Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi

A summary of what happened?

Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi, a Saudi Arabian businessman, became embroiled in a legal dispute with London’s exclusive Les Ambassadeurs Club over an alleged £2 million gambling debt. The controversy centered on claims that Sheikh Albluewi issued 17 cheques between September 7 and 9, 2019, which were subsequently dishonored.

Key Details of the Dispute:

• Membership and Gambling Activity: Sheikh Albluewi had been a member of Les Ambassadeurs Club since 1993. Over the years, he reportedly purchased approximately £14 million in gaming chips and incurred losses totaling around £5 million.
• Cheque Issuance and Dishonor: In September 2019, the Sheikh’s cheque cashing facility was temporarily extended to £2 million. He issued 17 cheques within this limit, returned unpaid on September 25, 2019.
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• Legal Actions and Freezing Order: Following the dishonored cheques, Les Ambassadeurs Club initiated legal proceedings, seeking a worldwide freezing order (WFO) against Sheikh Albluewi’s assets. The High Court granted the WFO in February 2020. However, in May 2020, the court discharged the WFO, citing insufficient evidence of asset dissipation risk.
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• Sheikh’s Defense: Sheikh Albluewi contended that the debts were illegal gambling debts and argued that he had not “gone to ground” but was simply unaware of the initial communications from the casino. He also highlighted his substantial assets, including a £45 million mansion in Carlton House Terrace, London, owned through his company SAB Ventures.

Additional Allegations:

• Debts with Other Casinos: Les Ambassadeurs Club alleged that Sheikh Albluewi had incurred significant gambling debts with other London casinos and had evaded payment by returning to Saudi Arabia, where such debts are unenforceable.

The legal dispute between Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi and Les Ambassadeurs Club underscores the complexities involved in cross-border debt enforcement, especially concerning gambling debts in jurisdictions where such obligations may not be legally recognized While the High Court lifted the freezing order on the Sheikh’s assets, the underlying debt issue remained unresolved, highlighting challenges in the international legal landscape regarding gambling-related financial disputes.

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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi trying to hide?

Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi‘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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi – Legal Disputes and Allegations

Introduction

Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi, a prominent Saudi Arabian businessman, has found himself at the center of significant legal and financial controversies. The most notable involves a dispute with the exclusive London casino, Les Ambassadeurs Club, over an alleged £2 million gambling debt. Beyond this, additional allegations about unpaid debts and financial misconduct have raised questions about the Sheikh’s financial dealings and reputation. This report investigates the details of the allegations, legal battles, and broader implications.

Background on Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi

Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi is a Saudi national known for his wealth and business ventures, including ownership of a £45 million property on Carlton House Terrace in London through his company, SAB Ventures Ltd. He has been a member of Les Ambassadeurs Club, one of London’s most prestigious gambling establishments, since 1993. Over the years, the Sheikh reportedly purchased approximately £14 million in gaming chips and incurred losses totaling £5 million.

Key Legal Dispute with Les Ambassadeurs Club

1. The £2 Million Debt Allegation

In September 2019, Sheikh Albluewi’s cheque cashing facility at Les Ambassadeurs Club was temporarily extended to £2 million. During this time, he issued 17 cheques between September 7 and 9, all of which were subsequently dishonored. The casino attempted to cash these cheques on September 25, but they were returned unpaid.

Les Ambassadeurs Club alleged that Sheikh Albluewi failed to settle the £2 million debt despite multiple attempts to contact him. This led to the casino initiating legal proceedings against him.

2. Worldwide Freezing Order

In response to the dishonored cheques, Les Ambassadeurs sought and obtained a worldwide freezing order (WFO) in February 2020, targeting Sheikh Albluewi’s assets. The WFO was designed to prevent asset dissipation, ensuring the Sheikh’s assets remained available to satisfy any potential judgment.

• The order included a significant restriction on Sheikh Albluewi’s global financial transactions.
• The court was persuaded that there was a risk the Sheikh might dissipate his assets to avoid paying the debt.

3. High Court Ruling and Lifting of the WFO

In May 2020, the High Court lifted the freezing order against Sheikh Albluewi. Justice Freedman found that Les Ambassadeurs failed to provide sufficient evidence of a risk that the Sheikh intended to dissipate his assets.

• Sheikh Albluewi argued that the alleged debt was related to gambling, which is not enforceable under Saudi law.
• He claimed he was unaware of the communications regarding the debt and emphasized his substantial asset holdings, including the London mansion, as evidence of financial stability.

4. Casino’s Allegations of Debt Avoidance

Les Ambassadeurs Club alleged that Sheikh Albluewi had incurred significant gambling debts at other London casinos as well. The casino suggested that the Sheikh strategically returned to Saudi Arabia to avoid paying these debts, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s legal stance that gambling debts are not enforceable.

Wider Allegations Against Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi

1. Unpaid Gambling Debts

Les Ambassadeurs Club’s claims are not isolated. Reports indicate that Sheikh Albluewi may have outstanding debts with other London gambling establishments. These allegations suggest a potential pattern of incurring debts and subsequently evading repayment by returning to Saudi Arabia, where such financial obligations are void under Islamic law.

2. Dishonored Financial Commitments

The 17 dishonored cheques issued to Les Ambassadeurs highlight a broader concern about the Sheikh’s financial practices. Dishonoring cheques, especially in high-stakes financial transactions, raises questions about his liquidity or willingness to meet obligations.

3. Public Perception and Reputation

The legal disputes and allegations have tarnished Sheikh Albluewi’s public image, particularly in financial and social circles that value integrity and accountability. His involvement in disputes with luxury establishments contrasts sharply with the prestigious persona associated with his significant wealth and status.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Cross-Border Enforcement Challenges

The case illustrates the complexities of enforcing gambling debts across jurisdictions with differing legal frameworks:

• Saudi Arabia’s Stance: Gambling is prohibited under Islamic law, and debts arising from gambling are unenforceable in Saudi courts. This creates a safe haven for individuals like Sheikh Albluewi, who can avoid payment by returning to Saudi Arabia.
• UK’s Stance: In contrast, gambling debts are legally enforceable in the UK, which placed Les Ambassadeurs in a precarious position when pursuing the Sheikh.

Casino Due Diligence

Les Ambassadeurs Club and other gambling establishments face scrutiny for extending significant credit facilities to high-profile clients like Sheikh Albluewi. Questions arise about whether the casino conducted adequate due diligence before extending the £2 million credit line.

Public Reaction

Media Coverage

The case received widespread media attention, with outlets like the Evening Standard and Daily Mail highlighting the Sheikh’s wealth, his dishonored cheques, and his legal defense. The narrative of a wealthy Saudi businessman allegedly evading debts drew criticism and fascination, fueling discussions about the accountability of elite individuals.

Social Commentary

The case also sparked debates about the ethics of gambling establishments relying on credit arrangements and the obligations of high-net-worth individuals to honor such agreements. Critics questioned whether casinos prioritize profit over ensuring responsible gambling practices among their clientele.

Conclusion

The legal battle between Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi and Les Ambassadeurs Club sheds light on the challenges of enforcing cross-border financial obligations, particularly in the gambling industry. Key takeaways include:

1. Pattern of Allegations: The repeated claims of unpaid debts suggest a potential pattern of avoiding financial obligations.
2. Legal Loopholes: The use of Saudi Arabia’s gambling laws to avoid enforcement highlights the challenges of international debt recovery.
3. Reputational Damage: The allegations and legal disputes have damaged the Sheikh’s reputation, raising questions about his financial practices and ethical conduct.

Future Implications:

• For Les Ambassadeurs and similar establishments, the case underscores the need for stricter credit policies and better risk management when dealing with high-profile clients.
• For Sheikh Albluewi, the allegations may continue to cast a shadow over his business dealings and personal reputation.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and ethical dilemmas in high-stakes international finance and the gambling industry.

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi (or actors working on behalf of Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi), we will inform Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi of our findings via Electronic Mail.

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

Potential Consequences for Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi

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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi Committing a Cyber Crime?

Yes, it seems so. Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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. Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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. Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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, Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi, 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. Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi is in great company ….

What else is Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi hiding?

We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi] + {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 Sheikh Salah Hamdan Albluewi 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.