to stay together and support our Company ASD, sending those e-mails and don't let the Gov take the Company money,our money.ASD is not an investment,I support ASD.

by Terry	Aug 8, 2008 8:38 PM
Karen, you said you and your husband "put in" $500 each. You were purchasing advertising. The rebates paid to you were for viewing the other member's websites. ASD is not an investment firm! I have made good money in ASD and have sold products too!

by Carol	Aug 8, 2008 7:52 PM
I have been in ASD for 6 months and found it to be quite fun surfing ads along with the potential profitability of selling products and earning rebates. Now, my biggest fear of losing money is the Government seizure of my investment!

by Ed Rubi	Aug 8, 2008 2:27 PM
I support ASD. The only money I have lost is the one the govement have taken fron ASD.

by Karem	Aug 8, 2008 2:24 PM
My sister who lives in Miami and went to the conference got me in to this scam and my husband and I put in 500 each, so I have lost 1000 but gained in experience..if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

by Joe	Aug 8, 2008 9:51 AM
Wake up!! Your getting some one's money until the whole thing collapses like a house of cards. If you have to pay someone to do business it's a scam!! I don't care if it's $25.00 or $5000.00. There are legit businesses like Google for web surfing.