CyberCriminal.com

Mike Sims – OmegaPro

We are investigating Mike Sims – OmegaPro
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.

Mike Sims – OmegaPro

PARTIES INVOLVED: Mike Sims - OmegaPro

ALLEGATIONS: Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation

INCIDENT DATE: 16 Aug 2024

INVESTIGATED BY: Ethan Katz

TOOLS USED: Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails

CASE NO: 8363/A/2024

CRIME TYPE: Intellectual Property Scam

PUBLISHED ON: 26 Nov 2024

REPORTED BY: FakeDMCA.com

JURISDICTION: USA

A summary of what happened?

Mike Sims, also known as Michael Shannon Sims, is a co-founder of OmegaPro, a company that has faced significant allegations of operating fraudulent investment schemes. These schemes have reportedly led to substantial financial losses for investors.

Key Allegations and Concerns:

  1. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Fraud Charges:
    • The CFTC filed a civil enforcement action against Sims, accusing him of fraud and misappropriation related to commodity pool operations. The charges allege that Sims, along with others, misrepresented trading records and the handling of participant funds, leading to investor losses.
  2. Asset Seizure:
    • Following the CFTC charges, a receiver was appointed to seize assets acquired through the alleged fraudulent activities. Sims publicly denied the asset seizures and downplayed the severity of the allegations, despite court documents indicating otherwise.
  3. Denial of Involvement in OmegaPro’s Operations:
    • In response to the collapse of OmegaPro, Sims claimed he was merely a strategic advisor and not involved in the company’s day-to-day operations. He asserted ignorance of the company’s internal workings, a stance viewed skeptically given his co-founder status.
  4. Misleading Investors:
    • Sims has been accused of deceiving investors by denying the CFTC’s fraud charges and attempting to distance himself from OmegaPro’s operations, despite evidence of his significant involvement.
  5. Involvement in Other Ponzi Schemes:
    • Reports suggest Sims’ involvement in other fraudulent schemes, such as The Traders Domain, indicating a pattern of participation in high-yield investment programs that resulted in investor losses.

These allegations have raised serious concerns about Sims’ business practices and integrity, leading to legal actions and ongoing investigations.

 

Mike Sims – OmegaPro Fake DMCA

 

 

 

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 Mike Sims - OmegaPro trying to hide?

Mike Sims – OmegaPro‘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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Mike Sims – OmegaPro may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Mike Sims and OmegaPro – Uncovering Allegations and Controversies

Introduction

Mike Sims, also known as Michael Shannon Sims, is a key figure in OmegaPro, a company accused of operating fraudulent investment schemes disguised as high-yield opportunities. As a co-founder and promoter of OmegaPro, Sims has faced multiple allegations of deceit, mismanagement, and fraudulent activities. This investigative report provides a comprehensive analysis of the accusations, legal actions, and controversies surrounding Mike Sims and OmegaPro.


Key Allegations Against Mike Sims

1. Fraud and Misrepresentation

Sims has been accused of engaging in fraudulent practices through OmegaPro and other associated entities.

  • CFTC Fraud Charges:
    • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a civil enforcement action against Sims, alleging fraud and misappropriation of funds related to commodity pool operations.
    • According to the CFTC, Sims misrepresented trading records and misled participants about the safety and performance of their investments.
    • Investors were falsely promised high returns, only to find their funds misused or lost entirely.
  • Misleading Investors:
    • Sims allegedly portrayed OmegaPro as a legitimate investment opportunity, while evidence suggests it operated as a Ponzi scheme.
    • Promises of monthly returns as high as 30% were a hallmark of the marketing strategy used to lure investors.

2. Involvement in OmegaPro Ponzi Scheme

OmegaPro collapsed amidst allegations that it was a Ponzi scheme designed to defraud investors.

  • Ponzi Scheme Mechanics:
    • OmegaPro is accused of using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier participants, a classic Ponzi structure.
    • The scheme unraveled when it could no longer attract sufficient new investments to sustain payouts.
  • Mike Sims’ Role:
    • While Sims claimed to be a “strategic advisor” rather than a day-to-day operator, his significant role in marketing and promoting OmegaPro undermines this assertion.
    • His public denials of involvement have been met with skepticism, given his status as a co-founder.

3. Asset Seizures and Legal Actions

Following the collapse of OmegaPro, authorities moved to seize assets linked to the fraudulent activities.

  • Asset Seizures:
    • Court-appointed receivers began confiscating properties, vehicles, and financial accounts tied to Sims and other OmegaPro leaders.
    • Sims publicly dismissed these seizures, claiming they were either exaggerated or unrelated to the charges against him.
  • Legal Proceedings:
    • Sims faces multiple lawsuits and regulatory actions for his role in OmegaPro and other similar schemes.
    • Investors have filed claims seeking restitution for losses incurred due to misleading promises and fraudulent practices.

4. Other Allegations and Schemes

Sims has been linked to additional fraudulent ventures beyond OmegaPro, raising concerns about a broader pattern of unethical behavior.

  • The Traders Domain:
    • Sims has reportedly been associated with The Traders Domain, another high-yield investment scheme with similarities to OmegaPro.
    • Accusations against The Traders Domain include fund mismanagement, false advertising, and investor losses.
  • History of Involvement in Questionable Ventures:
    • Sims’ track record includes participation in other multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, many of which have faced allegations of operating as pyramid or Ponzi schemes.

Public and Media Reaction

Investigative Journalism

Media outlets and investigative platforms such as BehindMLM have extensively documented Sims’ activities and OmegaPro’s operations:

  • Reports highlight Sims’ attempts to downplay his involvement in fraudulent schemes, even as evidence of his central role mounts.
  • Media scrutiny has increased following OmegaPro’s collapse, with victims sharing stories of financial ruin.

Victim Testimonies

Many investors who participated in OmegaPro have come forward with harrowing accounts of financial loss:

  • Misled by Marketing:
    • Investors described being swayed by promises of guaranteed high returns, only to lose their life savings.
  • Difficulty Recovering Funds:
    • Victims have struggled to recover their money, with funds either misappropriated or tied up in legal battles.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Legal Violations

The actions of Sims and OmegaPro potentially violate numerous financial and consumer protection laws:

  1. Fraudulent Misrepresentation:
    • Misleading claims about investment safety and returns constitute fraud.
  2. Violation of Securities Laws:
    • Operating without proper regulatory oversight or registration breaches securities regulations.
  3. Money Laundering:
    • Allegations of fund mismanagement suggest possible violations of anti-money laundering laws.

Ethical Concerns

  • Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals:
    • OmegaPro targeted inexperienced investors, using aggressive marketing to exploit their lack of financial knowledge.
  • Lack of Accountability:
    • Sims’ denial of responsibility reflects a broader unwillingness to accept accountability for investor losses.

Impact on Investors and the Financial Sector

Investor Losses

The collapse of OmegaPro has left countless investors financially devastated, with total losses estimated in the millions of dollars.

Erosion of Trust

Cases like OmegaPro undermine trust in legitimate investment opportunities, making investors wary of new ventures and high-yield promises.


Recommendations for Investors

  1. Conduct Thorough Research:
    • Verify the regulatory status of investment platforms and their operators.
  2. Beware of High-Yield Promises:
    • Avoid schemes offering guaranteed returns, particularly those exceeding typical market averages.
  3. Demand Transparency:
    • Ensure investment platforms provide clear and verifiable information about operations and financial performance.

Conclusion

Mike Sims and OmegaPro exemplify the risks posed by fraudulent investment schemes that exploit trust and financial naivety. Key takeaways from this investigation include:

  1. Fraudulent Practices:
    • Sims played a significant role in promoting and benefiting from OmegaPro’s fraudulent activities.
  2. Legal Accountability:
    • Regulatory actions and lawsuits highlight the serious consequences of his alleged misconduct.
  3. Investor Impact:
    • The financial and emotional toll on victims underscores the need for vigilance and regulatory enforcement.

The Mike Sims and OmegaPro case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated investment schemes. It reinforces the importance of transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in the financial sector.

 

 

 

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Mike Sims – OmegaPro (or actors working on behalf of Mike Sims – OmegaPro), we will inform Mike Sims – OmegaPro of our findings via Electronic Mail.

Our preliminary assessment suggests that Mike Sims – OmegaPro may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Mike Sims – OmegaPro, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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 –

 

 

Since Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro is finding out the hard way.

Potential Consequences for Mike Sims - OmegaPro

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 Mike Sims - OmegaPro Committing a Cyber Crime?

Faced with these limitations, some companies like Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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. Mike Sims – OmegaPro is certainly keeping interesting company here….

CompanyNames Fake DMCA

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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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, Mike Sims – OmegaPro either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Mike Sims – OmegaPro, 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. Mike Sims – OmegaPro is in great company ….

What else is Mike Sims - OmegaPro hiding?

We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Mike Sims – OmegaPro] + {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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes.”

  • We’ve reached out to Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro‘s efforts to suppress online speech is significant, as it raises serious concerns about its integrity. The findings suggest that Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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 Mike Sims – OmegaPro 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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