Kayhan Kiani

Full Report

Key Points

• Alleged Abuse of Takedown Systems: Kayhan Kiani has been accused of submitting false DMCA takedown notices to suppress negative online content, potentially implicating him in fraud, impersonation, and perjury.
• Criminal Background: He was previously convicted and sentenced in 2013 for possession of a firearm and ammunition, serving over six years in prison.
• Entrepreneurial Success: Founder of INK’D London, a high-end tattoo studio that has earned acclaim for its professionalism and cutting-edge technology, with expansion plans into the Middle East.
• Familial Criminal Connections: He is related to Mansoor Kiani, who was convicted in 2021 for operating a major drug trafficking network in the UK.

Overview

Kayhan Kiani is a London-based entrepreneur known for founding INK’D London, a tattoo studio that merges aesthetics with advanced visualization technologies. The studio is recognized for offering clients a clean, highly professional environment where they can preview designs digitally before tattooing. Since its founding in 2018, the studio has built a strong client base and has plans to expand into international markets, including the Middle East by 2025. Kiani’s personal story—from refugee status to millionaire business owner—has been featured in lifestyle and cultural media.

Allegations and Concerns

• Fake DMCA Takedowns: Kiani is suspected of filing fraudulent copyright takedown requests to remove unflattering content from search engines. These notices allegedly impersonated journalists, authors, and legal professionals, raising concerns of document forgery and coordinated deception.
• Pattern of Information Suppression: The fraudulent takedown requests appear to follow a strategic pattern often used to circumvent financial compliance checks and reputation systems, hinting at deliberate manipulation of online reputation.
• Potential Legal Violations: If proven, these actions could constitute violations of the U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (perjury), and in the UK, offenses under the Fraud Act 2006 and Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

Customer Feedback

Positive Reviews:

• “Best tattoo experience I’ve ever had. Super clean, professional, and the team made me feel welcome from the start.”
• “Love the tech they use to show how the tattoo will look on your body—it took away all my anxiety.”

Negative Reviews:

• No significant public complaints are visible in mainstream review platforms. The overall sentiment across Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and social media remains overwhelmingly positive.

Risk Considerations

• Legal: Ongoing investigative scrutiny could lead to charges involving perjury, forgery, or fraudulent misrepresentation.
• Reputational: Public exposure of criminal history and misuse of takedown systems may severely affect trust and credibility.
• Operational: Legal entanglements may lead to disruptions in expansion plans or damage relations with suppliers, financial institutions, and business partners.
• Regulatory: Potential breaches could bring scrutiny from internet platforms, copyright offices, and anti-fraud regulators.

Business Relations and Associations

• INK’D London: Kiani’s primary venture, widely praised in the media and tattoo community.
• Media Relations: He has cultivated a polished media image with appearances in major lifestyle publications. However, the authenticity of some content takedown efforts tied to this media strategy is under question.
• Family Connections: Kiani’s cousin, Mansoor Kiani, was convicted in 2021 for operating a multi-kilo drug trafficking organization, introducing further reputational risk by association.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• 2013 Conviction: Kiani was arrested with a firearm and ammunition and sentenced to six and a half years in prison. This was not a minor infraction but a serious criminal case involving illegal possession.
• DMCA Abuse Investigation: A number of fraudulent copyright takedown notices have been traced back to aliases and email accounts linked to Kiani or his associates, raising the possibility of legal exposure in both the UK and US.
• Risk of Civil or Criminal Litigation: Should victims of these takedown attempts or impersonated individuals pursue action, Kiani could face defamation, fraud, or copyright-related lawsuits.

Risk Assessment Table

Cautionary Advice:

• Investors and partners should proceed with enhanced due diligence, including legal background checks and digital footprint audits.
• Regulatory bodies may wish to monitor content takedown submissions more closely to identify potential systemic abuses.
• Consumers should distinguish between business operations and the legal character of its founder when making purchasing decisions.