Mike Bronzell Exposes "Mobster" Meni Agababayev of Run Local Locksmith In ABC Nightline Sting

Mike Bronzell Exposes "Mobster" Meni Agababayev of Run Local Locksmith In ABC Nightline Sting - The LOOKOUT

6/6/2013

Don't forget to read Part #2 - The link is at the bottom of this article!

SOPL Locksmith Mike Bronzell with the help of New York locksmith Ira Cheek of CID Locksmith in Jamaica Queens were shown on ABC Nightline consumer report news series known as "The LOOKOUT", with investigative news reporter Bill Weir.

Finally, someone provided a news report focused on a key figure named Meni Agababayev (aka Meni Aga) a self proclaimed Israeli Russian "Mobster" actor, who is behind a roving enterprise of websites identified as Run Local. According to Agababayev, these are successful businesses which he is involved in and which financed his personal movie called MOBSTER!

Special shout out to ABC News program called "The Lookout". they did a bang up job that was well developed and well delivered. The giant Google map pins were a priceless subliminal message about Google Places. Overall it was refreshing to witness.

One person who disagrees with Agababayev is an inside informant identified as "Ben", who makes it clear that he is afraid of the scary side of notorious locksmith syndicates who consist of recent immigrants recruited from Israel. These folks identify Americans as stupid and from this belief they conduct their enterprise.

The SOPL has for many years made it very clear to everyone that these individuals are not locksmiths at all, but many news reports and other locksmith associations have continued to identify them as locksmiths. This was being done intentionally to try to link an agenda of forcing licensing upon the hardworking locksmiths, and to demonize home based or mobile locksmiths who have done nothing wrong and are not engaging in such deceptive events.

The fact is, this news report clearly demonstrates how licensing DOES NOT work since the scammers continue to operate in the states which do have require a license such as New Jersey where it was filmed. If it turns out one of these individuals has a license, then it is an even better example! But this is another story so stay tuned for PART 2 of this story!

Licensing has nothing to do with stopping a mobster or anyone from impersonating any trade or consumer service group and locksmiths are not the only ones being misrepresented. Carpet cleaning, towing, garage door services and more are also being targets. Basically any service industry!

In 2006 the SOPL LockRadio program interviewed 2 Israeli locksmiths who shared their experience with this syndicate. Mike Bronzell who stayed the course suffered terrible insults and accusations from many individuals in the locksmith industry and forum discussion groups as he was trying to get people to hear his concerns. I wonder how these individuals feel now?

Both Mike and Ira did a great job! Probably because they are both down to earth, gritty locksmiths who have no regulatory agenda and who simply wish to help the consumers and the hardworking locksmiths who have been victimized by all the false association to these events. Oh yeah, Bill Weir was pretty good as well.

So Meni Agababayev with all his chutzpha feels you have to be a "biter", but it appears he has been bitten himself. Judging from the distortion of his face when confronted by Bill Weir, it seems to be a hard and uncomfortable chomp! For a guy who views himself as being comfortable portraying a mobster, he looked more like a dumb schmuck.

If you Google the name Meni Agababayev you will find an overwhelming amount of blog stories, comments, and more about how wonderful, amazing, and visionary this maven is. A man of big stature! But when you look at him standing next to the news reporter who caught up to him in a parking lot in Detroit, and while standing next to the Chevy Express van mirror, it appears he is a pipsqueak, a peewee - a lightweight!

Fox 2 News Headlines

Lucky for Meni that the guy in his movie was sitting in the chair while Meni was screaming and trying to make himself look like a tough guy. Otherwise, Mini Meni or Meni-me would only be tall enough to punch the guy in his knees if he was standing! So it looks like Bill Weir "altered the deal" with one clean shot and it lit Meni on fire when he found his ego and vanity ultimately was his downfall. Now that's a script to remember!

As an Israeli you may think Mike Bronzell and Ira Cheek are stupid. You may refer to all of the apple pie eating, flag waving, baseball playing American citizens whatever you wish, but in the end it was Meni Agababayev who was exposed to be nothing more than a "B" rate bit actor, a wannabe mobster..... but not a qualified professional locksmith.

It takes more skill and integrity to be a locksmith!

The worlds a stage....OYE VEY!

Public Service Announcement - Install a Mechanical Combination or Digital Push Button Lock on your home and never be locked out again. Print the $20 coupon found in the provided video frame buttons and the SOPL will help you find a local locksmith you can trust.

Mike Bronzell is a good locksmith and more importantly, a good man. I have personally witnessed him investing many volunteer hours in his endeavors to protect the consumer and the community of professional locksmiths. As he traveled around the country, often on long lonesome highways he would always keep his gritty Chicago wit and humor. Ultimately, Mike was the victor and he should receive the highest praise from his peers. Well Done Mike!

Tom Lynch CRL, Founder and Director of Operations, Society of Professional Locksmiths

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Scammer Hunter Mike Bronzell

Click Here to Read Part #2
Definitive Proof that Locksmith Licensing is a Con Job -
What Your Not Being Told!

17 Comments

Bryan Gatward link

6/6/2013 16:40:58

Mike and Ira Great job! They made it very clear to everyone that these individuals are not locksmiths at all.

Don OShall

6/7/2013 02:03:00

Mike did the entire industry proud in his handling of this television event.

Robert Rovinsky CPL link

6/9/2013 15:31:41

Mike, along with many others, have been the Don Quixote's of this industry until their tilting achieved major results. If done right (good luck) regulation and licensing is part of the solution to the problem of the racketeers infecting our trade.

Unfortunately government is myopic, greedy, ham-fisted and greedy while consumers are lazy and cost conscious. Moreover, the "publishing" interests (Google; YP; to name a couple) are profiting from the revenue generated by these shady outfits and have no incentive to self regulate what they publish. Locksmiths know this and see any efforts to bring about licensing as self flagellation.

Don Quixote had it easy.

As a consumer I care about the licensing and regulation of the products and services I use. I want protection from the unscrupulous or, at least, recourse should I need to recover damages.

As a businessman I want meaningful and effective regulation that promotes higher standards while preventing the unqualified from practicing in any commercial capacity.

As a second gen locksmith I want my trade free of the vermin that erodes the stature of its practitioners.

As a citizen I want a government that looks out for its citizens without degrading them in the process.

Is that too much to ask?

Tom Lynch link

6/9/2013 16:48:28

Robert, if you think regulation and licensing is part of the solution, then can you explain the following? I look forward to your thoughts.

See Part #2 of this article.

http://www.sopl.us/4/post/2013/06/definitive-proof-that-locksmith-licensing-is-a-con-job-what-your-not-being-told.html

Robert Rovinsky CPL

6/19/2013 13:06:11

You stated... "ABC's “The Lookout” erred in identifying Run Local Locksmith as anything but a legitimate locksmith company. They must be legitimate – they are LICENSED! In state after state that requires locksmith licensing, Run Being licensed makes you a professional according to the proponents advocating for it, doesn't it?Local is listed as having been issued a license, including New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, California, Oregon, and Tenneessee. So, to all the licensing proponents who make the claim that licensing locksmiths will protect customers and eliminate industry competition from scammers, thanks for legitimizing companies like Run Local!"

I said... "...I want meaningful and effective regulation that promotes higher standards and prevents the unqualified from practicing..."

Clearly this is not the case in the states you listed. Still, in states without any form of regulation it's the wild west and anything goes. (Maybe that's why the incredible Mr. Agagbayev located in Michigan).

Unethical people infect every trade and business as the t.v. and a.c. service guys in the report demonstrated. (Also bankers and auto mechanics come to mind).

To that point - a short story: My van developed a tappet or lifter knock. I went to three mechanic shops. The first, a company specializing in engines listened to it and told me it would cost $4000.00 to repair. Mechanic 2 suggested a less radical approach for only $450.00. Mechanic 3 suggested an engine flush and oil change for $70.00. The $70.00 solution worked.

Were the other two unethical? Maybe. But any of the three would have solved the problem because each is a certified mechanic and have met certain standards. I would not have had to get the van re-repaired after the service was performed. It was still up to me, the non-mechanic consumer, to perform due dilligence by making sure they were certified; that is; qualified to work on a vehicle and then to get multiple opinions and quotes to compare. I could have gone further by getting references and checking them.

Unfortunately too many consumers don't know enough or are too lazy to perform due dilligence and then fall victim to unethical business practices.

You are right; a license alone does not guarantee that a business will act ethically. It should, though, establish and enforce standards of practice and proficiency that a consumer can count on.

Danny link

6/7/2013 03:40:06

Not really very photogenic are they?
I thought Meni was much better looking.
Why are the 2 locksmiths they chose, so........round(ed)? (just kidding)

Todd Hogan, CRL, CAL link

6/9/2013 18:21:19

Really excellent work!

R Terry Earll, CML,CFDI

6/12/2013 06:01:08

Everyone is losing sight we all must have a business license to do any business anywhere. We all need to check the phonebooks, I know that everyone is going on line,if you do not know any of the locksmiths YOU need to check them out with County Business license that everyone pays tax's . That is what I did I went to their address to find that there was NO LOCKSMITH there and the people there did not even know who I was talking about also I took pictures of the sites. These I took to the county office and let them go after them for tax evasion, that way the law involed

6/19/2013 13:12:20

Do you know what happened next?

7/9/2013 16:07:28

Terry Earll , President of the Central FLorida Locksmith Association is dead on the money!

Thank Terry! Finally someone with common sense.

The follow passage came from Part 2 of The Locksmith Investigator blog -

Locksmiths are regulated and information about them can be accessed online.Consumers can check local city or county websites to see if locksmiths are complying with local regulations by having a valid occupational license or business tax receipt. Consumers can also go to local associations websites to investigate local professional locksmiths and can call or go to county consumer protection agencies’ websites to see who complaints have been filed against. Locksmiths are also self-regulated concerning training through their local associations. Training sessions are open to members and non-members alike.

So Terry, I respect and admire that you also understand.

chuck

6/20/2013 04:10:16

Ok, we have seen this over and over for years, when is the Government going to shut this down ?

Carmine

6/22/2013 14:08:37

Seems to me Google Plays a large part of the problem there's money to be made from these people and so it shall be and so the problem will continue. It's like the old West fastest gun wins

6/23/2013 23:38:42

Chuck this may interest you.

Definitive Proof that Locksmith Licensing is a Con Job - What Your Not Being Told!

http://www.sopl.us/4/post/2013/06/definitive-proof-that-locksmith-licensing-is-a-con-job-what-your-not-being-told.html

Carmelina

6/24/2013 10:36:05

Who care how tall he is? Shame on you! I see that you deleted my post froim yeterday. Now, you're no better than the person you're complaining about. Bad business practices do not make it okay for you to put down small people and use such derogatory words. You are a bully and now I think your biggest problem with this locksmith guy is that he's taking your money. You can delete my comment now - like they did in WW2 Germany.

6/24/2013 18:38:57

Carmelina,

I am sorry you are offended by the biological fact that Meni is a runt in stature. But thank you for educating me about WW2 and Germany. I was not aware they had Internet blog comments back then. Who knew! To think that the world powers spent their time chasing the Enigma Machine when they could of had the Internet. Please don't tell Al Gore!

6/24/2013 19:59:08

They didn't have blog comments idiot, they had censorship. As in deleting somebody's comments because you dont' liek them. And calling someone a runt in stature just shows what a puny dick you are. Your (ex) wife must be embarassed. You might have been right to question their business ethics, not their size. That makes you an a**hole. Now that I'm being a bully too, since you bring out the best in me, you're fat. Like most American men. In an effort to be professional, you showed yourself to be a small-minded simpleton who resorts to offending all people of small stature. Feel proud?

Mike Bronzell

7/10/2013 21:16:06

Carmelina, Your right who cares that he is a shrimp. So why are you all worried about what he said. WHO CARES...... Oh you must be his lover and your defending the scumbag who by his own admission runs a bait and switch operation on a grand scale. You sound like a stand up person with a stand up complaint. Oh my mistake you sound like an *****

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