Bible Salesman Turned Survivor Contestant Turned Ponzi Schemer, Mike Skupin Now Busted For Possession Of Kiddie Porn

Mike Skupin the former Survivor contestant is heading to prison. Michigan AG Bill Schuette announced he is charging the former Internet Bible salesman and Ponzi scheme with five counts of larceny and one count of racketeering. In addition, Skupin is facing six counts of possession of kiddie porn. Investigators found Kiddie Porn on Skupin’s computer.

Skupin allegedly operated the Ponzi scheme out of his home in suburban Detroit. 

Skupin is a born-again Christian who appeared on Survivor: The Australian Outback. He also became famous for falling into a fire and Survivor: Philippines. 

The Michigan AG’s office began the investigation after reporter Rob Wolchek did a segment on Fox 2 Detroit. Wolcheck confronted Skupin about his “gifting scheme” called Pay It Forward in December of 2013. Wolchek and Fox 2 Detroit also encouraged victims to call the Michigan AG Bill Schuette’s office. 

Victims paid $10,000 in cash to the scheme. Their money would then cycle through a chart. Participants were eventually paid out of other new investors’ money in a classic Ponzi scheme model. The scheme was discovered when no new investors signed up. Investors in the scheme began losing their money.

The Michigan AG also discovered images of kiddie porn on Skupin’s laptop.

The Detroit Free Press quoted Michigan AG Bill Schuette as saying: 

Not only did this man rob people of their hard-earned savings with his financial scams. He victimized innocent children every time he looked at a piece of child pornography. This man seems to have no concept or caring for right and wrong. He will be prosecuted under the full extent of the law for these horrific crimes.