Alex Shnaider
We are investigating Alex Shnaider for allegedly attempting to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices. This includes potential violations such as impersonation, fraud, and perjury.
PARTIES INVOLVED : Alex Shnaider
ALLEGATIONS : Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE : 30 Oct 2023
INVESTIGATED BY : Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED : Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails
CASE NO : 1777/A/2024
CRIME TYPE : Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON : 19 Nov 2024
Due Diligence
Is This About You?
What We Are Investigating?
We are investigating Alex Shnaider for allegedly attempting to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices. This includes potential violations such as impersonation, fraud, and perjury
We are investigating Alex Shnaider for allegedly attempting to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices. This includes potential violations such as impersonation, fraud, and perjury
What are they trying to censor
Alex Shnaider, a Canadian-Russian businessman and former owner of the Midland Group, has faced several allegations and red flags over the years, many of which have the potential to harm his reputation. These allegations span financial misconduct, ties to politically exposed persons (PEPs), and questionable business dealings, raising concerns about his ethical and legal standing.
Key Allegations and Red Flags:
- Ties to Russian Oligarchs and PEPs:
Shnaider’s business empire has been linked to politically exposed individuals, including Russian oligarchs. Notably, his partnership with Boris Birshtein, a controversial figure with alleged ties to organized crime, has drawn scrutiny. Shnaider’s Midland Group reportedly received significant funding from Russian banks with close ties to the Kremlin, raising questions about the origins of his wealth and potential political influence. - Sale of Steelmaker Zaporizhstal:
In 2011, Shnaider sold Ukraine’s largest steel mill, Zaporizhstal, to a consortium linked to the Ukrainian government. Reports suggest the sale was facilitated through offshore entities, raising suspicions of money laundering or tax evasion. The involvement of offshore structures in such high-value transactions often signals an attempt to obscure financial flows. - Involvement in the Trump Toronto Tower:
Shnaider financed the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto, a project that faced numerous legal and financial challenges. The development was marred by lawsuits, including allegations of unpaid contractors and mismanagement. While Shnaider was not directly implicated in these issues, his association with the project tarnished his reputation. - Allegations of Financial Misconduct:
Shnaider has been accused of using complex offshore structures to evade taxes and hide assets. Investigations by international media outlets have highlighted his use of tax havens, which, while not illegal, often raise ethical concerns and suggest a lack of transparency. - Links to Organized Crime:
Although no direct evidence ties Shnaider to organized crime, his association with Boris Birshtein and other controversial figures has fueled speculation. Birshtein, a Soviet-born businessman, has been linked to criminal networks, and Shnaider’s ties to him have been a persistent red flag.
Impact on Reputation:
These allegations collectively paint a picture of a businessman operating in ethically and legally gray areas. For Shnaider, whose success hinges on his credibility in international finance and real estate, such stories are damaging. They undermine trust among investors, partners, and regulators, potentially jeopardizing future business opportunities.
Why Shnaider Might Seek to Remove These Stories:
In the digital age, online reputation is critical. Negative press can have long-lasting effects, influencing public perception and business relationships. Shnaider may view the removal of these stories as essential to preserving his legacy and securing future ventures. The stakes are high, and the temptation to resort to unethical or illegal means, such as cybercrime, to erase damaging information could be significant. Hacking or coercing media outlets to remove content would allow Shnaider to control the narrative, but such actions would only compound his legal and ethical troubles.
In conclusion, Alex Shnaider’s alleged ties to PEPs, use of offshore structures, and associations with controversial figures have cast a shadow over his career. While these allegations remain unproven, they pose a significant threat to his reputation, potentially motivating extreme measures to suppress them. However, any attempt to manipulate or erase this information through cybercrime would only deepen the controversy, further damaging his standing in the global business community.
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/37082808
- October 30 2023
- Jastin Davies
- https://www.tumblr.com/timesnows/730413321113812992/toronto-trump-tower-developer-paid-100-million-to
- https://www.huffpost.com/archive/ca/entry/toronto-trump-tower-russia-alex-shnaider_ca_5cd55a26e4b07bc729774a43
Evidence Box
We are investigating Alex Shnaider for allegedly attempting to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices.
Targeted Content and Red Flags
finance.yahoo.com
Boies Schiller in Spat With Billionaire Over Unpaid Legal Fees
- Red Flag
intelligenceline.com
Alex Shnaider: The Billionaire Who Defrauded Investors and Courted Controversy
- Adverse News
huffpost.com
Toronto Trump Tower Developer Paid $100 Million To Kremlin-Linked ‘Fixer’: Report
- Adverse News
About the Author
The author is affiliated with Harvard University and serves as a researcher at both Lumen and FakeDMCA.com. In his personal capacity, he and his team have been actively investigating and reporting on organized crime related to fraudulent copyright takedown schemes. Additionally, his team provides advisory services to major law firms and is frequently consulted on matters pertaining to intellectual property law.
He can be reached at [email protected] directly.
Many thanks to FakeDMCA.com and Lumen for providing access to their database
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How This Was Done
The fake DMCA notices we found always use the ?back-dated article? technique. With this technique, the wrongful notice sender (or copier) creates a copy of a ?true original? article and back-dates it, creating a ?fake original? article (a copy of the true original) that, at first glance, appears to have been published before the true original
What Happens Next?
The fake DMCA notices we found always use the ?back-dated article? technique. With this technique, the wrongful notice sender (or copier) creates a copy of a ?true original? article and back-dates it, creating a ?fake original? article (a copy of the true original) that, at first glance, appears to have been published before the true original.
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2.4
Based on 7 ratings
Lucas Scot
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I’ve been scammed before, but this one really hit hard. They told me I could make great returns with a minimal risk, and who wouldn’t want that? But once I put my money in, it felt like they just disappeared. Every time I reached out, they kept saying 'we're working on it,' but nothing ever happened. I’ve lost a significant amount of money, and now I don’t even know where to begin to try and get it back. I’m so frustrated and disappointed
Ethan Carter
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This is nothing more than a money-grabbing scheme. I’ve lost everything after following their 'expert advice'. Stay away, seriously!
Sofia Morgan
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Honestly, I don’t understand how they still have a business with the amount of complaints out there. I’ve heard the same story from so many others.
Jack Anderson
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Just an awful experience all around. I ordered a product, got a different one, and when I tried to get a refund, they stopped replying. Never going back.
Mia Mitchell
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This whole thing feels like a big trap. At first, everything seemed so professional and convincing. I made an initial investment, but after a while, I realized that there were no real returns coming in. I tried to withdraw my money, but every time I requested it, I got the same answer: 'processing'. It’s been months, and I’m stuck. I have no idea where my money is or how to get it back. I should have trusted the warning signs earlier
Ava Hernandez
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This is nothing more than a money-grabbing scheme. I’ve lost everything after following their 'expert advice'. Stay away, seriously
Chloe Evans
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This is nothing more than a money-grabbing scheme. I’ve lost everything after following their 'expert advice'. Stay away, seriously!