Sovereign citizens implode over $20 fee from Dave Oneeglio

Sovereign citizens are up in arms after a decision by prominent conspiracy theorist Dave Oneeglio to start charging for access to his radical beliefs.

Sovereign citizens in one of the movement’s most popular Aussie chatrooms are up in arms over a decision by their de facto leader Dave Oneeglio to begin charging $20 per month for access to his conspiracy theorist website.

Oneeglio, who runs the chat under his username Dave Oneegs, announced he would be adding a monthly payment option for access to his website, supposedly to make his radical conspiracy beliefs more accessible — except that it is significantly more expensive than paying annually upfront.

Oneeglio is frequently spotted online peddling radical and, at worst, dangerous anti-government conspiracies that fall under the sovereign citizen umbrella.

His most recent move, though, has garnered backlash even from within the community.

Do you know more? Get in touch — [e-mail]

Users slammed Oneegs for announcing a new subscription. Picture: Twitter.

Others defended the conspiracy theorist. Picture: Twitter.

“Read the room”

Followers slammed the decision to grant access to Oneeglio’s website for $20 per month — $239 per year — as opposed to the currently available $192 annual payment.

“Dave, read the room, mate. The market sets the price for what a product or service is worth, regardless of what you believe it’s worth. And your audience is telling you that you are overpriced,” one user, Tash, wrote.

“No point getting offended and defensive by that and making people feel like s**t. You will NEVER win people over that way.”

“You’ve completely lost the plot if you think that people are going to pay more than their streaming service subscription that they can turn on 24/7 for something that comes out on Tuesday’s (sic) and Thursdays,” said another user, Fox Hunter.

“I’ve supported Dave since the beginning but tbh (to be honest) I feel like he’s talking down to me and attacking me because I can’t afford to sign up to his website. It’s pretty tone deaf to tell people what they can and can’t afford. I’m on a disability pension so there no way (sic) I can afford $97. And I don’t think that’s my fault but Dave makes me feel like it is,” wrote a third.

Oneeglio slammed his critics, even claiming a “homeless person” could front up the cash. Picture: Twitter.

Conspiracy theorist’s rambling rants

The critics earned the vitriol of Oneeglio, who insisted even a “homeless person” could front up the cash.

“I guarantee a homeless person can find $5 a week. I guarantee it! We have a media that has decimated this country … and I’m doing something about it,” he wrote in one rambling response.

“The team and I and everyone who is supporting are tired of complaining and we are actually going to DO. something about it. If you can’t find $5, that’s fine … It’s not because you don’t have it … It’s because you don’t see the value yet in how important this is and u will spend the $5 elsewhere.”

He later doubled down, posting a videoed rant in which he accused the chat’s members of “shooting (him) in the back”.

“Why don’t you actually put yourselves in our shoes just for two seconds and think, wow, these people have been going non-stop for three years now. They might actually give a s**t about this country, they might actually be doing their best that they can,” Oneeglio said in a vlog from his car.

“We don’t plan on stopping but just stop trying to shoot us down when we’re fighting for you. Had enough of it. Over and out.”

Dave is sick of people having a go at him for trying to grift money! Even goes as far to say if you have a go about him asking for money you are “on the wrong side” pic.twitter.com/WGeGrlkNMU

— Alternate Media Watchers (@AltMediaWatch) February 1, 2023

Inside the conspiracy beliefs

The term “sovereign citizen” encompasses a broad range of ideologies, including anti-vaccine, anti-mainstream media and anarchist beliefs, but at its core refers to an insistence that the government and its actors are illegitimate.

The movement shot into public consciousness late last year after three of its members, the murderous Train trio, shot dead two Queensland police officers and a bystander.

One of the Train brothers was a member of Oneeglio’s own Telegram channel, and had referenced the conspiracy leader in his writings.

It is not suggested that any member of the group, including Oneeglio, was involved in the events at Wieambilla.

Unsettling screenshots of conversations being had inside the chat showed participants sympathising with the Train trio and even praising the cold-blooded killing of Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold.

David Oneegs was named in an article by cop killer Gareth Train, pictured here with wife Stacey after killing three people including two police. Picture: YouTube

Commenters also referenced the gunmen being in the “fold” of the community.

One of the most disturbing comments came under a post from Oneeglio himself asking how his followers were “feeling”, after sharing a photo with the phrase: “When war is declared, truth is the first casualty.”

“How is everyone feeling? I feel flat and unsettled. Something feels very ‘wrong’ on some level today. Please share a comment below,” he wrote under the image.

One follower replied to this comment, urging others in the group to “take up arms” just like Nathaniel Train and his brother had.

“It feels very strange today. One of our fold has finally carried out their promise to make a difference. It will make a difference,” they wrote.

“They can’t keep suppressing us forever. Time to take up arms like our brother Nate.”

In other posts, commenters referred to one of the Train brothers as a “modern day Ned Kelly”, warning the “same thing might happen” if police officers tried to come onto their land.

Oneeglio is currently facing a legal fight over allegations he used money raised for northern NSW flood victims inappropriately. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Oneegs’s legal battles

Oneeglio has created a career for himself off the back of the movement and his Telegram channel, which has more than 61,000 subscribers.

The self-purported “influencer” has even started a merchandise range.

One shirt has the lines “Pharma funds the media, the media funds your fears. Your fears fund your disease, your disease funds pharma,” while another design states, “no weapon formed against me shall prosper.”

In recent months, he has been linked to numerous public clashes between sovereign citizens and police.

Oneeglio is currently facing a legal fight over allegations he used money raised for northern NSW flood victims inappropriately.

Oneeglio, also a friend of controversial chef Pete Evans, has been charged with one count each of failing to comply with lawful requirements, conducting unlawful appeals for support and person assisting an appeal converting money for own use or failing to properly account for the money concerning the flooding in Lismore.

The Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) recently told News Corp that charges against the 48-year-old had been filed following an investigation.

Magistrate Colin Strofield adjourned the matter to March 17 to set a trial date if required.

— with staff writers.

Do you know more? Get in touch — [e-mail]