Charles Ward- Introduction
Name: Charles Ward
Location: South Africa
Date of Birth: September 29, 1987
Relation: Brother of Cheri Ward
Charles Ward- Introduction
Charles Ward, known to many as Charlie, has become a controversial figure in the financial world, particularly due to his involvement with Mirror Trading International (MTI). While he initially claimed to be a legitimate strategist and executive within the company, his actions and the subsequent fallout from MTI’s collapse have painted a different picture—one of evasion and possible complicity in fraudulent activities.
Charles Ward- Rise to Prominence in MTI
Charlie Ward’s association with MTI began in a significant role as the Head of Strategy Implementation. His influence within the organization quickly expanded, and on October 1, 2020, a press release heralded his promotion to Chief Operating Officer (COO). This position placed him at the forefront of the company’s operations and decision-making processes. Further cementing his stature within MTI, he was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the MTI Board of Directors during the 2020 MTI Strategic Conference.
Charles Ward- The Disappearance of Johann Steynberg
In December 2020, MTI’s CEO, Johann Steynberg, mysteriously disappeared. This event marked a pivotal moment for the company and its stakeholders. The expected response from the company’s leadership, especially from someone in Charlie Ward’s position, would have been to actively participate in search efforts and provide support and transparency to worried members and investors. However, Charlie’s actions were far from reassuring.
Charles Ward- Social Media Scrubbing
Immediately following Steynberg’s disappearance, Charlie took the drastic step of deleting all MTI-related content from his Facebook page. This behavior is a well-known tactic among individuals associated with fraudulent schemes, often referred to as “social media scrubbing.” By removing any trace of their involvement, promoters attempt to dissociate themselves from the fraud and mitigate personal and legal repercussions. However, this act of erasure often raises red flags, suggesting prior knowledge of the company’s fraudulent nature.
Charles Ward- Avoidance and Aggression
In the wake of Steynberg’s vanishing act, numerous MTI members reached out to Charlie for guidance and assistance. Instead of offering help or attempting to address their concerns, Charlie responded with hostility. Members reported receiving personal insults, threats of violence, and aggressive behavior when seeking answers from the newly appointed COO. This unprofessional and antagonistic response further tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his integrity and intentions.
Charles Ward- Implications and Suspicions
The behavior exhibited by Charlie Ward following the collapse of MTI fits a pattern commonly observed among promoters of Ponzi schemes. The swift deletion of any association with MTI and the aggressive deflection of inquiries indicate an effort to distance himself from the fallout. These actions suggest that Charlie was not merely a passive participant but had a deeper awareness of the fraudulent nature of MTI’s operations.
By attempting to “wash” his social media presence, Charlie inadvertently reinforced the perception that he was aware of the scam’s inner workings and sought to protect himself from the consequences. This approach, rather than exonerating him, has had the opposite effect, leading many to believe that his involvement in MTI was driven by personal gain rather than a genuine belief in the company’s legitimacy.
Is Charles Ward Attempting a Reputation Cleanup?
As I highlighted before, if you’d look him up, you’ll find a plethora of PR and promotional material. What he’s doing is a typical attempt of reputation laundering.
Reputation laundering is the practice of covering up or erasing misdeeds, negative business practices, or illegal actions of a company or individual. The key aspects of reputation laundering are:
- It is a niche industry that has grown up around the need for companies and individuals to change public perception of their actions. This includes PR firms, lawyers, lobbyists, and other “fixers” that help clients portray themselves in a more positive light.
- Tactics used include making donations to universities, charities, and other institutions, aligning with sports teams, and using disinformation and “astroturfing” (creating fake grassroots movements) to obscure the truth.
- Reputation laundering is different from legitimate reputation repair, which involves fixing real problems within a company and developing a positive image based on their actions. Laundering seeks to cover up illegal activities and bad practices.
- Reputation laundering allows kleptocrats, oligarchs, and politically exposed persons to distance themselves from the illicit source of their wealth and transform their public image, making it difficult for compliance and law enforcement to detect any wrongdoing.
- This practice undermines democratic institutions and norms by manipulating public perception and enabling the flow of tainted money into Western economies. Governments have been slow to address the “enablers” that facilitate reputation laundering.
In summary, reputation laundering is an unethical industry that allows companies and individuals to cover up misdeeds and present a false positive image to the public.
A popular example of reputation laundering is Israel’s PR on Gaza.
I recommend you read up on how Israel’s propaganda machine works and how it painted innocent Palestinians as terrorists.
Charles Ward- Conclusion
Charles Ward’s rise and subsequent actions within MTI paint a complex and troubling picture. His initial ascent to a prominent leadership role suggested a commitment to the company’s strategic direction. However, the disappearance of Johann Steynberg and Charlie’s subsequent actions have cast a long shadow over his tenure. The aggressive tactics to erase his MTI involvement and the hostile responses to member inquiries point to a calculated effort to evade responsibility.
As the dust settles on the MTI scandal, Charles Ward’s legacy remains tainted by suspicion and controversy. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of involvement in dubious financial schemes and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves from the fallout of fraudulent activities.
