We are investigating Christian Nickel – Be Infinity for allegedly attempting to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google by improperly submitting copyright takedown notices. This includes potential violations such as impersonation, fraud, and perjury.
Christian Nickel, also known as “Chriz Nickel,” is a German entrepreneur and network marketer, recognized as the founder and CEO of Be Infinity, a platform offering educational resources in trading, cryptocurrencies, and personal development. Operating through a Hong Kong-registered entity, Be Infinity utilizes a multi-level marketing (MLM) model to promote its services.
Major Concerns and Allegations Against Christian Nickel and Be Infinity:
Securities Fraud Allegations:
Unregistered Securities: Be Infinity has been accused of promoting investment opportunities without proper regulatory compliance, particularly concerning unregistered securities. Operating from Dubai, the venture allegedly enticed investors with promises of high returns, fitting the profile of unregistered securities schemes.
Prior Involvements: Nickel’s history includes participation in several MLM companies that have faced regulatory actions. Notably, he was involved with Wealth Generators (rebranded as iGenius) and iMarketsLive (now IM Mastery Academy), both of which were fined by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for commodities fraud in 2018.
Opaque Business Practices: Critics have highlighted a lack of transparency in Be Infinity’s operations, particularly regarding the management of funds and the legitimacy of its business model. The platform’s promotional materials have been described as flashy yet lacking substantive evidence to support financial claims, raising concerns about potential deception.
Suppression of Criticism: Reports suggest that Nickel has engaged in efforts to suppress negative information about himself and Be Infinity. This includes sending legal threats and filing fraudulent copyright takedown notices to remove critical content from the internet, indicating attempts to manipulate public perception.
Investor Grievances: Investors and former associates have expressed dissatisfaction, citing unfulfilled promises of high returns and accusations of fraud. Many claim they were misled by false advertising and deceptive promises, with Nickel identified as a key promoter who distanced himself once issues arose.
MLM Structure: Be Infinity’s reliance on a multi-level marketing system for member recruitment has drawn scrutiny. Such models are often criticized for prioritizing recruitment over genuine product or service value, potentially leading to unsustainable business practices.
Christian Nickel’s association with Be Infinity has been marred by serious allegations, including securities fraud, deceptive marketing, and aggressive suppression of criticism. His involvement in previous MLM ventures that faced regulatory actions further compounds concerns about his business practices. Potential investors and associates are advised to exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before engaging with Be Infinity or related ventures.
For a more comprehensive understanding, you may refer to the detailed review by BehindMLM.
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.
What was Christian Nickel - Be Infinity trying to hide?
Christian Nickel – Be Infinity‘s attempts to hide unfavourable content through the misuse of copyright notices while allegedly engaging in perjury present serious legal concerns. These actions suggest a calculated attempt to manipulate legal systems to suppress free speech, a fundamental violation of copyright law principles and an abuse of legal processes. The use of such tactics not only undermines the integrity of copyright protection but also potentially constitutes perjury, further entangling Christian Nickel – Be Infinity in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Christian Nickel – Be Infinity may be trying to remove from the internet –
Investigative Report: Christian Nickel and Be Infinity – A Deep Dive into Allegations, Complaints, and Concerns
Introduction
Christian Nickel, commonly known as “Chriz Nickel,” is a German entrepreneur and network marketer with a controversial presence in the financial education and multi-level marketing (MLM) industry. As the founder and CEO of Be Infinity, Nickel promotes his platform as a hub for trading, cryptocurrency education, and personal development. Operating primarily from Dubai under the guise of a Hong Kong-registered company, Be Infinity uses an MLM structure to expand its reach.
While Nickel presents himself as a motivational leader and visionary, allegations of securities fraud, deceptive practices, and questionable affiliations have overshadowed his ventures. This investigative report explores the adverse news, accusations, complaints, and legal scrutiny surrounding Christian Nickel and Be Infinity, uncovering a pattern of behavior that raises significant concerns about his operations.
Background on Be Infinity
Be Infinity markets itself as a financial education platform aimed at helping individuals navigate complex financial markets like forex, cryptocurrency, and commodities. Using a subscription-based model and an MLM structure, members are incentivized to recruit others, creating a pyramid of commission-based revenue streams. The platform promises high returns on investments, financial independence, and success in trading.
The business operates through a Hong Kong-registered entity, leveraging Dubai as its operational base. Dubai’s relatively lax regulatory environment for financial and MLM enterprises has made it an attractive location for ventures that might struggle under stricter oversight elsewhere.
Key Allegations and Concerns
1. Securities Fraud
One of the most significant allegations against Christian Nickel and Be Infinity is the promotion of unregistered securities. Reports from industry watchdogs and investigative platforms such as BehindMLM suggest that Be Infinity solicits investments with promises of high returns, fitting the legal definition of securities. However, there is no evidence that the platform is registered with financial regulators in any jurisdiction.
Unregistered Investment Opportunities: Be Infinity’s operations have been flagged as likely engaging in illegal securities offerings. Investors are reportedly encouraged to invest substantial sums of money in trading activities that lack transparency.
Misrepresentation of Risk: The platform’s marketing materials allegedly downplay the risks of trading while exaggerating potential returns, creating unrealistic expectations among members.
2. Connection to Previous Fraudulent Ventures
Christian Nickel’s involvement in other MLM ventures that faced regulatory action casts a shadow over his credibility:
iMarketsLive (now IM Mastery Academy): Nickel was associated with this forex education MLM, which was fined by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 2018 for commodities fraud and deceptive practices.
Wealth Generators (rebranded as iGenius): This venture also faced scrutiny and regulatory action for misleading investors.
These affiliations suggest a pattern of association with enterprises that have been accused of exploiting participants through questionable practices.
3. Deceptive Marketing and Lack of Transparency
Be Infinity’s promotional campaigns often rely on flashy videos and motivational speeches, promising financial freedom and success. However, critics argue that these claims are largely unsupported:
Opaque Financial Operations: There is little to no verifiable information about how member investments are managed or whether promised returns are achievable.
Aggressive Recruitment Tactics: Be Infinity’s MLM model places heavy emphasis on recruitment over genuine financial education, a hallmark of pyramid schemes.
Misleading Testimonials: Reports suggest that many positive testimonials used to market the platform may be fabricated or exaggerated.
4. Aggressive Suppression of Criticism
Nickel and his team have been accused of actively working to suppress negative publicity:
Legal Threats: Critics and former participants have reported receiving legal threats for publicly sharing their negative experiences.
Copyright Takedown Notices: Nickel has allegedly filed fraudulent copyright claims to remove critical content and reviews from online platforms, an effort seen as an attempt to control public perception.
5. User Complaints and Negative Reviews
A growing number of users and former affiliates have voiced grievances about Be Infinity and Christian Nickel’s practices:
Unfulfilled Promises: Many users claim they did not see the promised returns on their investments, with some alleging outright fraud.
Lack of Support: Complaints about the platform’s inadequate customer support and failure to address user concerns are common.
Recruitment Pressure: Participants report feeling pressured to recruit others to recoup their investments, perpetuating the MLM’s pyramid-like structure.
6. Questionable Business Model
Critics argue that Be Infinity’s business model prioritizes recruitment over the value of its educational content, a red flag for pyramid schemes. While the platform markets itself as an education provider, the high upfront costs and emphasis on building a downline undermine its legitimacy.
Broader Implications
The allegations against Christian Nickel and Be Infinity highlight systemic issues within the financial education and MLM industries:
Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals: The platform appears to target individuals seeking financial freedom, often exploiting their lack of understanding of financial markets.
Regulatory Loopholes: Operating from Dubai and Hong Kong, Be Infinity takes advantage of jurisdictions with less stringent oversight, making it harder for authorities to hold it accountable.
Lack of Consumer Protection: Participants in unregulated MLM ventures like Be Infinity often have little recourse when their investments fail to deliver promised returns.
Regulatory Scrutiny
While Be Infinity has not yet faced direct regulatory action, its activities align with patterns observed in ventures that have later been prosecuted for fraud. Given Nickel’s history of involvement in such ventures, authorities in jurisdictions like the U.S. and EU may begin investigating the platform if complaints continue to mount.
Christian Nickel’s Public Response
Nickel has attempted to counteract criticism by framing himself as a misunderstood entrepreneur. In public appearances and interviews, he portrays Be Infinity as a legitimate venture aimed at empowering individuals through financial education. However, these claims often lack substantive evidence and fail to address the specific allegations against him and his company.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The mounting evidence against Christian Nickel and Be Infinity paints a troubling picture of a business model riddled with red flags. From allegations of securities fraud to complaints about deceptive marketing and unethical practices, the concerns surrounding this platform warrant serious attention.
For Potential Participants:
Exercise Caution: Thoroughly research Be Infinity and Christian Nickel before committing any funds.
Verify Legitimacy: Check regulatory filings and seek independent reviews.
Avoid High-Risk Investments: Be wary of platforms promising high returns with little effort.
For Regulators:
Investigate Operations: Authorities should examine Be Infinity’s activities, particularly its investment solicitation practices and compliance with securities laws.
Enhance Public Awareness: Educate consumers about the risks associated with unregulated MLM ventures.
Ultimately, Be Infinity serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of entrusting money to enterprises that operate in the gray areas of financial regulation. Until Christian Nickel and his platform can address the allegations against them transparently and substantively, they will remain under a cloud of suspicion.
How do we counteract this malpractice?
Once we ascertain the involvement of Christian Nickel – Be Infinity (or actors working on behalf of Christian Nickel – Be Infinity), we will inform Christian Nickel – Be Infinity of our findings via Electronic Mail.
Our preliminary assessment suggests that Christian Nickel – Be Infinity may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Christian Nickel – Be Infinity, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Christian Nickel – Be Infinity to provide details regarding their communications with the agency or expert, as well as the identification of the individual(s) responsible for executing these false DMCA notices.
Failure to respond in a timely manner will necessitate a reassessment of our initial assumptions. In such an event, we will be compelled to take appropriate legal action to rectify the unlawful conduct and take the following steps –
By investigating the fake DMCA takedown attempts, we hope to shed light on the reputation management industry, revealing how Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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…
Since Christian Nickel – Be Infinity made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and sensitive information targeted online by these events get a lot more exposure and traffic than what it would have received originally
We hope this becomes an excellent case study for 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, which Christian Nickel – Be Infinity is finding out the hard way.
Potential Consequences for Christian Nickel - Be Infinity
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 Christian Nickel - Be Infinity Committing a Cyber Crime?
Yes, it seems so. Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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. Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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 Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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. Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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.
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.
As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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, Christian Nickel – Be Infinity either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Christian Nickel – Be Infinity, ignorance does not excuse this wrongdoing.
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. FSMSmart is certainly keeping interesting company here.
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.
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. Christian Nickel – Be Infinity is in great company ….
What else is Christian Nickel - Be Infinity hiding?
We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Christian Nickel – Be Infinity] + {Negative Keyword, such as Scam, Fraud, Complaints, Lawsuit, Sanction, etc} on Google. 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 industry experts and researchers. If you have any information on Christian Nickel – Be Infinity that you want to share with experts and journalists, 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.
Authorities we may contact and share this report with for further actions
GOOGLE LEGAL HEAD
Halimah DeLaine Prado
NEWS DESK
Washington Post & NY Times
The above decision-makers and authorities will be provided a comprehensive dossier of our findings, including anonymously submitted evidence and tips. We invite journalists to contact us to receive a copy of our complete investigation here
Credits and Acknowledgement
16/10/2024
Many thanks to FakeDMCA.com and Lumen for providing access to their database.
Photos and Illustrations provided by DALL-E 3 – “a representation of Christian Nickel – Be Infinity censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes.”
We’ve reached out to Christian Nickel – Be Infinity for a comment or rebuttal regarding this investigation. It will strongly suggest they were behind the takedown attempt if they remain silent.
Our investigative report on Christian Nickel – Be Infinity‘s efforts to suppress online speech is significant, as it raises serious concerns about its integrity. The findings suggest that Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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 Christian Nickel – Be Infinity 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
16/10/2024
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.
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