THE HEARTY DROVER'S PIE

Stay away from 'The Science of Options'.

by Neil Jenman

Lately, you may have noticed some big advertisements which make strong claims about a three-hour property investment seminar. Something to do with "property options".

According to the ads – which appear in many of the major newspapers and take up full-pages in Australian Property Investor magazine – you'll be shown a "unique strategy" on how to control "multi million dollar" properties with "minimum risk and maximum return!".

The three-hour seminar costs $47 per person (or $57 for two). And, of course, it all comes with a "100% Money Back Guarantee!".

It's all supposed to be about sharing a "closely guarded system".

It's hard to believe that anyone, these days, can fall for such con-cliché garbage.

Okay, so what's the story with this mob?

Well, the seminar is simply a "sell" to attend another seminar apparently costing up to $30,000 per person – that's the one where you will supposedly discover the "real" secrets.

The advertisements do not mention the name of the presenter. He is simply referred to as "your presenter". The reason his name is not mentioned should be obvious. He's dodgy.

His name is Zaffar Iqubal. Sometimes the name Khan is added which then makes him Zaffar Iqubal Khan.

His company name is not mentioned either – there's just a web site www.sop.com.au

S.O.P. means Science of Options. That's a common spruiking ploy – make something seem scientific and then charge mega-thousands for revealing the secret of the science.

Well, there's no secrets offered here other than that Zaffar Iqubal has been twice bankrupted for failed business ventures and was, according to the authorities, also banned from being a company director in Australia.

He operates out of Queensland (another shady character giving the Sunshine state a bad name).

Zaffar took his dodgy suck-em-in seminar to Western Australia a few weeks ago. He didn't realise that the west has the best consumer protectors in the country. As soon as they got wind of him, they quickly issued a warning to consumers.

WA's Consumer Protection Commissioner, Patrick Walker, basically told Zaffar Iqubal to get out of the state – sort of like an old western sheriff.

So Zaffar high-tailed it back east in search of easterners to suck-in with his dodgy claims.

Tonight (June 12) he's presenting his seminar at the Gold Coast (and, again, on July 2).

Our strong recommendation is that you avoid this spruiker. He just wants your money – thousands of it.

Oh sure, it looks like $47 for the 'intro' seminar is a good deal. It's not.

For $17 less, you can do something we highly recommend.

Go to Arch's Restaurant at Mariners Cove on Seaworld Drive, Southport (opposite the Sheraton Mirage; just behind the Hogs Breath Café). Phone 07 5532 6380.

For $30, you can have the "Hearty Drovers Pie".

That's our excellent recommendation. Try it. It's the most delicious feed you'll ever have.

So, there you go – a full tummy and a full wallet by staying away from Zaffar Iqubal and his laughably named 'Science of Options'.

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