An anti-knife crime “charity” which is “raking in millions” has spent over £3million on its staff’s salaries in a year.
Inside Success Union CIC is a social enterprise, not a charity, which means it cannot ask for donations so it instead sells £5 magazines. It recruits young people to sell the magazines to people on the street, mainly targeting busy train stations and busy high streets.
However, in a recent undercover investigation of using the “generosity of the unsuspecting public” to fund salaries and commissions.
Inside Success has been also accused of harassment and intimidation, after some allegedly forced members of the public to buy their magazines. Allegations of lying to the public about the impact of the organisation on the young sellers, as well as complaints from teachers saying the company deliberately targeted “vulnerable” young people, have surfaced.
Inside Success Union workers posing with Tyson Fury
Instagram - @insidesuccessuk
Following a Mail on Sunday investigation into the organisation, the Fundraising Regulator watchdog is launching an investigation.
The job recruits young people by claiming that they can “make a lot of money” - up to £500 in a single day in commission, on top of a £10-an-hour salary. Attractive Instagram and TikTok posts are used to advertise the roles, which require “no CV or interview”.
Whilst it is illegal for people or organisations to collect money on the street without a permit, Inside Success state that it is selling a magazine.
The firm allegedly tells its hundreds of employees, who are dispatched to busy spots in popular cities, to sell the product for “way more than it's actually worth”.
The investigative reporter was told that fundraisers are told to approach people asking for a “one-time contribution” and claim they are “fighting knife crime and youth violence”.
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The source also said that secondary school teachers in the capital have targeted their recruitment campaign at youngsters from low-income families right outside school gates.
Inside Success was established in London in 2016 by Darren Olawale and David Sonowo, both 42, who met at university.
It is known as a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is not overseen by the Charity Commission watchdog.
Lord Harris, chairman of the Fundraising Regulator, said: “Inside Success uses quite aggressive tactics. They are in your face and do not take no for an answer – and I think sometimes the tactics border on intimidation.
“What you have is an organisation which is picking up the public's general support for charities and distorting it, and that reflects badly on legitimate charities.
The young people working for Inside Success often target people outside of busy train stations
PA"To the casual observer, looking at what they're saying and at the magazine, you would think there is this organisation in the background which is doing wonderful work with young people, but it is not clear it exists, and people are being misled.”
He has called for a crackdown on CICs exploiting the public’s good will to fund money-making schemes.
Lord Harris said: “The Community Interest Company regulator has got to find a way of distinguishing a legitimate organisation from what is essentially a commercial organisation with what appear to be some hard-sell techniques.”
A spokesman for Inside Success Union said: “We do not employ or instruct young individuals to engage in any form of forceful or disruptive behaviour.
"Instances where our representatives may have appeared intrusive or non-compliant with regulations are not representative of our organisation's values.
“Inside Success said it was engaging outside trainers to retrain personnel, reinforcing 'the importance of ethical selling practices, respectful interactions with the public and strict adherence to age restrictions.”
