In a time when the economy is increasingly tough and many are feeling the squeeze, it’s natural for people to look for ways to secure their future, support their families, and move toward financial independence. Promises of escaping the 9-5, earning a stable passive income, or “finally making it” resonate strongly with those seeking a better life. It’s why gambling, lotteries, scratch cards, and, yes, “get rich” programs continue to thrive—they tap into that deep-seated hope for something more.

At a time like this, however, we’ve seen the FBA Brand Builder program and similar schemes repeatedly exploit this vulnerability. Flashy images of luxury lifestyles, success stories in Dubai, and tales of ordinary people “making it big” circulate on social media, promising to teach others how to achieve the same results. The reality? Too often, these programs lead people to take on loans, max out credit cards, or drain their savings—only to discover they’ve been sold empty promises.

Why We’re Doing This

You may wonder why we’re taking the time to investigate and speak out. Who are we, and why does this matter to us? Without going into specifics, we are a small team of digital marketing experts with years of experience, familiar with both ethical marketing practices and tactics that cross the line. We didn’t set out to do this, but as we began hearing from people who’d been impacted, we couldn’t ignore the pattern that was emerging.

We’ve been contacted by numerous individuals who, after buying into these promises, found themselves in dire financial straits. Some felt foolish, others felt betrayed, and most were unsure of what to do next. They’re regular people—parents, young professionals, retirees—who invested their life savings or went into debt to join these programs, spurred on by ads and influencers pushing the dream of financial freedom. What they ended up with, however, was often just a series of generalized videos, unhelpful “mentorship,” and no actual roadmap to success.

We know the digital world well enough to spot the tactics at play. The testimonials, the glamorous images, the pitches that tell you to “take a leap” or “believe in yourself”—they’re powerful and seductive. But when they lack genuine substance, they become more than just marketing. They’re a play on people’s hopes and aspirations, and that’s something we can’t stand by and watch.

The Ethical Responsibility of Education Providers

We firmly believe that any educational or training provider—especially those in financial or business development—should adhere to basic ethical principles. Transparency, authenticity, and respect for their audience should be at the forefront. If you’re promoting an educational program, there’s no reason to rely on over-the-top imagery of cars and yachts or to make promises that lack genuine data to back them up. These tactics create an illusion of easy success, playing on people’s emotional and financial vulnerabilities without disclosing the reality of the work and risk involved.

When a program like the FBA Brand Builder suggests that participants can achieve financial freedom by following simple steps, it can give a distorted view of what’s actually possible. Yes, success stories exist, but they’re rare, often achieved by those who were already financially stable or had years of prior experience. For those in vulnerable financial positions, “investing” thousands can be a devastating decision when the returns are anything but guaranteed.

The Dark Side of Social Media: Creating a False Sense of Success

What’s particularly troubling is how easily social media allows this illusion of success to spread. Influencers post carefully curated content that implies a luxury lifestyle funded by the program, but the full story rarely makes it into the captions. They omit the reality of startup costs, ongoing investments, and the financial risk involved. Some may even be incentivized by referral fees, pushing the program not because they achieved success, but because they stand to profit by enrolling others.

We know this firsthand because we’ve seen it before. We understand how metrics can be manipulated, how stories can be shaped to paint an incomplete picture. And it’s frustrating to see hardworking people fall for this.

Our Mission: Standing as a Buffer and Promoting Transparency

Our mission is simple: to protect people by holding these programs accountable and helping consumers see past the enticing surface. We don’t do this for recognition or reward; we do it because, right now, very few are willing or able to push back on these kinds of schemes in Ireland.

We’re here to encourage anyone considering these programs to pause and ask questions. Who’s benefiting from the program you’re thinking of joining? Are the people promoting it open about any financial incentives? Are you being given a complete, realistic view of what’s involved?

In an ideal world, programs like these would be upfront about both the potential benefits and the substantial risks. They would disclose referral incentives, share concrete, data-backed success rates, and avoid the emotional manipulation that all too often leaves people feeling ashamed and financially devastated.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, we want to provide a buffer between what you see on social media and the decisions you make about your finances. We know that the draw of programs promising financial freedom is strong, especially during challenging times. But transparency, honesty, and ethics must come first. No program should exploit people’s desire for a better life by selling them a dream without the reality that comes with it.

If you have a story to share, like those who’ve already reached out to us, we want you to know that your story is 100% confidential with us. We’ll only ask for the information you’re comfortable sharing—nothing more. We don’t need personal information, just your experience, to help others make informed decisions. Feel free to email us at [email protected].

And look, we’d love nothing more than to not be needed for this. Our Netflix watch list is huge and only getting longer.