June 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

UK: The Scrutiny Of Celebrity Influencers' Social Media Endorsements May Help To Reduce Financial Fraud Scams
by Gunnar Larson 08 Sep '24

08 Sep '24

https://www.mondaq.com/uk/white-collar-crime-anti-corruption-fraud/1238238/… Financial fraud continues to rise year on year, the cost of living crisis will drive even more people to look for ways of enlarging their income and inevitably fall for fake investment opportunities presented to them. As the regulating authorities and law enforcement introduce measures to obstruct the methods fraudsters use to target victims, the fraudsters adapt their scams accordingly. The vehicle of social media has given the fraudulent brokers a platform where they can present their scams to thousands of people via Instagram through the practice celebrity endorsement where well-known celebrities or influencers promote a particular product or investment opportunity, often leading their followers to believe that the celebrity has a full understanding of the product or investment they are endorsing. Such endorsement may become less appealing following the fine of $1,26 million delivered to Kim Kardashian by the US Securities and Exchange Commission <https://www.sec.gov/> (SEC) for failing to divulge to her 225 million Instagram followers that she was paid $250,000 for promoting the crypto asset Ethereum Max. Ms. Kardashian made it clear that she was not providing financial advice but went on to say that her friends were telling her about Ethereum Max tokens. The SEC Chair Gary Gensler pointed out that "...investing public shouldn't confuse the skills of celebrities <https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/15/business/kanye-west-gap-termination> with the very different skills needed to offer appropriate investment advice..." *Joanna Bailey, <https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=1238238&company_id=24606&…> head of the banking and financial fraud litigation department, commented "the public recognise and trust the celebrities that endorse investment schemes and think that they have real involvement and understanding of the investment they are promoting." Joanna further pointed out "Kim Kardashian is not the only celebrity to have promoted investments, Katie Price unwittingly endorsed a Forex scam. Urging members of the public who have no understanding of Forex or crypto markets to consider such investments is inappropriate and often leads them into financial scams resulting in losses"* Our lawyers in the banking and financial fraud litigation department <https://www.mondaq.com/redirection.asp?article_id=1238238&company_id=24606&…> keep ahead of the scams and the methods used to defraud unwitting investors. Giambrone & Partners now leads the field following our recent groundbreaking case where the High Court of England and Wales granted permission to serve notice of proceedings on persons or persons unknown in connection with two digital wallets over blockchain by a non-fungible token (NFT). The case was the second case in the world and the first case in Europe to serve Court papers as an NFT through blockchain and is particularly significant with regard to crypto scams due to the fact that the perpetrators are often anonymous. This method of service avoids the need for identity. The challenging economic climate currently being experienced will almost certainly lead to more people seeking out "get rich quick" investment schemes. Our lawyers in the banking and financial fraud litigation department strongly recommend resisting the temptation and point out that if you are told that you must take action immediately or the opportunity will go, it is almost certainly a scam. Joanna Bailey frequently leads the litigation against financial institutions involved in Forex/binary trading disputes, as well as cryptocurrency issues and regulatory investigations and has some considerable success in retrieving the funds lost in fraudulent investment schemes. Joanna has developed a range of strategies both to find the assets of the individuals perpetrating the fraudulent schemes and restore the funds to our clients. As well as recognising culpability in the organisations facilitating (but not associated with the fraud), by failing to undertake adequate due diligence. She is highly experienced in high-value out-of-court settlement negotiations and has in-depth knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules as well as English common law. *The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.*

1 1

Ex-NBA Agent Avoids Prison For Forging Player's Signature
by Gunnar Larson 08 Sep '24

08 Sep '24

Forged notaries are a felony offense and still waiting to hear from the FBI on the two notaries I was sent forged. What I think is they assumed I would not catch the forgery... But I did by looking up the numbers in New York State's notary verification database. FBI, where are we with the NBA Outfitters because I heard that you know what I am talking about at EthereumMax. ---- Ex-NBA Agent Avoids Prison For Forging Player's Signature <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1803943?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…> By Pete Brush A Manhattan federal judge on Friday allowed a former basketball agent from Texas to avoid prison after he admitted forging an unnamed NBA player's signature in a fraudulent scheme to obtain a $1 million loan from the player. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1803943?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1803943?nl_pk=ac5a3855-e47c-4403-be…>

1 1

Ripple SEC Law.com Story
by Gunnar Larson 03 Sep '24

03 Sep '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Date: Fri, Jan 21, 2022, 2:52 PM Subject: Ripple SEC Law.com Story To: <pbantz(a)alm.com> Mr. Bantz: My name is Gunnar Larson. I saw your Law.com story related to Ripple and the SEC <https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2022/01/14/ripple-general-counsel-stu-alder…> . *Perhaps there is some added reporting necessary on your part, as a supplement to your story: * - Would like to learn your perspective on Ripple's customer list by Country: *https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pmz0RF_WvKKE_rRmoG_ksx0OCShmT9Zg/view?usp=drivesdk <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pmz0RF_WvKKE_rRmoG_ksx0OCShmT9Zg/view?usp=…>* - Note, as of 2020, Ripple's top four customers are Chinese banks - Ripple's General Counsel seems to be talking about both sides of his mouth, related to the SEC. Law.com seems to be supporting this theme with your story The SEC perhaps is not being totally transparent with their Ripple case? The top customers seem to be the focus? What are your thoughts? Thank you, Gunnar -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107 New York, New York 10001

1 2

Re: Morning Spam
by Undescribed Horrific Abuse, One Victim & Survivor of Many 27 Aug '24

27 Aug '24

On Sun, Mar 3, 2024 at 14:48 Undescribed Horrific Abuse, One Victim & Survivor of Many <gmkarl(a)gmail.com> wrote: > idea of “look at this cool inner part we have that comes out to move us > backward on our task so we don’t finish!” > 1447 “isn’t it so much fun to move our task backward!” (big dispute) 1448 >

1 42

Judge John Dorsey Has Effectively Privatized Justice in the FTX Bankruptcy Case
by Gunnar Larson 31 Jul '24

31 Jul '24

https://wallstreetonparade.com/2023/02/judge-john-dorsey-has-effectively-pr… By Pam Martens and Russ Martens: February 23, 2023 ~ John T. Dorsey (2016 Photo from Internet Archives' Wayback Machine) John T. Dorsey (2016 Photo from Internet Archives’ Wayback Machine) Judge John Dorsey is the presiding judge in the bankruptcy proceedings for Sam Bankman-Fried’s collapsed house of cards, which includes the now frozen crypto exchange, FTX; his now shuttered hedge fund, Alameda Research; and more than 100 opaque affiliates operating in the shadows around the globe. Undisputed is the fact that despite FTX being represented by some of the most prominent law firms in America as it built this criminal enterprise – notably Sullivan & Cromwell – more than 10.3 million user accounts were looted of more than $8 billion right under the nose of Big Law. We say “notably Sullivan & Cromwell” in the above paragraph because not only did it work on more than 20 matters for the FTX group of companies for 16 months prior to its bankruptcy filing but its former law partner, Ryne Miller, served as General Counsel of FTX US since August of 2021. In addition, Sullivan & Cromwell has conceded that it personally represented Sam Bankman-Fried on his purchase of more than half a billion dollars of stock in Robinhood Markets (a stock trading app) – the rightful ownership of which is now the subject of multiple court battles. Equally problematic, an email by Sullivan & Cromwell law partner, Andrew Dietderich, has surfaced in a court filing indicating that just four days before FTX filed bankruptcy, Dietderich had told another law firm that FTX is “rock solid.” (Dietderich is now one of the key law partners involved in the FTX bankruptcy proceedings.) Given this set of facts, justice for the defrauded customers and the public interest would obviously demand that the pre-bankruptcy legal interactions between Sullivan & Cromwell, the FTX group of companies and Sam Bankman-Fried (as well as all other questionable activities by others) be investigated by an independent examiner, as is required under bankruptcy law when requested by the U.S. Trustee and debts exceed $5 million. Instead, Judge Dorsey ruled against the U.S. Trustee’s request for an independent examiner in the FTX bankruptcy proceeding and has signed an order making Sullivan & Cromwell the lead counsel overseeing the FTX bankruptcy case. By doing this, Judge Dorsey has effectively privatized justice while sitting on the bench of a federal court. Sullivan & Cromwell is a 144-year old Big Law firm with more than 900 attorneys. Its headquarters is located in the financial district in lower Manhattan on Broad Street. It filed the FTX bankruptcy case, not in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in lower Manhattan, but in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware – a two-hour drive for its law partners, some of whom are billing as much as $2,165 an hour in the FTX bankruptcy matter. (For 19 days in November and 31 days in December, Sullivan & Cromwell has thus far billed $20 million in legal fees and more than $239,000 in expenses. Part of those expenses include more than $20,000 for “Conference Room Dining” and “Meals – Overtime.”) Judges in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, including Judge Dorsey, have previously ruled on multiple occasions against the appointment of an independent examiner when requested by the U.S. Trustee. This might explain the two hour drive to Wilmington, Delaware by Sullivan & Cromwell’s high-priced attorneys. As Sullivan & Cromwell’s partners are billing and eating their way through what’s left of defrauded crypto customers’ money, Judge Dorsey had the audacity to make the argument in turning down the U.S. Trustee’s request for an independent examiner, that it would cost too much money. The U.S. Trustee program is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal agency. Its statutory mandate is “to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors, and the public.” The public’s vested interest in this matter could not be greater. The federal prosecutor who has thus far indicted Sam Bankman-Fried and two of his alleged co-conspirators (Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang), has called FTX “one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.” The entire life savings of some customers is gone with the allegation that their customer accounts were used as Bankman-Fried’s personal piggy bank to buy luxury real estate in the Bahamas; buy celebrity endorsements; slap his company’s name on sports stadiums; and funnel tens of millions of dollars to political campaigns. (And let’s not forget the millions of dollars in legal fees that went to Big Law firms – pre-bankruptcy – to keep this house of cards propped up. In addition to Sullivan & Cromwell, Forbes reported that the following U.S. law firms had worked for FTX prior to its bankruptcy filing: Fenwick & West; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; Hogan Lovells; Morrison Foerster; Paul Hastings; Perkins Coie; Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; and White & Case.) Adding to the logical premise that the public is heavily vested in a transparent and independent investigation of FTX and its enablers – and what is transpiring in these bankruptcy proceedings – a total of 18 state attorneys general and/or state securities regulators filed statements with Judge Dorsey’s court endorsing the U.S. Trustee’s request for an independent examiner. But in another show of how Judge Dorsey has privatized these proceedings, he ignored the wishes of 18 states representing more than a third of the population of the United States. We have made multiple requests to the offices of the U.S. Trustee, asking if the U.S. Trustee is planning to appeal the denial of its request to appoint an independent examiner. Thus far, no information on this topic has been provided to us.

1 1

Meta Platforms, Inc. Board of Directors - USPTO, Digital Assets and Moscow Exchange
by Gunnar Larson 24 Jul '24

24 Jul '24

Ms. Chollett: Thank you, kindly, for continued correspondence related to Meta Board questions specific to xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC's concern to protecting cross-border digital asset innovation. xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC first became alarmed through Meta's obvious digital asset market problems related to Libra, Diem, Novi and USDP. Through Meta's continued digital identity transitions, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC has pioneered cross-border digital asset logic(s). Moreover, the Moscow Exchange and Meta introduced market events over March that jeopardize digital asset market purty. Ms, Chollett, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC will not pay for market effects related to Meta's cross-border disruption of digital asset innovation, related to Meta's obvious mark exactness (by definition) to the Moscow Exchange. *Ms. Chollett, we cannot concern ourselves with Meta's intentions, good or otherwise, given clear problems that exacerbate market risk: * - March 11, 2022 <https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/russia-moves-to-declare-meta-an-ex…>: Russia's leader, who is in charge of the Moscow Exchange cites Meta as an 'extremist organization' ... - March 14, 2022 <https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ff9f1af5-cc8a-473a-822b-8890…>: Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC Benjamin G. Murray published SDNY insights to a Russian State-Sponsored TV Network's Attempt to Dismiss Copyright Lawsuit On Fair Use Grounds Denied. - March 17, 2022 <https://www.sberbank.com/news-and-media/press-releases/article?newsID=cd44d…>: Moscow Exchange is the backend to Russia's largest bank, Sber. The announcement on 03/17/22 confirmed Sber (via the Moscow Exchange technology, at various levels) would issue digital assets. - March 18, 2022 <https://cointelegraph.com/news/meta-files-8-digital-asset-and-web-3-0-trade…>: Meta Platforms Inc. filed USPTO mark applications for a mark EXACTLY DEFINED to that of the Moscow Exchange. - Ms. Chollette, below my signature you will find Meta's filing numbers and descriptions related to a mark defined as Moscow Exchange, with plans to engage the mark in commerce related to digital assets and virtual reality. - March 24, 2022 <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f_fq1GaKNaAUGEyztdm-oMtIuEW2yXj4C5aoN0G…>: xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC contacted meta, with a memo introducing our direct plan to protect cross-border digital asset innovation. Ms. Chollette, please note that Russia has labeled Meta as an 'extremist organization' ... So who really knows what the Moscow Exchange will thi xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC is a very reasonable digital asset pioneer, and sitting in Manhattan the jury is in on market contributions from Libra, Diem, Novi and USDP. Ms, Chollette, Meta and the Moscow Exchange matter really suggest only losing marketplace contributions, obviously potentially devastating digital asset marketplace innovation(s). We aim to solve this problem immediately: 1. Ms. Collette, xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC recently shared Citigroup's Metaverse and Money <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1REoa87GCmt2uhDp7ZYswbTRw4ygQgjsL/view?usp=…> whitepaper, with 33 highlights to our grave concern to Meta's potential marketplace delinquency related to Meta's mark exactness to Moscow Exchange. 2. Furthermore, Mr. Zuckerberg and Mr. Putin are both highlight quotes to Citigroup's Metaverse and Money research. 3. With the date order, footnotes, and highlights xNY.io -Bank.org, PBC kindly petitions Meta's board to understand the opportunity ... The Moscow Exchange is not our problem, and for whatever reason Meta will have no opportunity to make mark exactness our problem. The United State of America's cross-border approach to digital asset innovation will be cultivated, fostered and protected by xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC. We aim not to be adversarial with Meta, but we will stop at no cost to invest in claim rewards if necessary. Perhaps, we can organize a time to discuss potential resolutions in the immediate term. xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC must reserve all rights specific to harm from March 14, 2022 <https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ff9f1af5-cc8a-473a-822b-8890…> and March 18, 2022 <https://cointelegraph.com/news/meta-files-8-digital-asset-and-web-3-0-trade…> market events. Please feel free to call or email anytime. Sending you the very best from New York City, Gunnar Larson -- *Gunnar Larson - xNY.io <http://www.xNY.io> | Bank.org <http://Bank.org>* MSc <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - Digital Currency MBA <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ip) G(a)xNY.io +1-646-454-9107 New York, New York 10001 97320155: Online social networking and dating services, including a specific branch tailored for networking between cryptocurrency investors. 97320153: Design and development of computer hardware and software relating to Web3, including gaming, e-commerce, blockchain transactions, etc. 97320149: Entertainment and electronic publishing services, partly within virtual reality. 97320147: Telecommunication services for electronic assets held on its platform. 97320146: Financial transaction processing services relating to tokens, blockchain assets, cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets. 97320144: Advertising services via virtual or augmented reality networks and the metaverse. 97320140: Wearable peripherals for video games connected to virtual reality. 97320136: Downloadable software in the nature of a mobile application, such as for user authentication, online charitable fundraising and most notably, for hardware or e-wallets.

1 23

US Soccer, MLS Want Review Of NASL Antitrust Case Order
by Gunnar Larson 30 Jun '24

30 Jun '24

US Soccer, MLS Want Review Of NASL Antitrust Case Order <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1852200?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…> By Elaine Briseño Major League Soccer and the sport's U.S. governing body are asking a New York federal court to clarify a decision that leaves them on the hook for the North American Soccer League's antitrust lawsuit, saying the order ignores their request for summary judgment on conspiracy allegations. Memorandum attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1852200?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1852200?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…>

1 0

House GOP Mulls Little-Used Inherent Contempt For Garland
by Gunnar Larson 30 Jun '24

30 Jun '24

House GOP Mulls Little-Used Inherent Contempt For Garland <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1851576?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…> By Courtney Bublé A group of House Republicans are giving Attorney General Merrick Garland until Friday morning to comply with their demands for the audio recordings of President Joe Biden and his ghostwriter speaking with special counsel Robert Hur during his investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents before they move forward with a vote to hold him in inherent contempt of Congress. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1851576?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1851576?nl_pk=6416fd97-1dc4-4e0…>

1 0

Crypto App Pledges More Refunds In Multistate Settlement
by Gunnar Larson 30 Jun '24

30 Jun '24

Crypto App Pledges More Refunds In Multistate Settlement <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1851990?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Rachel Riley Cryptocurrency platform Abra has agreed to return millions of dollars in digital assets to U.S. customers after getting busted for running a mobile application for crypto transactions without the required money transmitting licenses, a coalition of state financial regulators announced on Wednesday, with Washington state taking the lead. Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1851990?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1851990?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

1 0

Miami-Dade Cites Animal Harm In Aquarium Eviction Action
by Gunnar Larson 30 Jun '24

30 Jun '24

Miami-Dade Cites Animal Harm In Aquarium Eviction Action <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/1851602?nl_pk=4126fe73-…> By Nate Beck Miami-Dade County has sued to evict an aquarium from a government-owned waterfront site following reports that the operator didn't clean and maintain the 70-year-old facility well enough and repeatedly failed to care for dolphins, manatees and other animals held at the theme park. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/1851602?nl_pk=4126fe73-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/1851602?nl_pk=4126fe73-…>

1 0