Cashback Universe – Old words, new risk: Where does your money go?

Recurring narratives – familiar from the Lyconet system

The latest online call from Cashback Universe follows a familiar pattern: The choice of words is strikingly reminiscent of the motivational rhetoric of earlier Lyconet events.

Does it sound familiar to marketers?

‘Transformation that happens when you invest in yourself.’

‘Become part of something bigger.’

‘This is just the beginning.’

‘Stay patient, stay ready.’

The principle behind it also remains the same: participants are supposed to build networks and earn money from other people’s daily purchases – only now the tools are called cashback app and dashboard instead of shopping points or myWorld IDs.

The tone, the emotional appeal and the promises of community and reward are identical to those used by Lyconet and myWorld. This suggests that the target group has hardly changed – the campaign specifically targets former marketers who were active in the old system for many years.

And no, we are not being petty – because unfortunately, there is a system behind it.

The fleeting disclaimer – formal protection instead of genuine information

The short, barely noticeable liability notice during the call is striking.

For a fraction of a second, a second disclaimer appeared with the addition of ‘website & presentations’ – a phrase that extends the disclaimer to all presentations and spoken statements.

According to legal experts, such a display indicates calculation: it is intended to document that a legal notice exists without disturbing the audience. In legal proceedings, this can later serve as evidence that ‘information was provided’ – even if no one could read it.

Such mini-disclaimers are typical of unregulated providers or MLM structures that advertise financial or token products. The effect: formal compliance without real transparency – a legal shield instead of information.

Conclusion

The mixture of emotional narrative, vague disclaimers and anonymous payment structures shows that Cashback Universe presents itself as a new beginning, but relies on tried-and-tested mechanisms from the Lyconet environment.

Transparency remains a secondary issue – more important seems to be maintaining a familiar feeling of belonging, new beginnings and ‘new opportunities’.

This is risky for participants: anyone who is guided by these messages should be aware that formal disclaimers offer no real security and that token payments without a verifiable recipient are a financial gamble.

Note:

This article is based on publicly available sources, documented complaints from investors and an official press enquiry to Blocktrade. It is a journalistic analysis. All statements about legal risks or possible contractual constellations are to be understood as assessments, not as conclusive legal advice.

Sources

• Art. 6 and Art. 8 MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 – Requirements for transparent, fair and non-misleading communication by crypto-asset providers.
• BaFin information sheet on advertising and information for financial products (as of July 2022) – Obligation to provide clear, noticeable risk information.
• SEC Rule 156 (17 CFR § 230.156) – Unlawful misleading statements in investment company sales literature.
• FTC Disclosure Guides (U.S. Federal Trade Commission, 2023 update) – Obligation to place notices in a clear and conspicuous manner (‘clear and conspicuous disclosure’).
• Comparable cases in MLM-based financial structures, documented in: ESMA Public Statement ‘Warnings on unlicensed financial promotions in social media’, April 2024.