Moneyweb editor threatened with the distribution of fake news about ‘criminal activity’

Following Moneyweb’s investigation into a potential link between the South African CFD trading platform Banxso and the international Banc de Binary binary options scam, its key figure, Oren Shabat Laurent, contacted Moneyweb, within less than an hour of publication. Laurent demanded the removal of his images and references from the article within 24 hours, failing which he would “take action to have them removed”.

Moneyweb had previously attempted to reach Laurent through various email addresses and social media platforms, requesting a response to the allegations. These attempts were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Laurent sent a second email threatening to distribute negative information about the author on various online platforms.

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Initial email from Oren Shabat Laurent

Laurent’s first email to Ryk van Niekerk stated:

Hello Ryk,

Your article triggered a Google alert for my name.

I have a straightforward request: within 24 hours, please remove my image and any references to me from your article. If not, I will take action to have them removed. I guarantee my resources exceed yours.

I have no connection to the content of your article. I have not been to South Africa in years and have no involvement in the subject matter you wrote about. I don’t know you. You most definitely don’t know me. Do some professional research before printing my name again or referencing the word associated with my name. Disgraceful.

Best Regards,

Oren

Author’s response and subsequent email

Moneyweb responded by thanking Laurent for reaching out and stating that the article was fair and in the public interest.

Moneyweb also informed Laurent that his response would be published at the end of the article. Laurent quickly responded, stating that he had conducted a “thorough investigation” into the author’s past and online interactions and found that he was “involved in reprehensible criminal activities” that will be published in various outlets.

The email read:

Thanks for getting back to me. No need to respond.

After conducting a thorough investigation into your past and online interactions, I have found indications that you might be involved in reprehensible criminal activities that warrant further scrutiny. I believe it is in the public’s best interest for these findings to be published in multiple outlets. Unlike you, I will make sure to send you the articles before they go to print so you can comment.

Best Regards,

Oren

DMCA Takedown Notice

Shortly after the article’s publication, Google removed it from search results and Google News due to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint. The complaint alleged that the article infringed upon the copyrights of others.

This means that the articles are only accessible on the Moneyweb platforms and through social media posts. It will not appear when someone searches for articles on Banxso or Banc de Binary.

The DMCA notice stated:

The DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement. We’re in the process of removing from Google Search results the materials that allegedly infringe upon the copyrights of others. If we didn’t do so, we could be subject to a claim of copyright infringement, regardless of its merits. See this DMCA FAQ for more details.

Moneyweb determined that a third party had copied the article, published it on a non-descript website, and then filed the complaint with Google, alleging that Moneyweb had violated its copyright. This action effectively limited the article’s distribution, making it visible only on the Moneyweb website and through shared social media posts. A similar complaint was filed against another article titled “Banxso is still registering clients who click on fake ads”.

Moneyweb’s response

Moneyweb responded to Google, asserting that the complaints were fraudulent and only aimed to limit the distribution of articles containing information of significant public interest.

On a personal note, I have been the victim of several attacks on my social media accounts since I wrote the first article on Banxso.

First, my WhatsApp account was blocked due to an apparent “misuse” of the platform. It emanated from complaints from third parties that I spammed them with messages, which I did not do. I have appealed to WhatsApp, but it has fallen on deaf ears.

Third parties also lodged complaints against my X and Instagram accounts, and both were suspended. Only X reinstated my account after considering my protestations.

Furthermore, the Moneyweb website has been the target of malicious cyber-attacks since the publication of the first Banxso article. Luckily, our security measures were able to fend them off.