The ongoing trial in Saarbrücken, Germany, sheds light on the intricate operations of the Veltyco Cybercrime Scheme, implicating key figures in a widespread financial fraud.
Key Defendants and Their Roles
|
Name |
Nationality |
Role in the Scheme |
|
Betim Tasholli |
Kosovan |
Managed the boiler room in Pristina |
|
Azem Spahiu |
Kosovan |
Coordinated affiliate marketing for scam brands |
|
Mohamad Shaker |
Syrian |
Oversaw the boiler room in Prague |
Affiliate Marketing Operations
The scheme’s success heavily relied on affiliate marketing to attract victims to fraudulent platforms such as Option888, ZoomTrader, TradoVest, and XMarkets. Israeli nationals Miriam and Benjamin Wewermann were instrumental in this aspect:
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Miriam Wewermann (LinkedIn): Identified by the late Uwe Lenhoff, the scheme’s alleged mastermind, as responsible for affiliate marketing for Option888 since 2016. She was associated with the Israeli company The Nation Traffic Ltd., which has since become defunct. For her services, she received a fixed monthly payment of €7,500.
-
Benjamin Wewermann (LinkedIn): Operated Flipsmedia Limited, an online marketing company based in Cyprus, and collaborated in the affiliate marketing efforts for the fraudulent schemes.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
The trial aims to determine the extent of criminal liability of all involved parties, including the Wewermanns. The affiliate marketing strategies employed were pivotal in recruiting the majority of victims for Option888 and related scams. The court’s findings will clarify the legal ramifications for those who facilitated these deceptive marketing operations.
Call for Information
Authorities are seeking further information on the activities of Miriam and Benjamin Wewermann. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to report through our whistleblower system.
This case underscores the critical role of affiliate marketing in the proliferation of financial scams and highlights the importance of stringent oversight in digital marketing practices.