Big Option
We are investigating Big Option 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 : Big Option
ALLEGATIONS : Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE : 18 Jul 2024
INVESTIGATED BY : Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED : Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails
CASE NO : 1654/A/2024
CRIME TYPE : Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON : 22 Nov 2024
Is This About You?
What We Are Investigating?
Our firm is launching a comprehensive investigation into Big Option over allegations that it has been suppressing critical reviews and unfavorable Google search results by fraudulently misusing DMCA takedown notices. These actions, if proven, could constitute serious legal violations—including impersonation, fraud, and perjury.
We conducted comprehensive analyses of fraudulent copyright takedown requests, meritless legal complaints, and other unlawful efforts to suppress public access to critical information. Our reporting sheds light on the prevalence and modus operandi of a structured censorship network, often funded and used by criminal enterprises, oligarchs and criminal entities seeking to manipulate public perception and bypass AML checks conducted by financial organisations.
The fake DMCA notices in this investigation appears to have been strategically deployed to remove negative content from Google search results illegally. Based on this pattern, we have reasonable grounds to infer that Big Option - or an entity acting at its behest - is directly or indirectly complicit in this cyber crime.
In most such cases, such ops are executed by rogue, fly-by-night 'Online Reputation Management' agencies acting on behalf of their clients. If evidence establishes that the subject knowingly benefited from or facilitated this scam, it may be deemed an 'accomplice' or an 'accessory' to the crime.
What are they trying to censor
Big Option, an online binary options trading platform, has faced numerous allegations and adverse news reports over the years, raising serious concerns about its business practices and reputation. Below is a summary of the major allegations and red flags associated with the company, as well as an analysis of how these stories harm its reputation and why the company might seek to suppress them, even through illicit means.
Major Allegations and Adverse News
Misleading Advertising and False Promises:
Big Option has been accused of using aggressive and misleading marketing tactics to lure investors. Reports suggest the platform promised high returns with minimal risk, a common red flag in binary options trading. Many users claimed they were misled into believing they could easily profit, only to lose significant amounts of money.
- Unregulated Operations
Big Option has been flagged by financial regulators in multiple jurisdictions for operating without proper licenses. Regulatory bodies, including the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, have issued warnings against the platform, stating it was not authorized to provide financial services. - Withdrawal Issues and Scam Allegations
Numerous users have reported difficulties withdrawing funds from their accounts. Complaints allege that Big Option imposed unreasonable conditions, such as requiring additional deposits or delaying payouts indefinitely. Some users accused the platform of being an outright scam, designed to siphon money from unsuspecting investors. - Manipulation of Trading Platforms
Investigative reports and user testimonials suggest that Big Option manipulated its trading platform to ensure users lost money. Allegations include sudden price spikes, unexplained trade closures, and software glitches that favored the platform over its users. - Data Privacy Concerns
Big Option has been criticized for its handling of user data. Reports claim the platform shared sensitive customer information with third parties without consent, raising concerns about privacy breaches and potential misuse of personal data.
Reputational Harm and Motives for Suppression
The allegations against Big Option paint a picture of a company engaged in unethical and potentially illegal practices. These stories harm its reputation in several ways:
- Loss of Trust: The accusations of misleading advertising and withdrawal issues erode trust among potential and existing users. Trust is critical in financial services, and once lost, it is difficult to regain.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Warnings from financial regulators damage the platform’s credibility and limit its ability to operate in regulated markets.
- Negative Publicity: Media coverage of scam allegations and user complaints can deter new customers and tarnish the brand’s image.
- Legal Risks: The allegations expose Big Option to potential lawsuits and regulatory penalties, which could result in significant financial losses.
Given the severity of these allegations, Big Option may have a strong incentive to suppress negative information. Removing damaging content from the internet could help the company:
- Restore Its Image: By eliminating adverse news, Big Option could present itself as a legitimate platform, attracting new users and retaining existing ones.
- Avoid Legal Consequences: Suppressing evidence of wrongdoing could help the company evade regulatory scrutiny and legal action.
- Maintain Revenue Streams: Negative publicity can lead to a decline in user sign-ups and trading activity, directly impacting the company’s profits.
The Cybercrime Angle
In extreme cases, companies facing reputational crises may resort to unethical or illegal measures to remove damaging content. This could include hacking websites, bribing journalists, or employing cybercriminals to delete negative reviews and articles. For Big Option, the stakes are high: the allegations threaten its very existence. If the company believes that suppressing negative information is the only way to survive, it might be tempted to cross legal and ethical boundaries.
However, such actions would only compound its problems, leading to further legal repercussions and irreparable damage to its reputation. The cycle of deception and suppression is a dangerous game, one that ultimately undermines the integrity of the financial industry and harms unsuspecting investors.
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/43135677
- July 18, 2024
- Chatterjee & Co.
- https://vancouvertimesherald.com/2020/01/18/binary-scam-alerts-exclusive-trader-getting-scammed-by-big-option-live-recording/
- https://www.binaryscamalerts.com/category/scam-complaints/
Evidence Box
Evidence and relevant screenshots related to our investigation
Targeted Content and Red Flags
binary scam alert
Scam Complaints Binary Scam Alerts Exclusive: Trader Getting Scammed By Big Option Live Recording!
- Adverse News
About the Author
The author is affiliated with TU Dresden and serves as a researcher at
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.
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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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Clara Williams
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If you're still falling for promises of guaranteed profits, like those from Big Option and Phoenix Trading, it's time to wake up and do your research.
Ben Matthews
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Phoenix Trading is another example of a scam that uses automation to fool traders into thinking they’re investing in a legitimate platform. By partnering with shady brokers in countries like Kazakhstan and Moldova, it’s clear that their goal is to overcharge credit cards and exploit innocent people. It’s appalling that someone like William Johnston would trick traders with fake testimonials, fake logos, and a fake registration process, all while collecting their personal and financial information. If you value your money and your privacy, stay as far away as possible from this app.