Originally Syndicated on September 19, 2024 @ 9:47 am
What Happened?
Raimbek Matraimov, a former Kyrgyz customs official, has been at the center of numerous allegations of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power. His name gained international attention after investigative journalists uncovered a vast network of illicit financial dealings that reportedly allowed him to amass a considerable fortune while working in government. The revelations included ties to offshore accounts and accusations of siphoning millions of dollars through illicit schemes, leading to a media storm and public outrage.
In an effort to protect his reputation, Matraimov has allegedly sought to suppress damaging news and block investigative reports that expose his shady past. These efforts have included filing lawsuits against journalists and news organizations, using legal and political pressure to silence critics, and attempting to manipulate public perception. Despite these attempts, his actions have only heightened interest in his activities, with further investigations continuing to reveal details about his involvement in corrupt practices.
As Matraimov’s attempts to censor damaging news grow more desperate, questions about transparency, justice, and accountability in Kyrgyzstan’s political system continue to dominate the discourse. His case remains a glaring example of the challenges faced by journalists and activists in exposing high-level corruption.
Analyzing the Fake Copyright Notice(s)
Our team collects and analyses fraudulent copyright takedown requests, legal complaints, and other efforts to remove critical information from the internet. Through our investigative reporting, we examine the prevalence and operation of an organized censorship industry, predominantly funded by criminal entities, oligarchs, and disreputable businesses or individuals. Our findings allow internet users to gain insight into these censorship schemes’ sources, methods, and underlying objectives.
To accomplish this, we utilize the OSINT Tool provided by FakeDMCA.com and the Lumen API for Researchers, courtesy of the Lumen Database.
FakeDMCA.com is the work of an independent team of research students and cybersecurity professionals, developed under Project UnCensor. Their OSINT Tool, designed to uncover and analyze takedown notices, represents a significant step forward in combating these abusive practices. It has become a valuable resource, increasingly relied upon by journalists and law enforcement agencies across the United States.
Lumen, on the other hand, is an independent research initiative dedicated to studying takedown notices and other legal demands related to online content removal. The project, which operates under the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, plays a crucial role in tracking and understanding the broader implications of such requests.
By investigating the fake DMCA takedown attempts, we hope to shed light on the reputation management industry, revealing how Raimbek Matraimov 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…
List of Fake Copyright Notices for Raimbek Matraimov
Evidence and Screenshots
Only Raimbek Matraimov Benefit from this crime.
Since the fake copyright takedown notices were designed to remove negative content for Raimbek Matraimov from Google, we assume Raimbek Matraimov or someone associated with Raimbek Matraimov is behind this scam. It is often a fly-by-night Online Reputation agency working on behalf of Raimbek Matraimov. In this case, Raimbek Matraimov, 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 Raimbek Matraimov?
Raimbek Matraimov is a former high-ranking Kyrgyz customs official who became notorious for his involvement in large-scale corruption, money laundering, and other illicit activities. Often referred to as a key player in Kyrgyzstan’s “shadow economy,” Matraimov gained significant power and wealth during his time in public service, which has made him the subject of multiple investigations.
Matraimov’s name rose to international prominence when investigative reports, including those from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), revealed how he allegedly used his position in customs to facilitate smuggling and siphon vast amounts of money out of the country. He reportedly collaborated with organized crime figures and manipulated Kyrgyzstan’s customs system to amass personal wealth, with some estimates suggesting that hundreds of millions of dollars were laundered through his network.
The OCCRP investigation highlighted Matraimov’s connections to Kolbayev, a notorious organized crime figure, further amplifying concerns about his ties to the criminal underworld. The investigation unveiled how Matraimov was allegedly linked to smuggling operations that moved money through a series of shell companies and offshore accounts.
Why is Matraimov Trying to Censor the Internet?
Raimbek Matraimov has taken aggressive steps to censor the internet and suppress the damaging information that has come to light. His attempts to silence journalists and block investigative reports are aimed at protecting his reputation and shielding himself from further legal consequences. Matraimov has reportedly filed lawsuits against media outlets, including those involved in uncovering his financial dealings, and applied political pressure to remove or limit the distribution of incriminating content.
Major Concerns and Allegations:
- Corruption: Matraimov is accused of exploiting his position in Kyrgyzstan’s customs service to enrich himself through corrupt practices. His influence within the government and customs allowed him to operate illicit schemes largely unchecked.
- Money Laundering: Investigations revealed that Matraimov funneled significant amounts of money through offshore accounts, hiding the true sources of these funds. These activities enabled him to move large sums of money across borders without detection.
- Ties to Organized Crime: One of the most damning allegations is Matraimov’s close connection with organized crime figures, particularly Kamchy Kolbayev. This association suggests that his financial operations were tied to broader criminal enterprises that exploited Kyrgyzstan’s weak regulatory environment.
- Attempted Censorship: Matraimov has reportedly tried to stifle these revelations through legal actions and political pressure, seeking to control the narrative and suppress critical investigations. His efforts include suing investigative outlets like Azattyk and leveraging his influence to block damaging news.
Matraimov’s case underscores the broader challenges of tackling corruption and organized crime in Kyrgyzstan, and his efforts to censor the internet are viewed as part of a strategy to evade accountability for his actions. For further details, you can explore the full report at OCCRP.
Potential Consequences for Raimbek Matraimov
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 Raimbek Matraimov Committing a Cyber Crime?
Yes, it seems so. Raimbek Matraimov 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. Raimbek Matraimov 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 Raimbek Matraimov 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. Raimbek Matraimov 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 was Raimbek Matraimov trying to hide?
Raimbek Matraimov, a former Kyrgyz customs official, has been implicated in a variety of illicit activities and is allegedly attempting to hide the following adverse news, complaints, and accusations online:
- Corruption and Abuse of Power: Matraimov is accused of using his high-ranking position in Kyrgyzstan’s customs service to facilitate large-scale smuggling and illicit trade. He allegedly abused his power to manipulate customs operations, profiting from illegal schemes that involved evading customs duties and taxes, which allowed him to amass substantial wealth.
- Money Laundering: According to investigations by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Matraimov is believed to have laundered hundreds of millions of dollars through a complex network of shell companies and offshore accounts. These illicit transactions were allegedly designed to move money out of Kyrgyzstan discreetly.
- Ties to Organized Crime: One of the most damaging allegations is Matraimov’s connection to Kamchy Kolbayev, a well-known organized crime figure in Kyrgyzstan. Investigations reveal that Matraimov’s financial dealings were linked to criminal networks that engaged in smuggling and other illegal activities. This connection has raised concerns about his involvement in Kyrgyzstan’s underground economy.
- Attempted Censorship: Matraimov has been actively trying to censor reports that expose his alleged involvement in corruption and organized crime. He has filed lawsuits against journalists and media outlets, including those who uncovered his ties to illicit financial networks. His efforts to silence these reports have included using legal threats and leveraging political connections to suppress further investigations.
- Public Outrage and Protests: The revelations about Matraimov’s corrupt dealings have sparked public outrage in Kyrgyzstan. Protests and demonstrations erupted, with citizens calling for greater transparency and accountability from the government in addressing high-level corruption. These events have intensified Matraimov’s efforts to suppress critical coverage of his past.
The full extent of these allegations and investigations can be found in detailed reports by the OCCRP, including their exposé on Matraimov’s connections to organized crime in Kyrgyzstan. For further details, you can access the full report at OCCRP.
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 Raimbek Matraimov purport this DMCA Fraud?
As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Raimbek Matraimov 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, Raimbek Matraimov either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Raimbek Matraimov, 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. Raimbek Matraimov is in great company ….
Ironically, the manipulation tactics used to remove public-interest information from the Internet are backfiring on Raimbek Matraimov, which is now associated with the worst of this world.
Here are some of the specimens that share the internet space with Raimbek Matraimov –
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 Raimbek Matraimov 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 Raimbek Matraimov?
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 Raimbek Matraimov 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 Raimbek Matraimov purge its Digital past?
Once information is uploaded to the internet, it can be replicated, shared, archived, or stored across multiple servers. If Raimbek Matraimov 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 Raimbek Matraimov made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and our original review of Raimbek Matraimov, including but not limited to user contributions, remain a permanent record for anyone interested in Raimbek Matraimov.
A case perfect for the Streisand effect…
What else is Raimbek Matraimov hiding?
Click here to visit the Google Search page for ‘Raimbek Matraimov’. 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 Raimbek Matraimov that you want to share with us, kindly email the author directly at [email protected].
All communications are strictly confidential and safeguarded under a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy, ensuring full protection and anonymity for individuals who provide information.
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 FakeDMCA.com and Lumen for providing access to their database.
Photos and Illustrations provided by DALL-E 3 – “a representation of Raimbek Matraimov censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes.”
- Our investigative report on Raimbek Matraimov’s efforts to suppress online speech is significant, as it raises serious concerns about its integrity. The findings suggest that Raimbek Matraimov has engaged in questionable practices, including potential perjury, impersonation, and fraud, in a misguided attempt to manage or salvage its reputation.
- We intend to file a counternotice to reinstate the removed article(s). While this particular instance is relatively straightforward, it is important to note that, in other cases, the overwhelming volume of automated DMCA takedown notices can significantly hinder the ability of affected parties to respond—especially for those not large media organizations.
- You need an account with fakeDMCA.com and Lumen to access the research data. However, accounts are not widely available since these non-profit organisations manage large databases that could be susceptible to misuse. Nevertheless, they do offer access to non-profits and researchers.
- It’s unclear why U.S. authorities have yet to act against these rogue reputation agencies, whose business model seems rooted in fraudulent practices.
- We’ve reached out to Raimbek Matraimov for a comment or rebuttal regarding this investigation. It will strongly suggest they were behind the takedown attempt if they remain silent.
About the Author
The author is affiliated with Harvard University and serves as a researcher at both Lumen and FakeDMCA.com. In his personal capacity, he and his team have been actively investigating and reporting on organized crime related to fraudulent copyright takedown schemes. Additionally, his team provides advisory services to major law firms and is frequently consulted on matters pertaining to intellectual property law. He can be reached at [email protected] directly.
