Dr. Raja’s recent relocation from Irvine to the newly established Nalluri Plastic Surgery Center on Torrey Pines Road has sparked both interest and skepticism within the medical community.

Nalluri’s extensive menu of services includes conventional plastic surgery and an array of less invasive options, including laser treatments, radiofrequency procedures, CoolSculpting, injectables, and chemical peels.

While impressive on paper, this broad spectrum of offerings raises eyebrows among industry professionals. The efficacy and safety of juggling such diverse procedures under one roof remain questionable.

The surgeon takes pride in his technology-laden office, asserting that cutting-edge equipment allows him to offer a comprehensive suite of treatments. However, this jack-of-all-trades approach may be a double-edged sword.

The sheer variety of services could dilute the quality and attention given to each procedure. Moreover, the notion of a single practitioner overseeing this wide array of treatments casts doubt on the consistency and thoroughness of care patients might receive.

Nalluri’s bold claims of zero wait times and personalized, concierge-style service sound enticing but warrant scrutiny. While the idea of a practice with generously spaced appointments appeals to potential clients, it raises valid concerns about long-term viability.

Maintaining high standards of care while operating under such a business model poses significant challenges in the competitive La Jolla market.

Ironically, Nalluri’s emphasis on the pitfalls of treatments performed by non-surgeons inadvertently highlights potential risks within his own practice.

He cites complications like asymmetry and unevenness, admitting to correcting such issues for patients who sought treatment elsewhere. This acknowledgment of inherent dangers in cosmetic procedures, regardless of the practitioner’s credentials.

The surgeon’s professed passion for his work and satisfaction from transforming patients’ appearances may not fully mitigate the unpredictability of altering natural features.

Nalluri’s preference for temporary or mild treatments as a risk management strategy could potentially fall short of yielding desired results, leaving patients in a cycle of repeated procedures.

Experience vs. Complacency

While Nalluri touts his experience with over 12,000 patients as a strength, this impressive number prompts questions about long-term outcomes and the potential for complacency in patient care.

His shift towards catering to younger demographics seeking non-invasive treatments reflects current trends. Still, it raises ethical concerns about promoting such procedures to a potentially more vulnerable and less experienced clientele.

Furthermore, Nalluri’s observations on social media’s influence on patient expectations add another layer of complexity to the issue.

The pervasive use of filters and altered images on platforms like Instagram and TikTok can set unrealistic beauty standards, potentially leading to patient dissatisfaction and a never-ending quest for perfection.

Troubling Malpractice Lawsuit Details

Recent revelations about a medical malpractice lawsuit tangentially involving Dr. Nalluri have further fueled concerns. While not directly implicated in the case, Nalluri’s role in the aftermath of a serious oversight by physician assistant Amy C. Huber raises questions about the broader implications of medical negligence.

The lawsuit, filed by patient Derrick Dumont against Huber and Sarasota Emergency Associates, P.A., stems from a 2009 incident. Dumont visited the Sarasota Memorial Hospital emergency room with a traumatic crush injury to his left index finger. Huber, the attending physician assistant, allegedly misdiagnosed the injury as a simple laceration, failing to order necessary tests despite the patient’s requests.

Subsequent imaging revealed a complete transection of Dumont’s flexor tendons, necessitating corrective surgery by Dr. Nalluri and extensive follow-up care.

The lawsuit claims that Huber’s negligence directly led to complications and permanent injury, highlighting the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.

Dr. Nalluri’s credentials include Case Western Reserve University training, board certification, and hospital privileges.

My horrible experience with Dr. Raja Nalluri, he has a malpractice case on him!
by inOnlineCriminal

However, qualifications don’t ensure optimal outcomes or ethical practice. His center’s diverse services raise questions about the depth of expertise in each area, sparking debate in the medical community about balancing the breadth of offerings with procedural mastery.

Conclusion

Dr. Raja Nalluri’s entry into La Jolla’s cosmetic surgery market offers extensive services, but his practice model raises concerns. Patients must balance the appeal of personalized care and advanced technology against procedural risks.

Social media’s influence on patient expectations and younger clientele seeking non-invasive treatments further complicates the ethical landscape of Nalluri’s practice.

The boundary between medical necessity and cosmetic desire is blurring, requiring careful consideration from both practitioners and patients.

In conclusion, Dr. Nalluri’s credentials and offerings may be impressive on just paper, but prospective patients would do well to approach them with a critical eye.

Thorough research, multiple consultations, and carefully considering all options remain crucial before undertaking any cosmetic procedure, regardless of the practitioner’s reputation or promises.

He has run multiple crypto scams in the past. Before you spend your money there, it’s crucial that you read the following review.

Update: Aug 6th 2024, A whistleblower came to us and seemed to know a lot of details about Sulim Malook and his wife Jane Malook; we received the email below, and he will send us a lot of information we can publish. Stay tuned...
Hello Lauren,
If you would like more information on Sulim Malook, including details dating back 25 years with information on an additional 25 bogus companies, 15+ business addresses, bankruptcies, and more, I would be happy to provide it. I am currently on vacation, so please give me a week or so. I am very happy to help. Sulim (and his family) have been defrauding people for three decades. I’ll send what I can.
Best regards.

Apart from Crypto Millions Lotto, Sulim Malook owns Wilmington Holdings Limited. He’s been running the firm since December 2019. 

Before this, he ran Ofertas365 Ltd, the company he used to market his previous scam, CML Token. 

At Crypto Millions Lotto, he claims to anonymously help people win major jackpots. You can add funds to your Crypto Million Lotto account in Bitcoin and other currencies. 

However, you can only withdraw in Bitcoin. 

While anonymity might seem attractive to many, the biggest issue in Sulim’s lottery firm is that the company delays your jackpot winnings by at least 30 days. 

On top of that, Sulim has a long history of running fraudulent schemes. 

Users report Crypto Millions Lotto is a total scam as they bought tickets that never showed up on their account: 

The withdrawal limit on Crypto Millions Lotto is $12.5 worth of Bitcoin. Furthermore, Sulim Malook’s lotto firm has a license from Curacao, notorious for having extremely weak regulations. 

Below are some additional points highlighting why you shouldn’t trust Sulim Malook and Crypto Millions Lotto:

Sulim Malook’s Past of Running Crypto Scams

Before launching Crypto Millions Lotto, Sulim promoted the CML token. He claimed the CML token ICO would let people buy shares in his lotto business. 

However, the ICO never took place. 

An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is when a company tries to raise capital through selling a new cryptocurrency. Investors buy the cryptocurrency, hoping it would increase in value as the company grows. 

Sulim Malook had promoted the CML token ICO but people never saw the token. His investors allege it was a fake token and he stole their funds. 

The website Sulim used to promote CML token no longer works. Here’s a snippet of how it used to look: 

Sulim Malook had even plastered the face of his entire family on the website’s landing page: 

Then, he launched LuckyGiftCards, a company that used to sell fake tickets to people for their fake CML tokens. Now, the Lucky Gift Cards website (www.luckygiftcards.com) doesn’t work.

There’s a backup of that site here.

He had spent heavily on promoting both of these fraudulent schemes. There are plenty of promotional articles available on the internet highlighting their pros. 

Below are some of their snippets: 

Lucky Gift Cards: The Most Recent Scam By Sulim

After promoting the fake CML token and a fraudulent ICO, Sulim Malook began promoting Lucky Gift Cards. He stuffed the web with paid reviews of the scam making it seem legitimate. 

At the time, it was a sister company of Crypto Millions Lotto under the management of Wilmington Holdings PC. 

Lucky Gift Cards allow users to buy cards that can enter their draws. Cards with higher values allow users to increase the size of their potential winnings. 

According to Sulim Malook, the lottery pool structure meant every user would have a higher chance of winning as all involved might hit the $30+ million jackpot. 

The minimum amount to register a card on Lucky Gift Cards was $25. Just like Sulim’s current venture, you could buy cards on Lucky Gift Cards through multiple payment methods. However, you could only use the funds to buy cards. There was no withdrawal option. 

The small deposit limit and the lucrative claims sound similar. That’s because Sulim Malook makes similar claims on Crypto Millions Lotto. 

When Sulim Malook’s Daughter Was in the News for Her Racist Rant:

While promoting the CML token, Sulim claimed that his daughter, Natasha Malook, is an expert in lotteries and has worked extensively in the sector. 

However, she has a shady past of her own. 

In 2014, the then-23-year-old was arrested when she screamed racist abuses at 2 police officers. Moreover, he kicked another police officer that night. 

According to media reports, she had passed out as she was extremely drunk. Natasha Malook had a night out with her friends. 

She had called the police officers “n####r”, “p#ki” and “black b#tch”. 

Then, she was arrested. She pleaded guilty to two counts of using racially aggravated threatening behavior towards police officers. 

The prosecutors said Natasha drank with friends and had at least 8 pints of beer. CCTV footage showed her wandering around, sitting on the platform, and falling asleep. 

The supervisor tried to wake her up as she missed the last train. When the police arrived, she started using racist slurs, saying, “You’ve got a chip on your shoulder ‘cos you’re black”. 

Currently, she is a part of Sulim Malook’s ventures. 

Conclusion

Considering Sulim Malook’s long history of running scams, I don’t recommend signing up for Crypto Millions Lotto. 

Beware of such schemes. 

Avoid dealing with Crypto Millions Lotto and Sulim. 

Given the recent incidents involving the corporation, this move makes sense. Every member of GPB Capital’s senior management has vanished from the company’s website.

Among those who have chosen this disappearing act is GPB Capital’s CEO, David Gentile. It’s interesting to see that Gentile changed his LinkedIn profile rather significantly. He no longer poses as the chief executive officer of a $1.7 billion private equity business based in New York City.

Rather, he has reduced himself to a partner at Gentile, Pismeny & Brengel, his father’s Long Island accounting firm.

The decision to remove all references to GPB Capital from LinkedIn profiles—including Gentile’s own—raises questions regarding the business’s stability and standing. Senior management was recently removed from GPB Capital’s website, raising the possibility of internal disputes or legal problems at the company.

It is significant to remember that GPB Capital has been under increasing investigation lately. The business is embroiled in multiple investigations involving fraud claims and possible Ponzi scheme activity. Consequently, investors have seen large losses.

Due to these developments, certain GPB Capital associates—including Muscato and maybe Gentile—have openly distanced themselves from the company. By eliminating any reference to GPB Capital from their LinkedIn accounts, they might be trying to distance themselves from the continuing disputes involving the business.

Nevertheless, this attempt to disassociate oneself from GPB Capital on LinkedIn might not completely protect people from criticism.

Due to ongoing investigations and legal processes, the activities of persons once connected to the company will likely continue to be thoroughly examined.

It’s unclear how these recent developments and controversies will affect the company’s and its associates’ futures while we wait for more information on the GPB Capital predicament.

What is happening at GPB Capital Holdings? Is there an inner fall down in progress?

Scientology: Allow Hidden Approach

Stephen Epstein Like many former Scientologists, South had to figure out how to highlight his experience on his résumé without directly referencing the group.

However, Muscato has deftly skirted this issue by avoiding any direct reference to his ten years as an Executive Director for Scientology organizations in New York and Long Island.

Muscato decided to leave the Scientology staff to pursue a college degree with distinction, following in the footsteps of other bright young Scientologists like Brian Marshall of GPB Capital Holdings.

This freed him from the slave wages that Scientology paid its devoted religious workers and allowed him to pursue a business career where he could make a good living.

Resuming Sensitivity

Scientology employees and former Sea Org members frequently struggle to portray their experience on resumes. The organization’s negative reputation stems from dishonest techniques like Fair Game and Disconnection.

Because of the organization’s sleazy, dishonest, and perverted actions against its members, critics, journalists, and others, many Scientologists—many of whom make financial contributions to support these practices—choose to conceal their involvement with the group.

Although they may personally benefit from auditing, many Scientologists isolate themselves from the organization and become covert Scientologists in their professional lives.

Dustin Muscato has adeptly sidestepped his ten years on Scientology staff by seamlessly switching to a more polished and professional resume type. His creativity and agility are evident in how he handled this difficult circumstance.

Stephen Epstein of CA South: The Realiste Pooled Investment Fund, owned by Scientologists

According to their resume, Muscato may serve as a board counselor for The Realistic Vehicle, the newest Nashville-based pooled investment vehicle Scientologists operate. Megan Epstein, a Scientologist, and her husband, Stephen Epstein, CA South, own this fund.

Speaking at Scientology’s success funding session in the past is Stephen Epstein, CA South.

In 2015, Megan Epstein, Stephen Epstein’s wife, founded CA South, a Nashville real estate development business.

In 2019, Stephen Epstein, CA South, and his spouse founded Realiste Fund. One may only examine a single section of the Realiste Fund website, acting as though Realiste and CA South are unrelated organizations.

The Realist Fund has collaborated with Megan Epstein, Stephen Epstein’s wife in California South, to monitor the rise in office condominiums, flex-office desks, and residential condominiums.

The fact that Stephen Epstein established a realistic fund to finance CA South’s initiatives is true.

The organization’s ownership and the department’s relationship facilitate the creation of innovative deals that support and finance the entire transactional universe, which local developers cannot do.

Thus, Stephen Epstein and his wife, Megan Epstein, own and founded the CA South and Realiste Fund.

The Realiste Fund’s private justice collecting is responsible for Nashville’s development projects.

The Realiste Fund, established by Stephen Epstein CA South, prioritizes the needs of the imprisoned and the economic sector in CA South.

The Réaliste Fund is attempting to raise approximately $100 million, according to reports based on the Security and Exchange Commission, which filed this complaint. The Réaliste Fund stated that in this instance, it clarifies the anticipated fifteen percent of the one hundred million dollars that will be used for administrative expenses.

Reimbursement for a structural benefit. For instance, the expenditures associated with managing speculation, evolution, financial gains, and their interests are typically estimated at $15 million over the fund’s life.

Realistic Funds owner Stephen Epstein has demonstrated that the company has paid its dealer, BA Securities LLC, $2.2 million in employment.

The dealer’s headquarters are in West Conshohocken. The company’s sales cost is approximately $15 million, pushing the commissions over 10% of Capital Territory.

Stephen Epstein’s wife, Megan, founded Realistic Funds.

The proprietor of Realiste Fund and wife of Stephen Epstein, Megan Epstein, quietly alludes to Scientology on her webpage while acknowledging her support of a local Human Rights organization.

She mentions in passing her commitment to charitable endeavors and her support of CCHRnashville.org, a Nashville-based branch that works to shield kids from prescription drug addiction and overdrugging.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, or CCHR for short, is well-known for its divisive opinions and is frequently linked to Scientology. There are disagreements, though, over which branch of Scientology is the most radical: CCHR or the Religious Technology Center under David Miscavige.

Popular Scientologist John Alex Wood claimed on social media that L. Ron Hubbard, the organization’s founder, taught about psychiatrists (sometimes called “Psychs”) who came from a planet named Farsec.

Hubbard claims that Psychs employ mental medications and technology implants to enslave humans. To get out of this purported trap, Scientology suggests a $360,000 procedure called auditing, which entails telepathically exorcising physical thetans for at least five to ten years.

Stephen and Megan Epstein, like all other Scientologists, believe that psychiatry needs to be destroyed for Scientology to succeed.

As such, it is not unusual to see Scientologists demonstrate outside of American Psychiatric Association meetings, frequently voicing absurd accusations against doctors, like that they electroshock kids too much.

Stephen and Megan Epstein would prefer to remain covert as they attempt to raise $100 million for their Réaliste Fund and avoid directly referencing Scientology. The Epsteins are avid supporters of Nashville.

Members of Scientology Drive Yet Another Clearwater Land-Purchase Boom

Ed Chesney, the director of the city’s marine and aviation department, received good news in late 2019 from his real estate agent about his two rental houses and two vacant fields at the North Marina. The buyer promised to pay $1 million in cash for the adjacent parcels; Chesney does not know who this buyer is.

This sum was four times the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s estimated value.

Unaware of the buyer’s intentions, Chesney never asked them about their house plans. Chesney, the head of the city’s aviation and marine department, had always hoped that private investors would bring life to the North Marina Area.

This 13-block neighborhood is home to century-old bungalows with views of Clearwater Harbor and vacant lots. The public Seminole Boat Ramp is a notable feature and a symbol of the city’s commitment to the area’s transformation. The renovations cost $6.5 million.

The buying corporations purchased twelve residential properties, five unoccupied business buildings, and 28 undeveloped parcels in the district for $11.8 million in cash. The majority of these properties were not in good condition.

The city of Clearwater received a casual query concerning a parcel of undeveloped land at the southeast corner of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue last year.

In November 2020, a limited liability company headed by a CA South employee bought these six parcels. Established in Nashville, Tennessee, CA South is a real estate company led by Megan Epstein, the wife of Stephen Epstein, and managed by her husband. Both Megan and Stephen Epstein are members of the Scientology organization.

Stephen Epstein and city representatives discussed the potential for creating a multifamily and commercial project on the previously mentioned property in December. Philip Kirkpatrick, senior coordinator for economic development at Clearwater, attested to the conversation.

Through a representative, Epstein replied via email, stating that CA South had thought about developing the homes for a client.

But when the city refused to loosen a regulation that forbade a parking lot level facing North Fort Harrison Avenue, they finally decided to give up on the project.

About Stephen Epstein, CA South

Stephen entered the real estate development industry after graduating from the University of Southern California in 2003. He started working for Conquest Student Accommodation, a prestigious boutique specializing in real estate development, especially for student accommodation.

Stephen was allowed to refine his skills and knowledge at Conquest Student Housing, which boasts an exceptional portfolio of student housing developments valued at over $150 million.

The business invested $11.8 million in cash into various district-based assets in a fascinating development. Among these assets were twelve dilapidated dwellings, five abandoned business buildings, and twenty-eight undeveloped land plots.

Conclusion

Over the last year, the city has approached the vacant land at the intersection of Seminole Street and North Fort Harrison Avenue informally.

Interestingly, these six plots were acquired in 2020 by an LLC managed by a person connected to CA South, a well-known real estate company founded by Megan Epstein and disclosed by her husband, Stephen Epstein CA South.

The Church of Scientology counts Meghan Epstein and Stephen Epstein as active members.

According to the document, RAMARAJ claimed that his company DAB (Design and Build) obtained a contract with “The Boring Company,” which is described as “an infrastructure, tunnel construction company founded by Elon Musk.” Specifically:

1. In or around September 2021, RAMARAJ told INDIVIDUAL A that DAB had obtained a contract with The Boring Company.
2. RAMARAJ used this alleged contract as a pretext to borrow $40,000 from INDIVIDUAL A, claiming he needed the money to cover the bond associated with the contract.
3. RAMARAJ promised to pay INDIVIDUAL A $16,000 in interest and return the principal after about a month and a half.

It’s important to note that this claim about working with The Boring Company, like many of RAMARAJ’s other claims about contracts and business relationships, appears to have been fraudulent. The document does not provide any evidence that DAB actually had a contract with The Boring Company or any other Elon Musk-affiliated entity.

RAMARAJ also claimed to have contracts with other major entities, including:

1. “DC Water”
2. Virginia Department of Transportation
3. The city of Alexandria, Virginia
4. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

However, the investigation revealed that many of these claimed contracts were fabricated, with RAMARAJ producing falsified documents to support his claims.

The FBI has concluded there is probable cause to arrest Babu Ramaraj for wire fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Special Agent Michael Major submitted this conclusion after investigating Ramaraj’s alleged financial crimes.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William B. Porter attested to the document authorizing an arrest warrant on May 28, 2024. The charges stem from violations of Title 18 U.S. Code Sections 1343, 1957, and 1028A(a)(1).

According to the SEC’s complaint, from February 2019 to May 2024, Ramaraj enticed investors with promises of 40-60% annual returns. He allegedly claimed these returns would come from financing surety and performance bonds for large-scale government contracts awarded to DAB for quality assurance services. To support his claims, Ramaraj reportedly fabricated contracts and financial documents.

Ramaraj is said to have fabricated contracts and financial documentation to support his false claims. However, the SEC asserts that these contracts were entirely fictitious. Ramaraj instead utilized investor funds for personal gain, including acquiring luxury vehicles, jewelry, and property, engaging in unprofitable options trading, and compensating earlier investors.

The SEC’s complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, charges Ramaraj with violating various securities laws and seeks an injunction, disgorgement, penalties, and a bar on serving as an officer or director.

Concurrently, in June 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced separate criminal charges against Ramaraj for wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, which are currently pending.

Investment fraud remains a significant issue in the United States, with annual losses estimated between $10-40 billion. According to a 2021 FINRA Investor Education Foundation study, approximately 1 in 10 Americans fall victim to financial fraud in their lifetime, with a median loss of around $18,000 per victim, as the Federal Trade Commission reported. Ponzi schemes, similar to the one alleged in the Ramaraj case, account for approximately 15-20% of all investment fraud cases.

The SEC’s investigation was conducted by a team from the Philadelphia Regional Office, supervised by senior officials. Karen M. Klotz and Judson Mihok will lead the SEC’s litigation, which Gregory R. Bockin will supervise.

The SEC acknowledges the assistance provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the FBI, and the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

While fraud affects all age groups, older adults often suffer the highest median losses. Notably, only about 1 in 4 fraud victims report the crime to authorities, and less than 10% fully recover their losses.

In fiscal year 2023, the SEC brought 784 enforcement actions and obtained orders for nearly $5 billion in financial remedies, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat such fraudulent activities.

Tarun Gaur, the kingpin behind an Indian Norton/McAfee impersonation ring, is also the founder of several scam operations that falsely claim to be based in the U.S. However, their employees work from Indian call centers. These include TringApps, Inc., which claims to be based in New York City, and Qikfox Cybersecurity Systems, Inc., which claims to be located in San Mateo, California.

The positive reviews for these companies often seem fake or are likely posted by their own employees. For instance, Jinigram’s BBB listing has eight positive reviews, and Qikfox’s Google listing has seven. Complaints about these operations include fraudulent representation as McAfee, charging $279 twice for a three-year Qikfox service tied to McAfee, and misleading victims into buying $130 in gift cards from CVS by falsely claiming their services had crashed.

Chester Clark, Junior of New Britain, fell victim to a sophisticated cash shipping scheme in 2017 that left him $7,200 poorer. Now, in July 2024, he’s facing a resurgence of similar scam attempts, possibly linked to his choice of web browser.

In 2017, Clark paid Jinigram, an IT company, $800 to maintain his desktop computer. “They would go into my computer if I had a problem. They would straighten it out,” Clark explained. This routine service led to a costly affair when scammers, posing as Jinigram representatives, convinced Clark to send $7,200 in cash via FedEx under the guise of refunding an overpayment.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported. The median loss for individuals aged 70 and over was $4,400, significantly higher than other age groups.

The scammers accessed Clark’s accounts and transferred money from his Home Equity line. Despite efforts to recover the cash, it vanished without a trace. FedEx eventually settled Clark’s claim for a mere $112.

Now, seven years later, Clark is once again being targeted. Since July 2024, he has received calls from a company identified as Jinigram LLC. This resurgence of scam attempts has raised questions about potential vulnerabilities in Clark’s online activities.

Clark’s Qikfox browser may be connected to these new scam attempts. Cybersecurity experts have long warned that lesser-known browsers might have security vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit. A 2023 study by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) found that users of non-mainstream browsers were 35% more likely to fall victim to phishing attacks.

“I switched to Qikfox a few months ago, thinking it would be secure and faster,” Clark said. “Now I’m wondering if that’s how these scammers got my information again.”

Adding to the concern, Clark’s neighbor has also started rereceiving suspicious calls, with scammers now posing as an official rep of McAfee antivirus software. This tactic aligns with recent trends: the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported a 69% increase in tech support fraud in 2023, with losses totaling over $730 million.

The US and UK authorities urge internet users to be cautious, especially when using less mainstream browsers. They advise:

1. Stick to well-known, regularly updated browsers
2. Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially those requesting financial information
3. Never send cash through the mail
4. Regularly update all software and use reputable antivirus programs

As scams continue to spread, with perpetrators now impersonating well-known software companies, vigilance is more important than ever. The FTC reports that in the first quarter of 2024, there was a 22% increase in reported cases of scammers impersonating legitimate tech companies.

Clark’s ongoing experience reminds us that scammers constantly find new ways to exploit unsuspecting victims in our digital world. The FBI’s Internet Crime Report for 2023 showed that individuals over 60 years old accounted for 29% of all fraud victims, with losses exceeding $3.1 billion.

“I never thought I’d be targeted again,” Clark said. “But here we are. My advice? Be careful what you click on, what browser you use, and who you trust with your information.”

In conclusion, Tarun Gaur, an infamous Indian entrepreneur, is fraudulent and lures non-technical citizens by using Jinigram to call victims of cyber fraud through QikFox.

The story originally appeared on my friend’s website and is reprinted with permission.

Our investigation into the SEC’s complaint reveals a complex web of deceit allegedly spun by Amah from April 2016 to July 2019. During this period, Amah, a respected member of the Grail Movement, reportedly convinced nine co-religionists to entrust him with their savings, promising both financial returns and support for their shared spiritual cause.

At the center of Amah’s alleged fraud were two investment programs: the Mountain Support Initiative – Investment Trading (MOSI-IT) and the MOSI-IT Special Project. These were marketed as vehicles not just for personal gain, but as a means to financially bolster their religious community, particularly a settlement in Vomperberg, Austria, known as “the Mountain.”

The SEC’s complaint paints a damning picture of Amah’s actions. Despite losing over 97% of his clients’ assets within five months of beginning to trade, Amah allegedly continued to claim modest returns of 3-5%. He reportedly used these false claims of success to solicit additional investments, arguing that he could generate even greater returns with more capital.

Our examination of the complaint reveals that MOSI-IT, the primary investment vehicle, was never formally established as a legal entity. Instead, Amah allegedly commingled investors’ funds in a sub-account of his pre-existing hedge fund, Lumine Fund. This was done without the knowledge or consent of the investors or the fund’s other partners, according to the SEC.

By December 2016, just months after initiating trading with MOSI-IT funds, Amah had reportedly lost over 73% of the initial $300,000 investment, reducing it to a mere $81,939.54. Yet, he continued to report positive returns to his clients.

The SEC alleges that Amah went to great lengths to conceal these losses. In June 2018, he reportedly fabricated a performance statement showing a return of 5.96% on capital of $415,000, valuing the investment at $439,751. The reality, according to the SEC, was far grimmer – the actual value of his clients’ investments at that time was only $4,907.

As losses mounted, Amah allegedly intensified his efforts to attract more capital. Between June and December 2017, existing MOSI-IT clients and a new advisory client invested an additional $140,000, lured by Amah’s promises of better returns with increased capital.

The MOSI-IT Special Project, launched in 2018, followed a similar pattern. Amah allegedly raised $158,000 from two investors, including $150,000 from a single individual referred to as “Investor 1” in the complaint. These funds were reportedly transferred directly to Amah’s personal bank account and then to his personal brokerage accounts. By the end of 2018, the SEC claims Amah had lost almost all of this money as well.

Throughout this period, Amah allegedly continued to misrepresent the performance of these investments. In April 2019, he reportedly told the Special Project investors that their investment had suffered a 79.67% loss, when in fact, the losses were closer to 100%.

The SEC’s complaint also accuses Amah of breaching his fiduciary duties to his clients in multiple ways. Not only did he allegedly fail to disclose the true extent of the losses, but he also used MOSI-IT client assets to pay expenses owed by Lumine Fund, effectively forcing some clients to subsidize others without their knowledge or consent.

Our investigation reveals that Amah’s alleged fraud extended beyond verbal misrepresentations. The SEC claims he took active steps to create a facade of legitimacy around his operations. He allegedly drafted and distributed offering documents, including a question and answer document and investment management agreements. These documents, while giving an appearance of professionalism, allegedly contained misleading information about fees, projected returns, and the structure of the investments.

The impact of Amah’s alleged actions extends far beyond financial losses. The SEC’s complaint suggests a profound breach of trust within a close-knit religious community. Amah allegedly exploited the shared beliefs and goals of his fellow Grail Movement members, using their desire to support their religious cause as leverage to extract more investments even as losses mounted.

The SEC is now seeking significant penalties against Amah. The complaint asks the court for permanent injunctions to prevent Amah from further violations of securities laws, disgorgement of all ill-gotten gains with interest, and civil monetary penalties.

Dr. Stephen Robb, Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, comments on the case: “The Amah case exemplifies a distressing trend we’ve observed in our research. Affinity fraud, where perpetrators exploit shared beliefs or identities, has been on the rise. Our latest study indicates that such schemes now account for approximately 20% of all reported investment frauds, with religious communities being particularly vulnerable.”

Lori Schock, Director of the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, said that the case lacks the importance of due diligence, even when investing with people you know and trust. According to our data, in 2020 alone, the SEC received over 23,000 tips, complaints, and referrals related to investment fraud. Many of these cases involved situations where investors failed to thoroughly investigate the investment opportunity or the background of the person offering it

This case raises serious questions about the intersection of faith and finance. How did Amah’s position within the Grail Movement factor into his ability to allegedly perpetrate this fraud? Did the shared religious beliefs of the investors make them more susceptible to trusting Amah’s claims without proper due diligence?

Moreover, this case highlights potential weaknesses in the oversight of small-scale investment advisers. How was Amah able to allegedly operate this scheme for over three years without detection? Are there sufficient safeguards in place to protect investors in similar situations?

As we await the outcome of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decisions, even when dealing with trusted members of one’s own community. It underscores the need for investors to be wary of promises of consistent returns, especially when combined with appeals to shared values or beliefs.

The allegations against Amah, if proven true, represent not just a violation of securities laws, but a betrayal of the trust placed in him by his religious community. As this case moves through the legal system, it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the members of the Grail Movement who entrusted Amah with their investments. It stands as a cautionary tale about the potential for fraud to occur in even the most seemingly trustworthy circumstances, and the devastating consequences such actions can have on individuals and communities alike.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The multistate law firm Morris Legal has launched a class action lawsuit against NovaTech, Ltd. and several individuals in New York, alleging a large-scale Ponzi scheme. The lawsuit, seeking $2.3 billion in damages, was filed in the Federal Court of the Southern District of New York.

The case, “Mullins v. Novatech, Cynthia Petion, Martin Jean Zizi, et al.” (Case Number 1:24-CV-00824), has been assigned to a former federal prosecutor.

Morris Legal alleges that the defendants willfully constructed a Ponzi scheme to defraud millions of investors of over two billion dollars.

Named defendants in Mullins’ proposed class action are:

1. Cynthia Petion, co-founder and CEO of NovaTech FX
2. Eddy Petion, husband of Cynthia Petion and co-founder and COO of NovaTech FX
3. Ricardo Roy, Cynthia Petion’s brother and CTO of NovaTech FX
4. Debora Brasil (aka Debora Brazil), a Florida resident, President of NovaTech FX, and “Cynthia petion’s advisor”
5. NovaTech LTD, a St. Vincent and Grenadines shell company
6. NovaTech FX, the MLM crypto Ponzi scheme run through NovaTech LTD
7. NovaTech Advisors LLC, a Florida company owned by Cynthia and Eddy Petion
8. Nova Pay LLC, a Florida company owned by Cynthia and Eddy Petion and Ricardo Roy
9. NovaTrading OU – Estonian shell company owned by Cynthia and Eddy Petion
10. Frantz Ciceron, New York resident, CEO of Ciceron Frantz & Associates Inc. and Senior Director promoter of NovaTech FX
11. Frantz Ciceron & Associates, a New York company alleged to have laundered NovaTech FX investor funds
12. Jean Martin Zizi, Georgia resident and Senior Director promoter of NovaTech FX
13. Travis Bieberitz, a Tennessee resident, NovaTech FX promoter and “serial promote of Ponzi scheme[s]”
14. Bob Saint Louis, a Long Island resident and NovaTech FX promoter
15. John Garofano, a NovaTech FX promoter
16. Paul J. DeRenzo, a Pennsylvania resident and NovaTech FX promoter
17. James Gorbett [sic], a Senior Director promoter of NovaTech FX

Mullins’ proposed class action was originally filed on February 5th. An Amended class action Complaint was filed on February 7th.

As alleged by Mullins, each of the individual NovaTech FX Defendants

• directly participated in the management of NovaTech FX and was directly involved in the day-to-day operation of the company at the highest levels;
• was privy to confidential proprietary information concerning the Company and its business operations;
• was directly or indirectly involved in drafting, producing, reviewing and/or disseminating false and misleading statements and information;
• was directly or indirectly involved in the oversight or implementation of the Company’s internal controls;
• was aware of or recklessly disregarded the fact that the false and misleading statements were being issued concerning the Company; and/or
• approved or ratified these statements in violation of federal securities laws;
• knew this was a fraud and intentionally participated in it;
• knew that this was a Ponzi scheme and that the money paid to investors were not from investment in cryptocurrency, but money from new investors; and
• knew that neither Cynthia Petion nor Eddy Petion had a license from any relevant authority to sale [sic] securities

At the state level, Mullins alleges specific fraud allegations in Washington, Wisconsin and California.

Concerning the named individual promoters of NovaTech FX, Mullins alleges Jean Martin Zizi held in-person NovaTech FX promo events in Long Island.

Zizi purportedly promoted NovaTech FX through his company Trinity of Success, targeting “people who are unsophisticated and [k]new very little about cryptocurrency”.

Bob Saint Louis, cited as a “self-titled Christian pastor” and Baptist minister, promoted NovaTech FX with his wife, Sophia Saint Louis (together, right).

The husband-and-wife pair worked together with other Defendants to recruit investors under them.

In or about 2022, the Saint-Louises, became senior directors of Novatech, having recruited more than a thousand people.

They joined Defendant Zizi and held several large public meetings at hotels in New York City for the purpose of recruiting and defrauding members of the class.

Frantz Ciceron is alleged to have joined the Ponzi scheme, knowing that Novatech was a Ponzi scheme designed to defraud investors who knew very little about cryptocurrency.

Mullins accuses Ciceron of targeting the Haitian American community in Brooklyn.

Paul DeRenzo is cited as “in charge of recruiting [NovaTech FX investors] in Pennsylvania.

[DeRenzo] knew that Novatech was a Ponzi scheme and participated in the crime because [DeRenzo] received a percentage of the money invested.

DeRenzo is another serial Ponzi fraud offender. In addition to being personally named in Wisconsin’s regulatory action against NovaTech FX, DeRenzo was named in Wisconsin’s recent “global fraud scheme” cease against GSPartners.

John Garofano has been cited as a scammer who has been shilling Ponzi schemes on YouTube for the past two years.

James Gorbett is again cited as a NovaTech FX promoter who “knew that NovaTech was a Ponzi scheme designed to defraud investors of their money.”

I couldn’t find a “James Gorbett” tied to NovaTech, but I did come across “Global Ambassador” James Corbett.

I believe this is the individual referenced in Mullins’ complaint with a misspelled surname.

Travis Bieberitz is alleged to have joined Novatech FX in 2019. I confirmed his status as a “serial promoter of Ponzi scheme[s].”

Mullins again accuses Bieberitz (right) of targeting “people who are unsophisticated and know very little about investing in cryptocurrency.”

Bieberitz, assured prospective investors that unlike the investment that he had promoted in the past, Novatech was neither a scam nor a Ponzi Scheme, and that investors could be confident that the anonymous individuals managing Novatech would never “pull the rug” and steal investors’ funds.

Although she’s primarily cited as being part of corporate and close to Cynthia Petion, Debora Brazil is also accused of personally recruiting “several hundreds of people” into NovaTech FX.

Cynthia Petion’s brother, Ricardo Roy, is cited as “the architect of the Ponzi scheme, designing the computer system that reports the fake returns.”

Roy claims to have been “in charge of the directors and the Senior directors of Novatech.”

If approved, Mullins’ proposed class covers all NovaTech FX victims who signed up and invested between January 2019 and December 2023.

Specific causes of action alleged against the NovaTech FX Defendants across twenty-five counts include:

• Conduct or Participation in a RICO Enterprise through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity
• Acquisition and Maintenance of an Interest in and Control of an Enterprise Engaged in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity
• Use of Income Derived from a Pattern of Racketeering Activity in the Operation of an Enterprise Engaged in Activities Which Affect Interstate or Foreign Commerce
• Conspiracy to Engage in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity
• Breach of Contract
• Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
• Unjust Enrichment
• Conversion / Theft / Embezzlement
• fraud
• Intentional Misrepresentation
• Civil Conspiracy
• Use of Income Derived from a Pattern of Racketeering Activity in the Operation of an Enterprise under New York Organized Crime Control Act Article 460
• Conduct or Participation in an Enterprise through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity under the New York Crime Controlled (RICO) Act, Article 460
• Acquisition and Maintenance of an Interest in or Control over any Enterprise under New York Crime Controlled Act of 1986
• Conspiracy to Violate the Provisions of Article 460 et seq., of New York Crime Control Act
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
• Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
• multiple violations of The Exchange Act

Of note is that NovaTech FX collapsed in February 2023. The Petions went into hiding in late 2022 and haven’t been publicly seen.

I’ve heard rumblings they fled to Haiti but haven’t seen anything definitive.

How Mullins intends to serve the Petions with the class-action complaint remains unclear.

Other irregularities I noted with Mullins’ Complaint include numerous spelling errors and improper formatting.

The case docket notes multiple issues with Mullins’ original complaint, including misspelling of party names. Unless there’s a “James Gorbett” I couldn’t find, party names are still misspelled in Mullins’ revised February 7th Amended Complaint filing.

It also appears that Mullins’ attorney demanded $200 billion when filing the original complaint. The court clerk corrected this to $9.9 million on February 6th.

While NovaTech FX was a Ponzi scheme, and the Perpetrators and promoters should be brought to justice, I’m getting a bit of a question mark over the longevity of this suit.

Forever USDT fails to provide ownership or executive information on its website. Forever USDA’s website domain foreverusdt.com was registered with bogus details on June 16th, 2024. Forever USDT’s website domain is being registered through the Chinese registrar Alibaba (Singapore).

The Federal Trade Commission reported that between January 2021 and June 2023, more than 46,000 people lost over $1 billion to crypto scams in the United States alone. Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment platforms, like Forever USDT, appear to have made up approximately 32% of all crypto-related scams in 2023.

FOREVER is the world’s best digital currency quantitative trading platform. Its main feature is to provide diversified quantitative transactions to quickly earn commissions. Investors can choose the appropriate template according to their needs to invest and earn commissions. Our working principle is: Our system will automatically add the USDT you deposit into our total fund pool. When your account deposit amount reaches, you can quantify the daily commission you obtain. Because manual market trading requires a lot of manpower, material resources and time to monitor and collect data from different exchanges to complete transactions. This process may miss the best trading opportunities, resulting in reduced profits or even asset shrinkage. Therefore, FOREVER fully automated was born. FOREVER is equipped with 24-hour manual online customer service to track and solve investors’ problems in real time. The trading interface is stable and reliable, and the transaction execution speed is fast, providing investors with an excellent trading experience.

https://foreverusdt.com

Examples of already collapsed “click a button” apps Ponzis using the stolen identity ruse are SuperAI App, Ecard Bot, and HP USDT. Recent examples of quantitative trading ruses include OLYMP Quantify, Oscar AI, and Henry.

As always, if an MLM company is not openly upfront about who runs or owns it, think long and hard before joining and/or handing over any money.

Forever USDT’s Products

Forever USDT does not offer retail products or services. Affiliates can only market the Forever USDT affiliate membership itself.

Forever USDT’s Compensation Plan

Forever USDT affiliates invest tether (USDT). This is done on the promise of advertised returns:

• F01 – invest 14 to 53 USDT and receive 14% a day
• F02 – invest 54 to 153 USDT and receive 14.3% a day
• F03 – invest 154 to 349 USDT and receive 14.7% a day
• F04 – invest 350 to 799 USDT and receive 15.1% a day
• F05 – invest 800 to 1599 USDT and receive 15.5% a day
• F06 – invest 1600 to 3399 USDT and receive 16% a day
• F07 – invest 3400 to 6999 USDT and receive 16.6% a day
• F08 – invest 7000 to 15,999 USDT and receive 17.2% a day
• F09 – invest 16,000 to 29,999 USDT and receive 17.8% a day
• F10 – invest 30,000 to 99,999 USDT and receive 18.5% a day

Forever USDT pays referral commissions on invested USDT down three levels of recruitment (unilevel):

• level 1 (personally recruited affiliates) – 11%
• level 2 – 3%
• level 3 – 2%

Joining Forever USDT

Forever USDT affiliate membership is free. Full participation in the attached income opportunity requires a minimum 14 USDT investment.

Forever USDT is yet another “click a button” app Ponzi scheme. Forever USDT misappropriates the name and branding of the MLM company Forever Living Products.

Forever USDT has nothing to do with Forever Living Products. Its Ponzi ruse is “quantitative trading.”

The presented ruse is that Forever USDT affiliates log in and click a button (the more invested, the more the button needs to be clicked). Clicking the button purportedly generates revenue via quantitative trading, which Forever USDT shares a percentage of with affiliate investors.

Forever is a quantitative trading platform that provides investors with tools and services for quantitative trading and helps them do better. In other words, the weapons are ready for you in the quantitative trading platform.

You don’t need to build them yourself; you must learn to use them. With intelligent algorithms as the guide and digital financial transactions as the core, create a trillion-level AI intelligent quantitative market.

If that makes no sense, it’s because it doesn’t. Randoms clicking a button in an app doesn’t trigger quantitative trading. In reality, clicking a button inside Forever USDT does nothing. All Forever USDT does is recycle newly invested funds to pay earlier investors.

Most of the “click a button” app Ponzi average loss per victim in crypto investment scams was around $14,000 in 2023.

“Click a button” app Ponzis disappears by disabling their websites and apps. This tends to happen without notice, leaving most investors with a loss (inevitable Ponzi math).

The same group of Chinese scammers is believed to be behind the “click a button” app Ponzi plague. Notably, stablecoins like USDT, which Forever USDT uses, are increasingly being used in scams, accounting for 18% of all crypto scam transactions in 2023.

Investors should exercise extreme caution with schemes like Forever USDT, given the alarming trends in crypto scams and the red flags in this operation.

Dr Ourian’s career exploded after he was somehow endorsed by the Kardashian family. According to reports, he built a connection with celebrities of such caliber. As his career exploded and Dr Ourian started to be regarded as a celebrity dermatologist, it was only natural for his business ventures to surge in popularity. 

One of his main business ventures is Epione, a clinic located in Beverly Hills. According to their website, Epione was first established in 1998. Initially located in California, the website claimed that Epione is a clinic dedicated to aesthetic laser surgery. To this day, Dr Ourian tries to distinguish itself for its “state-of-the-art” laser surgery technology, which we will discuss more in the following paragraphs. 

Another of Dr Ourian’s business ventures is Epione Skin Care, where he sells a wide variety of high-end skin care products, including different types of serum and concealer. While there is no hard evidence in the following story, Dr Ourian stated that Epione Skin Care results from his frustration with the lack of effective skincare he could recommend to his patients. Thus, he partnered with a laboratory to develop his formulas, which eventually sold as Epione Skin Care. 

More about cosmetic dermatology

Since Dr. Simon Ourian is a cosmetic dermatologist, let us tell you more about cosmetic dermatology, what it offers, the education and training required to be a good cosmetic dermatologist, and the risks involved in cosmetic dermatology procedures.

In general, dermatology is a medical study that deals with hair, nails, and skin. Dermatology mostly addresses issues and medical problems found in the patient’s body. On the other hand, cosmetic dermatology is a branch of dermatology that emphasizes fulfilling a patient’s desire to change their body, including changing their skin tones, reducing surface fat, treating acne, smoothing wrinkles, and more. 

As with any other medical practice, a cosmetic dermatologist must be board-certified to work in their field. To qualify for board certification, an individual must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited medical school and complete a residency program in dermatology, which includes three years of residency and a year of working as an intern. 

Cosmetic dermatology is an extension of dermatology, made to help patients achieve their desires. With that in mind, cosmetic dermatology procedures do come with a risk. While none of the risks are deadly, the scale of fatality depends on which procedures you are going through. For instance, misconduct in dermal fillers may lead to several adverse problems, such as muscle contractures and vision loss. Thus, patients must look for credible professionals in cosmetic dermatology. 

Now that you are well informed about cosmetic dermatology let us conduct a quick background check on Dr. Simon Ourian. From a consumer point of view, Dr. Ourian looks credible, especially when you look at his media appearances and pictures of him with some of Hollywood’s elite celebrities. Moreover, each website he runs, including his personal and business, looks professional and convincing. 

However, if you compare each of his websites side-by-side, you will notice a few odd similarities that look questionable. It is never wrong to use celebrity publicity to improve your own business.

In fact, it is quite admirable that Dr Ourian manages to connect with such top celebrities. Additionally, Dr Simon Ourian did a perfect job appearing in media and TV shows to further promote his clinic and services. Regardless, the odd similarities we mentioned above are how Dr Ourian only emphasizes his publicity and celebrity connections on most of his websites.

As a person working in the medical field, it is only standard for one to include at least his/her academic background along with other certifications that he/she gained during her studies and career. Suppose you look at Epione, Epione Skin Care, and Dr Ourian’s personal website.

In that case, there are hardly any details about his academic background and medical certifications despite always having a section about his personal details. 

Instead, you will find the same old story about how he worked with famous patients such as Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Kendal Jenner, etc. Again, it is not a wrong move to use this strategy to promote your branding and business.

Still, the rest of the information usually covers how Dr Ourian is a master at what he does, how passionate he is about helping his patients, how detailed he is when working with patients, and how his professional team will welcome you to fulfill your desires.

Our point is that it is extremely hard to run a background check on Dr Ourian as he does not post much detail about his background, at least on his personal and business websites. Fortunately, medical professionals, including Dr Simon Ourian, have a background that can always be checked from a public record. 

Remember how we mentioned the residency program that a cosmetic dermatologist has to go through as one of the requirements to get board-certified? Shockingly, Dr Ourian has never been trained in a dermatology residency program. This is highly questionable, considering that Dr Ourian is licensed under the state of California. 

According to Medical Board of California reports, Dr. Ourian completed anesthesia and internal medicine training. Still, those are completely unrelated to the field where he works in cosmetic dermatology.

Although not mentioned as frequently, Dr Ourian did say on his website that he developed his interest towards dermatology and aesthetics during his residence program in UCLA, but “interest” alone is not enough to earn yourself the skills required to be a good cosmetic dermatologist. 

To put you into perspective, Dr. Simon Ourian is not only a cosmetic dermatologist but also a businessman who owns a clinic and skin care products in both Epione and Epione Skin Care.

Granted that you do not have to be skilled in dermatology to own a business operating in that field, it is a crucial requirement for someone who works as a professional in cosmetic dermatology to at least fulfill the required qualifications, let alone have a good medical track record. 

Not only does our previous assessment show that Dr Ourian’s qualifications are questionable, but there have been scandals regarding his past—not just any scandal, but one that concerns his license as a medical worker. 

In 2005, long before Dr. Simon Ourian gained popularity, California charged him with approximately 29 different wrongdoings. These wrongdoings involved multiple aspects of his business, including some malpractices that were not directly related to his medical practices, such as gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, incompetence, and inadequate record keeping. 

Among all of his charges, what we find most concerning is aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine. This means allowing an unlicensed party, such as a nurse, to carry out medical practices that should only be done by licensed professionals.

In fact, it was alleged that a nurse in Dr Ourian’s clinic was allowed to perform a facelift on a patient, which is always dangerous regardless of that nurse’s skill level. 

These charges were amended in 2007 and resulted in the revocation of his medical license in 2009, which was way before Dr Ourian became famous. Eventually, Dr Simon Ourian was to serve a five-year probation, in which he had to complete at least 45 hours of medical education.

The courses involved during the medical education were specifically aimed towards the areas where problems were found in him, including communication skills, record keeping, ethics, and an assessment of his physical and mental health.

Another result of the charges is that Dr Ourian was prohibited from conducting his medical practices. During those 5 years, Dr Ourian can only proceed to carry out medical practices when supervised by a board-certified doctor. Additionally, Dr Ourian was not allowed to manage and watch over a physician assistant, a power he misused before being charged with misconduct. 

Although the five years following 2009 were a low point in Dr Ourian’s career, his probation was lifted after he served five years. A couple of years after getting his probation lifted, Dr Ourian turned his career around, mostly because of his ability to connect with high-profile patients.

No one knows what Dr Ourian went through during the five years of probation. More importantly, no one knows if he is truly a changed man who will serve his patients with integrity—at least not until a board-certified doctor, Dr. Adam Rubenstein, reviews and exposes Dr. Ourian’s line of work. 

It all began when Dr. Adam Rubenstein received reports from Dr. Ourian’s patients about the unsatisfactory and somewhat harmful results they experienced after attending Dr. Ourian’s clinic.

One example was Dick Van Dyke, whose wife received a treatment Dr Ourian referred to as “Lipo Freeze,” a term that is not commonly used in the world of cosmetic dermatology. Shortly explained, Dick Van Dyke’s wife experienced excessive bleeding followed by an awful scar after going through the Lipo Freeze in Dr Ourian’s clinic. 

According to Dr Rubenstein, Lipo Freeze is most likely a form of ciro lipolysis, more commonly known as CoolSculpting. This prevalent and low-risk procedure should not result in such consequences. Dr. Rubenstein was unaware that bleeding was possible after CoolSculpting (Lipo Freeze in Dr Ourian’s term). 

Looking deeper at the treatments offered by Dr Ourian’s clinic shows that he is a fan of using unfamiliar terms for the practices he offers in his clinic. Moreover, he trademarked several of these terms and practices, not allowing other clinics and professionals to use the same terms he used. 

One example is Cool Laser, a term that Dr Ourian has trademarked for a technology he used in his clinic. Supposedly, it is another one of the laser technologies that he used for his patients. Still, Dr. Adam Rubenstein stated that he and other cosmetic dermatologists are unfamiliar with Cool Laser.

In addition, a well-known cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Jason Emmer, stated that he had found no positive effects from using Cool Laser. Dr. Emmer received many patients asking for alternative treatments after receiving the Cool Laser treatment from Dr. Ourian. 

Facts and Figures About Dermatology

1. A 2022 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that 37.8% of Instagram accounts advertising dermatology services in top U.S. metropolitan areas were not run by board-certified dermatologists.
2. According to a 2020 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 40% of top plastic surgery practices had fake reviews on Google.
3. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported a 131% increase in non-invasive cosmetic procedures between 2000 and 2019.
4. A 2021 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery survey found that 70% of consumers were considering a cosmetic procedure.
5. According to Grandview Research, The global medical aesthetics market was valued at USD 13.32 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.5% from 2022 to 2030.

Relevant Malpractice Cases in Cosmetic Dermatology

1. Dr. Windell Boutte (Georgia, 2021): Surrendered her medical license after multiple malpractice suits, including cases where patients suffered brain damage during cosmetic procedures.
2. Dr. Raj Kanodia (Los Angeles, 2019): Faced a lawsuit Douglass v. Kanodia where a patient alleged disfigurement following a rhinoplasty procedure.
3. Dr. Daniel Lanzer (Australia, 2021): A high-profile cosmetic surgeon who surrendered his medical registration amid an investigation into his practices.
4. Dr. Lionel Bissoon (New York, 2018): Faced disciplinary action for negligence and incompetence in performing mesotherapy and liposuction.
5. Dr. Scott Blyer (New York, 2017): Had his medical license suspended for gross negligence and incompetence in performing plastic surgery procedures.
6. Dr. Ehab Mohamed (California, 2015): Convicted of involuntary manslaughter after a patient died following a liposuction procedure.
7. Dr. Jan Adams (California, 2008): Had his medical license revoked following multiple DUI convictions and allegations of negligence in cosmetic surgeries.

How did Dr Ourian manage to stay on top?

With his awful history and exposed wrongdoings, how did Dr. Ourian stay on top while operating a clinic in the heart of Beverly Hills? This combines different reasons that make Dr Ourian the person he is now.

First of all, it is obvious that Dr Ourion has done a great job of gaining the public’s attention by appearing on TV shows and the media. Working with some of Hollywood’s top individuals also plays a huge part in his and his clinic’s success.

Secondly, we figured that Dr Ourian is an expert in removing and hiding bad reviews from real customers who have been to his clinics. Moreover, whenever someone like Dr Adam Rubenstein tries to expose his practices, Dr Ourian will take extreme measures to fight back and defeat his critics.

In the case of Dr Adam Rubenstein, he received tons of bad reviews after exposing Dr Ourian. Weirdly, these reviews came from random accounts in Russia. The same account gave good reviews for Dr Ourian’s services, indicating that Dr Ourian is no stranger to using fake reviews to boost his business and eliminate competitors. 

Conclusively, we are not here to slander Dr Ourian and his business ventures; we are simply stating facts and reports from accredited resources. Whether you trust Dr Ourian, Epione, or Epione Skin Care is up to you. To close it off, we kindly remind you that instead of looking at celebrities’ endorsements and public stunts, always do a thorough background check before using any products and services. 

Dr. Simon Ourian Reviews

Oh yeah! This doctor (Simon Ourian) just hit a home run by fixing the Kardashians’ teeth, and he’s been fleecing the rest of us forever! You know, I went for Botox treatment at Epione. I admit I was influenced by Dr. Simon Ourian, a celebrity plastic surgeon with many cool clients. I thought he would be good. I was sold into a facelift for one hour, costing $14000 with the radiance filler. Yet, this DID NOT work at all! The cool blue laser is used without protection and goes right over the eyelids.

I felt like a fool signing the contract since nothing worked. The radiance is now lumpy and is sliding down or so it seems. Now, these guys tell me it will continue for 3-7 years until it becomes a tissue! The cool blue laser treatment made my eyes droopy for several weeks, not to mention the fear I had to go through. It is excruciating as well. I want people to avoid this celebrity dentist’s practice. He does not care for commoners like us; yes, most treatments don’t work!

I also went on All Things Crime, where another patient review clearly stated that the doctor was never around and that even 20% improvement was guaranteed with Cool laser at a fee of $ 7,000. However, no results were there, and this is the same thing that happened to me. As the doctor had promised earlier, this patient did not even get a full refund.

Even Graziadaily states that Dr. Ourian was under supervision for five years in 2009 after admitting to repeated negligence and the keeping of inadequate patient records. Sadly, most people continue to fall prey to these fraudulent doctors, who are inefficient and only know how to wrangle money out of their clients.

The doctors exposed on Lauren Casper:

• Dr. Sam Rizk Reviews: Unstoppable Bleeding After Rhinoplasty
• Dr. Simon Ourian Reviews & Epione Beverly Hills Fraudulent Practices
• Dr. Scott Kamelle Accused of Fatal Misconduct
• Dr. Keith Nemec: Total Health Institute Lawsuits and Complaints
• Dr. Sonny Rubin Fake Customer Reviews
• Dr. Scott Kamelle Accused of Fatal Misconduct

“It’s a classic Ponzi scheme, just dressed up in crypto clothing,” said Dr. Sarah Johnson, a cryptocurrency fraud investigator at CryptoWatch Institute who has been tracking WeWe Global. “They’re using the complexity of blockchain technology to confuse investors and hide the simple fact that they’re paying old investors with new investors’ money.”

The scheme’s evolution paints a picture of remarkable resilience in the face of repeated failures:

1. WEWEX Token (Early 2021 – Late 2021): WeWe Global’s initial offering collapsed within months.
2. LyoFI and LyoPay (Late 2021 – January 2023): This iteration, using LYO tokens, lasted just over a year before imploding.
3. LFI Token (January 2023 – August 2023): A short-lived eight-month scheme that quickly fell apart.
4. The Blockchain Era (August 2023 – Present): The current iteration using EURfi and XLFi tokens.

“Each collapse has happened faster than the last,” Dr. Johnson noted. “The Blockchain Era’s lifespan is likely to be even shorter, given the increasing awareness of these scams and the dwindling pool of potential new investors.”

The collapse of the LFI Token scheme left many investors unable to withdraw their funds, leading to widespread frustration and accusations of fraud. In a telling comment on LinkedIn, Raj Kumar Sharma, a Director at Accenture and LinkedIn Community Top Voice holder, addressed Luiz Goes directly:

“Please give people withdrawal on WEWE, so many thousands are waiting from 7 months.. else this again proved to be a ponzi scheme where empire is getting created by looting innocent people.. please come out clean and honor your commitments”

This comment came in response to a post featuring Luiz Goes allegedly appearing on Forbes. However, further investigation revealed that the Forbes feature was on a spoofed duplicate website, forbesnewyork.com, rather than the legitimate Forbes platform. This use of fake news sites to create an illusion of legitimacy is a common tactic employed by cryptocurrency scams to lure in unsuspecting investors.

The inability of investors to withdraw funds, coupled with the use of deceptive marketing tactics, further reveals the fraudulent nature of WeWe Global’s operations. Despite these clear red flags, the scheme continued to evolve, leading to its current iteration as The Blockchain Era.

At the center of this operation is Luiz Goes, a Brazilian national who presents himself as the CEO of LyoPay. Mr. Goes, operating from Dubai, gives detailed marketing presentations for WeWe Global while claiming to be merely a partner. Attempts to reach Mr. Goes for comment were unsuccessful.

LyoFI, a key component of WeWe Global’s second iteration, was unveiled in October 2021. The company’s website domain, lyofi.com, was registered just months earlier, on July 30th, 2021. LyoFI was incorporated as DIGIFI GROUP LTD in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction known for its lax financial regulations.

“The use of offshore jurisdictions like the BVI is a red flag,” said Mark Thompson, former Financial Crimes Enforcement Network investigator. “It’s often used to obscure ownership and avoid regulatory scrutiny.”

LyoFI introduced a new scheme promising a 300% return on investment over 900 days through the “cloud minting” of LYO tokens. Experts agree that such returns are unsustainable without a continual influx of new investors, a hallmark of Ponzi schemes.

Another prominent figure in the WeWe Global network is Jose Gordo, a Spanish national who has been aggressively promoting the scheme in South America. Mr. Gordo is currently wanted in Argentina on criminal fraud charges related to his involvement in OneCoin, another notorious cryptocurrency scam that collapsed in 2017.

“Gordo’s involvement is particularly troubling,” said Inspector Maria Rodriguez of Interpol’s Financial Crimes Unit. “It shows a pattern of moving from one crypto scam to another, leaving a trail of victims across continents.”

The scheme has found particular traction in Italy, with data from web analytics firm SimilarWeb showing that over 60% of WeWe Global’s website traffic came from the country at one point. Diego Endrizzi, a top Italian promoter, has emerged as a key figure in the organization’s latest incarnation.

As of December 2023, The Blockchain Era’s website was attracting approximately 57,000 monthly visits, with 51% of that traffic originating from Italy. This represents a significant drop from earlier iterations, suggesting the scheme may lose momentum.

For comparison, SimilarWeb data shows that Safir International, another collapsed scheme now part of Xera, received about 557,000 monthly visits to its website as of December 2023, with a significant portion coming from the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, Success Factory’s rebranded “SF Suite” website only attracted around 85,000 monthly visits, with 28% of that traffic originating from Russia.

The current iteration, “The Blockchain Era,” offers investment tiers ranging from 110 euros to a staggering 1.11 million euros. It promises returns through an AI trading bot called Quantwise, which cryptocurrency experts say is likely fictitious.

“There’s no evidence that this AI trading bot exists or could produce the returns they’re promising,” said Dr. Alex Chen, blockchain technology consultant at TechFuture Analytics. “It’s just another layer of misdirection.”

The Blockchain Era’s compensation plan includes a 10% referral commission (boosted to 15% for the first 30 days), residual commissions through a complex 15-level structure, and various bonuses based on recruitment volume. Notably, participants are required to reinvest 30% of all commissions and bonuses, a tactic experts say is designed to keep money trapped in the system.

The Blockchain Era operates through a website domain, “tbe.io,” first registered in 2016 but likely acquired by the WeWe Global operators in June or July 2023. The current website went live in late July 2023, coinciding with the collapse of the previous LFI token scheme.

Interestingly, The Blockchain Era’s marketing materials feature LyoTrade and LyoWallet, connected to the earlier WeWe Global iterations.

In a surprising development, remnants of WeWe Global and two other collapsed schemes, Safir International and Success Factory, announced a merger into a new entity called Xera.

Launched on February 4th, 2024, Xera has been operating for over five months, following the same playbook as its predecessors.

Xera’s leadership includes several figures with troubling histories in the crypto MLM world:

• Henk Diepbrink, former Managing Director of Safir International, now serves as Xera’s Managing Director.
• Werner Kaiser, previously part of Safir’s “Elite Circle of Trust,” is now Xera’s Global Vice President.
• Gorka Buces, formerly involved with the collapsed schemes Xifra and Decentra, is Xera’s Chief Visionary Officer.
• Nils Grossberg, founder of the failed DagCoin and Success Factory Ponzi schemes, is now Head of Global Partnerships for Xera.

Xera incorporates a new AI trading bot called Quantwize and introduces EURX and CLFI tokens. Investment packages range from 110 euros to 1.11 million euros, mirroring The Blockchain Era’s structure.

Xera’s website, operating on the domain “xera.pro”, was registered on January 8th, 2024, just weeks before its official launch. This quick turnaround from domain registration to launch is typical of these schemes, designed to capitalize on momentum and avoid regulatory scrutiny.

The persistence of schemes like WeWe Global points to a larger problem in the cryptocurrency space. According to a report by Chainalysis, cryptocurrency-based crime hit an all-time high in 2023, with scams accounting for $8.7 billion in losses. Of this, MLM-style crypto schemes represented a significant portion, estimated at $3.2 billion.

“The combination of cryptocurrency’s perceived complexity and the familiar MLM structure creates a perfect storm for fraud,” explained Dr. Emily Wong, professor of Financial Technology at Stanford University. “Victims are lured by the promise of getting in early on the ‘next big thing’ in crypto, while the MLM structure encourages them to recruit friends and family, spreading the scam further.”

The impact of these scams extends beyond direct financial losses. Dr. Wong added, “These schemes erode trust in legitimate cryptocurrency projects and can have a chilling effect on innovation in the blockchain space. They also often target vulnerable communities, exacerbating existing economic inequalities.”

Regulatory authorities have struggled to keep pace with these rapidly morphing schemes. The transnational nature of cryptocurrency fraud and the use of tax havens and jurisdictions known for lax financial regulations have made prosecution challenging.

“These operators are adept at exploiting regulatory gaps,” said Robert Simmons, former senior advisor at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “By the time authorities catch up, they’ve often already moved on to the next scheme.”

Despite the challenges, some jurisdictions are taking action. In February 2023, New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA) issued a securities fraud warning against WeWe Global’s third iteration. However, as Robert Simmons noted, “These warnings often come too late for many investors, and the transnational nature of these operations makes enforcement incredibly difficult.”

Funds recovery is rare for victims of these schemes. Marco Rossi, an Italian investor who lost €50,000 in one of WeWe Global’s earlier iterations, said, “They promise you the moon, but in the end, you’re left with nothing but broken promises and empty wallets.”

As Xera continues to operate, experts warn that it’s likely the latest mask for the same underlying fraud. They advise extreme caution to anyone approached with promises of high returns in cryptocurrency investments, especially those using MLM structures.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is,” Dr. Johnson cautioned. “In the world of crypto, there are no guaranteed returns, only guaranteed risks.”

The persistent reinvention of WeWe Global and its offshoots highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating cryptocurrency.

As authorities and investors struggle to keep up with these shape-shifting schemes, the question remains: how many more iterations will emerge before this fraud cycle is finally broken?