Cerebrum IQ

Key Points

• Research suggests Cerebrum IQ may be involved in deceptive practices, including unauthorized charges and fraudulent DMCA notices.
• It seems likely that consumers face financial risks, with many reporting scams and poor customer support.
• The evidence leans toward Cerebrum IQ having undisclosed business ties, potentially with media companies creating fake content.
• There are significant AML and reputational risks associated with Cerebrum IQ, given its controversial operations.

Background

Cerebrum IQ is an online platform offering IQ tests and cognitive enhancement tools, launched in 2024. It promises quick assessments and brain training, but our investigation reveals serious concerns about its legitimacy.

Allegations and Consumer Issues

Cerebrum IQ faces allegations of using fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to suppress negative reviews, supported by fake news articles from entities like Jonas Media Productions and Usher Media Corp. Consumers report unauthorized charges (e.g., $45 to $114.99 instead of $0.99) and difficulty canceling subscriptions, with many feeling scammed (Trustpilot, Reddit).

Business and Legal Concerns

The company’s lack of transparency about ownership and leadership, along with potential legal violations like perjury and fraud, raises red flags. No public lawsuits or sanctions were found, but the practices suggest possible future legal action.

Risk Assessment

There are notable AML risks due to weak payment controls, potentially facilitating money laundering. Reputational risks are high, as association with Cerebrum IQ could damage trust, especially in trust-sensitive sectors.

Comprehensive Investigation Report: Cerebrum IQ Analysis

Introduction

In the digital age, platforms like Cerebrum IQ, which offer IQ tests and cognitive enhancement tools, have gained popularity. Launched in 2024, Cerebrum IQ markets itself as a provider of quick, Mensa-style IQ assessments and brain training games, with subscriptions starting at $14.99/week after a 7-day trial or $39.99/month (cerebrumiq.com). However, our investigation, based on a detailed report from cybercriminal.com and corroborated by additional research, reveals a troubling pattern of deceptive practices, consumer exploitation, and potential legal violations. This report examines Cerebrum IQ’s business relations, personal profiles, OSINT, undisclosed ties, scam reports, red flags, allegations, legal proceedings, sanctions, adverse media, negative reviews, consumer complaints, bankruptcy details, and provides a detailed risk assessment for anti-money laundering (AML) and reputational risks.

Business Relations and Undisclosed Connections

Our research uncovered a network of media companies allegedly involved in supporting Cerebrum IQ’s fraudulent activities, particularly in creating fake news articles for DMCA takedown notices. These entities include:

• Jonas Media Productions
• Usher Media Corp.
• Lint Media Inc.
• JH Media Limited
• Spector Media International
• KD Media Corporation
• CPM Media International LLP
• Cameron Media Corp.

These companies reportedly published articles on dates like September 6-9, 2024, which were used to claim copyright over content published later, suggesting a coordinated effort to manipulate online narratives. The lack of transparency about Cerebrum IQ’s ownership and leadership, with no public information on founders or executives, adds to the opacity, raising concerns about undisclosed business relationships.

Personal Profiles and OSINT

While Cerebrum IQ’s leadership remains undisclosed, OSINT efforts identified key figures indirectly associated with the controversy:

• Ethan Katz: The investigator from the cybercriminal.com report, highlighting the seriousness of allegations.
• No public founders or executives were found, with Crunchbase (Crunchbase Company Profile) only noting the launch in 2024 without ownership details.

OSINT from platforms like Reddit and Trustpilot reveals a pattern of negative mentions. For example, a Reddit post (Reddit) details card information theft after using Cerebrum IQ, while another (Reddit) provides evidence of unauthorized charges, corroborating scam allegations.

Scam Reports and Consumer Complaints

Cerebrum IQ is inundated with scam reports and consumer complaints, primarily centered on:

• Unauthorized Charges: Users report being charged $45 to $114.99 instead of the advertised $0.99, often without consent. Examples include John K. (Australia) charged $114.99 and Tim K. (Canada) charged $45 after a $1.99 offer (Trustpilot).
• Subscription Traps: Many users find it nearly impossible to cancel subscriptions, with complaints about unresponsive customer support. Elizabeth W. (Illinois) described it as a “full scam” due to email errors and login issues.
• Card Information Theft: Several users, like a Reddit poster (Reddit), claim their card details were stolen post-interaction, raising privacy concerns.

These issues are consistent across platforms, with Trustpilot showing 1-star reviews and Reddit threads warning against using the platform.

Red Flags and Adverse Media

Several red flags emerged:

• Fraudulent DMCA Notices: Cerebrum IQ allegedly uses fake DMCA notices, supported by back-dated articles, to suppress negative reviews, as detailed in sokalinfo.com. The Lumen Database (Lumen Database Notices) lists multiple notices from September 2024.
• Discrepancy in Reviews: Trustpilot shows a 4.3/5 rating (19,477 reviews), but many are overshadowed by complaints, while SiteJabber rates it 2.9/5 (164 reviews), highlighting unauthorized billing (LWI.com.pk Investigation).
• Lack of Transparency: The company’s terms of service and privacy policy (cerebrumiq.com/terms, cerebrumiq.com/privacy) lack clear cancellation details, and customer support is implied but not directly accessible.
• Adverse Media: Articles like “Cerebrum IQ: The Dark Side of Deceptive Business Practices” (financescam.com) detail pricing deception and censorship tactics.

Allegations and Legal Violations

Allegations include:

• Perjury: False claims in DMCA notices.
• Fraud: Misleading pricing and subscription terms.
• Impersonation: Using media companies to create fake articles.
• Censorship Network: Operating a network to suppress negative content online.

While no specific criminal proceedings, lawsuits, or sanctions were found in our research, the practices suggest potential future legal action, especially given the severity of fraud and perjury allegations.

Negative Reviews and Consumer Feedback

Negative reviews dominate Cerebrum IQ’s online presence:

• Trustpilot: 1-star reviews highlight unauthorized charges and poor support (Trustpilot).
• Reddit: Multiple threads warn users, with examples like “Cerebrum IQ – DO NOT USE, THIS IS A SCAM” (Reddit).
• SiteJabber: Reports widespread dissatisfaction with billing practices.

Examples include: “Scam. They say you can cancel anytime but when you click the ‘cancellation bot,’ it states account is not found” (Trustpilot).

Bankruptcy Details

No publicly available information indicates Cerebrum IQ has filed for bankruptcy or faced financial insolvency, but its reliance on deceptive subscription models raises questions about long-term sustainability.

Risk Assessment: AML and Reputational Risks

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Risks

Cerebrum IQ’s payment practices pose AML concerns:

• Unauthorized Charges: High volumes suggest weak payment controls, potentially facilitating money laundering.
• Lack of Transparency: Unclear terms and refund policies (cerebrumiq.com/terms) could indicate a model for financial exploitation.
• Illicit Transactions: The subscription model could be exploited to launder money, disguising illegal funds as fees.

Reputational Risks

Cerebrum IQ’s negative publicity poses significant risks:

• Consumer Trust: Users risk financial loss and privacy breaches, with reports of card theft.
• Business Associations: Organizations associating with Cerebrum IQ risk reputational damage, especially in trust-sensitive sectors like finance or education.
• Long-Term Impact: The company’s tarnished image could erode stakeholder confidence, impacting partnerships and endorsements.

Conclusion: Expert Opinion

Based on our comprehensive analysis, Cerebrum IQ appears deeply entangled in deceptive practices and potential legal violations. From fraudulent DMCA notices to unauthorized charges, its operations are unethical and risky. Consumers face financial and privacy risks, while businesses associating with Cerebrum IQ risk reputational damage. We strongly advise against using Cerebrum IQ and recommend seeking reputable alternatives with transparent practices. The company’s actions may have serious legal and ethical implications, warranting further investigation by authorities.

Key Citations

• Cybercriminal.com Investigation Report on Cerebrum IQ
• Trustpilot Reviews of Cerebrum IQ
• Reddit Post on Cerebrum IQ Scam and Card Theft
• Sokalinfo.com Article on Cerebrum IQ’s Fraudulent Tactics
• Financescam.com Article on Cerebrum IQ Deceptive Practices
• LWI.com.pk Comprehensive Investigation on Cerebrum IQ Legitimacy
• Lumen Database Notices Related to Cerebrum IQ
• Crunchbase Company Profile for Cerebrum IQ
• Cerebrum IQ Official Website
• Cerebrum IQ Terms of Service
• Cerebrum IQ Privacy Policy