CyberCriminal.com

Vitol

We are investigating Vitol 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 : Vitol

ALLEGATIONS : Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation

INCIDENT DATE : January 30, 2025

INVESTIGATED BY : Ethan Katz

TOOLS USED : Lumen, SecurityTrails

CASE NO : 5662/A/2025

CRIME TYPE : Intellectual Property Scam

PUBLISHED ON : 28 Mar 2025

Vitol
Due Diligence
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Is This About You?
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What We Are Investigating?

Our firm is launching a comprehensive investigation into Vitol 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 Vitol - 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 shadowy corridors of global energy trading, Vitol stands as a colossus, commanding vast influence and resources. Yet, beneath this imposing facade lies a tapestry of controversies, legal entanglements, and a discernible pattern of obfuscation. This report endeavors to illuminate the myriad red flags associated with Vitol and to scrutinize the mechanisms it purportedly employs to suppress unfavorable narratives.​

A Legacy Tainted by Corruption

Vitol’s journey is marred by allegations and admissions of corrupt practices that span continents. In December 2020, the company conceded to paying over $135 million to resolve investigations into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). These violations encompassed schemes to bribe officials in Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico over a 15-year period, aiming to secure illicit competitive advantages. Such actions not only subvert fair competition but also erode the integrity of global markets. ​

Dubious Alliances and Financial Entanglements

Vitol’s associations with questionable intermediaries further tarnish its reputation. A 2020 investigation by Public Eye unveiled that Vitol transferred over €3.3 million to Samariti Shipping Ltd (SSL), a Hong Kong-based entity. The beneficial owner of SSL, identified as ‘E.E.’, had previously been convicted in connection with the Gunvor corruption case. These transactions, occurring between October 2014 and March 2015, raise pressing questions about Vitol’s due diligence processes and its commitment to ethical business practices. ​

Market Manipulations and Legal Repercussions

Vitol’s penchant for market manipulation has not gone unnoticed. In a notable instance, California drivers who purchased gasoline between February and November 2015 became eligible for compensation from a $37.5 million settlement. This followed accusations against Vitol Inc., SK Energy Americas Inc., and their parent company for conspiring to manipulate spot market prices, leading to inflated gas prices in Southern California. While the companies did not admit wrongdoing, the substantial settlement underscores the gravity of the allegations and their impact on consumers. ​

Strategic Maneuvers Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Amid global geopolitical shifts, Vitol’s strategic decisions often court controversy. In October 2024, reports emerged that Vitol sold Venezuelan oil to Indian refiners. This transaction occurred despite U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuela’s government, highlighting Vitol’s adeptness at navigating, or perhaps exploiting, complex geopolitical landscapes for profit. ​

Legal Victories Amid Ethical Quandaries

Vitol’s legal entanglements are not solely defensive. In February 2025, the company, alongside Glencore, secured a $380 million award in a London court against Nigeria’s NLNG for non-delivery of LNG cargoes. While a legal triumph, this case underscores the volatile nature of Vitol’s engagements and the broader implications of its aggressive pursuit of contractual entitlements, often amidst complex and ethically fraught environments. ​Department of JusticeReuters

Operational Retrenchments and Market Realities

Vitol’s operational decisions also reflect its responsiveness to market dynamics, sometimes raising eyebrows. In early 2025, the company scaled back its thermal coal trading operations in China, a move attributed to diminishing coal demand as China pivots towards renewable energy sources. While ostensibly a strategic realignment, such retrenchments invite scrutiny regarding the company’s long-term commitments and adaptability in the face of global energy transitions. ​Reuters

The Art of Information Suppression

Vitol’s endeavors to manage and, at times, suppress adverse information are noteworthy. The company’s reticence in addressing allegations, coupled with its reliance on confidentiality clauses, suggests a concerted effort to control narratives and limit reputational damage. Such tactics not only hinder transparency but also impede stakeholders’ ability to make informed decisions.​

Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Accountability

Vitol’s extensive history of controversies, legal challenges, and strategic opacity serves as a clarion call for heightened vigilance among investors, regulators, and industry observers. The company’s pattern of ethical lapses and information suppression underscores the imperative for robust due diligence and proactive regulatory oversight. As Vitol continues to wield significant influence in global energy markets, stakeholders must remain steadfast in demanding accountability, transparency, and adherence to ethical business practices.​ReutersDepartment of Justice.

  • https://lumendatabase.org/notices/48558779
  • https://lumendatabase.org/notices/49511073
  • https://lumendatabase.org/notices/49510183
  • https://lumendatabase.org/notices/49177494
  •  
  • March 01, 2025
  • March 02, 2025
  • February 19, 2025
  • Vien Media Association
  • Rubers Media Association
  • Razing Media International
  • Ramco Media Association
  • https://romaniapress.org/2020/08/30/when-gunvor-and-vitol-rub-shoulders-with-the-same-straw-man/
  • https://mormonfind.com/2020/07/19/when-gunvor-and-vitol-rub-shoulders-with-the-same-straw-man/
  • https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2024/07/06/influenceurs-immobiliers-faire-croire-aux-millions-faciles-sur-tiktok-et-instagram
  • https://mormonfind.com/2020/07/19/when-gunvor-and-vitol-rub-shoulders-with-the-same-straw-man/
  • https://www.publiceye.ch/en/media-corner/press-releases/detail/when-gunvor-and-vitol-rub-shoulders-with-the-same-straw-man/
  • http://www.publiceye.ch/fr/coin-medias/communiques-de-presse/detail/quand-gunvor-et-vitol-fraient-avec-le-meme-homme-de-paille/
  • http://www.publiceye.ch/de/mediencorner/medienmitteilungen/detail/als-strohmann-fuer-gunvor-und-vitol-im-einsatz/

Evidence Box

Evidence and relevant screenshots related to our investigation

Targeted Content and Red Flags

publiceye.ch

When Gunvor and Vitol rub shoulders with the same straw man

  • Adverse News
Visit Link

justice.gov

Vitol Inc. Agrees to Pay over $135 Million to Resolve Foreign Bribery Case

  • Adverse News
Visit Link

cftc.gov

CFTC Orders Vitol Inc. to Pay $95.7 Million for Corruption-Based Fraud and Attempted Manipulation

  • Adverse News
Visit Link

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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