I am jumping ahead of my usual Thursday posts to discuss something that, to be perfectly honest with you, pisses me off more than anything else in the paranormal world: scams and scam artists.
My good friend and colleague Tiffany Smith Johnson, psychic extraordinaire, a person who I admire and respect more than any other, recently posted a warning to all her Facebook friends regarding a certain shyster who is currently selling “shares” to a television show that he claims to be already sold to a certain major network. Johnson does not name names, but to be honest with you, she doesn’t have to because I already knew whom she was talking about.
First off, folks, let me tell you that “shares” do not exist in television shows. A television show is not a business venture, it is not even a business, and it is far from a corporation. So this “paranormal craphead” that Johnson references is going around the paranormal community taking money from those whom are far too trusting, or too naïve to see the truth (if the two can be separated).
In the year that I have been investigating the paranormal, both with a group and now as an independent, I have encountered a large number of people, and have been warned of more, who view the paranormal and fans of the paranormal as nothing more than cash cows — big ol’ piggy banks packed with dollar bills — and pay little attention to building a community or validating the cause. Instead, people are in it for their own personal gains, willing to bilk friends, family, and fans out a dollar, and hiding behind the false moniker of “professional investigators” despite the fact that there is no formal training that could possibly produce such a description. I also understand that there are those in the business who respectfully add to the field, and in turn make financial gain from doing so; IDEAL Event Management and Anomalie Paranormal are two such companies that come to mind. Both of these businesses are legitimate entities owned by those who have delivered much credibility to the field and are rewarded for doing so. These companies and others similar have earned their bones and have the right to comensurate compensation.
I am set on tearing down all those who do not share their dedication — those who do nothing but milk the teat of the supernatural and run away with buckets of spilling milk.
And the reason why is a simple one: there are people in the community who make the “paranormal experts and investigators” the lowest of humanity’s totem pole. A portion of the self-proclaimed “professional investigators” are nothing more than sick, uneducated, morally depraved people who have no personal skills, no work ethic and no professional experience in any field — much less the paranormal. They are leeches upon the community. They leech off of the success of others, simply put, because they are bottom feeders — unable to grasp the handlebars of their own lives: they are unable to keep a job, they live in hovels, hiding criminal records, and cannot find a way to get their lives on track so they choose to derail others because of greed, jealousy, general mediocrity, and general pathetic-ness. Currently, I am aware of three separate investigation by the Department of Justice against paranormal investigators and paranormal teams for fraudulent business ethics and tax fraud. These people are among humanity’s lowest-common-denominators.
However, within the field, there are those who are dedicated to the cause; those who seek nothing but answers and try to redefine the space and enhance its acceptance and validity from those on the outside looking in. These are the people who view this work as a passion and not a paycheck. These are the people who want to take the field forward rather than to the bank. These are the people who don’t have websites, sell tickets, solicit shitty equipment with their paranormal group’s Kinko’s-created stickers on it, and tell people suffering from the heartache of a passed love one that a $150 EMF detector will reconnect them in the secular world. No, these are the people do it because they love all things supernatural and no other reason than that.
Furthermore, I will admit my own hypocrisy. Am I currently working on a project that involves the paranormal that has the potential to make money? Yes, I am. Am I using the paranormal to spread my own name through The Contrarian website and its fervent fan base? Yes, I am. Am I a person who once was a member of a paranormal group that could possibly be guilty of some of the preceding paragraphs’ vitriol-based list of sins? Yes, I was. But what I am not doing is collecting money from my readers or friends, my ventures are financially mine and my own. I write for The Contrarian because I like to see my name and words in print, call it ego. . . I call it reality. And finally, I left my former group for reasons that I have never hid, and now critical readers can add more information to the list.
In the paranormal field, there are people who collect money in the tens of thousands for paranormal events and meets-and-greets that never happen and this money never gets reimbursed. There are people who charge for a paranormal investigation. There are people who con their fellow investigators out of traveling expenses when expenses were already covered. There are people who fake evidence and put it on their websites to gain a certain level of respect and then bilk cash out of those who don’t know what an EXIF viewer is or can’t spot PhotoShop when they see it. They fake disembodied voices, EVPs, onto recording devices for their own personal,future monetary gains.
Ladies and gentleman, these are crimes and rightfully deserve prison time. These are serious offenses against humanity and should be punished.
Unfortunately that usually doesn’t happen. That is why Dante designed the fourth circle of Hell, a special place for all of you, when it should be your turn to create cold spots and make your first legitimate EVP.
Good for you Chris!
I am sooooo backing you on this one.Can I please put this on my website? People who lack intergrity have nothing. There are people in the field just to make money off of it – they would steal the pennies from a dead mans eyes – there are those that want their claim to fame & will fake a investigation to get it …They dirty the pool where the honest paranormal investigators, convention holders, readers etc are – they seem to be the ones who stand out & help shadow the respectable people who are trying to live with intergrity & honest investigations.
KUDOS to you … I wish I knew the names … I would boycott all they put out there.
i too am upset as this is bad for all of us i have a solution. Hope you see it soon, as far as Tiffany Smith Johnson i understand completely there are ways to take care of this by working together.Good Blessings, Ariel Schultz
Although well meant and on the mark for the most part I disagree with some of the Characterizations about most Paranormal groups! I am the founder and CEO of the Southern Michigan Paranormals, and I am very proud of the work we have accomplished in just under three years! and I do look for ways to make money at what I love doing!….Paranormal Investigations, and helping those who need it!…we are looking to set up tours and other money making ventures to help us cover costs within our non profit group! I run it like a business, and that is the way most groups should be run! our community outreach and involvement are key to helping those we care about, we work with the State of Michigan Historical society, the Historical society of Marshall Michigan and others… through historic preservation brought by paranormal investigations of such places.we have worked hard to gain the respect of these entities…let alone all we have helped, we have also helped several families get their lives and homes back by documenting their activity and educating them on the real paranormal…not the TV version!.. and all always free! but I do not like the fringe phoney crap either..or the fruit cakes that run around selling made up equipment and touting baloney stories and investigations. we have had our run in and first hand experience with this as well! I am a man that despises the crap,and the phony paranormal so called stars!…so for the most I agree…but to make money at what you love doing…nothing wrong with it if done the right way and for the right reasons!…..marketing ones group is the best way to make sure the community and the potential clients know you exist… so to generalize us all in a close bucket is not fair…but here! here!…to you and what you stand for! good article.
@Rhiannon – repost away, but please do me a favor and cite the source! Thanks for the support.
@Dan – Your group sounds like a top-notch organization. Unfortunately, groups such as yours are a rarity within the study. But, please note I said “a portion of the self-proclaimed”… but didn’t say how big that portion was! (tricky!!!!!) Keep doing what you are doing, my friend. And I wish I was in Michigan to work with you. Thanks for chiming in.
I would have to agree with you, Chris. This is a topic that permeates a lot of the discussions I have with friends and colleagues in the “paranormal field.”
While you have a desire to pursue the things that drive and motivate you to discover and find answers, you have the precarious balance of operating in a field that has become filled with the over-important and the hypocritical. Drama rules the day, and backstabbing has become the natural outflow of over-saturation.
When this happens, you have a field that was once filled with the well-intentioned, being usurped by those who would make a name for themselves – sometimes by attempting the elimination of perceived “competition.”
Some who once cried “Spirit” and “unity” and “cooperation” for the sake of furthering this field of exploration and research, have become the hypocritical, finger pointing derisionists who seek only personal agenda and self promotion.
As to the notion of seeking to “make money at what you enjoy,” isn’t that just American? Isn’t that what we all wish we could do…? So very few have that rare opportunity. Like BigDog above, we all look for ways to increase our knowledge base, practice our craft, and perhaps find ways to make it make a living for us.
In our efforts and business endeavors, we are always looking for ways to capitalize ongoing efforts, otherwise things get put on the shelf with only the hope of someday pursuing dreams and goals. And, then, if we actually acheive the goal, there are so many people that come along with us, so many people who learn and grow.
You have some good words, but you also have some words based on limited knowledge of what everyone out there is doing.
Thanks for thinking!
I appreciate the service you provide here, and you do a pretty decent job and are a solid writer.
I do need to ask, however, if you have checked in with the “paranormal craphead” to verify the facts of what was publicly posted?
My knowledge of the facts in this matter is that he wasn’t selling “shares in a television show.” He had approached a friend and offered a small percentage partnership in his personal production company in exchange for funding. It happens in small companies every day.
Meanwhile, his partner was seeking similar funding in the independent film industry, where she owns a small production company and has many connections. Together. they were attempting to raise $5000 to capitalize their ongoing effort, and as unconventional as it was, they thought a great avenue would be to pursue it through existing business associates, friends and colleagues.
From what I know, this is also the very first time he had approached anyone outside his own bank account for additional seed funding via financial partnership.
Also, I know this person was simply working to raise funds for his effort through highly ethical means utilized by small businesses every day.
Despite Tiffany being a highly trustworthy person in your book, it does not leave her incapable of not having all the facts in hand. This is the sort of distortion that has birthed the term “Para-drama.” When people don’t know the facts from every side, it is irresponsible to publicize someone else’s business.
Perhaps there are deeper, hidden agendas at play that could be something worthy of your journalistic skill and fervor.
Scotty,
Thank you for your kind words concerning my post.
Based on your description, I believe that the person that I am referring to and the person that you discuss, are not the same person. I cannot speak for Tiffany and was not in personal contact with her other than a FB response.
There are two sides to every story, and I am certain that there is more than one concerning this new “para-drama” (a term I never heard before but certainly enjoy!!!) It was not my intent to scatter hateful rhetoric at a single person, but at all of the self-proclaimed business people who manipulate and con fans of the paranormal; and was only using Tiffany’s post as a springboard to the argument.
I, personally, raise a skeptical eye at many of the tactics used by paranormal groups in order to “raise cash” and further their ability to “help people”. Through my own paranormal experience, I have met more people with empty wallets and silver-tongues, than actual haunted houses. And it seems that most potentially “haunted” buildings house businesses yearning for cash registers with full tills. I don’t know if this is pessimism from seeing a field that I love and have loved for so long return to the days of cheesecloth-ectoplasm and papier-mache puppets, or the wisdom of a growing critical mind… I guess that is subjective to the reader.
Of course, I would be quick to defend a colleague who legitimately wanted to start a business, and don’t see any problem with supporting such an endeavor. Unfortunately, I meet more “para-crap-heads” than legitimate and true-to-their-word future business people.
Well said… wishing you the best, Chris….
Chris:
Just to clear up my post in regards to your amazing article… I have the actual email evidence SENT to potential “investors” by the slimy party involved. I didn’t solicit this evidence. It was brought to my attention by several parties that didn’t know one another. Unfortunately, I, at one time, had been associated with this person and as such, they wanted my help/assistance in this matter as thousands of dollars were requested. Because of our former affiliation, they thought it best to approach me. It saddens me that this individual, who knows who he is, tries to defend or detract from his actions. In all honesty, my heart hurts for him and his family that his life has come to such a dim existence. Every day I pray for his family and the people that he has taken advantage of that there may be healing all around.
Chris,
Nicely done. As with most ventures, within the paranormal there are ways to act honorably, ethically and responsibly while also carving out a living.
I admit that – as an entertainment journalist who has written quite a bit about paranormal investigators and has launched a Web site devoted to paranormal entertainment – I do pay the bills by tapping into this world, but not on the backs of people in need.
While the current paranormal wave in pop-culture has led to more education, it has also unfortunately led to an open door for opportunists. The worst aspect of the paranormal boom from the last couple years is that now many people want to make a quick buck – and that often comes at the expense of people hurting and desperate after losing loved ones, or at the expense of those genuinely fearful in their own homes.
Again, nicely done.