LyoPay
We are investigating LyoPay 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 : LyoPay
ALLEGATIONS : Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE : 6 Feb 2024
INVESTIGATED BY : Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED : Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails
CASE NO : 2536/A/2024
CRIME TYPE : Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON : 26 Nov 2024
Is This About You?
What We Are Investigating?
Our firm is launching a comprehensive investigation into LyoPay 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 LyoPay - 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
LYOPAY, a cryptocurrency platform, has been embroiled in significant controversy due to allegations of operating as part of a Ponzi and pyramid scheme in conjunction with WEWE Global. These allegations have raised substantial red flags and attracted adverse news coverage, severely impacting LYOPAY’s reputation.
Regulatory Warnings and Allegations
In February 2023, the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand issued a warning regarding WEWE Global and LYOPAY. The FMA noted that these entities were offering cryptocurrency products and services through webinars and public events in New Zealand without proper registration or regulation, as mandated by the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The FMA cautioned that WEWE Global and LYOPAY might be operating as a Ponzi and pyramid scheme, advising the public to exercise caution when dealing with these entities.
fma.govt.nz
Ponzi Scheme Architecture
Investigations have revealed that WEWE Global’s revenue model heavily relies on recruitment rather than legitimate product or service sales. Participants are incentivized to recruit new members, creating a structure where profits for existing members depend on funds from new entrants. This model exhibits classic characteristics of a Ponzi scheme, including:
- Emphasis on Recruitment: Rewards are primarily based on bringing in new participants rather than promoting or selling actual products.
- Unsustainable Growth: The system requires a constant influx of new members to provide returns to earlier investors, making it inherently unstable.
- Opaque Operations: There is a lack of transparency regarding how funds are managed and allocated within the organization.
These factors have led industry experts and regulatory bodies to question the legitimacy of WEWE Global and LYOPAY, advising potential investors to exercise caution.
intelligenceline.com
Suppression of Negative Information
Further compounding concerns, reports have surfaced that WEWE Global and LYOPAY have actively attempted to suppress negative reviews and critical information about their operations. Accusations include employing tactics to censor unfavorable content and prevent the dissemination of warnings regarding their questionable business practices. Such actions suggest an effort to maintain a positive public image while concealing potentially fraudulent activities.
netfactual.com
Reputational Impact and Potential Motivations for Content Removal
The accumulation of these allegations and adverse news has significantly tarnished LYOPAY’s reputation. The association with a suspected Ponzi scheme, regulatory warnings, and attempts to suppress negative information have eroded public trust and credibility.
LYOPAY would have a vested interest in removing or censoring these damaging stories to:
- Protect Brand Image: Eliminating negative coverage could help restore and maintain a favorable public perception.
- Attract and Retain Investors: A clean public image is crucial for attracting new investors and retaining existing ones, especially in the competitive cryptocurrency market.
- Avoid Regulatory Scrutiny: Reducing the visibility of adverse information might help evade further regulatory investigations and potential legal actions.
Given these motivations, LYOPAY might resort to extreme measures, including unethical or illegal activities, to remove such content. This could involve cybercrimes such as hacking into websites to delete unfavorable articles, launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to shut down critical platforms, or engaging in phishing attacks to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
In conclusion, the serious allegations against LYOPAY, including operating as part of a Ponzi scheme, regulatory non-compliance, and efforts to suppress negative information, have severely damaged its reputation. The desire to eliminate these damaging narratives could potentially drive the organization to consider illicit actions to restore its public image.
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/39259104
- Feb 6, 2024
- Jimmy Mathew
- https://www.tumblr.com/info-24/739771689888563200/wewe-global-lyopay-ponzi-fraud-warning-from-nz
- https://behindmlm.com/companies/wewe-global-lyopay-ponzi-fraud-warning-from-nz/
Evidence Box
Evidence and relevant screenshots related to our investigation
Targeted Content and Red Flags
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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Average Ratings
2
Based on 3 ratings
Mason Bennett
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The recruitment-based “business model” is classic Ponzi behavior. No real product, just hype and fresh victims funding the old ones. They always collapse. It’s just a matter of when.
Emma Carter
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So many people can’t even get past cold verification. it is ridiculous! Accounts are being blocked, and users can’t access their assets. Support is no better, as every time you reach out, a different person handles your case.
Ivy Ross
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his is why I don’t trust crypto influencers anymore.