What We Are Investigating?
Our firm is launching a comprehensive investigation into Financial Pacific 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 Financial Pacific - 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
In the murky waters of Panama’s financial sector, few entities have cast as long and as dubious a shadow as the now-defunct brokerage firm, Financial Pacific (FP). Once hailed as a beacon of investment opportunities, FP’s legacy is now marred by allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, and a concerted effort to suppress the truth. As an investigative journalist, I’ve delved deep into the labyrinthine corridors of FP’s operations, uncovering a tale that serves as a stark warning to potential investors and a clarion call for regulatory intervention.
The Rise and Fall of Financial Pacific
Founded with the promise of offering premier brokerage services, FP quickly became a darling of Panama’s financial elite. However, beneath its polished facade lurked a cesspool of financial improprieties. The firm’s downfall began in 2012 when an internal audit revealed a staggering $12 million discrepancy. This revelation led to the intervention of the Superintendence of the Securities Market (SMV) and set off a chain of events that would expose the firm’s deep-seated corruption.
The High Spirit Account: A Vessel for Malfeasance
Central to FP’s scandal was the notorious “High Spirit” account. Allegations surfaced that this account was used to manipulate stock prices, particularly those of Petaquilla Minerals Ltd., with whispers of involvement reaching the highest echelons of power, including former President Ricardo Martinelli. The SMV’s investigation uncovered transactions ranging from $1 million to $4 million flowing through High Spirit, indicative of potential financial crimes within Panama’s stock market system.
A Web of Complicity
The tentacles of FP’s misconduct extended far and wide. In 2019, the Seventh Anti-Corruption Prosecutor consolidated two major cases against FP, focusing on the High Spirit account and a complaint from Belize’s Caye International Bank, which suffered losses after FP’s intervention by the SMV. Key figures, including FP’s former directors Iván Clare and West Valdés, found themselves under the prosecutorial microscope.
Further entanglements emerged with the involvement of Felipe “Pipo” Virzi and Cristóbal Salerno, both of whom played roles in funneling funds to cover FP’s financial gaps. Notably, a $7 million check from the state-owned Caja de Ahorros was traced back to these individuals, raising questions about the misuse of public funds and the extent of political collusion.
Silencing the Whistleblowers
In the wake of these revelations, one would expect a flurry of media coverage and public outcry. Instead, there was an eerie silence. Sources close to the matter revealed that FP engaged in aggressive tactics to suppress negative publicity. Journalists investigating the firm faced legal threats, and in some instances, were subjected to intimidation. The disappearance of Vernon Ramos, an SMV official probing FP’s activities, sent a chilling message to would-be whistleblowers.
Red Flags for Investors
For discerning investors, FP’s saga offers several cautionary lessons:
Opaque Operations: FP’s lack of transparency, especially concerning the High Spirit account, underscores the perils of investing in entities that operate in the shadows.
Regulatory Capture: The firm’s ability to allegedly co-opt regulatory officials, such as Ignacio Fábrega, highlights the risks posed by compromised oversight bodies.
Political Entanglements: FP’s connections with political figures and the misuse of state resources exemplify the dangers of intertwining business with politics.
A Call to Action
The Financial Pacific debacle serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within financial systems and the lengths to which some will go to conceal malfeasance. Regulatory bodies must bolster their oversight mechanisms, ensuring that entities like FP cannot operate with impunity. Moreover, the press must be safeguarded against intimidation, allowing journalists to shine a light on corruption without fear of retribution.
Conclusion
Financial Pacific’s descent from a reputable brokerage to a byword for financial scandal is a tale of greed, deception, and the corrosive influence of unchecked power. For investors, it underscores the imperative of due diligence and the need to remain vigilant against entities that prioritize profit over principle. As we sift through the ashes of FP’s implosion, one can only hope that the lessons learned will fortify the financial landscape against future transgressions.
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/48922675
- Alan E. Lyke
- https://www.tumblr.com/newstimesmx/775087162476625920/financial-pacific-money-laundering-cases-combined
- https://newsroompanama.com/2019/12/03/financial-pacific-money-laundering-cases-combined/
Evidence Box
Evidence and relevant screenshots related to our investigation
Targeted Content and Red Flags
newsroompanama
Financial Pacific boss leaves preventive detention after 5 years
- 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.
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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?
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
1.4
Based on 3 ratings
by: Callum Brooks
how is this even possible?? so many ppl involved and nobody said nothin until it all exploded?? whole system seems rigged
by: Oliver Taylor
Wow... and this is the kind of firm people used to trust with millions? Insane.
by: Marcel Shaffer
$12 million “discrepancy”? Bro that’s not a rounding error, that’s theft.
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