Newsagents have reported being approached to participate in My News Plus. This is being promoted by a business called Commerx1. The website is www.commerx1.com.au. Ross Whitehead claims to be a principal of Commerx1 on his Linked In page, although the domain name was registered by a Ross Smart.
Read how they describe their business:
MyNewsPlus.com.au MNP is an on-line department store designed specifically for Newsagents. MyNewsPlus will be licensed and operated on behalf of more than 2,000 newsagents Australia wide. The business will be managed by MyNewsPlus Pty Limited, founded specifically to develop and manage the on-line sales and delivery infrastructure for MyNewsPlus.
Commerx1 has been tasked with the design, development and implementation of the MyNewsPlus technology and logistics infrastructre. Commerx1 is a consulting company which specialises in the development of e-commerce software and fullfillment solutions.
I would be interested to know how they will be licenced and by whom.
Newsagents considering getting involved in My News Plus ought to research Ross Whitehead. Click here to see what Queensland Fair Trading had to say about him. Then click here to read a story from ZDNet from 2004.
Once you read the two reports above and look at the My News Plus website you can see a pattern. While newsagents need to form their own view, when asked for my opinion I have said that I would stay away from My News Plus.
A great idea-wrong company and wrong operator.
Someone will take the model and build on it from here.
i did receive a call regarding this, but not interested at all and just hang up the phone.
The US scandal about Bernie Madoff as a Ponzi scheme promotor has been written up into book called, “No one would listen” with the lesson on how lazy regulators were despite contant complainst being made about Madoff being a crook. In Australia Consumer Affairs, and ASIC should be pressured to do their job, and demonstrate when fraud occurs prosecutions are commenced, as the crooks will keep going. Sadly small business is too often the target and bears all the costs of the govt inaction, when only a small effort of prosecution could change history. Legitimate businesses also suffer by rogues who can break the law and suffer no consequences.
John I have read Harry Markopolos’ book. It is a terrific read.
You are right to mention ASIC. I have found them to be weak and disinterested in regulating when it comes to small business.
Yesterday if you asked for your nearest MyNewsPlus newsagent on their website, you received a list by postcode of virtually every Newsagent!
Today though, that has all been removed.
Lance
This post seems to have hit a nerve based on the calls I have received today.
Mark, I would like to correct some gross inaccuracies and inferrences you have made in this post.
I am CEO, director and 100% Shareholder in MyNewsPlus Pty Limited.
Ross Whitehead is not an employee, an executive nor a shareholder in MyNewsPlus and as such does not have any involvement in day to day management of MyNewsPlus.
MyNewsPlus licences and uses technology designed and developed by Ross Whitehead’s business Commerx1. Commerx1 also, currently host the development and testng servers on which the site currently runs for testing and demonstration purposes. We use this technology because it is proven, it offers unique functionality and it is specifically designed for high transactional e-commerce business.
You have referred your readers to two sites displaying negative information and comments of Ross Whitehead. While it is not my role to defend Ross Whitehead you have questioned the integrity of MyNewsplus through its association with Ross Whitehead.
Therefore I feel the need to comment so readers can put the information into perspective.
In my opinion the information and source documents are grossly inaccurate and were designed to damage the reputation of Ross Whitehead and destroy MyGrocer. I can attest to this inaccuracy with some authority as I was one of the MyGrocer/Mysupercentre licensees who lost money in the MyGrocer venture. In fact I owned and operated 4 territories and lost close to $250k due to the collapse of the company. In my opinion Ross did everything possible to protect the iterests of the majority of licencees and acted in good faith.
FFurthermore prior to using Commerx1 services with MyNewsPlus, I have used his company’s IT services for the last six years.
Regarding the comment by Lance, to my knowledge he has not met with any of our team and is misinformed on our system. The existing site is a TEST and DEMONSTRATION Site only. It is not intended to infer in anyway that the agents displayed are currently members of MyNewsPlus. The agents names are there purely to demonstrate to agents. The site is no marketed inanyway to the public at tis time. I understand from a meeting with QNF that this may have been misunderstood by some agents and I have asked Commerx1 to replace these agents with fictious names. Once the iste is live on November 1st only agents that are MNPAgents will be avaialble for selection.
II am happy to answer any questions personally and my contact details can be obtained from QNF or my email address is Johnb@mynewsplus.com.au
John,
I don’t see where your comment refutes what I wrote in the original blog post as I am referencing public domain records including those of Fair Trading.
Mark,
I have not posted any comment until now. If you are referring to the post above it is from the CEO of MyNewsPlus, and he can speak for himself, and MyNewsPlus. In your post you have inferred that “Ross Whitehead” is the promotor and principal of MyNewsplus and this is incorrect and misleading. You have referred readers to defametory information and comment regarding “Ross Whitehead” with an inference that dealing with MyNewsPlus is dealing with “Ross Whitehead”. This is also misleading and inaccurate. Commerx1 is a supplier of services (including technology and logistics) to MyNewsPlus on a strict commercial arrangement.You recommend that anyone considering MyNewsPlus should research “Ross Whitehead”, once again inferring inaccuarately that “Ross Whitehead” is involved in the day to day management of MyNewsPlus. Since 2005, my business has successfully provided services to Coles Myer, Woolworths, ALH Hotels, Hutchison Communication Services Stream, and News Limited. So using you logic agents should not deal with these company’s because “Ross Whitehead” provided services to them, and that is ridiculous. In regard to the neagtive information to which you refer readers, this is not the forum to defend these defamatory comments. But be advised that defamation action has been iniated against the publishers, and in particular the commenters who feel the internet is the appropriate forum to attack individuals or companies while hiding behind anonymity. I would also ask you to remove the information you have copied from the MyNewsPlus demo site as this is an infringment of copywrite.
Ross,
I stand by what I have written and not what you say I have written.
Reproducing part of the text from the My News Plus website is not a breach of copyright since I privided a link and do not claim the words as my own.
Newsagents need to form their own view. I have, it is not for me.
I am personally out of packet $7,500 when the last business E-Biz Solutions went belly-up. I was a software developer working for this business when Ross Whitehead was acting as managing director even though he has been banned from this role in any organisation.
This looks suspiciously like other businesses Ross has been involved in, they seem to follow the same pattern. You will find a trail of unsatisfied investors who were left out of pocket waiting for broken promises to be fulfilled. Ross is never “running” the company he is only ever a “consultant” providing the technology, same model as myGrocer. John seems to get rolled out at all these events too, one might suspect he has been just as instrumental as Ross in these schemes, or perhaps an unwitting participant.
According to the ASIC documentation Anne Whitehead and Ross Whitehead are the registered directors for Commerx1 Pty Ltd (ACN 143131588) , now of course there are also three QLD registered business under the name Commerx1 who knows?
MyNewsPlus Pty Ltd (ACN 145938898) according to the ASIC documentation John Bedford is the sole director but interestingly enough Commerx1 Pty Ltd owns 80% of the ordinary shares.
My advice spend the $17.80 and do a search and find out who you are really dealing with
Ross and JohnB are the same person it’s so obvious by reading what was said
Gentleman,You really need to get a life. I am John Bedford and these are the facts, relating to MynewsPlus.
1. I am 100% owner of MyNewsPlus Pty Limited;
2. I am the sole director of the company and run the company, I control the bank accounts and I am sole signatory to those accounts.
3. It was origianlly intended that Commerx1 would own 8% of the company not 80%, for providing the technology. That is no longer the case as I purchased the rights, due soley to the negativity surrounding Ros Whitehead’s involvement;
4. I also purchased the rights to Commerx1 software, and the name;
5. Ross Whitehead does not work in any capacity for Commerx1 or MyNewsPlus.
Now, James or what ever your real name is. If Ross Whitehead owes you $7,500 I suggest you go to court and get a judgement and prove it, not make defenseless accusations.
Now, Herman or who ever your name is your inference that I have been instrumental and involved in an so called “scheme” with Ross Whitehead is not only untrue and malicious but defamatory and I suggest you withdraw the comment, or I will take all action available to me to have it removed.
Dom or whoever you are, your inference that Ross and I are the same person is ridiculous and also I believe defamatory and I intend to seek advice on both Herman’s and your comments on what action I have available. Call Ann Nugent from QNF, she has met the both of us.
John , i am just sitting on the side here but how dou take action against someone that you say is not real ??every name you have mentioned you have said what ever your name is so who is it you are actualy7 taking action against ?
I got involved with Ross Whitehead through Smart Support IT. I paid $5,000 deposit and to date he has not repaid me eventhough the contract stated that my money was totally guaranteed. He is not to be trusted and definately not the person to engage with in ANY business dealings.
Bruce,
I would like to speak to you about Ross Whitehead, l may be able to help you.
I would also like to speak to anyone that has a similar business deal go wrong with Ross Whitehead.
I too am out of pocket for thousands as an ex-employee of Ross Whitehead, Ross Smart or John B or whatever. I was there when Ross came up with the name Commerx1. He knows he is not allowed by ASIC to be an owner or director or CEO of any business, so he creates these fake people to play business leader, when it’s really just him. Since January last year Ross has moved house 3 times that I know of. I can only assume he does this to avoid being contacted by the ombudsman and anyone trying to serve him. Gov’t can’t help if they can’t contact him. I know, I’ve been there and yet he still he finds ways of doing business.
I am owed goods not delivered or a refund of monies paid by “My News Plus” and/or “PharmacyPlus.com.au”.
How do I try to try to best contact them or collect? It sounds like it may be the same people as are in your blog above.
People concerned about this should research a company called Webgistix and check out a major shareholder and Director.
Ross Whitehead owes my family 25K and will not give it back. He is a criminal and impossible to get in contact with. The guy cannot be trusted. DONT DEAL WITH HIM!!!!
I was hired by Ross Whitehead in 2010 for MyNewsPlus. We were flown up to Brisbane for dinner and meetings, John was there as well, we were given laptops, documents, and contract forms to sign up news agents. Working vigorously for the territories that Ross designated in Sydney, I started to suspect something fishy when Ross neglected to pay me and kept making excuses for not giving a paycheck. Ross and John, I hope to bump into you on the street some day to discuss the 7+ thousand dollars that I am owed!
I am urgently trying to contact anyone who has had business dealings with ross john Whitehead ,jack Charlton or any of his known alias,or any business he is involved with in any capacity
i was employed by ross back in 2008 and had much the same experience as Jason. The first pay check went in after that nothing but excuses. At the time Ross owed at least four of his staff money and from what i know none of us ever got it despite ross providing payment plans and stuff to cover outstanding costs.
It appears that 6yrs later he’s still doing the same thing.. Surely Asic or somebody should put a stop to this for the benefit of his staff at least!
I am told that Ross Whitehead (he uses various aliases) lives at 21 Wordsworth Street Bulimba Queensland.
Kellie Gibson does that offer still stand?
Happy to help/assist anyone has had dealings with him.
Hi Kellie
Im another one who also knows of @10 others who got caught – any help would be great
About to hire a cold room to a John Charlton residing in 21 Wordsworth St Bulimba owns a business called Bull Brewing (online business) . On his drivers licence the address is 34 Portside place Bulimba. Can anyone describe this guy as bit worried he is using another alias “John” ?
I can be contacted via info@strategicbusinesssolutions.com.au if anyone needs assistance.
I can confirm that Ross Whitehead and John Bull are the same person; he moved into the liquor/hospitality industry and is about to open a bar on Oxford St, Bulimba
John Charlton has interests in a number of ventures see below link – https://www.businessforsale.com.au/australia/0f1852aa/Exclusive-beer-And-Alcoholic-Beverage-Distribution-For-Sale
Bull Beer, the liquorshack, etc – DO NOT deal with him he is a con-man – im out of pocket $60k AUS
He apparently bought a restaurant at 210 Oxford Street Bulimba. He has 4-5 aliases that l am aware of. Email me Patrick if you would like to discuss further – cheers.
Court hearing on the 03/08/2015 Court room 20. ASIC have taken action against him.
Is he rotting in a prison cell yet? How many lives does he have to ruin before something is done about him?
You can find Ross/John and his family at
http://www.oxfordstreetbulimba.com.au/news/congrats-to-our-newest-sponsor-marketing-member-crafty-bull-tap-house-wine-bar/
facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/520915874738252/
Crafty Bull Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009544881046&fref=ts
AND…..back to court on the 04/09/2015 for ASIC sentencing…hope they throw the book at him! Also wind up in the Supreme Court Brisbane for Steel River Brewery formerly known as JR Bull Brewery Pty Ltd on the 02/09/2015.
Busy busy busy will Anne Cudmore and Ross Whitehead/John Charlton be, Ross/John don’t let the cell door hit you on the way in to the big house!!!!!
Steel River Brewery Pty Ltd aka JR Bull Brewery Pty Ltd, was wound up today in the Supreme Court Brisbane by 6 creditors. See what happens when people join forces and work together for a common goal. Thank you to Irish Bentley Lawyers for representing more than half of the creditors. We have achieved a result from our to do list now for the next item on the agenda.
Great work Kellie and Zeke! Now bring on Friday!!!!
Seems everyone is still chasing him.
I’m still owed about 15 grand by him in unpaid wages from 2010 (all documented in email – including promises to pay and whatnot).
It’s very disappointed to see that he’s still operating. He should just get a job, pay his debts and let everyone move on from their poor experiences with him (AKA live in the real world).
Very disappointed.
Anyone know how Mr Whitehead went in court last week?
Anyone wanting details regarding the outcome on Friday can refer to a media release on the ASIC website on Tuesday 8th September. Media release 15-246MR
Here is the link:
http://asic.gov.au/about-asic/media-centre/find-a-media-release/2015-releases/15-246mr-brisbane-man-sentenced-for-managing-a-corporation-whilst-disqualified-and-failure-to-comply-with-condition-of-release/
Look at this link and read the article Off Your Trolley:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/13/1055220778332.html
I am sure that you will all have a laugh 🙂
I am surprised at the interest in this and the activities of Ross Whitehead. The better informed people about this the better.
This guy will continue to fleece hard working Aussies unless he’s stopped. I cannot believe he’s been rorting and over promising and not delivering for this long and he’s clearly been allowed to. An ASIC slap on the wrist on 4 Sept for running a business as a director when he’s “not allowed to”. Yeah. That should teach this snake a lesson. Then ASIC had the temerity to imply they’d done a terrific job protecting the public.
Their media release from 8 Sept 2015 stated:
“ASIC Commissioner Greg Tanzer said that acting in breach of a disqualification order was a serious offence and that Mr Charlton had repeatedly demonstrated his disregard for the law. ‘ASIC will vigorously pursue offenders who continue to act in breach of disqualification orders.
‘As this case shows, the consequences of ignoring a disqualification order are significant. ASIC will pursue repeat offenders, for the protection of the public and to ensure those involved in managing companies are acting lawfully’, Mr Tanzer said.”
Just absolute rubbish.
I argue most of the two paragraphs especially “vigourously pursue”, “consequences” and “protect”… implies they took John Charlton to town for these offences!
This low life amoeba has no conscience and will continue to fleece the Aussie public – ASIC and the courts may as well just take their pay cheques and not bother going to work. Useless government agencies and have my complete disdain and distrust.
ASIC should be held accountable for him ripping us off. Found about him one day before all this action after paying him 15k then on 7 sept. was due to pay $52k Web sites for brewerys and liquor shack still up and running can still find franchises for these for sale on businesses for sale website [they say they only put legit businesses on theirb website HAHA]
Bob can you please email me info@strategicbusinesssolutions.com.au we wound up Steel River Brewery Pty Ltd aka JR Bull Brewery Pty Ltd on the 02/09/2015.
Bob, how did you find out about this low life?
Facebook Group to inform the public of him:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/520915874738252/
Anyone looking for a job, contact Savannah Whitehead from the Crafty Bull Bar Bulimba:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bulimba/bar-staff/bar-staff-wanted/1089431528
Anyone know when the John Charlton Ross Whitehead Anne Cudmore story will be aired on ACA?
fleeced, after repeatedly requesting contact details for other distribution licensors, flying to Sydney, to meet,John supposedly coming to Adelaide many times, we got suspicious and googled his name and found this website.Yet we spent money here with a franchise/license lawyer and he found nothing wrong with him but yes there is flaws in his agreements our way supposedly.
Bob
Here is the link for ACA
http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/9036038/franchise-fraud
https://www.facebook.com/ACurrentAffair9?fref=ts
It seems that Crafty Bull Bar in Oxford Street Bulimba is now closed.
Adios Anne Therese Whitehead (aka Cudmore), John Charlton (aka Whitehead), Luisa Whitehead and Savanah Whitehead. Good always wins in the end. Chose a different path. Karma.
“Crafty Bull” was reopened under another name a couple of weeks ago. Does anyone know if it’s the same owners/operators?
To answer myself, I just read this online. Can’t vouch for the accuracy:
“… it was run and owned by miscreants. I have recently found out that it has been taken over by a chap I can only call the unofficial mayor of Bulimba. He owns Citrus and a number of other places on Oxford street and I don’t think you could find a more entertaining host…”
The lastest scam:
http://WWW.parcelplus.com.au
http://www.gumtree.com.au/…/great-delivery-busin…/1099794237 – this has since been removed from gumtree and it was also advertised in the Brisbane area.
Ownership of the domain name parcelplus.com.au:
Domain Name: parcelplus.com.au
Last Modified: 02-Jan-2016 20:25:42 UTC
Status: ok
Registrar Name: Web Address Registration
Registrant: BULL BREWING CO PTY. LTD.
Registrant ID: ABN 48605882433
Eligibility Type: Company
Registrant Contact ID: R-020624463-SN
Registrant Contact Name: Ann Whitehead
Registrant Contact Email: Visit whois.ausregistry.com.au for Web based WhoIs
Tech Contact ID: C-000169049-SN
Tech Contact Name: Ross Smart
Tech Contact Email: Visit whois.ausregistry.com.au for Web based WhoIs
As this (and the FB group) seems to have become the de facto place for warning the Australian public about the serial conman known by many names, thought it was worth summarising the latest.
http://www.parcelplus.com.au AVOID AT ALL COSTS
http://Www.redcrocbrewing.com.au Avoid at all costs
R.A.L.S Investments Pty Ltd Avoid at all cost
He is known as Jack Charlton, Ross John Whitehead, John Charlton (bankrupt), Ross Smart and others. See the 5 years of history above to see how succesful this man has been at conning money out of people.
His wife (therese anne cudmore / whitehead and various versions thereof is part of the scheme. Luisa and Savannah Whithead are his business partners.
Do business with these folks at you peril.
Please share
Thanks for sharing Allie, he is currently using the name John Carlton…..
BEWARE OF MISINFORMED AND LYING TROLLS
Firstly, I have been a Licensee of JR Bull for over 12 months and I was one of the first. I have an investment of just over $100k.
For the past 11 months I have occasionally viewed this site to see the latest BS posted here by you people. There is about 20 individuals who have posted here, and while the “Anons” and the “anon” may be licensees, the only licensee seems to be Patrick who I have never heard of. The majority of information posted here is 90% BS obviously designed to cause deliberate damage against John Charlton, his family and respective businesses. I did my own independent research on John when I found out he had a previous name and I confronted him and discussed it with him and I was satisfied with the explanation once it was put into perspective.
I have met his wife and daughters socially. His wife is a lovely lady and has never been involved nor knows very little about JR Bull Sales & Distribution, she was a director of the Newcastle Brewery in the initial stages but had little to do with the day to day operations. His daughters have NEVER been involved in the business until working at the Crafty Bull as bar attendants (where I met them). To state they are his business partners is an outright lie. To attack his family and defame them as you have here is unconscionable and disgraceful.
Your deliberate attack and the so called expose of ACA caused the bar to close, destroying a valuable part of the business. The bar was owned and managed by John’s wife, on a 70%/30% split with JR Bull Sales and Distribution. This arrangement was to prove the model that had always been part of the business plan. This arrangement was explained to licensees still involved in the business before the bar opened. Hence why I visited the bar. You actions did not just hurt John and his family, it hurt me and other likeminded licensees. It is clear that you people have an agenda and have had no regard for licensees like myself (yes there are others) who had a vested interest in seeing the business succeed and recouping our investment.
In December 2015, John was declared Bankrupt due to action instigated by Ms Kellie Gibson who has (” No Skin in the Game” as far as I know, and whose sole motivation is getting money from licensees to take action to recover assets that are not there) and debtors petition based on a default judgement by a Licensee Tracey McNeill. Now like other licensees I received an informal proposal that highlight that total creditors are owed between $5-$6 million dollars and a proposal for a scheme of arrangement that saw all creditors receive 100 cents in the dollar. I have discussed the proposal with John and I have seen his business plan and I intend to support it as has some 50% of creditors so far. Regardless of whether the proposal is accepted I’m advised that at a minimum 30% of profits generated will go to trustee to service creditors. So all you other “posters” to this blog. If you are owed money and can PROVE it, contact the Bankruptcy Trustee. The continued attacks against John and any business he may be working for a simply counterproductive. As a creditor and seeing John’s efforts continually damaged by these continued negative comments, I intend to see if there is action I can take against you people for the damages you caused. If there is anyone that wants information regarding John and my dealings with him please send an email to me at licenseejrb@gmail.com with name and contact and I’ll be happy to call you. In case you are wondering why this is posted anonymously.. I have seen the attacks by you people on licensees that have not agreed with your methods
The only reason you haven’t heard of me is because John has totally walked away from our agreement causing me to leave the Country. Assuming your blog hasn’t been written by John himself, you could be considered the exception to his business dealings.
For the record, all these comments, like all comments on this blog, are posted without moderation whatsoever. I as the owner of the blog offer no endorsement of any of these comments or any comments on the blog other than comments I have posted.
Patrick, I’m not the exception.I have spoken with at least a dozen past and current licensees, who are still working with John. I am simply one who is prepared to stand up and be positive and say how I have been dealt with and I just don’t intend to walk away without a fight. I suggest you contact Trustee, or email John with your debt.
nice try john,or sorry JRBLicensee, still talking rubbish, pay your debts.
To JRBLicensee – no reply to emails, text messages or phone calls over the last 3 weeks – status quo. I guess Mr Charlton must be devoting his time to you and the other dozen past and present licensees??
Patrick, l have completed the Proof of Debt form and sent it to the Bankruptcy Trustee on your behalf. You will be now included as a creditor and will receive further reports from the Bankruptcy Trustee.
Good to see you are still keeping on eye on what is going on over here in OZ.
New blog to share: https://johncharltonscams.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/dont-hand-your-money-over/
Watch out and beware. Jabob Marley’s and related delivery businesses for sale. Same as all the businesses listed above. Jacobmarleys.com.au exactly the same as theliquorshack.com.au. jacob marleys
Please please DYOR. Don’t get burned like so many before…
Pingback: A Blog all about John – John Charlton Scams
Lucky for me I dodged a bullet when I almost got involved with John Whitehead, John Charlton, Mr. Magoo, whatever his real name is several years ago!! My alarm bells went off when he couldn’t provide what he said on time!!
Nice try “JBRLicensee” that is SO this “John Charlton” character, pay your debts cheapskate
Please help I’ve bought a Jacob Marleys territory from Mark Berg ( John Charlton ) he has taken my money and scammed me .
Hi Jason – there are a number of people who are in the same boat as you. They have purchased a Jacob Marley delivery run & it now looks like a massive scam. We are trying to get as many of us together as possible. If you would like to be part of this group as we attempt to bring this conman to justice and (hopefully) get some of our money back, then please email us at jacobmarleybwsfraudvictims@gmail.com. The more of us involved in getting this guy, the better.
Sorry to hear that you have been ripped off. There is already a group if you would like to PM Kellie or Tracey https://www.facebook.com/groups/520915874738252/
Now using name the Brewster for business and John whitehead/white.
wHY ISNT THIS prick IN JAIL AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.i was scammed by him ,promises of contact by fraud squad,never heard from them,ASIC, ATO,etc were going to get him,NOTHING !!! yet if this was me I would be behind bars !!!
Bob can you list your complaint through the acorn website – thanks.
Not sure if anyone still looks at this site but a trial date is set for March 2020.