Ben Sands’ smile was a weapon, all capped teeth and practiced sincerity, beaming from hundreds of social media images. His tagline was everywhere: “Become A World-Class Operator. High Growth Leadership”

Ben wasn’t a CEO, nor a leader. He’d once run a drop-shipping business that sold faulty phone chargers, which he’d spun into a “seven-figure exit” in his lore. Now, his product was the dream itself. For $2,997 a “foundational investment in your sovereign future” you got access to his six-week course: buzzword filled weekly newsletters, pre-recorded videos of Ben in a rented WeWork office, a private Discord full of desperate people, and weekly “Q&A Power Sessions” where he mostly talked about his new BMW.

His target audience was the anxious, the overlooked, the freshly laid-off. Sarah was one of them. A meticulous, talented graphic designer, she’d been “right-sized” out of her job. Algorithm-fed ads found her. Ben’s voice, urgent and smooth, filled her headphones: “Employees are hostages with salaries. The system is designed to keep you a consumer, not a creator. Your skills are your empire. I’m just the map.”

She maxed a credit card to buy the course. The “modules” were vapid. “Cultivate a CEO Mindset” involved buying a journal and writing “I am a billion-dollar decision-maker” ten times each morning. “Monetize Your Genius” advised her to “package her design skills into a high-ticket offer.” When she asked, in the Discord, how to do that, what to actually price, how to find clients, a “Success Coach” (a 19-year-old named Kevin who’d taken the course last month) linked her to a video of Ben saying, “Clarity comes from action, not hesitation. The market rewards boldness.”

Sarah watched the ecosystem churn. People in the group, encouraged to “build their personal brand,” began posting identical content: slick quotes over stock photos of skyscrapers, stories about “crushing it” while secretly drowning. They sold each other motivational e-books and mindset coaching, a pyramid scheme of inspiration with Ben, smug and remote, at the apex. His feed was a barrage of manufactured proof: screenshots of “student wins” (often faked), videos of him on “boardroom calls” (just Zoom with a virtual background), and the constant, grating refrain: “Everyone should be a CEO. It’s not a job, it’s a state of being.”

The turning point was the “CEO Gala.” An extra $500 got you a ticket to a hotel ballroom for “networking and scaling.” Sarah, hoping for real connection, went. It was a temple to artifice. Men in cheap, too-tight suits and women in fast-fashion blazers air-kissed and exchanged LinkedIn profiles. Ben took the stage to pulsing EDM. He spoke of “leveraging assets” and “disrupting verticals,” a word-salad of empowerment. He then brought up “a success story.” A young man, trembling, talked about how he’d “monetized his social anxiety” into a “peak performance podcast.” He’d made $200. Ben applauded wildly, calling it “the first brick in a palace.”

Sarah felt sick. This wasn’t empowerment; it was a grift that weaponized people’s dreams against them. It told them their ordinary skills, jobs, and lives were failures. That the only success was a solitary, glorified kingship.

Her moment came during the Q&A. She took the mic, her hand steady. “Ben,” she said, the room quieting. “You say everyone should be a CEO. But who builds the roads the CEO drives his BMW on? Who teaches the CEO’s kids? Who fixes the CEO’s ruptured appendix? Are they all failed CEOs? Or is a functioning society actually… a team?”

A nervous titter rippled through the crowd. Ben’s smile didn’t falter, but his eyes glinted like chilled steel. “A brilliant question that reveals a limiting belief,” he boomed, patronizingly. “The nurse can be CEO of her health practice. The teacher can be CEO of his educational platform. You’re thinking in old, hierarchical paradigms.”

“No,” Sarah said, her voice clear. “I’m thinking in real paradigms. You’re selling survivor’s guilt to the drowning. You’re not building empires; you’re just convincing people to feel ashamed of their own perfectly good houses so they’ll buy your overpriced, imaginary bricks.”

The room was dead silent. Ben’s facade cracked for a microsecond, revealing something cold and furious. He laughed, a hollow, dismissive sound. “I hear a lot of fear in that. And fear is the number one killer of abundance. Everyone, give Sarah some love for her… brave vulnerability.” The sycophantic applause was muted, confused.

But Sarah was done. She walked out. The next day, she started a website, not as a “CEO,” but as a collaborator. She partnered with a writer, an accountant, and a developer. They built a cooperative, a true team where skills complemented each other, where profits were shared, where success wasn’t a solitary throne but a sturdy, common table.

Meanwhile, Ben’s empire began to show cracks. A investigative YouTube piece dissected his fake testimonials. Former “acolytes” began sharing stories of debt and despair. The word “grift” started to follow his name in comments. He responded by doubling down, selling a new “Recession-Proof CEO” course, his smile growing ever more strained.

One day, Sarah saw a new ad. Ben, looking slightly tired, was now selling “The Exit Strategy Masterclass: How to Sell Your CEO Empire and Retire to Paradise.” The cycle was complete. He’d finally admitted that the point wasn’t to be a CEO, but to sell the dream of being one.

Sarah closed the tab and got back to work with her team. They were designing a beautiful, functional website for a local community garden. It was honest work. It paid the bills. And in a quiet, profound way that Ben would never understand, it felt truly powerful.

In today’s digital age, the promise of “transformative knowledge” and “life-changing skills” is just a click away. Social media feeds brim with curated success stories; the 22-year-old making six figures from a laptop, the mom who “cracked the code” to passive income, the influencer promising to teach you their “secret system.” These alluring narratives fuel a booming online education industry, but lurking beneath the legitimate offerings is a swamp of sophisticated scams designed to prey on your aspirations.

The online course market is projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars, and scammers want their cut. They don’t sell education; they sell a fantasy, often leaving students with empty wallets, broken promises, and a sense of shame for having fallen for it.

The Hallmarks of a Course Scam: Know the Red Flags
Before you enter your credit card details, look for these warning signs:

1. The “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Promise:

“Make $10,000 in Your First Month!”
“Get Rich While You Sleep!”
“This Secret Method They Don’t Want You to Know!”
Legitimate educators sell learning and skill development. Scammers sell outcomes; specifically, extravagant, guaranteed financial outcomes that are statistically improbable.

2. The FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) Pressure Tactics:
   Countdown timers flashing “Offer expires in 2 hours!”, claims that the price “doubles at midnight,” or notifications that “only 3 spots remain!” are classic manipulation tools. They short-circuit your critical thinking by creating artificial scarcity for a digital product that can be replicated infinitely.
3. Vague Curriculum & Overhyped Value:
   Be wary of sales pages filled with buzzwords (“leveraging synergies,” “quantum leap your income”) but devoid of concrete, actionable module breakdowns. If you can’t see a detailed syllabus explaining what you’ll actually learn step-by-step, be suspicious. Is a “masterclass” really worth $2,000 if no one explains what it contains?
4. The “Guru” With No Proof of Expertise:
   Investigate the instructor. Do they have a verifiable track record outside of selling “how to make money” courses? A real estate expert should show property portfolios. A marketing expert should have recognizable client case studies. If their entire business is teaching people how to build a business like theirs (which is just selling courses), it’s a pyramid-shaped red flag.
5. Rave Reviews That Look Identical:
   Scrutinize testimonials. Are they all generic (“This course changed my life!”)? Do the profile pictures look like stock photos? Are they only on the sales page and not on independent platforms like Trustpilot? Fake reviews are a staple of the scammer’s toolkit.
6. The Upsell Vortex:
   You buy a “foundational” course for $297, only to be immediately pitched a “gold tier” upgrade for $1,500, followed by a “mastermind” group for $5,000. The initial course is often a low-value teaser designed to funnel you into an endless cycle of expensive upsells with diminishing returns.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Wallet

1. Research Extensively: Google the course name + “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Search on Reddit forums and independent review sites. Look for patterns in user experiences.
2. Demand Transparency: A legitimate creator will be proud to show a detailed curriculum. If it’s hidden behind a paywall, walk away.
3. Check for a Real Refund Policy: Is there a clear, accessible, and reasonable refund policy (like a 30-day guarantee)? Or is it buried in legalese designed to deny all claims? No refund policy is a major red flag.
4. Start Small: Many credible educators offer a low-cost or free introductory mini-course or webinar. This lets you assess their teaching style and value before committing significant funds.
5. Trust Your Gut: If the sales pitch feels manipulative, hype-heavy, and triggers anxiety (FOMO), it probably is. Authentic education feels empowering, not desperate.

The Bottom Line: Invest in Education, Not Illusions
Your desire to learn, grow, and improve your circumstances is a strength. Scammers weaponize that strength against you. True education equips you with tools and knowledge; it doesn’t promise specific riches. It involves work, struggle, and application, not magic bullets.

The internet hosts incredible, legitimate educators, universities, and platforms offering priceless skills. The key is to be a discerning consumer. Vet the source, value substance over splash, and remember: if it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Invest in your future wisely. Don’t just buy a dream, buy verifiable knowledge from a credible source. Your goals deserve a real foundation, not a digital house of cards.

Scammers continue to evolve their tactics, with many now impersonating well-known companies like Microsoft, PayPal, Apple, and other trusted brands. These fraudsters prey on people’s trust in legitimate businesses and their fear of technical problems or account issues. Here’s how to protect yourself from these increasingly sophisticated scams.

Common Scam Tactics to Watch For

Fake Tech Support Calls

Scammers claiming to be working for Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies often call saying your computer has been compromised or is sending error messages. They may:

• Claim to have detected viruses or security issues
• Request remote access to your computer
• Ask for payment to “fix” non-existent problems
• Pressure you to act immediately

Phony Account Alerts

Fraudsters impersonating PayPal, banks, or online services typically:

• Send emails or texts claiming your account is suspended or compromised
• Include urgent language demanding immediate action
• Provide links to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials
• Request sensitive information like passwords or PINs

Payment and Refund Scams

These schemes often involve:

• Fake refund notifications for purchases you never made
• Requests to verify payment information through suspicious links
• Claims of over-payments requiring you to send money back
• Urgent demands for payment to avoid account closure

Business Opportunity and Investment Scams

Fraudsters claiming to offer you an amazing, often quick and easy Return Of Investment(ROI) entail the following:

• Request you to hand over all your corporate and customer details in order to be analyzed
• Claim to be licensed or legal representatives from companies who’s services you use
• Claims they have found irregularities, fraud and other illegal activity
• Instill fear and threaten to report you unless you pay them

Red Flags That Scream “SCAM”

• Unsolicited contact – Legitimate companies rarely initiate contact about technical issues or account problems
• Pressure tactics – Scammers create false urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly
• Requests for remote access – Reputable companies won’t ask for remote computer access via unsolicited calls
• Payment demands – Legitimate support rarely requires immediate payment over the phone
• Generic greetings – Official communications usually address you by name
• Suspicious email addresses – Check sender addresses carefully for misspellings or unusual domains

How to Verify Legitimacy

For tech support claims:

• Hang up and call the company directly using official contact numbers
• Visit the company’s official website to find legitimate support contacts
• Remember: Microsoft and similar companies don’t make unsolicited calls about computer problems

For account-related alerts:

• Log into your account directly through the official website or app
• Don’t click links in suspicious emails or texts
• Check your account activity for any actual issues

Protection Strategies

1. Never give remote access to your computer to unsolicited callers
2. Don’t share passwords or PINs in response to unexpected requests
3. Verify independently by contacting companies through official channels
4. Use two-factor authentication on all important accounts
5. Keep software updated to protect against actual security vulnerabilities
6. Trust your instincts – if something feels wrong, it probably is
7. If an opportunity or investment sounds to good to be true, it most likely is

What to Do If You’re Targeted

• Hang up immediately on suspicious calls
• Don’t click links in questionable emails or texts
• Report the incident to the actual company being impersonated
• File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Contact your bank immediately if you’ve provided financial information
• Run security scans on your computer if you granted remote access

Remember: Legitimate Companies Follow These Practices

• They have your name and account information in their communications
• They don’t demand immediate payment for unexpected issues
• They provide multiple contact methods and verification options
• They don’t ask for sensitive information through email or text
• They respect your time and don’t pressure you to act immediately

Stay vigilant and remember that when in doubt, it’s always better to verify through official channels than to risk falling victim to these increasingly convincing scams. Your caution could save you from significant financial loss and identity theft.

This is Dillon Moses. Together with Vepa Durdiyev they run a scam company called Oceanviews.ai Just like Vepa Durdiyev he runs a carefully crafted avatar on LinkedIn and other socials. A mid-30s digital strategist with a pedigree that included a (fictional) stint at a prestigious consulting firm, a bank and an MBA from a reputable university. His profile is oozing in plausible vagueness, littered with buzzwords and FOMO tactics. He regularly posts slick, AI-generated infographics about market trends

They attempt to ride the AI-hype to trick businesses into doling out money by making fairy-tail claims such as:

Being able to see into the future.

Oceanviews can use predictive analytics to forecast trends and customer behavior, helping businesses plan ahead.

Promising a magical minimum of $100K extra profit by signing a contract with them. Which grants them access to your entire business, emails, reports, clients, employees.

Guaranteed to find 100k missed in revenue or your pilot is free.

Even though they are just a fraudulent brand new start-up they pretend to be “Trusted Partners” with Microsoft, PayPal, Amazon, Facebook, Oracle, Salesforce etc.

Using big outrages percentages that are supposed to show improvements and create a sense of Fear Of Missing Out for the potential victim. Accompanied with a ChatGPT generated use-case PDF. Link

• 30% increase in commissions

• 25% boost in policies submitted
• 35% reduction in marketing costs
• 40% faster lead conversion

Every page loaded with frivolous marketing buzzwords and telltale signs that all text has been generated by an AI chatapp.

• Real-Time Customer Upgrade Signals: Instantly identify customers showing intent to upgrade—so you can engage at the right time with the right offer.
• Behavioral Intelligence that Drives Results: Understand which behaviors actually lead to conversion and retention—so you can scale what works.
• Cross-Platform Data Unification: Eliminate silos and connect insights across Salesforce, HubSpot, DocuSign, and more to surface missed revenue opportunities.
• Forecasts Backed by Market Context: Confidently plan ahead with AI models that account for economic shifts, seasonal demand, and customer behavior trends.

Oceanviews.ai another fraudulent company.

In the sprawling, interconnected world of freelance marketplaces and professional networking, trust is the currency that fuels collaboration. We rely on profiles adorned with skill badges, endorsements from colleagues, and the seamless interface of platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn to assure us we are in capable hands. It was within this very ecosystem of trust that Vepa Durdiyev engineered a phantom empire, becoming a virus who exploited the system’s virtues for his own fraudulent ends.

Vepa Durdiyev runs a carefully crafted avatar, a digital marionette who operates from a non-extradition country. The persona, however, was impeccable. On LinkedIn, “Vepa” was a suave, mid-30s digital strategist with a pedigree that included a (fictional) stint at a prestigious consulting firm and an MBA from a reputable university. His profile is a masterclass in plausible vagueness, littered with buzzwords like “synergy,” “apex-developer,” and “growth hacking.” He regularly posted slick, AI-generated infographics about market trends and engaged thoughtfully in the comments of other influencers, building a network of hundreds connections. He was not just a user; he was a member of the community.

His hunting ground was Upwork. Here, Vepa’s profile was a thing of beauty. He had a 100% job success score, bolstered by a series of small, initial projects for which he delivered exceptional, almost suspiciously perfect work. These were the bait. He would take on a simple logo design or a minor website copy edit for a pittance, over-deliver dramatically, and secure a glowing five-star review. Each review was a brick in the formidable wall of his credibility. He understood the platform’s algorithm better than its engineers, knowing that a high response rate, a perfect score, and a history of completed contracts would place him at the top of every search.

The scam, let’s call it “Project Sisyphus,” was elegant in its cruelty. He would use LinkedIn’s advanced search to identify his ideal victims: founders of early-stage tech startups, particularly those in the frantic pre-seed or seed funding stage. These were individuals under immense pressure, often with more ambition than experience, and crucially, a pressing need to build a minimal viable product (MVP) or a killer investor deck.

After connecting on LinkedIn with a personalized note praising their vision, Vepa would wait. A few days later, he would message them about a “groundbreaking” but time-sensitive opportunity. He’d seen their post about seeking a developer and had a top-tier team, his team, with a two-week window before they started a major project. He presented a package: a full-stack development team, a UI/UX designer, and a project manager (all him, using different voices on Slack) for a flat, surprisingly reasonable fee. The catch was a 50% upfront payment to secure the “elite team.”

The pressure and the polished presentation worked. Flattered by the attention of such a “reputable” professional and desperate to seize the moment, founders would agree. The Upwork contract provided a final layer of false security, its escrow system feeling like a guarantee. The moment the substantial upfront payment was released, Vepa Durdiyev began to fade.

The first month was a flurry of activity. The “team” would be highly communicative, delivering beautiful wireframes, detailed project plans, and enthusiastic updates. They were building the dream. Then, communication would slow. Excuses would surface, a key developer was ill, a server issue, a family emergency, a sudden marriage. The deliverables became less substantial. The mounting list of issues from the client would be met with calm, reassuring messages from Vepa, promising to “get the project back on track.” And then, silence. Leaving the victim with a half-finished Figma board, a development plan turned fairy-tale and a bank account that was tens of thousands of dollars lighter.

Estimates suggest “Project Sisyphus” netted Vepa Durdiyev over $1 million before the pattern was finally pieced together by a forum of angry, comparing victims.

The story of Vepa Durdiyev is a stark cautionary tale for the digital age. He wasn’t a hacker breaking down firewalls; he was a social engineer manipulating the very foundations of professional trust. He exposed the soft underbelly of our gig economy: the fact that a five-star rating can be manufactured, a LinkedIn profile can be a work of fiction, and the pressure to succeed can blind us to the too-good-to-be-true.

His legacy is a lingering sense of unease. He reminds us that in a world where we are encouraged to build our professional lives online, we must also learn to look for the cracks in the digital façade. For every genuine connection made, a Vepa Durdiyev is waiting, not in a shadowy alley, but in your LinkedIn and Upwork inbox, offering the world and leaving nothing but an empty promise and a lesson in the price of digital trust.

Check out one of his most prominent ongoing scams, Oceanviews.ai, where he has teamed-up with another fraudster, Dillon Moses.

AI fraud encompasses a range of deceptive practices leveraging artificial intelligence to impersonate individuals, generate fraudulent content, and automate large-scale attacks. Key types of AI fraud include:

1. Deepfake video scams: AI-generated videos that convincingly impersonate individuals, often used in CEO/CFO fraud or celebrity endorsement scams. For example, deepfakes of Elon Musk have been used in investment scams, and similar videos have featured celebrities like Gordon Ramsay and Taylor Swift promoting fake products. The number of deepfakes online is doubling every six months, with an estimated 8 million expected to be shared in 2025.
2. Voice cloning: AI is used to create synthetic voice messages that mimic real individuals, commonly employed in grandparent scams, extortion attempts, and impersonation of executives. Research indicates that 28% of UK adults believe they have been targeted by such scams, and 37% of organizations globally reported being targeted by deepfake voice attempts.
3. Synthetic identity fraud: Fraudsters combine real stolen data (e.g., Social Security numbers) with AI-generated personal details to create fake identities. These synthetic identities are used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, and commit financial fraud. This is the fastest-growing financial crime in the U.S., with projected losses reaching $23 billion by 2030.
4. Advanced financial malware: AI-powered malware can adapt and evolve in real time, evading traditional antivirus software. It can alter its behavior based on the security environment, making detection difficult. Reports suggest tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT have been used to generate new strains of such malware.
5. AI-enhanced phishing: Large language models (LLMs) are used to craft highly convincing phishing emails and websites that mimic trusted brands. These messages lack common red flags like grammatical errors and can bypass spam filters. AI-powered phishing can achieve success rates comparable to human-crafted messages, with one study showing 60% of participants fell victim to AI-automated phishing.
6. Fraud-as-a-Service (FaaS): Criminals use ready-to-use AI toolkits sold on dark web forums or Telegram channels. These kits include tools like WormGPT, Agent Zero, FraudGPT, and DarkBard, which are designed for phishing, identity spoofing, and generating malicious content. Some tools even offer customer support and subscription models.
7. Automated vishing (voice phishing): Tools like ViKing, developed by researchers, demonstrate how AI can run entire phone scams without human intervention, using voice cloning and real-time conversation adaptation. In trials, it successfully deceived 52% of participants, rising to 77% among those unaware of the threat.
8. Document fraud: Services like OnlyFake allow fraudsters to generate realistic digital IDs, passports, and invoices for as little as $15, bypassing Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
9. Business email compromise (BEC): AI tools are used to craft urgent, personalized payment requests that mimic corporate tone and context, often incorporating details from public sources like LinkedIn or financial filings to increase credibility.
10. Invoice swapping: Tools intercept legitimate invoice emails and replace payment details with fraudulent accounts before the payment is processed, often going unnoticed until the real vendor follows up.

These fraud methods are increasingly difficult to detect due to their scalability, personalization, and use of advanced AI, requiring proactive detection and public awareness.

What was the builder.ai fraud?

1. The “AI-Washing” and Technological Misrepresentation

The Claim:
Builder.ai marketed itself as a “no-code” AI platform that could build custom apps “as easy as ordering pizza.” Its flagship feature was an AI assistant named “Natasha,” which was presented as an intelligent project manager and coder that could automate a significant portion of the software development process. The company claimed its AI could build 80% of an app automatically.

The Alleged Reality:
According to numerous reports and a lawsuit from a former executive:

• “Natasha” was largely a facade. Internal company slang reportedly referred to Natasha as “A Guy In India,” highlighting the reliance on human labor.
• The platform did not generate functional code on its own. Instead, it often produced basic, non-functional templates or outlines.
• The bulk of the actual coding, debugging, and integration work was performed by an army of over 700 human engineers based in India, working for an associated company called Assembly Lines.
• The “AI” was allegedly used for more basic tasks like breaking down a project into components and assigning tickets to human engineers, rather than the sophisticated, autonomous code generation it was marketed as.

Why This is a Problem:
This is a classic case of “AI-washing”—exaggerating the capabilities of AI to attract investment in a hot market. Investors like Microsoft, Insight Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority poured in over $450 million based on the promise of a scalable, AI-driven platform, not a traditional software outsourcing firm with a high human labor cost.

2. Financial Misconduct and Revenue Inflation

The Claim:
In 2022, Builder.ai secured a $45 million debt financing round from Israeli lender Viola Credit. To obtain this loan, companies must demonstrate strong financial health and revenue.

The Alleged Reality:
In May 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Viola Credit had sued Builder.ai, alleging it discovered the company had provided “materially misleading” financial statements.

• Builder.ai reportedly told Viola it had achieved $22.8 million in revenue for the first half of 2022.
• However, an investigation by Viola allegedly found the true figure was closer to $123,000—an inflation of over 18,000%.
• This alleged inflation was a key factor in Viola’s decision to lend the money. Upon discovering the discrepancy, Viola moved to seize control of Builder.ai’s accounts.

The Aftermath and Fallout

The revelations triggered a cascade of problems for the company:

1. Investor and Lender Crisis: The relationship with its major lender broke down completely, creating a severe cash flow crisis.
2. Leadership Changes: In February 2024, co-founder Sachin Dev Duggal moved from the CEO role to Chief Wizard (a titular role), and the company appointed a new CEO.
3. Mass Layoffs and Operational Cuts: The company underwent significant layoffs and scaled back its operations drastically to conserve cash.
4. Intense Scrutiny: The case became a poster child for the dangers of AI hype and the lack of due diligence during the peak of the tech investment boom. It drew comparisons to other high-profile startup frauds like Theranos and WeWork, though on a different scale.

Builder.ai’s Defense

Builder.ai has fought back against these allegations. The company:

• States that its AI is real and is used to automate the “scut work” of software development, making human engineers more efficient.
• Argues that the reliance on human experts for complex tasks is a feature, not a bug, and that this was never hidden from sophisticated investors who conducted due diligence.
• Claims the lawsuit with Viola Credit is a contractual dispute and that the lender acted in “bad faith.”
• Maintains that its financial reporting was accurate and complied with standards.

Conclusion

The “Builder.ai fraud” refers to the sweeping allegations that the company systematically misled investors and clients about the capabilities of its AI technology and the state of its finances. While the company denies any wrongdoing, the scandal has severely damaged its reputation, led to a financial crisis, and serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for deception in the highly competitive and richly funded world of AI startups. The outcome of its legal battles with Viola Credit and others will ultimately determine the final verdict on these allegations.