Bram's gang grabs Miles off the street, tries to convice him not go to the island

After Miles gets a fish taco from La Vida Tacos, he is walking up the street and a black van pulls up beside him. We can see Bram who came to the island on Ajira 316 and is working with Ilana in the passenger seat. Bram says "Hey Miles" and Miles asks "Do I know you?" At that moment two guys with masks over most of their faces grab Miles and pull him into the van which promptly takes off.

Bram introduces himself and apologizes for the fish taco, telling Miles that his apartment is being watched. Bram says he wants to talk Miles out of working for Charles Widmore. Bram says that Miles does not want to be on Widmore's boat. Then Bram asks that puzzling question. He says "Do you know what lies in the shadow of the statue?" Miles says that he doesn't know and Bram replies "Then you're not ready to go to that island." Bram tells Miles that if he comes with them, he'll get the answers to his questions including why he has his ability and who his father was. Miles says that he stopped caring about his father a long time ago, but he does care about money. Miles says he'll pass on going to the island for double what Naomi offered him, $3.2 million. Bram says that they're not going to pay him anything and says that "All the money in the world isn't going to fill that empty hole inside you Miles." Bram says "Toss him!" and the van stops and Miles is tossed out of the van. Bram tells Miles "You're playing for the wrong team." Miles asks him what team he is on. Bram replies "The one that's gonna win" and then the van speeds off.

Once again, this a crazy scene featuring whatever group of people Bram and Ilana are a part of. What's the deal with these folks and what is with that now infamous question?