Roberto Gottarelli

Key Points

• Alleged Cybercrime Involvement: Roberto Gottarelli is under investigation for allegedly attempting to suppress negative online content about his business, RG Selection, by misusing DMCA takedown notices, potentially involving impersonation, fraud, and perjury.

• Business Operations: Gottarelli operates RG Selection, a Switzerland-based executive search and recruitment firm, with additional interests in real estate and luxury goods.

• Reputation Management Concerns: The investigation suggests Gottarelli may have engaged rogue online reputation management agencies to illegally remove critical reviews and adverse news from Google search results.

• Limited Public Feedback: No direct customer reviews or testimonials were found in the provided source, limiting insight into client satisfaction or operational legitimacy.

• Legal and Reputational Risks: Potential legal violations related to fraudulent DMCA notices could lead to lawsuits, fines, or criminal charges, severely impacting Gottarelli’s personal and business reputation.

Overview

Roberto Gottarelli is an entrepreneur based in Lugano, Switzerland, primarily known for founding and operating RG Selection, an executive search and recruitment firm. RG Selection specializes in placing high-level professionals in industries such as finance, technology, and pharmaceuticals. Gottarelli’s business interests also extend to real estate investments and luxury goods trading, positioning him as a multifaceted businessman in European markets. His professional profile emphasizes expertise in talent acquisition and strategic business development, though public information about his personal background or qualifications is sparse.

Allegations and Concerns

The primary allegations against Roberto Gottarelli, as detailed in the source, revolve around cybercrime related to reputation management:

• Fraudulent DMCA Takedown Notices: Gottarelli is accused of submitting improper copyright takedown notices to Google to remove critical reviews and unfavorable news about RG Selection. These notices allegedly used the “back-dated article” technique, where a fake article is created and back-dated to appear as the original, misleading platforms into removing legitimate content.

• Potential Legal Violations: The misuse of DMCA notices may constitute impersonation, fraud, and perjury, serious offenses under U.S. and international law. If proven, Gottarelli or entities acting on his behalf could face legal consequences.

• Involvement of Rogue Agencies: The investigation suggests that Gottarelli may have hired “fly-by-night” online reputation management agencies to execute these tactics, potentially making him an accomplice or accessory to cybercrime.

• Lack of Transparency: The absence of verifiable public records or client testimonials about RG Selection raises concerns about the firm’s legitimacy and operational practices.

No specific lawsuits or criminal charges are mentioned in the source, but the allegations alone pose significant reputational and legal risks.

Customer Feedback

The source does not provide direct customer reviews or testimonials for Roberto Gottarelli or RG Selection. This lack of feedback is notable, as it prevents a clear assessment of client satisfaction or the firm’s performance. Without positive or negative reviews, it’s challenging to gauge the quality of services provided by RG Selection or Gottarelli’s reputation among clients. The investigation’s focus on suppressing critical reviews suggests that negative feedback may exist but has been actively removed or obscured. Potential clients should approach this absence of reviews with caution, as it may indicate deliberate efforts to control the narrative surrounding Gottarelli’s business.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: The allegations of fraudulent DMCA notices could severely damage Gottarelli’s personal and business reputation, particularly in industries like executive search, where trust and credibility are paramount. Public exposure of these tactics could deter clients and partners.

• Legal Risk: If the allegations are substantiated, Gottarelli could face lawsuits from affected content creators, fines, or criminal charges for fraud and perjury. International cooperation in cybercrime investigations increases the likelihood of legal action.

• Financial Risk: Legal battles, fines, or loss of clients due to reputational damage could strain Gottarelli’s financial resources. RG Selection’s revenue model, reliant on high-value placements, is vulnerable to client distrust.

• Operational Risk: Reliance on unethical reputation management practices suggests potential weaknesses in RG Selection’s operational integrity, which could affect its ability to attract and retain top-tier clients.

Business Relations and Associations

The source does not provide detailed information about Gottarelli’s business partners, clients, or key associates beyond his leadership of RG Selection. The investigation implies that Gottarelli may have collaborated with rogue online reputation management agencies, though no specific firms are named. RG Selection’s website (not directly cited but referenced in context) likely highlights its focus on serving corporate clients in finance, technology, and pharmaceuticals, but no prominent partnerships or affiliations are documented in the provided material. Gottarelli’s additional ventures in real estate and luxury goods trading suggest connections to investors or brokers, but these are not explored in depth. The lack of transparency about business relations raises questions about the extent of Gottarelli’s network and its legitimacy.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Alleged Cybercrime: The primary legal concern is Gottarelli’s alleged involvement in fraudulent DMCA takedown notices, which could violate intellectual property laws and constitute cybercrime. No formal charges or lawsuits are cited, but the investigation’s findings suggest potential legal exposure.

• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: The source does not mention any bankruptcy filings, unpaid debts, or financial distress related to Gottarelli or RG Selection. However, the absence of this information does not confirm financial stability, given the limited scope of the source.

• Potential Future Litigation: If the allegations are pursued by affected parties (e.g., content creators whose work was targeted), Gottarelli could face civil lawsuits or criminal investigations, particularly in jurisdictions with strong cybercrime enforcement.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Roberto Gottarelli’s alleged involvement in fraudulent DMCA takedown notices represents a significant ethical and legal concern. While RG Selection appears to operate in a legitimate industry, the lack of transparency and customer feedback, combined with accusations of cybercrime, casts doubt on its credibility.

Pros include Gottarelli’s diversified business interests and RG Selection’s focus on high-value industries, which could indicate a robust revenue model if operated ethically.

Cons include the serious allegations of illegal reputation management tactics, which could lead to legal and reputational fallout. The absence of verifiable client reviews or public records further complicates trust in Gottarelli’s operations.

Cautionary Advice: Potential clients, partners, or investors should exercise extreme caution when engaging with Gottarelli or RG Selection. Verify the firm’s track record through independent sources, request references from past clients, and monitor any developments in the ongoing investigation. Engaging with a firm accused of suppressing negative content carries significant risks, particularly in industries where reputation is critical. Until the allegations are resolved or disproven, maintaining distance from Gottarelli’s ventures is advisable.

Key Citations

• Cybercriminal.com Investigation: https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/roberto-gottarelli

• Lumen Database and Maltego (referenced as tools used by the investigation team for analyzing DMCA notices and online censorship).

• No additional reviews, testimonials, or public databases were cited in the source.