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PARTIES INVOLVED: Mohsen Yeganeh
ALLEGATIONS: Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE: 16 Oct 2024
INVESTIGATED BY: Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED: Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails
CASE NO: 6437/A/2024
CRIME TYPE: Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON: 26 Oct 2024
REPORTED BY: FakeDMCA.com
JURISDICTION: USA
A summary of what happened?
Who is Mohsen Yeganeh?
Mohsen Yeganeh is a prominent Iranian pop singer, songwriter, and musician, known for his significant contributions to Persian pop music. Born on May 13, 1985, in Gonbad-e Kavus, Iran, Yeganeh is widely recognized for his melodious voice and heartfelt lyrics, earning him a large fan base in Iran and among the Persian diaspora worldwide. His songs often blend themes of love, heartbreak, and personal reflection. Despite his musical success, recent controversies have raised questions about his professional choices and associations.
Major Concerns, Complaints, and Accusations Against Mohsen Yeganeh
1. Collaboration with Farzin Fardin-Fard
One of the most prominent controversies surrounding Mohsen Yeganeh involves his collaboration with Farzin Fardin-Fard, a figure implicated in a high-profile Ponzi scheme.
- Alleged Ponzi Scheme: Farzin Fardin-Fard, who contributed to the mixing and mastering of Yeganeh’s recent song Betars (released in August 2024), has been accused of running “Unique Finance,” a fraudulent investment platform. This Ponzi scheme reportedly defrauded numerous investors of significant amounts of money.
- Public Backlash: The association with Fardin-Fard, who is under investigation by international authorities, led to severe public criticism of Yeganeh. Many fans and commentators expressed disappointment, accusing him of either ignorance or insensitivity in collaborating with an individual linked to such unethical activities.
- Response from Yeganeh: Following the backlash, Yeganeh removed Fardin-Fard’s name from the song’s credits in social media posts. However, neither Yeganeh nor his management team has issued an official statement addressing the controversy, further fueling public discontent.
2. Social Media Criticism and Media Suppression
The controversy was amplified by social media discussions, with journalists and commentators drawing attention to Yeganeh’s professional choices.
- Allegations of Suppression: Journalist Bahman Babazadeh highlighted the issue on social media platforms, accusing Yeganeh’s supporters or associates of reporting his posts to suppress criticism. Babazadeh claimed that his accounts were targeted, leading to the removal of his posts and warnings of account suspension.
- Lack of Transparency: The absence of direct communication from Yeganeh regarding the matter has been interpreted as evasiveness, with critics suggesting it undermines his credibility as a public figure.
3. Ethical and Professional Oversight
While Yeganeh is not accused of any direct involvement in fraudulent activities, his association with Fardin-Fard raises questions about his ethical and professional judgment.
- Due Diligence Concerns: Critics argue that Yeganeh should have exercised greater caution and conducted due diligence before associating with Fardin-Fard, given the latter’s controversial background.
- Impact on Reputation: The controversy has tarnished Yeganeh’s reputation among fans and the broader public, with some accusing him of prioritizing professional convenience over ethical responsibility.
Public Reactions and Consequences
The controversy has had a polarizing impact on Yeganeh’s fan base and public image:
- Support from Fans: Some loyal fans have defended Yeganeh, attributing the controversy to a lack of awareness rather than intentional wrongdoing.
- Criticism from Media and Public: Others, including media outlets and commentators, have criticized Yeganeh for failing to address the situation transparently. The collaboration with Fardin-Fard has been viewed as a significant lapse in judgment.
Legal Implications
While Mohsen Yeganeh is not legally implicated in any of Fardin-Fard’s fraudulent activities, his association with someone under investigation by Interpol raises ethical concerns. The controversy underscores the importance of careful scrutiny in professional collaborations, particularly for public figures.
Mohsen Yeganeh’s collaboration with Farzin Fardin-Fard has led to substantial public and media criticism, casting a shadow on his otherwise celebrated career. The lack of a clear response from Yeganeh has exacerbated the situation, highlighting the need for transparency and ethical diligence in professional relationships. While his musical legacy remains significant, addressing these controversies head-on will be crucial in restoring public trust and maintaining his standing as a respected artist.
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.
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What was Mohsen Yeganeh trying to hide?
Mohsen Yeganeh‘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 Mohsen Yeganeh in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Mohsen Yeganeh may be trying to remove from the internet –
Investigative Report: A Comprehensive Examination of Controversies Surrounding Mohsen Yeganeh
Introduction
Mohsen Yeganeh is a celebrated Iranian pop singer and songwriter, often referred to as one of the most influential figures in Persian pop music. Born on May 13, 1985, Yeganeh has captured hearts with his soulful voice and emotional lyrics. However, his career has been marred by controversies ranging from allegations of unethical associations to accusations of anti-Semitic undertones in his work. This report delves deeply into the adverse news, allegations, lawsuits, complaints, and public reactions associated with Mohsen Yeganeh.
Background and Rise to Fame
Yeganeh’s journey to stardom began with his unique ability to blend modern pop music with traditional Persian influences. With hits like Behet Ghol Midam and Be Yade To, he quickly rose to prominence in Iran and among the Persian diaspora. His music often explores themes of love, heartbreak, and nostalgia, resonating deeply with his audience.
While his musical contributions are widely recognized, his professional and personal decisions have occasionally drawn criticism, casting a shadow over his otherwise illustrious career.
Major Controversies
1. Allegations of Anti-Semitism
One of the earliest controversies surrounding Mohsen Yeganeh emerged in 2017, involving accusations of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiments in his song Flock of Vultures. The lyrics, allegedly critical of Israel, sparked outrage among the Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles.
- Community Response: Activists accused Yeganeh of using his platform to propagate anti-Semitic ideologies. The controversy intensified when local Jewish groups called for a boycott of his December 16, 2017, concert at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
- Protests: Approximately 100 Iranian-American Jewish activists staged a protest outside the concert venue, urging attendees to reconsider their support for the artist.
- Yeganeh’s Defense: In response, Yeganeh denied any intention to offend, claiming the song’s interpretation was taken out of context. He further alleged that the Iranian regime had appropriated his music without consent, using it in political videos.
- Impact on Reputation: Although the concert proceeded as planned, the allegations left a lasting dent in Yeganeh’s reputation, especially among international audiences.
2. Collaboration with Farzin Fardin-Fard
In August 2024, Mohsen Yeganeh released the track Betars, which listed Farzin Fardin-Fard as the mixing and mastering engineer. This collaboration sparked public outrage, as Fardin-Fard was implicated in a massive Ponzi scheme through his company, Unique Finance.
- The Ponzi Scheme: Unique Finance defrauded thousands of investors globally, promising high returns through fraudulent financial activities. The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence had previously confirmed Fardin-Fard’s involvement in this scheme, and he was listed as a person of interest by Interpol.
- Public Reaction: Fans and critics alike condemned Yeganeh’s decision to work with an individual linked to such unethical activities. Social media platforms were flooded with posts questioning his judgment and moral responsibility.
- Damage Control: Following the backlash, Yeganeh removed Fardin-Fard’s name from the song’s credits on Instagram. However, neither he nor his management team issued a formal statement addressing the collaboration, leading to further criticism for the lack of transparency.
- Ethical Concerns: Critics argued that Yeganeh’s association with Fardin-Fard demonstrated a lack of due diligence, raising questions about his professional ethics.
3. Allegations of Media Suppression
The controversy surrounding Yeganeh’s collaboration with Fardin-Fard was further fueled by allegations of media suppression.
- Targeting Journalists: Bahman Babazadeh, a journalist who reported on the issue, claimed that his social media posts were targeted for takedown. Babazadeh alleged that coordinated reporting led to the removal of his posts and warnings of account suspension.
- Public Skepticism: These actions intensified public skepticism about Yeganeh’s motives, with many questioning whether efforts were made to suppress negative publicity.
Public and Industry Reaction
Fan Base Polarization
Yeganeh’s controversies have divided his fan base. While some loyal fans defended his actions, attributing them to misunderstandings or external influences, others expressed disappointment, demanding accountability and transparency.
Criticism from Media and Experts
Music industry analysts highlighted the potential long-term impact of these controversies on Yeganeh’s career. The lack of official responses to major allegations was seen as a failure to address valid concerns, undermining his credibility as a public figure.
Legal and Ethical Implications
While Mohsen Yeganeh has not faced any legal action directly related to these controversies, the ethical questions surrounding his associations have drawn significant attention.
- Collaboration with Fardin-Fard: Although not legally complicit in Fardin-Fard’s fraudulent activities, Yeganeh’s decision to collaborate with him has been criticized as a lapse in judgment.
- Anti-Semitism Allegations: The accusations of anti-Semitism, though not resulting in legal repercussions, have had a lasting impact on Yeganeh’s public image, particularly among international audiences.
Conclusion
Mohsen Yeganeh’s career as a musician has been marked by immense success, but recent controversies have raised serious questions about his professional and ethical decision-making. From allegations of anti-Semitism to his association with a figure involved in financial fraud, Yeganeh’s actions have sparked public debate and scrutiny.
- Lessons for Public Figures: These incidents underscore the importance of due diligence and transparency for public figures, particularly those with significant influence.
- Future Prospects: To restore public trust, Yeganeh must address these controversies head-on, providing clarity and taking steps to demonstrate accountability.
As one of Iran’s most prominent pop artists, Yeganeh’s ability to navigate these challenges will determine the trajectory of his career and legacy in Persian music.
How do we counteract this malpractice?
Once we ascertain the involvement of Mohsen Yeganeh (or actors working on behalf of Mohsen Yeganeh), we will inform Mohsen Yeganeh of our findings via Electronic Mail.
Our preliminary assessment suggests that Mohsen Yeganeh may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Mohsen Yeganeh, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Mohsen Yeganeh 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 Mohsen Yeganeh 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 Mohsen Yeganeh is finding out the hard way.
Potential Consequences for Mohsen Yeganeh
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 Mohsen Yeganeh Committing a Cyber Crime?
Yes, it seems so. Mohsen Yeganeh 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. Mohsen Yeganeh 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 Mohsen Yeganeh 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. Mohsen Yeganeh 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 Mohsen Yeganeh 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, Mohsen Yeganeh either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Mohsen Yeganeh, 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. Mohsen Yeganeh is in great company ….
What else is Mohsen Yeganeh hiding?
We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Mohsen Yeganeh] + {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 Mohsen Yeganeh 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.
Credits and Acknowledgement
Many thanks to FakeDMCA.com and Lumen for providing access to their database.
Photos and Illustrations provided by DALL-E 3 – “a representation of Mohsen Yeganeh censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes.”
- We’ve reached out to Mohsen Yeganeh for a comment or rebuttal regarding this investigation. It will strongly suggest they were behind the takedown attempt if they remain silent.
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- Our investigative report on Mohsen Yeganeh‘s efforts to suppress online speech is significant, as it raises serious concerns about its integrity. The findings suggest that Mohsen Yeganeh has engaged in questionable practices, including potential perjury, impersonation, and fraud, in a misguided attempt to manage or salvage its reputation.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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 Mohsen Yeganeh 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.
References used for this investigation
- 1
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45462449
- 16/10/2024
- Other
- 2
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45462449
- 09/10/2024
- Other
- 3
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45276955.
- 09/10/2024
- Other
- 4
- https://lumendatabase.org/notices/45277216
- 09/10/2024
- Other
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by: Amelia Ford
I can’t belive Mohsen Yeganeh wud team up with someone like Farzin Fardin Fard. That guy has scammed so many peopl!
by: Vanessa Moore
He was working with Farzin Fardin Fard, given his involvement in that huge Ponzi mess.That’s just a major red flag.
by: Rosie Campbell
It's disappointing to see a respected artist like Mohsen Yeganeh connected to a criminal under investigation. This seriously damages his reputation, especially in the music industry.