A man named Martin listed an “established” distance learning education business for sale. In actuality, no such business exists, as evidenced by a successful lawsuit against him, warnings published about him by others, and documents he himself has published.
Introduction
We reached out to Martin regarding a business that was for sale on BizBuySell. He offered the business for sale and claimed to make millions of dollars per year on this business.
Who is Meir Martin?
We sent a message online and received an initial voicemail identifying himself only as “Martin”. We called back and Martin Fluss identified himself as Meir Martin (“but people just call me Martin”). Here are conclusions we have from facts we learned about Martin:
- Meir Martin is married to Doina Martin and resides at 4106 NW 78th Terrace, Coral Springs, FL 33065 (source)
- Meir Martin is an entrepreneur involved in photography, trips to Israel, and his daughter’s business, he is shown and visible on this site, (source)
- Records regarding Meir Martin’s name (source, and you must search for MEIR,MARTIN and MARTIN,MEIR)
We spoke with the business seller by calling 305-546-3745. Martin identified multiple businesses for sale: a higher education distance learning company, an “accredited” distance learning high school degree program, an import-export business, a legal immigration service, and others. Martin identified himself as living at a house in West Palm, being married and having two children.
By employing voice recognition analysis of the public videos of Meir Martin versus the voicemail we received, we are somewhat confident these are different people.
Who is the actual seller?
The phone number 305-546-3745 was used since at least 2014 to sell these businesses, according to these facts:
- Elba Calderon, EC Business Brokers LLC listed all those businesses for sale (source)
- Classified ads in National Enquirer, page 44 (source)
- The Gridley Herald (source) Note: Elba is Martin’s (the actual seller’s) wife. (Source: Google for 9510 Equus Cir Boynton Beach FL ELBA FLUSS, 561-706-1450)
In 2015 Martin Fluss operated a website to sell the same business as get rich quick scheme franchise opportunities:
- Website selling these businesses (source)
- Owner of this site is Martin Fluss (source, and search MULTI MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES)
- Martin Fluss signed this page which offers the import-export business as a franchise, not an actual business (source)
Martin owns the website Handicap USA 1 which matches the description of the “A Charity Business” from EC Business Brokers, above. And thus Martin’s actual address is revealed (source).
This address matches the description Martin provided to us on the phone. Martin’s actual identity and address:
MARTIN FLUSS 9510 EQUUS CIR, BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33472 +1 305-546-3745 MRMARTIN7@OUTLOOK.COM
Possible photo of Fluss (source):
Other businesses Martin Fluss operates
As per our review.
- https://fastlegalimmigrationusa.com
- Flat-tire-emergency-helper1.com
- Penningtonshighschool1.com
- Inventionsubmitauthority1.com
- Jobsnowusa1.com
- Wingreencardusalottery.com
- Irssolutioncenter1.com
- One-Of-A-Kind High School
Source: WHOIS search and Sun Biz search for FLUSS,MARTIN
Are these businesses legitimate?
Martin was successfully sued for $85,000, (source), search local case number 2010-023010-CA-01)).
- Martin was found guilty of fraudulent inducement for selling a business on false pretenses which included providing false IRS records, source: judgement 29392:2969
- Fluss made representations that the business was developed but it “plainly” was not, source: judgement 29392:2969
- Martin pleaded to court that he did not have access to funds to pay the XXX judgement, additionally he was investigated for failing to disclose funds he did have access to, source: motion 04/26/2016 / FOR ENTRY OF ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE shows
- The findings in the judgement would easily meet the definition of mail fraud if such documents were provided over USPS mail
The State of Oklahoma, Department of Securities officially complained to Fluss for soliciting its residents to purchase businesses but not following proper disclosure laws (source).
Other people that purchased his business publicly posted that it was a scam:
- https://www.smallbg.com/button/hb/201507/a_What_is_Multi_Million_Dollar_Business_Opportunities_and_who_is_Martin_Fluss_.html
- https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140917155815AARcfaf
- https://www.realscam.com/f16/multi-million-dollar-opportunities-martin-fluss-scam-great-opportunity-2766/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V9Py56Ldwo
- https://www.yelp.com/biz/penningtons-national-high-school-fort-lauderdale
Other notes showing that One-of-a-Kind High School is not accredited:
- Accreditation statement
- Accreditation agency is National Accreditation Agency (source)
- Deborah Bryant represents National Accreditiation Agency (source: Washington Post)
- This entity is clearly a joke
- Listed reason for sale: health problems (source)
- Further review: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101201110828AAuFE84
Summary
We have a high degree of confidence that Martin Fluss was the person we spoke with on the phone and who was selling these businesses.
Martin has clearly made deceptive business sales in the past.
It is possible that Martin has a separate business available for sale that is unrelated to the scams above.
It is possible that Martin’s other business actually makes significant revenue. However, the business model (identified in lawsuit docket) is an affiliate network which requires signing up business to sell products. The sale of actual products is not the business model.
We later contacted Martin to ask if his actual name is Martin Fluss and he confirmed we were correct.
▧
Comments
Martin Fluss is indeed a thief and liar. He stole 10,000 from me in 2017. I should have sued his slimy ass. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS THEIF. IF IN FL.. STAY AWAY FROM Martin Fluss. Thief, liar, con-man.
Anonymous
Please discuss this topic anywhere and let me know any great comments or media coverage I should link here.