Troy Warren’s Latest Email: A Classic MLM Scam Disguised as “Opportunity”
The latest email blast from Troy Warren is a textbook example of deceptive marketing tactics wrapped in buzzwords, urgency, and vague promises. If you’ve received this message, here’s a breakdown of why it raises serious red flags — and why it’s likely just another money-grab scheme with no real value behind it.
Background on Troy Warren
Troy Warren is known for promoting “business opportunity” programs that heavily rely on recruiting new participants rather than selling tangible products. His companies, including LocalCityPlaces.com, have a history of marketing schemes that generate revenue primarily from fees paid by participants, not actual consumer sales. Understanding this context helps explain why his latest email warrants scrutiny.
Major Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore
1. No Clear Product or Service
- The actual service or product remains unclear.
- No explanation of how it benefits merchants, sponsors, or customers.
- Buzzwords like “referral system,” “proprietary platform,” and “press releases” are used without context or meaning.
2. Classic Pyramid Scheme Language
“You can refer others to the $CASH$BATES$ Business.”
“Your referral sponsors a restaurant and that goes in your downline.”
“Unlimited sponsors = unlimited income.”
This is classic MLM language — the real “product” is recruiting others into the system. Most participants will not profit and will often lose money.
3. Fake Scarcity and Manufactured Urgency
- “LIMITS will be imposed as of May 1.”
- “You can still obtain 3+1’s through the end of April.”
- “Early adopters get fulfillment priority.”
These tactics are designed to pressure people into acting quickly without thinking critically. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a common psychological manipulation in scams.
4. Confusing, Made-Up Terminology
- “$CASH$BATES$ Business”
- “LOCAL City Places Platform”
- “Referral Genealogy Section”
- “Phase I / Phase II Merchant Sponsor Agreement”
These terms are invented to sound official but are intentionally vague and misleading.
5. Word Salad and Circular Logic
The message is long-winded and repetitive, using convoluted language to obscure the lack of a real offer. This is a common tactic in scams — overwhelm the reader with fluff to distract from the absence of substance.
What’s Really Being Sold
At its core, this scheme appears to be about convincing people to pay for the privilege of becoming a “sponsor” of a business (like a restaurant). Participants are promised:
- Exposure through vague “advertising”
- Placement in a “referral downline”
- Commissions from future recruits
There’s no tangible product or service being sold to actual consumers — just money changing hands between participants. That’s not a business model; that’s a red flag.
Why You Should Be Cautious
MLMs and pyramid schemes prey on people’s desire to earn extra income quickly. Promises of “unlimited income” and emphasis on recruiting are statistically misleading — very few participants actually profit. Recognizing the psychological tactics, fake urgency, and confusing terminology can help protect your money and time.
Practical Steps to Protect Yourself
- Research the company thoroughly. Check for reviews or complaints online.
- Look for transparency: Are there clear products, pricing, and success stories?
- Avoid programs where income depends primarily on recruiting others.
- Consult official resources like the FTC or Better Business Bureau to check for warnings.
Final Verdict: High Scam Risk
Troy Warren’s latest email isn’t a legitimate business opportunity — it’s a sophisticated recruitment pitch dressed up as a business offer. The lack of clarity, combined with high-pressure tactics and invented terminology, makes it a high-risk proposition. Approach it — and any similar “opportunity” — with extreme caution. Protect your money, time, and peace of mind.
Discover the latest money scams emerging across the USA and how to avoid them.
Understand the warning signs of Ponzi schemes and how they operate.
About the author
Troy Warren’s “National Independent Restaurant Alliance” — Another Layer in the RATE$BATES Pyramid?
Troy Warren’s “NIRA - National Partnership” — Another Layer in the RATE$BATES Pyramid? October 2025 brought a new announcement from Troy Warren’s Local City Places, promoted through a paid press release service (EINPresswire) and syndicated to local media pages like WANE.com. The release introduced the so-called National Independent Restaurant Alliance (NIRA), described as a nationwide advocacy organization for independent restaurants. But closer inspection suggests NIRA may exist only on paper — created and controlled by the same marketing operation behind RATE$BATES and $CASH$BATES. In the announcement, Local City Places positioned itself as “the grassroots local network” powering NIRA’s city-level presence. The release used phrases like “national advocacy,” “economic leverage,” and “organizational support” — all designed to give the impression of a large, structured alliance. Yet there is no independent website, registration, or public leadership record confirming NIRA as a legitimate […]
Troy Warren Free Merchant Website Program Explained – Do Not Give Upfront Fees
Be Careful- Why Troy Warren’s “Free Websites” Pitch Deserves a Closer Look - Do not give Upfront Fees Upfront-fees in exchange for the Troy Warren Free Merchant Website program is being promoted as a breakthrough opportunity for small-business owners and sponsors alike. It promises free websites, ongoing commissions, and “six-figure potential.” But when you strip away the nostalgia and urgency, the mechanics look far more like a multi-level marketing structure than a true small-business solution. 1. The Setup: Nostalgia as credibility bait The email opens with a long memory-lane story about an early 1990s/1998 project to establish authority. That story is used to imply the sender has repeatable “magic” — a common tactic to transfer trust from past success to a new offer. Historical anecdotes can be real, but they’re also easy to use as credibility theater. 2. The […]
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is Doomed
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is DoomedSide-by-Side ComparisonFeatureTroy Warren’s “LOCAL City Places”Yelp / Google Maps / NextdoorBusiness Data QualityPlaceholder names like “Burgers Test Restaurant” with fake numbers (555-xxxx). Some listings use completely mismatched photos (restaurants showing shoes).Verified businesses with accurate names, real addresses, and phone numbers directly tied to the merchant.User Reviews“No reviews yet” across the board, despite promises of “steady activity.”Millions of active reviews across every major category. Trusted by both consumers and businesses.ImagesStock photos, irrelevant uploads, or generic placeholders.Real customer photos, verified merchant uploads, and street-view integration.FunctionalityListings don’t connect to any live traffic, ordering, or customer engagement.Deep integration with maps, ordering platforms, reservations, and real community discussions.MonetizationRecruit-to-earn schemes and “city host” licenses. The platform itself has no organic merchant value.Real ad platforms where businesses pay for visibility because the audience is there.Trust & CredibilityFake phone […]
Eats Fleet comes with the same wave of press release hype
The Rise (and Reinvention) of “Eats Fleet” If you follow local food delivery experiments in the Valley, you may have noticed a curious trend: the cycle of flashy new platforms that appear out of nowhere, make bold promises, and then quietly fade away. First, there was Local City Places, a concept that claimed it would revolutionize the way communities connected with small businesses. That platform never took off. Then came Local City Eats, a supposed hub for restaurant promotions and discounts. Despite the enthusiasm in its marketing, it too has struggled to gain meaningful traction. Now, there’s a new name on the horizon: Eats Fleet. According to press releases, Eats Fleet aims to be a “game changer” for both restaurants and delivery drivers in Phoenix. The pitch is familiar: a system that helps local eateries reach customers while providing drivers […]
CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: $CASH$BATES$, CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards Executive Summary The $CASH$BATES$ program, operated by CityPressMedia, Inc. and fronted by entrepreneur Troy Warren, originally promised users payouts via a branded debit card. The company has now pivoted to promoting an unregulated "eWallet" platform that allegedly supports ACH transfers, virtual debit cards compatible with Apple/Google Pay, push-to-card payouts, and even cryptocurrency. This report explores both the original and new payout models, uncovers the regulatory requirements they likely do not meet, and outlines the legal risks to both the operators and participants. 1. The Original Plan: Branded LOCAL City Places Debit Cards In promotional materials and emails, Troy Warren initially claimed that commissions and cashback earnings would be loaded onto a "branded LOCAL City Places Partner Debit Card." This card, he said, would be reloadable and offered by the […]
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know In recent years, many online programs and “rewards” platforms have started offering what they call branded debit cards to participants. Whether they claim you’ll receive cashback, commissions, or monthly bonuses loaded onto a Visa or Mastercard, the appeal is obvious: free money, conveniently delivered. But here’s the reality — issuing branded debit cards is tightly regulated, and not just any business can hand them out. In fact, many of these claims are either misleading or entirely false. To understand the truth, it’s important to know how branded cards actually work. Companies cannot simply print their logo on a Visa or Mastercard and start distributing them. Only banks that are licensed Visa or Mastercard issuers can offer these cards — and only after passing stringent vetting by the payment networks […]
Related
Troy Warren Free Merchant Website Program Explained – Do Not Give Upfront Fees
Be Careful- Why Troy Warren’s “Free Websites” Pitch Deserves a Closer Look - Do not give Upfront Fees Upfront-fees in exchange for the Troy Warren Free Merchant Website program is being promoted as a breakthrough opportunity for small-business owners and sponsors alike. It promises free websites, ongoing commissions, and “six-figure potential.” But when you strip away the nostalgia and urgency, the mechanics look far more like a multi-level marketing structure than a true small-business solution. 1. The Setup: Nostalgia as credibility bait The email opens with a long memory-lane story about an early 1990s/1998 project to establish authority. That story is used to imply the sender has repeatable “magic” — a common tactic to transfer trust from past success to a new offer. Historical anecdotes can be real, but they’re also easy to use as credibility theater. 2. The […]
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is Doomed
LOCAL City Places and why this Business Directory Is DoomedSide-by-Side ComparisonFeatureTroy Warren’s “LOCAL City Places”Yelp / Google Maps / NextdoorBusiness Data QualityPlaceholder names like “Burgers Test Restaurant” with fake numbers (555-xxxx). Some listings use completely mismatched photos (restaurants showing shoes).Verified businesses with accurate names, real addresses, and phone numbers directly tied to the merchant.User Reviews“No reviews yet” across the board, despite promises of “steady activity.”Millions of active reviews across every major category. Trusted by both consumers and businesses.ImagesStock photos, irrelevant uploads, or generic placeholders.Real customer photos, verified merchant uploads, and street-view integration.FunctionalityListings don’t connect to any live traffic, ordering, or customer engagement.Deep integration with maps, ordering platforms, reservations, and real community discussions.MonetizationRecruit-to-earn schemes and “city host” licenses. The platform itself has no organic merchant value.Real ad platforms where businesses pay for visibility because the audience is there.Trust & CredibilityFake phone […]
Eats Fleet comes with the same wave of press release hype
The Rise (and Reinvention) of “Eats Fleet” If you follow local food delivery experiments in the Valley, you may have noticed a curious trend: the cycle of flashy new platforms that appear out of nowhere, make bold promises, and then quietly fade away. First, there was Local City Places, a concept that claimed it would revolutionize the way communities connected with small businesses. That platform never took off. Then came Local City Eats, a supposed hub for restaurant promotions and discounts. Despite the enthusiasm in its marketing, it too has struggled to gain meaningful traction. Now, there’s a new name on the horizon: Eats Fleet. According to press releases, Eats Fleet aims to be a “game changer” for both restaurants and delivery drivers in Phoenix. The pitch is familiar: a system that helps local eateries reach customers while providing drivers […]
CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT: $CASH$BATES$, CityPressMedia, and the Illusion of Branded Debit Cards Executive Summary The $CASH$BATES$ program, operated by CityPressMedia, Inc. and fronted by entrepreneur Troy Warren, originally promised users payouts via a branded debit card. The company has now pivoted to promoting an unregulated "eWallet" platform that allegedly supports ACH transfers, virtual debit cards compatible with Apple/Google Pay, push-to-card payouts, and even cryptocurrency. This report explores both the original and new payout models, uncovers the regulatory requirements they likely do not meet, and outlines the legal risks to both the operators and participants. 1. The Original Plan: Branded LOCAL City Places Debit Cards In promotional materials and emails, Troy Warren initially claimed that commissions and cashback earnings would be loaded onto a "branded LOCAL City Places Partner Debit Card." This card, he said, would be reloadable and offered by the […]
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know
The Truth Behind Branded Debit Cards: What Consumers Need to Know In recent years, many online programs and “rewards” platforms have started offering what they call branded debit cards to participants. Whether they claim you’ll receive cashback, commissions, or monthly bonuses loaded onto a Visa or Mastercard, the appeal is obvious: free money, conveniently delivered. But here’s the reality — issuing branded debit cards is tightly regulated, and not just any business can hand them out. In fact, many of these claims are either misleading or entirely false. To understand the truth, it’s important to know how branded cards actually work. Companies cannot simply print their logo on a Visa or Mastercard and start distributing them. Only banks that are licensed Visa or Mastercard issuers can offer these cards — and only after passing stringent vetting by the payment networks […]
CashBates – Real Rewards or Real Red Flags
CashBates: Real Rewards or Real Red Flags? A new initiative called CashBates, launched by the site LocalCityPlaces.com, promises consumers "real cash rewards for shopping local" with no strings attached. According to press releases, users simply take a photo of a local store receipt, upload it through the site, and — once verified — receive 10% cash back. No points, no store credit, and no product restrictions. The program’s pitch is clear: support your local economy and earn real money while doing it. Even more enticing is the referral opportunity. CashBates users can recruit friends, family members, or even local business owners and earn additional rewards — not just from their direct referrals, but also from those referred by their referrals. With a two-tier commission structure, this turns ordinary shoppers into local economy ambassadors — or so the pitch goes. But […]
Be the first to leave a comment