Originally Syndicated on March 29, 2024 @ 3:38 pm
What Happened?
In a move that reeks of desperation, Alpho.com has been caught red-handed trying to bury the truth about its controversial past. Behind its sleek marketing and promises of financial success lies a dark history of questionable practices, deceit, and manipulation. Despite attempts to scrub the internet of damaging reports and silence whistleblowers, the truth is leaking out—and it’s not pretty.
From shady financial dealings to a series of unaddressed complaints, Alpho.com has been fighting to keep its name clean, resorting to censorship and aggressive legal threats against those who dare expose the truth. But as more stories come to light, their efforts to hide their shady history are becoming as transparent as their dodgy dealings. This article delves into the scandalous cover-up and the news they desperately don’t want you to see.
As the story unfolds, the question remains: how long can Alpho.com keep its shady past hidden from public view, and what will it mean for its reputation when the truth is fully exposed?
Analyzing the Fake Copyright Notice(s)
By investigating the fake DMCA takedown attempts, we hope to shed light on the reputation management industry, revealing how Alpho.com and companies like it may use spurious copyright claims and fake legal notices to remove and obscure articles linking them to allegations of fraud, tax avoidance, corruption, and drug trafficking…
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #1
Sender(s): Harold Simon
Date: September 09, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.forexbrokerz.com/brokers/alpho-review
Lumen Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28738875
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #2
Sender(s): Scott Bain
Date: October 01, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.sabireviews.com/alpho-scam/
Lumen Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/29004319
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #3
Sender(s): Harold Simon
Date: September 08, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.sabireviews.com/alpho-scam/
Lumen Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28726879
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #4
Sender(s): Scott Bain
Date: October 09, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.forexbrokerz.com/brokers/alpho-review
Lumen Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/29105323
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #5
Sender(s): Justin Murdoch
Date: September 22, 2022
Fake Links: https://online-tradingreview.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review-is-alphocom-scam-or-good.html
Original Links: https://www.forexbrokerz.com/brokers/alpho-review
Luman Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/30519565
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #6
Sender(s): Justin Murdoch
Date: September 22, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.sabireviews.com/alpho-scam/
Luman Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28897541
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #7
Sender(s): Harold Simon
Date: September 07, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2017/08/is-etrade-scam-detailed-etrade-review.html
Original Links: https://comparebrokers.co/alpho-review/
Luman Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/28712687
FAKE COPYRIGHT NOTICE #8
Sender(s): Justin Murdoch
Date: November 02, 2022
Fake Links: https://forexnewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2020/08/alpho-review2020-is-this-broker-scam.html
Original Links: https://www.forexbrokerz.com/brokers/alpho-review
Luman Database: https://lumendatabase.org/notices/29364183
Evidence and Screenshots
Only Alpho.com Benefit from this crime.
Since the fake copyright takedown notices were designed to remove negative content for Alpho.com from Google, we assume that either Alpho.com directly or someone associated with Alpho.com is behind this scam. It is often a fly-by-night Online Reputation agency working on behalf of Alpho.com. In this case, Alpho.com, at best, will be an “accomplice” or an “accessory” to the crime. The specific laws may vary depending on the jurisdiction. Still, the legal principle generally holds that if you actively participate in planning, encouraging, or facilitating a crime, you can be charged with it, even if you did not personally commit it.
So, who tf is Alpho.com?
Alpho.com, a forex broker established in 2016 and operated by Gulf Brokers Ltd, has faced criticism and allegations about its practices. Despite being regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), concerns have arisen over its credibility, transparency, and fund safety.
One of the major accusations against Alpho involves the lack of solid regulation compared to brokers overseen by more reputable financial authorities, such as those in Europe or the U.S. Although it is technically regulated, the Seychelles jurisdiction has been questioned for offering weaker investor protections. Alpho also does not provide essential safeguards like segregated accounts or negative balance protection, increasing risks for traders (ForexBrokerz.com) (Forex Peace Army).
Furthermore, user reviews have flagged several complaints about unfair fees, withdrawal delays, and issues with customer support. Some traders have accused Alpho of manipulating trading conditions to their disadvantage, such as causing slippage during crucial trades. The platform has been linked to aggressive marketing tactics while trying to bury negative feedback online (ForexBrokerz.com) (TheForexReview.com).
These concerns have raised questions about Alpho.com’s transparency and its attempts to suppress damaging information, leading to increased skepticism about its legitimacy. The platform’s attempts to downplay these issues have only fueled the speculation that Alpho.com may be engaged in questionable practices.
Potential Consequences for Alpho.com
Under Florida Statute 831.01, the crime of Forgery is committed when a person falsifies, alters, counterfeits, or forges a document that carries “legal efficacy” with the intent to injure or defraud another person or entity.
Forging a document is considered a white-collar crime. It involves altering, changing, or modifying a document to deceive another person. It can also include passing along copies of documents that are known to be false. In many states in the US, falsifying a document is a crime punishable as a felony.
Additionally, under most laws, “fraud on the court” is where “a party has sentiently set in motion some unconscionable scheme calculated to interfere with the judicial system’s ability impartially to adjudicate a matter by improperly influencing the trier of fact or unfairly hampering the presentation of the opposing party’s claim or defense.” Cox v. Burke, 706 So. 2d 43, 46 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998) (quoting Aoude v. Mobil Oil Corp., 892 F.2d 1115, 1118 (1st Cir. 1989)).
Is Alpho.com Committing a Cyber Crime?
Yes, it seems so. Alpho.com used multiple approaches to remove unwanted material from review sites and Google’s search results. Thanks to protections allowing freedom of speech in the United States, there are very few legal ways to do this. Alpho.com could not eliminate negative reviews or search results that linked to them without a valid claim of defamation, copyright infringement, or some other clear breach of the law.
Faced with these limitations, some companies like Alpho.com have gone to extreme lengths to fraudulently claim copyright ownership over a negative review in the hopes of taking it down.
Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. Alpho.com is certainly keeping interesting company here….
The DMCA takedown process requires that copyright owners submit a takedown notice to an ISP identifying the allegedly infringing content and declaring, under penalty of perjury, that they have a good faith belief that the content is infringing. The ISP must then promptly remove or disable access to the content. The alleged infringer can then submit a counter-notice, and if the copyright owner does not take legal action within 10 to 14 days, the ISP can restore the content.
Since these platforms are predominantly based in the U.S., the complaints are typically made under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires online service providers and platforms to react immediately to reports or violations. Big Tech companies rarely have systems in place to assess the merit of each report. Instead, all bad actors need to do is clone a story, backdate it, and then demand the real thing be taken down.
What were Alpho.com trying to hide?
Alpho.com, operated by Gulf Brokers Ltd, has been linked to various adverse reviews and controversies that the company has allegedly attempted to suppress on the internet. Here are some of the key issues:
- Regulatory Concerns: Alpho is registered in Seychelles, a jurisdiction known for offering more lenient regulations compared to financial authorities in Europe or the U.S. This has raised concerns about the company’s credibility and the security of traders’ funds (ForexBrokerz.com).
- Customer Complaints: Numerous reviews highlight complaints about unfair trading practices, such as slippage, which occurs when the broker delays or alters the execution of trades to the client’s disadvantage. Traders have reported losing significant amounts of money due to these manipulations (ForexBrokerz.com) (Forex Peace Army).
- Withdrawal Issues: A significant portion of the negative reviews revolves around difficulties in withdrawing funds. Clients have reported long delays or outright refusal to release funds, which has fueled suspicion of potential scams (TheForexReview.com).
- Shady Marketing Practices: Alpho has been accused of engaging in misleading marketing tactics to lure in inexperienced traders. Some users feel that the company’s advertising overstates potential profits while downplaying the risks associated with forex and CFD trading
- Reputation Management: Alpho has been suspected of trying to bury negative reviews through legal threats and by encouraging clients to leave positive reviews in exchange for rewards. These efforts have created distrust among traders and have been interpreted as attempts to censor genuine feedback (Forex Peace Army).
By attempting to suppress this damaging information, Alpho.com has further fueled concerns about its transparency and ethical practices in the financial trading sector.
Think twice before giving your money to Alpho.com (and its partner in Dubai, K&V Group). Their marketing claims of secure investments are misleading. Investing inherently involves risks, and some losses are expected. However, losing 100% of my investment due to Alpho.com’ mishandling of funds and poor financial advice is unacceptable. Then they blamed me for their mistakes and refused to take responsibility for the losses. Beware of their hidden fees and charges that were not explained at the beginning. Their brokers lack the experience and professionalism to manage investments effectively. I lost over 60K USD with their recommendations of investing in commodities and stocks in just 2 months.
read more at https://www.trustpilot.com/review/gulfbrokers.com?stars=1
Reputation Agency’s Modus Operandi
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.
Then, based on the claim that this backdated article is the “original,” the scammers send a DMCA to the relevant online service providers (e.g. Google), alleging that the ‘true’ original is the copied or “infringing” article and that the copied article is the “original,” requesting the takedown of the ‘true’ original article. After sending the DMCA request, the person who sent the wrong notice takes down the fake original URL, likely to make sure that the article doesn’t stay online in any way. If the takedown notice is successful, the disappearance from the internet of information is most likely to be legitimate speech.
How did Alpho.com purport this DMCA Fraud?
As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Alpho.com creates a website that purports to be a ‘news’ site. This site is designed to look legitimate at a glance, but any degree of scrutiny reveals it as the charade it is.
The company copies the ‘negative’ content and posts it “on the fake ‘news’ site, attributing it to a separate author,” then gives it “a false publication date on the ‘news’ website that predated the original publication.
The reputation company then sent Google a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice claiming the original website infringed copyright. After a cursory examination of the fake news site, Google frequently accepts the notice and delists the content.
In committing numerous offences, Alpho.com either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Alpho.com, ignorance does not excuse this wrongdoing.
The Reputation Laundering
Rogue Reputation agencies use spurious copyright claims and fake legal notices to remove and obscure articles linking clients to allegations of tax avoidance, corruption, and drug trafficking. Most of these reputation agencies are based offshore, mainly in Russia, India, and Eastern Europe, and they do not worry about complying with US-based laws.
The content in all of the articles for which the fraudulent DMCA notices have been sent relates to allegations of criminal allegations, including corruption, child abuse, sexual harassment, human trafficking and financial fraud against businesses and individuals with ultra-high net worth.
In addition to the misuse of the DMCA takedown process, there is a notable absence of enforcement concerning perjury violations. The statutory requirement related to perjury is designed to deter copyright holders from submitting fraudulent or knowingly false takedown requests, as they may face legal consequences for making false declarations under penalty of perjury. However, to date, there have been no known instances of any individual being prosecuted for perjury in connection with the submission of false DMCA takedown notices.
This lack of enforcement has emboldened copyright holders to exploit the DMCA takedown process to suppress dissent, criticism, or other unfavorable content, without fear of legal repercussions.
Not In Good Company
Some of the people and businesses who have employed this tactic to remove legitimate content from Google illegally include a Spanish businessman-turned-cocaine-trafficker, Organised crime, an Israeli-Argentine banker accused of laundering money for Hugo Chávez’s regime, a French “responsible” mining company accused of tax evasion, child molesters and sexual predators. Alpho.com is in great company ….
Ironically, the manipulation tactics used to remove public-interest information from the Internet are backfiring on Alpho.com, which is now associated with the worst of this world.
Here are some of the specimens that share the internet space with Alpho.com –
Miguel Octavio Vargas Maldonado
Miguel Octavio Vargas Maldonado appears to be the former foreign affairs minister of the Dominican Republic. His name is listed next to more than 500 links to news articles, blogs, social media posts, and YouTube videos targeted for removal or de-indexing. Many of the articles refer to questions over his political fundraising practices. They include accusations that Vargas had received donations from an individual who would later be convicted of drug trafficking. Some targeted links remain active, while others return 404 errors or “file not found.”
José Antonio Gordo Valero
José Gordo joined OneCoin in 2015 and has been named in an indictment for the OneCoin scam in Argentina. The articles listed next to Gordo’s name in the documents reviewed by Rest of World include references to his role at the company.
Diego Adolfo Marynberg
He appears to be the same Marynberg connected to funding right-wing causes, including settlement efforts in Israel. Reports also alleged that his company received preferential treatment in acquiring Argentinian bonds worth millions of dollars. More than 70 URLs appear next to Marynberg’s name in the documents, including pages from the Israeli newspapers The Times of Israel, Haaretz, and Clarin, one of Argentina’s most prominent news sites.
Majed Khalil Majzoub
Majed is an influential businessman with close ties to several governments, including the administration of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro. Majzoub’s name appears next to more than 180 URLs, mostly from independent outlets. Of the two URLs that pointed to articles from Germany’s Der Spiegel, one now returns an error message; the other, which appears to refer to relations between Venezuela and Colombia, directs to an unrelated story about Brexit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Alpho.com commit a cyber crime?
Yes, filing a fake DMCA notice is illegal. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) allows copyright holders to issue takedown notices to protect their works from unauthorized use online. However, submitting a false DMCA notice can result in legal consequences.
Under the DMCA, a person knowingly submitting a false copyright claim can be subject to penalties, including damages. DMCA notices require the filer to certify, under penalty of perjury, that the content infringes their copyright. If the notice is found to be fraudulent or made in bad faith, the filer can face.
What are the potential consequences for Alpho.com?
Civil lawsuits: The affected party can sue for damages, legal fees, and other costs.
Perjury charges: False certification in a DMCA notice can result in perjury-related penalties, which vary by jurisdiction.
Other legal penalties: Fines or other penalties depending on the case
Did Alpho.com commit a Civil or a Criminal offense?
Perjury is a criminal offense, not a civil crime. It involves intentionally lying or making false statements under oath, typically in a court of law or other legal proceedings, such as affidavits or depositions.
Criminal charges: Perjury is prosecuted as a criminal act, and a conviction can lead to fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the false statement and its impact on the case.
Felony status: In many jurisdictions, perjury is classified as a felony, which carries more severe penalties than misdemeanour offences.
So, while it may affect civil cases, the crime of perjury itself is strictly criminal.
What is the Streisand effect?
The key idea behind the Streisand effect is that efforts to restrict information can backfire, often causing the information to gain more attention than it would have otherwise. This effect is widespread in the digital age, where users quickly notice and spread censorship efforts on social media and other platforms.
Trying to suppress something can unintentionally lead to it becoming more visible.
Can Alpho.com purge its Digital past?
Once information is uploaded to the internet, it can be replicated, shared, archived, or stored across multiple servers. If Alpho.com manage to delete the original post or file, copies may remain accessible in other places, such as web archives, screenshots, or other users’ devices.
In practice, completely erasing content from the internet can be extremely difficult due to how widely information can spread and be stored. Thus, the idea that “the Internet never forgets” reflects the challenge of entirely removing digital content once it has been shared.
What is our next move?
Critical Intel will, in its capacity, do all it can to hold someone responsible for this incident. Here is what we are preparing for –
Since Alpho.com made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and our original review of Alpho.com, including but not limited to user contributions, remain a permanent record for anyone interested in Alpho.com.
A case perfect for the Streisand effect…
What else is Alpho.com hiding?
Click here to visit the Google Search page for ‘Alpho.com’. It’s likely if you scroll down to the bottom of this Google search results, you’ll stumble upon this Legal Takedown notice (pictured below)
To make such an investigation possible, we encourage more online service providers to come forward and share copies of content removal requests with us. If you have any information on Alpho.com that you want to share with us, kindly email us at [email protected].
All communications are confidential and protected by our WhistleBlower Policy.
References and Citations Used
Over thirty thousand DMCA notices reveal an organized attempt to abuse copyright law.
Reputation Management, or Internet Conspiracy
Exposed documents reveal how the powerful cleaned up their digital past using a reputation laundering firm.
Companies Use Fake Websites and Backdated Articles to Censor Google’s Search Results.
Bad Reviews: How Companies Are Using Fake Websites to Censor Content
How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists
Many thanks to Lumen for providing access to their database.
Photo by DALL-E 3 – “a representation of Alpho.com censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes”
- Our report on Alpho.com is, therefore, very critical because it makes Alpho.com an entity of suspicious character, stupid enough to commit perjury, impersonation, and fraud to manage their (sic) reputation or lack thereof.
- We will file a counternotice to restore the removed article(s). In this case, that was straightforward; in other cases, the sheer volume of automated DMCA takedown notices makes it hard for the victims to respond, particularly if they’re not a large media corporation.
- You need an account with Lumen to explore these requests in detail. Accounts aren’t generally available, given it’s a non-profit operating a massive database potentially open to abuse. Still, they do provide access to non-profits and researchers. Kindly provide us with login credentials.
- We don’t understand why the US authorities haven’t prosecuted these rogue reputation agencies; their business model appears to rely upon fraud.
- We asked Alpho.com for a comment or a rebuttal to this investigation. If we do not hear from them, It will seem reasonably likely that they commissioned the takedown attempt.
