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PARTIES INVOLVED: Vanessa Modely
ALLEGATIONS: Perjury, Fraud, Impersonation
INCIDENT DATE: 12 May 2022
INVESTIGATED BY: Ethan Katz
TOOLS USED: Lumen, FakeDMCA, SecurityTrails
CASE NO: 7632/A/2024
CRIME TYPE: Intellectual Property Scam
PUBLISHED ON: 27 Nov 2024
REPORTED BY: FakeDMCA.com
JURISDICTION: USA
A summary of what happened?
Vanessa Modely, also known as Princess Rani Vanouska T. Modely, is a model, entrepreneur, and public figure involved in social, human rights, and educational initiatives. She is notably recognized for her role as President of the Football World Heritage Organization, leading efforts to have football recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
However, Modely has faced significant controversies:
- False Representation as a UNESCO Ambassador: Since 2016, Modely has claimed to be an ambassador for UNESCO, advocating for football’s inclusion in the organization’s heritage list. UNESCO has clarified that she holds no official position and is not authorized to represent or act on its behalf. Despite warnings, she continued these claims, leading the French National Commission for UNESCO to file a complaint against her for fraudulent use of its name.
- Questionable Royal Title: Modely refers to herself as “Princess Rani Vanouska T. Modely.” Investigations have found no official records confirming her royal status, suggesting the title may be self-assumed.
- Misleading Associations with Public Figures: She has been photographed with celebrities and political leaders, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and French President Emmanuel Macron. These images have been used to imply endorsements or affiliations that lack substantiation.
These actions have raised concerns about the authenticity of her representations and affiliations, leading to legal actions and public scrutiny.
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 Vanessa Modely trying to hide?
Vanessa Modely‘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 Vanessa Modely in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Vanessa Modely may be trying to remove from the internet –
Investigative Report: Vanessa Modely – A Deep Dive into Controversies and Allegations
Introduction
Vanessa Modely, also known by her self-styled title “Princess Rani Vanouska T. Modely,” has been a controversial figure in international media. Claiming titles such as a UNESCO ambassador and advocating for football to be recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, her career has been marred by allegations of misrepresentation, fraudulent claims, and questionable affiliations. This report delves into the various adverse news, complaints, lawsuits, and controversies that have surrounded Modely.
Section 1: Allegations of Misrepresentation with UNESCO
One of the most significant controversies surrounding Vanessa Modely is her claim of being a UNESCO ambassador. Since 2016, Modely has publicized herself as an ambassador for the organization, primarily to promote her initiative of recognizing football as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, UNESCO has categorically denied these claims.
- UNESCO’s Official Position:
- UNESCO has clarified that Vanessa Modely has never been an official representative, ambassador, or delegate of the organization.
- The French National Commission for UNESCO, a branch of the global organization, stated explicitly that Modely has no authorization to use their name or act on their behalf.
- Legal Action:
- Despite UNESCO’s warnings, Modely continued to promote her self-proclaimed role. This prompted UNESCO’s French Commission to file a formal complaint against her for fraudulent use of their name and misrepresentation.
- This lawsuit has been a critical step in distancing UNESCO from any association with her activities.
- Impact on UNESCO’s Credibility:
- Her alleged misuse of UNESCO’s name and symbols has caused reputational damage to the organization, raising concerns about potential exploitation of its brand for personal gain.
Section 2: Questionable Royal Title
Modely has often referred to herself as “Princess Rani Vanouska T. Modely,” a title that many believe to be self-assumed.
- Verification of Royal Status:
- Investigations into her royal lineage have revealed no documented or recognized ties to any royal family.
- Journalistic inquiries into her background failed to substantiate her claims of being a princess or holding any aristocratic title.
- Public Perception:
- Critics argue that the use of a royal title appears to be an attempt to lend undue legitimacy to her initiatives and enhance her personal brand.
Section 3: Misleading Associations with Public Figures
Modely has been photographed with prominent personalities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and French President Emmanuel Macron. These associations have been used in her promotional campaigns, often implying endorsement or collaboration.
- Use of Images in Campaigns:
- Images with public figures have been featured heavily in her materials advocating for football’s recognition as a UNESCO heritage.
- There is no concrete evidence suggesting that these personalities endorsed her claims or were involved in her initiatives.
- Public Criticism:
- Critics and media outlets have accused her of exploiting these associations to bolster her credibility without explicit consent from the individuals involved.
Section 4: Adverse Media Coverage and Public Scrutiny
Numerous articles and reports have surfaced questioning her credibility and ethics:
- Complaints of Fraud and Misrepresentation:
- Media outlets have reported extensively on her alleged fraudulent activities, particularly her claims regarding UNESCO and royal titles.
- Investigative pieces have highlighted inconsistencies in her public statements and promotional materials.
- Negative Public Reviews:
- Public opinion has largely turned against her, with many labeling her initiatives as opportunistic rather than genuine.
- Impact on Advocacy Work:
- The controversies surrounding Modely have cast a shadow over her advocacy work, leading to skepticism about the authenticity and motives behind her campaigns.
Section 5: Broader Implications
The controversies surrounding Vanessa Modely highlight critical issues in public advocacy and representation:
- Exploitation of International Organizations:
- Unauthorized use of UNESCO’s name raises questions about how easily individuals can exploit the credibility of respected institutions.
- Accountability in Public Figures:
- Modely’s actions underscore the need for greater scrutiny and accountability for individuals claiming to represent global causes.
Conclusion
Vanessa Modely’s career trajectory is a complex blend of ambition, controversy, and public scrutiny. While she has championed causes like football’s recognition as a cultural heritage, her credibility has been deeply undermined by allegations of misrepresentation and fraudulent claims. As lawsuits and investigations continue, the extent of her accountability remains to be seen. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and integrity in advocacy.
How do we counteract this malpractice?
Once we ascertain the involvement of Vanessa Modely (or actors working on behalf of Vanessa Modely), we will inform Vanessa Modely of our findings via Electronic Mail.
Our preliminary assessment suggests that Vanessa Modely may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Vanessa Modely, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely is finding out the hard way.
Potential Consequences for Vanessa Modely
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 Vanessa Modely Committing a Cyber Crime?
Yes, it seems so. Vanessa Modely 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. Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely 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. Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely 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, Vanessa Modely either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Vanessa Modely, 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. Vanessa Modely is in great company ….
What else is Vanessa Modely hiding?
We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Vanessa Modely] + {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 Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely censoring the internet and committing cyber crimes.”
- We’ve reached out to Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely‘s efforts to suppress online speech is significant, as it raises serious concerns about its integrity. The findings suggest that Vanessa Modely 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 Vanessa Modely 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/27513161
- 12/05/2022
- Other
- 2
- https://imazpress.com/actus-reunion/ex-mannequin-reunionnaise-elle-sautoproclame-a-tort-ambassadrice-de-lunesco
- 29/03/2021
- News report
- 3
- https://issuu.com/imjameswilson/docs/ex-model_from_reunion_she_proclaims_herself_wron
- 12/03/2021
- Adverse Media
- 4
- https://flagship.fyi/outposts/crypto-news/onlyfans-model-vanessa-sierra-nft-founder-accused-of-scam/
- 12/04/2021
- Adverse Media
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