Asmongold Charity Scam: Red Flags That Scream Scam!

Asmongold and his esports squad OTK. They did these charity streams that were supposed to be all about giving to good causes, but now things are a bit messy. There’s this company called Softgiving, or now they call themselves Brandfluence, that set up these streams between top gamers and charities. Now, reports are saying that a big amount of the donations, like millions worth, might not have actually made it to the charities.

When you peek into their records, it seems like Softgiving took a hefty cut for themselves. Apparently, only 58% of the $6 million in donations actually made its way to the charities. What’s raising eyebrows is their radio silence during all this controversy.

What Is The Asmongold Charity Scam

The Asmongold Charity Scam boils down to this: Asmon and his crew at OTK joined forces with Softgiving (now Brandfluence) to run charity streams, raking in millions for good causes like Games for Love. But only a fraction of the $6.2 million they raised actually reached the charities – just $3.6 million made it. Softgiving decided to keep $2.6 million (that’s 42%) for themselves, citing vague “fees and expenses” without showing where the money went. Reporters dug into this shady business, reaching out to Asmon and OTK for some answers. But, nada. No responses. So, while fans thought they were doing good, it seems a big chunk of the charity cash went somewhere else.

Being a big shot in the streaming world comes with responsibilities, especially when you’re rallying your audience for a good cause. Here’s the playbook for Asmongold, OTK, and the whole streaming crew for future charity gigs.

Verifying the Scam: Double-Checking Facts

To make sure the accusations were true, I took some extra steps:

1. Picture Searches: No Matches I tried finding similar images online from Softgiving, but they weren’t legit. The images they used were actually from other real websites, not their own. That’s a big warning sign.
2. Trying to Talk to Softgiving: No Answer I attempted to reach out to Softgiving, but they didn’t respond at all. A real company usually answers questions. Their silence made things look even more suspicious.
3. Matching Financial Records I compared the financial details in the investigation with the records available. Everything lined up; there were no differences or disputes. The investigation’s numbers and facts stood unchallenged.
4. Donations didn’t get where they were supposed to.
5. Asmon actively supported the organizers now in trouble.
6. Viewers are rightfully upset at the lack of accountability.

Asmon and OTK’s silence is hurting the trust needed for future fundraising. Without them stepping up and showing real change, rebuilding goodwill looks tough.

With no evidence against the claims, it’s clear as day that Softgiving was running a scam. Yet, there are still questions about how much Asmon and OTK knew.

Determining Asmongold Charity Scam: Red Flags

• The First Look into Softgiving’s Actions

Back on December 13th, 2022, reporters Jacob Wolf and Hunter Cooke shared a report about Softgiving, the company behind charity streams involving big names like Asmongold. The investigation showed that between 2020 and 2022, Softgiving organized streams that raised about $6.2 million. Butonly $3.6 million actually made it to the charities. Softgiving kept $2.6 million (42%) for themselves, covering fees and expenses. Oh, and the influencers got their share too.

• Public Records Reveal High Charges

To back up their findings, Wolf and Cooke checked public records from the Georgia secretary of state. These records, open to the public, spilled the financial details. In one case, Softgiving pocketed $312,765 in commissions from a charity stream that raised $596,246 in 2020. Digging through 48 more pages exposed similar patterns over two years. The report also pointed out a $90,000 payment to xQc from a $61,000 Wiz Khalifa stream, although it wasn’t clear where those funds came from.

• Softgiving’s Defense and Dispute

After the investigation, Softgiving, now called Brandfluence, took to social media to challenge the article’s accuracy. While admitting general inaccuracies, they avoided specifying particular figures. They insisted that charities worked with them “at no cost,” directly contradicting the financial evidence presented in the article. Despite encouraging readers to verify details with the charities they serve, the absence of clear documentation raised doubts.

• Asmongold and OTK’s Curious Silence

In the midst of the controversy, Asmon and OTK chose to stay silent initially. As a co-founder of OTK closely associated with Softgiving, Asmon’s insights were highly anticipated. Jacob Wolf tried reaching out to OTK members more than ten times throughout the year, receiving no response. The silence was puzzling, especially considering the ban on related terms within Asmon’s streams. Finally, on January 5th, 2024, Asmon briefly acknowledged the situation when prompted by a viewer but refrained from providing substantial details.

How To Make Charity Streams Better: Tips for Streamers

Dig Deep into Partners:

Before teaming up with any charity middlemen, do your homework. Check the company’s background, who’s running the show, and what the financials look like. Crunch the numbers – what percentage is taken for fees, and where does the rest end up? Get clear answers before signing on the dotted line.

Demand Clear Money Trails:

Contracts should lay out the details of where every penny goes. If a middleman is shady about fees or hides behind vague “operating costs,” steer clear. Transparency is key, and pros understand that when you’re dealing with donations, everyone deserves to know where the money is headed.

Show the Money

When the stream wraps up, give the audience a financial report card. Break down what was raised, what the middlemen took, and how much actually made it to the charity. Put it online for all to see. This not only shuts down doubters but also lets your supporters know their generosity did some real good.

Own Up to Mistakes

Even with the best intentions, things can go sideways. If issues pop up down the road, own it. Admit any oversights, figure out what went wrong, and lay out how you’ll tighten things up. Even if it’s not directly your fault, take responsibility for any questionable connections. It’s about being upfront with your audience.

Charity Scams: How To Avoid Them

Stop! Refuse The Pressure: Your Space, Your Pace

If someone’s hitting you with high-pressure donation requests, it’s time to pause. Legitimate charities don’t play the pushy game. Your giving journey should be on your terms, no rush.

Crypto Cautions: Uncharted Territory For Charities

Ever heard of charities accepting cryptocurrency? Nope? That’s because they don’t! If a charity insists on crypto, it’s a red flag. Stick to the reliable payment methods the ones charities actually use.

Mission Clarity

A legit charity or fundraiser will spill the beans on their mission. They’ll share how your donation will rock the world, offer proof that it’s tax-deductible, and basically, be an open book. If they’re secretive, it’s a no-go.

Tax Charitable Numbers

When in doubt, ask for the digits! Request the registered charitable tax number from the solicitor. Also you have to confirm the charity’s deets with the Canada Revenue Agency or give them a ring at 1-800-267-2384.

Conclusion

The whole charity fundraising mess involving Asmongold, OTK, and Brandfluence is still tangled up legally, and it’s going to take time to sort out.

What’s clear is that Asmon and OTK haven’t handled the situation well in the public eye. A simple acknowledgment of the problem and a few changes could make a big difference.

In the world of streaming, doing good has never been more crucial. So, for the next charity stream, keep these lessons in mind. Be transparent, accountable.

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