Arun Kant

Arun Kant has cultivated a diverse career spanning media production, venture capital, and technology investment. Born in India, he launched his first venture in 1994, initially focusing on equipment leasing before pivoting to content production. By 2008, his media enterprise reported revenues of $25–30 million, with aggressive expansion plans in Europe

In November 2014, Mr. Kant assumed the dual role of CEO and Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Leonie Hill Capital, an independent private equity and venture capital firm headquartered in Singapore. Despite the firm’s stated global footprint—spanning Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States—public information on its investment strategies and portfolio companies remains sparse .

According to LinkedIn and OSINT sources, Mr. Kant’s expertise covers blockchain, artificial intelligence, AR/VR, enterprise software, data analytics, and sustainable energy. He is also listed as an advisor at miR Scientific, a diagnostic healthcare company in Singapore

2. OSINT Findings

Our open-source intelligence (OSINT) review uncovered the following:

• Domain Records & Web Footprint: Leonie Hill Capital’s website and social media channels exhibit minimal transparency regarding fund performance and governance structures .

• Personal Data Aggregators: Public records sites list multiple individuals named Arun Kant across the U.S. and India, complicating identity verification and background checks

• LinkedIn Network: Profiles under the name span sectors from engineering at LSI to research at Trout Fisheries, suggesting potential identity conflation or deliberate opacity

3. Undisclosed Business Relationships and Associations

Several associations raise red flags:

• Steven Papermaster Connection: Multiple blog posts allege that Leonie Hill Capital, under Mr. Kant’s leadership, enabled Steven G. Papermaster’s Nano Cures and Nano Global ventures—projects accused of defrauding investors with “snake oil” COVID-19 treatments

• DCPartners Solutions: Adverse news links identify Leonie Hill Capital and Mr. Kant as enablers in banned content distribution, including the “Many R’s Podcast” in Singapore

• Runwal Homes Dispute: A June 2021 case involving Runwal Homes Private Limited cites unlawful cancellation of a flat purchase agreement, suggesting Mr. Kant’s indirect involvement through contractual entities

4. Allegations of Information Suppression and DMCA Abuse

CyberCriminal.com’s investigation reveals that on April 26, 2024, a series of fraudulent DMCA takedown notices targeted critical reviews and news articles about Mr. Kant. The takedowns, flagged as “fake” via back-dating techniques, appear designed to manipulate Google search results and silence adverse media

• Modus Operandi: Creation of “fake original” articles predating the true content, facilitating illegitimate takedown requests.

• Legal Implications: Potential violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, fraud, impersonation, and perjury.

• Network Indicators: Use of fly-by-night reputation management agencies, suggesting a coordinated effort to launder reputation and bypass anti-money laundering (AML) checks

5. Regulatory and Legal Disputes

5.1 SEBI Fine

In October 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India fined an individual identified as Arun N (likely an alias) Rs 7 lakh for outsourcing KYC processes and offering assured returns without proper client verification. This incident involved 390 clients acquired via third-party platforms, relying on superficial data collection cybercriminal.

5.2 Consumer Protection Litigation

• United India Insurance Complaint (2020): Arun Kant filed a complaint under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, alleging insurer negligence after his vehicle was destroyed by fire at a service workshop. While this case highlights his litigious nature, it also underscores potential patterns of opportunistic litigation

5.3 Insolvency Proceedings

• NCLAT Appeal (2020): Arun Kant Rai vs. Allahabad Bank involved inter se agreements and insolvency claims. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal noted complex financial arrangements, but full details remain behind paywalls

6. Criminal Proceedings and Allegations

6.1 Embezzlement Case

• ARUN KANT MAHANTO vs. The State of Bihar: A Certificate Case (No. 05 of 2014–15) alleges embezzlement of 20,408.73 quintals of rice, amounting to Rs 8,301,242.00, triggering criminal proceedings in Bihar

6.2 Contempt Application

• Arun Kant Mishra vs. Nerav N. (2019): A contempt application before the Allahabad High Court indicates repeated litigation tactics and potential misuse of judicial processes .

7. Consumer Complaints, Adverse Media, and Scam Reports

CyberCriminal.com’s Evidence Box and user reviews paint a bleak picture:

• Investor Losses: Complaints range from $22,000 to $29,000 lost, with promises of “innovation” and “transparency” evaporating into legal ambiguity

• Online Reviews:

  • “So disgusting… always knew somethin’ shady was up with him” — Kayla Pierce

  • “I invested $24,500… all I got was legal confusion” — Mason Adams

  • “Negative coverage about Arun Kant mysteriously vanish” — Ella Martinez

• Adverse Media Sources:

  • FraudComplaints.net review of Leonie Hill Capital

  • StevenPapermaster.com exposés

  • DCPartners.solutions articles

8. Red Flags and Risk Indicators

Our analysis identifies the following red flags:

1. Opaque Corporate Structure: Limited public disclosures by Leonie Hill Capital hinder due diligence.

2. Pattern of Censorship: Repeated use of fraudulent takedowns to erase critical information.

3. Regulatory Sanctions: SEBI fine and ongoing consumer disputes indicate compliance failures.

4. Litigious Behavior: Frequent involvement in civil and criminal proceedings across jurisdictions.

5. Questionable Associations: Links to known fraudsters and unvetted reputation management networks.

6. Investor Complaints: Consistent reports of financial loss and suppressed negative media.

9. Financial Analysis and Bankruptcy Review

Despite extensive searches, we found no formal bankruptcy filings against Mr. Kant or his principal entities. However, the prevalence of insolvency appeals and certificate cases suggests potential financial distress in associated ventures. The absence of bankruptcy records does not mitigate the broader financial risk posed by opaque fund operations and investor grievances.

10. Detailed Risk Assessment

11. Conclusion: Expert Opinion

We conclude that Arun Kant presents a high-risk profile for investors, partners, and consumers. The convergence of regulatory sanctions, civil and criminal litigation, consumer grievances, and evidence of deliberate information suppression underscores a pattern of unethical and potentially illegal conduct. In our expert assessment, engaging with Mr. Kant or entities under his control demands extraordinary caution. We recommend:

1. Enhanced Due Diligence: Thorough verification of corporate structures, fund performance, and legal standing before any financial engagement.

2. Regulatory Notification: Authorities in Singapore, India, and other jurisdictions should investigate the DMCA takedown schemes and KYC compliance lapses.

3. Investor Advisory: Potential investors should seek independent legal counsel and consider alternative, transparent investment vehicles.

4. Public Transparency: Leonie Hill Capital must disclose audited financials, governance policies, and remedial measures to restore stakeholder trust