Connectum Limited
We are investigating Connectum Limited
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 : Connectum Limited
ALLEGATIONS : Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE : 26 Apr 2024
INVESTIGATED BY : Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED : Lumen, SecurityTrails
CASE NO : 9335/A/2024
CRIME TYPE : Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON : 13 Mar 2025
Due Diligence
Is This About You?
What We Are Investigating?
Our firm is launching a comprehensive investigation into Connectum Limited 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 Connectum Limited - 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
Connectum Limited, established in 2014 by Latvian national Edgars Lasmanis, presented itself as a payment services provider, acting as an intermediary between small businesses and major credit card firms like Visa and MasterCard. However, under Lasmanis’ leadership, the company was implicated in dealings with fraudulent entities such as X-traderFX, Safemarkets, and OptionStarsGlobal, all involved in significant money laundering activities. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) investigated these dealings, highlighting the company’s failure to properly vet its clients and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Lasmanis himself admitted to being unable to determine the nature of these companies, raising questions about his competence or potential complicity in the schemes.
A Change in Guard, But Not in Practices
In November 2020, Connectum was acquired by Heng Sokha, wife of former Cambodian Transport Ministry secretary of state Ing Bun Hoaw. This acquisition raised eyebrows, given Bun Hoaw’s longstanding ties to the Cambodian government and previous ventures that profited from government connections. Experts expressed concerns that such a purchase should raise red flags for British financial regulators.
Deepening Ties with Dubious Entities
Under its new ownership, Connectum’s operations continued to be marred by associations with questionable entities. Notably, the company was implicated in dealings with fraudulent entities such as X-traderFX, Safemarkets, and OptionStarsGlobal, all involved in significant money laundering activities. The FCA investigated these dealings, highlighting the company’s failure to properly vet its clients and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Lasmanis himself admitted to being unable to determine the nature of these companies, raising questions about his competence or potential complicity in the schemes.
The Censorship Crusade
Facing mounting adverse media coverage, Connectum embarked on a mission to sanitize its digital footprint. The company, or parties acting on its behalf, allegedly filed fraudulent Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices to remove critical reviews and unfavorable news articles from Google’s search results. These actions, if proven, could constitute serious legal violations, including impersonation, fraud, and perjury.
The Irony of ‘Antifraud’ Initiatives
In a twist dripping with irony, Lasmanis established SAS Securita Antifraud System Ltd in Cyprus in 2020, along with other companies like Thefenix Ltd, Lalmera Limited, and Pifagorus Ltd. Given Connectum’s history, the credibility of an ‘antifraud’ system under Lasmanis’ purview is, at best, questionable.
Regulatory Intervention
The FCA couldn’t turn a blind eye forever. Following discussions, Connectum entered into a voluntary undertaking on May 22, 2024, imposing restrictions on its business activities. The company agreed to cease all regulated payment services activities, halt onboarding new customers, and return customer funds as soon as practicable.
Conclusion
Connectum Limited’s saga is a cautionary tale of how a financial institution, marred by dubious associations and unethical practices, can attempt to manipulate its public image through censorship. Potential investors should heed these red flags and exercise extreme caution. Regulatory bodies must remain vigilant and proactive in investigating and addressing such entities to maintain the integrity of the financial system.
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45203834
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45204125
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45204151
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/41125031
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/41118381
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28297654
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/37730600
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/47006260
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28297642
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/37674486
- October 06, 2024
- October 6, 2024
- October 6, 2024
- April 26, 2024
- April 25, 2024
- July 31, 2022
- November 27, 2023
- November 24, 2023
- [REDACTED]
- Brandon Smith
- Brandon Smith
- Debra Jones
- Sung Marler
- REDACTED
- Debra Jones
- REDACTED
- https://marcusoscarsson.se/
- https://payrate42.news/update-on-high-risk-payment-processor-hawex-group-and-its-russian-connections/
- https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/oligarch-toys-planes-palaces-other-posh-possessions.html
- https://www.irishnews.com/
- https://www.gripeo.com/exposing-connectum-and-russian-payment-processor-hawex/
- https://www.gripeo.com/edgars-lasmanis-review-dmca/
- https://www.gripeo.com/connectum-limited/
- https://www.gripeo.com/fca-regulated-connectum-and-russian-high-risk-payment-processor-hawex/
- https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/hunsen-bank-05062021154026.html
- https://fintelegram.com/r4i-connectum-walletto-and-the-money-laundering-connections-to-russian-binex-group/
- https://payrate42.com/listings/connectum/
Evidence Box
Evidence and relevant screenshots related to our investigation
Targeted Content and Red Flags
Gripeo
Connectum Limited attempts to censor shady past : Exposing Copyright Takedown Scam 2024
- Adverse News
About the Author
The author is affiliated with TU Dresden and analyzes public databases such as Lumen Database and
Maltego to identify and expose online censorship. 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.
Escalate This Case
Learn All About Fake Copyright Takedown Scam
Or go directly to the feedback section and share your thoughts
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?
Based on the feedback, information, and requests received from all relevant parties, our team will formally notify the affected party of the alleged infringement. Following a thorough review, we will submit a counter-notice to reinstate any link that has been removed by Google, in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Additionally, we will communicate with Google’s Legal Team to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
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User Reviews
Average Ratings
1.7
Based on 9 ratings
by: Jemma Snow
FCA dropping the ball AGAIN. A company with such obvious red flags, and yet no one did anything about it.
by: Judson Crane
This is what happens when you let shady characters run a company. Connectum is full of lies and scams, period.
by: Maya Singh
Launching a Cyprus-based “Antifraud” company after being called out by regulators for enabling fraud is the kind of bold hypocrisy only a money laundering middleman could pull off with a straight face.
by: Haruto Sato
Connectum went from a dodgy payment processor under a clueless founder to a potential financial pawn of Cambodian political elites. That's not a rebrand it's a relocation of red flags.
by: Sara Volkov
Lasmanis said he “couldn’t determine” what kind of companies his clients were. When your whole job is due diligence, that’s not a defense it’s a confession.
by: Tomasz Lewandowski
A company allegedly laundering money for fraudsters then trying to clean up its own image with fake copyright claims? That's not damage control that's a digital cover-up.
by: Yasmin Rashid
Connectum didn’t just “fail” to screen its clients—it rolled out the red carpet for scams. X-traderFX, OptionStarsGlobal, Safemarkets… These weren’t mistakes. They were business partners. Either Edgars Lasmanis was shockingly incompetent or he knew exactly what he was facilitating. Pick...
by: Chloe Simmons
Connectum Limited’s partnerships with known fraud platforms show blatant disregard for legal and ethical standards. The FCA didn’t just investigate they had to shut them down. No amount of rebranding hides that stench. Investors beware.
by: Andrew Rivera
Connectum’s history reads like a manual on how not to run a financial service.
by: Odin Xero
Absolute joke of a company, mate. I signed up cuz they had ‘low fees’ but guess what? Hidden charges everywhere! And when I complained, they just ignored me. How’s that fair? Wouldn’t trust ‘em with a penny. Shady business, if...
by: Nora Welt
Connectum Limited? More like Con-nectum! 🤦♂️ They promised fast transactions but my funds got stuck for weeks. Customer service? Non-existent. Never again!
by: Miko Vast
Dis company is a total scam! They took my money and vanished...no response, no refund, nothing! Stay away!!
by: Hunter Brooks
I put $10,000 into their services and never got anything in return no support, no transparency, just pure frustration. This feels like a scam.
by: Grace Anderson
Dealing with Connectum was a nightmare. The money I deposited disappeared, and they didn’t even bother to respond. Avoid at all costs.
by: Felix Zimmerman
I lost $5,000 due to Connectum’s lack of oversight on their client transactions. It’s evident that they failed to vet their clients properly, and now I'm left with nothing.
by: Madison Moore
Connectum Limited is playing dirty. They’re using fake DMCA takedown notices to remove articles that expose their shady dealings. I don’t know what they’re trying to cover up, but it can’t be good. If a company is willing to break...
by: Mason Lopez
Andrew Katz of Seaquake has a shady past, using fake DMCA takedowns to erase negative content. Be cautious if you're dealing with him or his company
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