CyberCriminal.com

Mishov Forex

We are investigating Mishov Forex
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.

Mishov Forex

PARTIES INVOLVED: Mishov Forex

ALLEGATIONS: Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation

INCIDENT DATE: 14 Aug 2024

INVESTIGATED BY: Ethan Katz

TOOLS USED: Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails

CASE NO: 5326/A/2024

CRIME TYPE: Intellectual Property Scam

PUBLISHED ON: 26 Nov 2024

REPORTED BY: FakeDMCA.com

JURISDICTION: USA

A summary of what happened?

Mishov Forex, operating under the website mishovforex.com, presents itself as a forex broker with a significant presence in the Middle East and Western Europe, claiming headquarters in London. However, several critical concerns and red flags have been identified regarding its operations:

1. Regulatory Status:

  • Offshore Registration: Mishov Forex is registered with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines under Registration Number 512 LLC 2020. It’s important to note that the SVG FSA does not regulate forex trading activities, meaning Mishov Forex operates without effective regulatory oversight.
  • Lack of Legitimate Licensing: Despite claims of a London headquarters, Mishov Forex lacks authorization from reputable financial regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This absence of credible licensing raises significant concerns about the firm’s legitimacy.

2. Operational Concerns:

  • Unverified Claims: The company asserts an extensive presence across cities like Istanbul, Dubai, Kabul, and Tehran. However, these claims lack verification, and the company’s actual operational base appears to be offshore, casting doubt on its purported global footprint.
  • Trading Platform: Mishov Forex offers the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, a reputable trading interface. However, the provision of a well-known platform does not compensate for the lack of regulatory oversight and transparency.

3. Client Feedback and Reviews:

  • Trust Scores: Platforms like Scamadviser have given mishovforex.com an average to good trust score. However, this assessment is automated and may not fully reflect the company’s legitimacy, especially considering the lack of regulatory oversight.
  • Expert Warnings: Financial review sites caution against engaging with Mishov Forex, highlighting its unregulated status and potential risks associated with offshore brokers.

4. Potential Risks:

  • Client Fund Safety: Operating without proper regulation means there are no guarantees for the safety of client funds, increasing the risk of financial loss.
  • Dispute Resolution Challenges: In the absence of regulatory oversight, clients may find it difficult to resolve disputes or seek recourse in cases of misconduct.

Conclusion:

Given Mishov Forex’s unregulated status, offshore registration, and lack of transparency, potential investors are advised to exercise extreme caution. Engaging with unregulated brokers carries significant risks, including potential financial loss and limited avenues for dispute resolution. It’s recommended to choose brokers that are fully licensed and regulated by reputable financial authorities to ensure a higher level of security and accountability.

 

Mishov Forex 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 Mishov Forex trying to hide?

Mishov Forex‘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 Mishov Forex in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Mishov Forex may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Mishov Forex – A Comprehensive Analysis of Allegations, Complaints, and Concerns

Mishov Forex, officially registered as Mishov Markets LLC, markets itself as a forex broker providing global trading services. The company offers access to various currency pairs through the popular MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, targeting a clientele predominantly in the Middle East and Europe. Despite presenting a professional image with claims of international offices in cities like London, Istanbul, and Dubai, a deeper examination reveals alarming concerns regarding the company’s regulatory compliance, operational transparency, and client safety.


1. Corporate Profile and Claims

Mishov Forex portrays itself as an international brokerage house catering to a global clientele. According to its website:

  • The firm offers 45 currency pairs, commodities, and indices for trading.
  • It boasts access to the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) trading platform, known for its functionality and reputation within the trading community.
  • Mishov Forex claims offices in London, Dubai, Istanbul, Kabul, and Tehran, indicating a broad geographical footprint.

However, independent investigations have found discrepancies in these claims:

  • Unverified Office Locations: There is no independent verification of the existence of the purported offices outside of the registration in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Such claims appear to be marketing tactics rather than accurate representations of their operations.
  • Offshore Incorporation: The company’s registration in SVG places it in a jurisdiction known for limited oversight over financial institutions, raising questions about its adherence to international financial standards.

2. Regulatory Status and Concerns

2.1 Lack of Credible Licensing

  • Mishov Forex is registered with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines under Registration Number 512 LLC 2020.
  • The SVG FSA does not regulate or oversee forex brokers. Its role is limited to business registration, providing no consumer protection or regulatory oversight for financial activities.
  • Mishov Forex is not licensed by any Tier-1 regulatory authority such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), or Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). This absence of proper licensing raises serious doubts about its legitimacy and reliability.

2.2 Potential Regulatory Evasion

  • By registering in SVG, Mishov Forex operates in a jurisdiction with minimal regulatory scrutiny, allowing it to avoid stringent compliance requirements such as transparency, capital adequacy, and investor protection mechanisms.
  • The lack of oversight leaves clients vulnerable to risks such as fund mismanagement, fraud, or sudden operational cessation.

3. Operational and Ethical Concerns

3.1 Use of MetaTrader 5 (MT5) While Mishov Forex offers the well-regarded MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform, a popular choice among traders for its advanced tools and user-friendly interface, the provision of a reputable trading platform does not inherently guarantee the broker’s credibility. Numerous fraudulent brokers use platforms like MT5 to lend an air of legitimacy to their operations while engaging in unethical practices.

3.2 Discrepancies in Claimed Operations

  • Mishov Forex claims a significant presence in global financial hubs like London and Dubai. However, there is no evidence to support these claims.
  • Reports suggest that its actual operations are limited to its offshore registration in SVG, undermining its assertion of being a global broker.

3.3 Ambiguous Ownership and Leadership

  • The company provides no publicly available information about its ownership or leadership team.
  • This lack of transparency is a red flag, as reputable brokers typically disclose such details to build trust with their clientele.

4. Client Complaints and Red Flags

4.1 Lack of Fund Security

  • Mishov Forex does not operate under any financial protection schemes, such as compensation funds or segregated accounts, which are standard for regulated brokers.
  • In cases of insolvency or fraud, clients have no recourse to recover their funds, leaving them exposed to significant financial losses.

4.2 Unresolved Complaints

  • Several clients have reported issues with Mishov Forex, including:
    • Difficulty in withdrawing funds: Complaints frequently mention delayed or denied withdrawal requests, a common hallmark of fraudulent brokers.
    • Poor Customer Support: Many users report unresponsive or evasive customer service, particularly when addressing account or fund-related issues.

4.3 Allegations of Manipulative Practices

  • Some traders allege that Mishov Forex engages in unethical trading practices, such as manipulated spreads and artificially triggered stop-losses, to generate revenue at the expense of clients.

5. Warnings and Independent Reviews

5.1 Expert Evaluations

  • The Forex Review and ForexBrokerz have issued warnings about Mishov Forex, citing:
    • Its unregulated status.
    • Its offshore registration.
    • Its lack of transparency regarding operations and ownership.
  • Both platforms recommend that traders avoid Mishov Forex due to the inherent risks associated with unregulated brokers.

5.2 Scamadviser Trust Score

  • Mishov Forex received an average-to-good trust score on Scamadviser. However, this automated rating is primarily based on technical factors, such as domain registration and SSL certification, and does not account for the company’s operational practices or regulatory compliance.

6. Risks and Implications for Clients

6.1 High Risk of Financial Loss

  • The absence of regulation or financial guarantees significantly increases the risk for clients. Mishov Forex operates without adhering to basic standards for client fund security, exposing investors to potential scams or mismanagement.

6.2 Limited Legal Recourse

  • Clients who face issues with Mishov Forex have little to no recourse through legal or regulatory channels due to the broker’s offshore registration. Dispute resolution mechanisms are virtually non-existent.

6.3 Ethical and Operational Concerns

  • The company’s lack of transparency regarding its operations, ownership, and licensing points to a disregard for industry norms and ethical standards.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Mishov Forex presents significant red flags in terms of regulatory compliance, operational transparency, and client fund security. While the company markets itself as a legitimate global broker, the absence of credible licensing and numerous client complaints suggest otherwise. Engaging with Mishov Forex carries substantial risks, including financial loss, unethical trading practices, and a lack of dispute resolution mechanisms.

Recommendations:

  1. Avoid Mishov Forex: Prospective clients are strongly advised to refrain from engaging with this broker.
  2. Choose Regulated Brokers: Only trade with brokers licensed by reputable authorities such as the FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.
  3. Conduct Due Diligence: Verify the regulatory status and reputation of any broker before opening an account.
  4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you have fallen victim to Mishov Forex or suspect fraudulent activities, report the incident to your local financial regulator.

In conclusion, while Mishov Forex may appear to offer attractive trading opportunities, the overwhelming evidence of unregulated operations and unethical practices makes it a high-risk choice for traders.

 

 

 

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Mishov Forex (or actors working on behalf of Mishov Forex), we will inform Mishov Forex of our findings via Electronic Mail.

Our preliminary assessment suggests that Mishov Forex may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Mishov Forex, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Mishov Forex 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 Mishov Forex 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 Mishov Forex is finding out the hard way.

Potential Consequences for Mishov Forex

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 Mishov Forex Committing a Cyber Crime?

Faced with these limitations, some companies like Mishov Forex 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. Mishov Forex 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 Mishov Forex 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, Mishov Forex either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Mishov Forex, 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. Mishov Forex is in great company ….

What else is Mishov Forex hiding?

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

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

USER FEEDBACK ON Mishov Forex

1.7/5

Based on 2 ratings

Trust
20%
Risk
60%
Brand
20%
by: Scarlett Davis
December 12, 2024 at 9:08 am

there is no progress, it should follow latest industrial treads. also bad support cant even no where is it.

by: Liam Hernandez
December 12, 2024 at 9:06 am

There is customer support option. Bad services.

Add Reviews

  • Trust
  • Risk
  • Brand

PROS

+
Add Field

CONS

+
Add Field
Choose Image
Choose Video

Leave feedback about this

  • Trust
  • Risk
  • Brand

PROS

+
Add Field

CONS

+
Add Field
Choose Image
Choose Video

WEBSITE AUDITS

Stop fraud before it happens with unbeatable speed, scale, depth, and breadth.

RECENT AUDITS

INVESTIGATIONS

Uncover hidden digital threats and secure your assets with our expert cyber investigation services.

RECENT CASES

THREAT ALERTS

Stay ahead of cyber threats with our daily list of the latest alerts and vulnerabilities.

THREAT ALERTS

LATEST NEWS

Your trusted source for breaking news and insights on cybercrime and digital security trends.

LATEST NEWS