That is a very bad sign, if the organizer of the supposed global BitCon won't deal in BitCoins. We've had people make it all the way across the country only on BitCoins and they made it just fine! Organizing a conference around it should at the very least speak to the strength of BitCoin, not the supposed obstacles the promoter is having to endure.

I won't accept any other explanation than Bruce is just a speculator and hypes the BitCoin masses while not having the passion to back it up when words meet action.

Bruce is a charlatan and snake oil salesman, plain and simple.

What's worse is that I used to like the guy, even though he's flighty as hell and absent minded, he sold himself as the lovable Mr. BitCoin guy. Then with his network being the disaster that it is (does he ever start on time or on the day he promised?) and his throwing BitCoin under the bus in his actions related to this conference, I can't see how anyone can trust a thing this man says.

He might as well come out and say, "Do as I say, not as I do - look over here at the shiny pony! pay no attention to me not using BitCoins to put my money where my mouth is".

If you believe in BitCoin and the truly Free Market that it is based upon, you wouldn't cry. Perhaps feel angry at yourself for not doing due diligence on the people you trusted with your BitCoins, but not sadness. The Free Market will correct itself and it requires us not to intervene with things like the government, who are only there to take their cut and dominate the market to their will.

Good question. As I never would have trusted a site like that with my BitCoins anyway, it's hard for me to say what I would do.

As a strong Libertarian, I know that going to the government for help contradicts my ideals and worldview. I would not be anxious to get the government involved at all, no matter how many of my BitCoins were stolen because I know that it will only lead to further infringement on our rights as citizens and in this Bitcoin market. If you truly believe in Bitcoin, you should know that the free market will correct this on its own and those that lose out should learn a valuable lesson for the next time they trust organizations on blind trust.

Where's it located? I'll be glad to come over and take a look, maybe even get involved if I can help.

It is pretty funny that a community as anti-government, anti-tax, and pro-libertarian as this one resorts at the drop of a hat to screaming "BIG GOVERNMENT COME HELP US! I DEMAND JUSTICE". Bruce Wagner being the main one leading the charge.

Whatever mental gymnastics it takes for them to justify it, I guess. But this will only cause more issues for BitCoin as this opens the door for every agency under the banner of the government to get inside and start picking it apart.

Pretty much seems that way. Nothing that he claims can be verified; even his so-called "credentials" that he likes to throw around at every opportunity.

This person is the type that doesn't need to be associated with BitCoins, because it's people like him that either fool the gullible or tarnish the reputation of the currency just by his antics alone.

(Reading his online "qualifications", he has enrolled in two diploma mill "universities" and still counts them as a valid part of his qualifications. Yeah, this is a true captain of industry!)

I would like to be moved out of the Newbie area, mainly because a lot of the current events that are happening seem to be covered at length in other forums, while barely addressed here in the newbie area.

Additionally, I'm also interested in networking beyond just this forum. While the people here are good, some tend to never come back, and that's not the kind of networking list I'd like to create for my own dealing within the community.

Major +1 from me. This pretty much sums up my issues as well as the ones covered in the OP.

I think you hit some important points.

 It's very suspicious to me, that right after all of the fraud allegations started being mentioned, some guy comes in with a template website and some seemingly professional words claiming to be starting some type of "protection service" called the UABB. If this thing isn't a scam, I don't know what is.

It appears that this MATTHEW N. WRIGHT is posting all over the forums, touting his so-called expertise and his organization that is supposedly supposed to function like the "BBB" for Bitcoins.

What we know right now is that he has spent a good amount of time telling people that were a victim of the MyBitCoin fraud that they were fully of shit. Then he suddenly switches and starts waxing poetic about his investigation skills and how his "organization", which is basically nothing more than a template website, is going to go after MyBitCoin using nothing more than their word that they were going to hire private investigators. Now, it's going to be a longshot for anyone to have any kind of resolution from this MyBitCoin fiasco - their location of business and assets were governed in Nevis, which as most informed people know, is a haven for scams and anonymity. Getting any kind of judgement against them is a pipe dream and even if one managed to somehow convince the courts to side against them, enforcing a judgement is another extremely long-shot.

Knowing this, this Matthew N. Wright is hanging around telling people to send him information, very basic information that he somehow doesn't have access to in his location of Korea. Further, he doesn't even have the capability to do essentially anything, asking the forums to do all the leg work - and on top of that, suggesting donations and for those so inclined to be willing to divulge personal information for "affidavits". Further, his UABB wants Bitcoin businesses to provide all of their personal information AND use an escrow service (offered and operated by the very same UABB) to be a part of his organization. Does this pass the smell test?

Folks, Bitcoin is on some rough waters right now and scam opportunists are chomping at the bit to take advantage of a weary user base that is still trying to come to grips with the events of the past few weeks.  Do not be fooled by the bluster and the seemingly professional antics of those associated with the UABB - there is no legal authority for the UABB to act on anything, even if they were 100% above board. Do we really think that these people are going to front their own money to lead an investigation that is basically doomed before it even starts? For all of the promises, they certainly are short on any sort of delivery and there is much question as to their backgrounds and their supposed capabilities.

Be cautious with who you jump on board with in the community. Just because it sounds good, doesn't mean it is.