Key Points
- Research suggests Orel Asformas is involved in controversial activities, including binary options fraud and intellectual property scams, with significant allegations but limited public court cases.
- It seems likely that Asformas uses offshore companies and shell entities, raising concerns for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.
- The evidence leans toward reputational risks due to negative media, consumer complaints, and alleged efforts to suppress critical reviews.
- We found no clear bankruptcy details, but his business practices appear high-risk for financial and legal liabilities.
Personal and Business Overview
Orel Asformas, born in April 1991 and an Israeli national, is known publicly as a digital marketing expert and owner of Viking Media, focusing on unorthodox marketing strategies. However, investigations suggest he is also the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) of DAO Group Ltd, linked to the GoldmanOptions scam, a major binary options fraud.
Allegations and Risks
Allegations include being the primary architect of the GoldmanOptions scam, using fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to suppress negative information, and involvement in payment fraud through companies like Payotech Ltd and Moneta International UAB. These activities suggest high AML and reputational risks, especially given the use of offshore entities and shell structures.
Legal and Public Response
While no direct court cases were found in our search, an investigation report (Case No: 9052/A/2024) details claims of perjury, fraud, and impersonation. Negative reviews (average 2 stars from 8 ratings) and adverse media coverage, such as articles on FinTelegram, highlight public concerns.
Detailed Investigation Report: Orel Asformas and Associated Risks
Introduction
In our comprehensive investigation into Orel Asformas, conducted as of April 15, 2025, we aim to uncover his business relations, personal profiles, open-source intelligence (OSINT), undisclosed business relationships, scam reports, red flags, allegations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, sanctions, adverse media, negative reviews, consumer complaints, bankruptcy details, and provide a detailed risk assessment in relation to anti-money laundering (AML) investigations and reputational risks. Our findings, drawn from multiple credible sources, reveal a complex figure whose public marketing persona contrasts sharply with serious allegations of fraudulent activities.
Personal Profile
Orel Asformas, born in April 1991, is an Israeli national known for his role in digital marketing. He presents himself as the owner and creative force behind Viking Media, specializing in unorthodox, sales-driven marketing solutions. His public profile, detailed on his website Orel Asformas, emphasizes his experience as an advisor and consultant for global marketing projects, particularly in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. However, our research suggests he is also the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) of DAO Group Ltd, implicated in significant financial misconduct.
Business Relations
Our investigation identified several entities linked to Asformas:
- DAO Group Ltd: Registered in the Marshall Islands, identified as the parent company of fraudulent activities.
- DAO Processing Ltd: UK-based (Company No: 10244090, Companies House), a shell company posing as a legitimate trading platform.
- Viking Media: His marketing firm, promoting unorthodox strategies.
- Northwestern Management Services Ltd: An offshore specialist used in scam operations.
- Payment Processors: Payotech Ltd, Moneta International UAB, and PayObin group, allegedly used to funnel stolen funds.
These relations suggest a network designed to obscure ownership and operations, a common tactic in financial fraud.
Undisclosed Business Relationships
Asformas is linked to several co-conspirators, including Ariel Hai Mazooz, David Mor, Tamir Zoltovsky, and Eyal Nachum, all implicated in the GoldmanOptions scam. Additionally, puppet directors such as Genevieve Magnan, Jonathan Bibi, and Paula Gina Jonch-Olmez (a Belize citizen and director of DAO Processing Ltd) were used to front companies, adding layers of opacity to his operations.
OSINT Findings
Open-source intelligence reveals Asformas’s public advocacy for unorthodox marketing, with articles like The Orel Asformas Guide to Unorthodox Marketing and Orel Asformas on Using Creative Ads promoting tactics that blur ethical lines, such as staging incidents for publicity. This aligns with allegations of deceptive practices, suggesting a pattern of behavior.
Scam Reports and Allegations
The most significant allegation is Asformas’s role as the primary architect of the GoldmanOptions scam, a binary options fraud operated through DAO Group Ltd and DAO Processing Ltd. Victims were deceived with promises of high returns, leading to financial devastation. Tactics included offshore companies, shell structures, and puppet directors to create an illusion of legitimacy, with funds funneled through payment processors, making tracking difficult.
Additionally, Asformas is accused of intellectual property scams, specifically using fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to suppress critical reviews and unfavorable search results, as detailed in an investigation report (Case No: 9052/A/2024, investigated by Ethan Katz, published November 26, 2024). These notices, submitted by entities like Gargol Media Group and Brown Media Group, date from November 2023 to February 2024, with evidence available on Lumen Database.
Red Flags
Several red flags emerged:
- Use of offshore companies and shell structures, indicative of money laundering and tax evasion.
- History of suppressing negative information through potentially illegal means, such as fraudulent DMCA notices.
- Public persona promoting unorthodox marketing, which may include unethical practices, as seen in his articles advocating for “no rules” in marketing.
Allegations, Criminal Proceedings, and Lawsuits
The investigation report details allegations of perjury, fraud, and impersonation related to the DMCA notices. While our web search for court cases (e.g., “Orel Asformas court cases”) did not yield direct results, the lack of public court documents may suggest ongoing legal actions or private settlements. Related articles, such as those on FinTelegram, reinforce these allegations, but no specific sanctions or criminal convictions were confirmed.
Sanctions and Adverse Media
Adverse media coverage is extensive, with articles like Binary Options Scam DAO GoldmanOptions Exposed detailing his role in financial scams. The investigation by Ethan Katz and related reports on platforms like FinTelegram highlight his alleged complicity in cybercrime, facilitated by rogue online reputation management agencies.
Negative Reviews and Consumer Complaints
Consumer feedback, with an average rating of 2 stars from 8 reviews, is overwhelmingly negative. Commenters such as Tyree Sears, Sylvie Velez, Aiden Howard, Hannah Cox, Emily Rogers, Sienna Brooks, Ethan Wallace, Isla Ramirez, Jacob Fisher, Felix Carter, and Chloe Walker highlight experiences of fraud, scams, and unethical behavior, reinforcing the reputational risks.
Bankruptcy Details
We found no specific bankruptcy details related to Asformas or his companies in our research, suggesting this aspect may not be relevant or publicly documented at this time.
Detailed Risk Assessment
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Risks
The evidence leans toward high AML risks due to:
- Involvement in fraudulent schemes, such as the GoldmanOptions scam, using offshore companies like DAO Group Ltd and Northwestern Management Services Ltd.
- Use of payment processors (Payotech Ltd, Moneta International UAB) known for handling illicit funds, complicating fund tracing.
- Complex corporate structures with puppet directors, obscuring true ownership and operations, a common money laundering tactic.
Reputational Risks
Reputational risks are severe, driven by:
- Extensive adverse media coverage, including articles on FinTelegram and FinanceScam.
- Negative consumer reviews and complaints, averaging 2 stars from 8 ratings, with detailed accounts of fraud and unethical behavior.
- Alleged efforts to suppress negative information, further damaging trust and credibility.
Conclusion: Expert Opinion
In our expert opinion, Orel Asformas presents significant risks for any business or individual considering partnerships or investments. His alleged role in large-scale financial scams, use of complex corporate structures to obscure ownership, and efforts to suppress negative information indicate a pattern of deceptive and potentially illegal behavior. The lack of publicly available court cases may suggest ongoing legal actions or private settlements, but the abundance of negative media and consumer complaints underscores the need for caution. For entities concerned with AML compliance and reputational integrity, association with Orel Asformas or his affiliated companies should be approached with extreme caution, if not avoided altogether, as of April 15, 2025.
Recent Investigations
Mario D’Ignazio
Low Trust Index
View Threat AlertMardani Maming
Low Trust Index
View Threat AlertMarco Piattoni
Low Trust Index
View Threat AlertCommunity Reviews and Comments
Average Ratings
1.7
Based on 3 ratings
by: Kristijan Horvat
The focus on allegations without a balanced view could lead to a one-sided portrayal.
by: Florian Becker
I don't trust Orel Asformas at all, man. If he's involved in this shady DMCA stuff, that's a huge red flag!
by: Beata Kovács
The fraudulent use of DMCA notices to suppress negative content is deeply concerning. It's a clear violation of ethical standards and could lead to legal repercussions.
Website Reviews
Stop fraud before it happens with unbeatable speed, scale, depth, and breadth.
Recent ReviewsCyber Investigation
Uncover hidden digital threats and secure your assets with our expert cyber investigation services.
Recent InvestigationThreat Alerts
Stay ahead of cyber threats with our daily list of the latest alerts and vulnerabilities.
Threat AlertsClient Dashboard
Your trusted source for breaking news and insights on cybercrime and digital security trends.
Client LoginTrending Suspicious Websites
Cyber Crime Wall of Shame
Recent Cyber Crime Investigations