Recently, we received alarming reports regarding a suspicious operation involving Alcuin Capital Partners (alcuincapital.com), which operates through the cryptocurrency site AIGM (aigmnewvip.com).

A particular complaint has caught our attention. An individual was swindled out of a staggering $233,000. This significant loss was incurred during an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) for EVCS promoted by Alcuin Capital Partners.

The victim was led to believe that they had received over $700,000 in shares. However, they were informed that they wouldn’t be able to reclaim their initial investment if they couldn’t pay for all of these shares. This high-pressure tactic and the substantial sum involved raise numerous red flags, pointing to a sophisticated scam operation.

If you have interacted with Alcuin Capital Partners or AIGM and have experienced or suspected fraudulent activities, we urge you to share your stories.

Domain Analysis of AlcuinCapital.com

The domain “alcuincapital.com” was registered on July 5, 2002, with Network Solutions, LLC as the registrar. The domain’s longevity of over two decades might initially suggest legitimacy. However, several aspects raise concerns that warrant a deeper investigation.

The domain is set to expire on July 5, 2025, indicating that it was recently updated, specifically on July 3, 2024.

The registrant’s details are masked, with all contact information shielded under “Statutory Masking Enabled.” While privacy protection is common, the complete masking of all contact information, including the registrant, administrative, technical, and billing contacts, can be a red flag, especially when assessing the transparency of a business claiming to handle significant financial transactions.

The domain is hosted by The Positive Internet Company Ltd, which has an IP address of 80.87.128.154 and is in London, UK.

Traffic analysis shows that alcuincapital.com has experienced a 34.32% decrease in visits over the last month, with 8.4K visits. The bounce rate is remarkably low at 13.82%, suggesting visitors either quickly find what they’re looking for or exit swiftly, possibly indicating a streamlined, albeit suspiciously effective, user funnel. The site averages 0.61 pages per visit with an average duration of 1 minute and 25 seconds per visit, which is relatively low and might suggest either highly efficient navigation or disinterest in the content.

The backlink profile of alcuincapital.com shows 325 backlinks from 160 referring domains, with a mix of follow and nofollow links. Some backlinks come from reputable sources like Crunchbase and Wikipedia, but the overall quantity and quality might not be sufficient to establish strong domain authority in the competitive financial sector.

Domain Analysis of AIGMNewVIP.com

The domain “aigmnewvip.com” was registered on April 29, 2024, with GoDaddy.com, LLC as the registrar. This relatively new registration might raise suspicions, especially in the context of the complaint we are investigating. The domain is set to expire on April 29, 2025, indicating a one-year registration period, which is often a hallmark of fraudulent websites designed for short-term use.

All contact details for the registrant and administrative and technical contacts are masked through “Domains By Proxy, LLC,” a service GoDaddy provides to protect privacy. While this practice is common and legitimate, the complete lack of transparency can be a red flag, especially for a site involved in financial transactions and investments.

The domain uses Cloudflare’s name servers, “miki.ns.cloudflare.com” and “vin.ns.cloudflare.com.” Cloudflare is known for providing security and performance enhancement services, which adds a layer of credibility. However, scam sites frequently use it to mask their real hosting locations and protect against DDoS attacks.

From a hosting perspective, the domain’s technical infrastructure appears robust, but its newness and the use of privacy protection services warrant a cautious approach.

Traffic analysis for aigmnewvip.com reveals negligible data consistent with a recently registered domain. According to SEMrush, the domain has an authority score of 0, indicating it lacks credibility and influence. There are no recorded organic or paid search traffic metrics, highlighting that the site is either not yet established or not engaging in significant SEO activities. This lack of organic presence is another red flag, as legitimate businesses typically show some engagement and visibility over time.

The backlink profile is sparse, with only three referring domains and three backlinks. Notably, these backlinks come from domains like “scam-detector.com,” which suggests the site is already being flagged or reviewed for potential fraudulent activities.

Scam Review: Analysis of Alcuincapital.com

The website for Alcuin Capital Partners, accessible at alcuincapital.com, presents itself as a legitimate private equity firm specializing in investments within the UK. The website is well-structured and professional, offering detailed information on various aspects of the company, including its portfolio, team, and investment philosophy.

The homepage emphasizes their experience and commitment to supporting UK businesses through investments ranging from £10m to £30m. They boast over £550m raised to date and back over 65 companies. Their portfolio includes various industries, from consumer goods to technology and financial services, showcasing companies like Air Charter Service, BHID Group, Jigsaw24, and Hartley Botanic.

The “About” section highlights the firm’s long history of providing capital to UK businesses. With over 39 years of experience and a track record of taking more than 50 companies from investment to exit, the firm’s investment range includes consumer, technology, financial services, transport, specialist manufacturing, business services, and hospitality.

The “Team” page lists the key personnel, providing detailed biographies and professional backgrounds. The team includes Mark Storey as Chairman, Grace Henderson-Londoño as Managing Partner, and Adrian Lurie and Neil Wilson as Partners. The detailed profiles aim to build credibility by showcasing the extensive experience of the leadership team in the private equity industry.

The website’s “Contact” page provides a physical address (65 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SH), a phone number (+44 203 178 4089), and a contact form for inquiries. The firm is noted to be authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), adding legitimacy to its operations.

Scam Review: Analysis of AIGMNewVIP.com

The website for AIGMNewVIP, accessible at aigmnewvip.com, presents itself as a financial service provider offering a comprehensive financial risk control system. It claims to use advanced security measures such as hot and cold wallets, a multi-signature system, and an anti-theft system to ensure the safety of funds. Despite these assurances, the domain’s overall presentation and associated features raise several concerns.

The website’s login page, visible at h5.aigmnewvip.com, shows a simplistic interface asking users to enter their username and password, with an option to open in a wallet app. Another page provides language settings, suggesting a global target audience with options in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai.

The website’s performance and accessibility are questionable. Attempts to access certain pages result in timeout errors, indicating potential issues with site stability or intentional obfuscation to prevent scrutiny. The minimal content available is limited to the login interface and language settings page, with no additional informative content or user guidance typically expected from a legitimate financial service provider.

AlcuinCapital.com Reviews

The Google search results for AlcuinCapital.com reveal a mix of reviews and information that paint the website as legitimate. For instance, ScamAdviser.com suggests that the site is “legit and safe to use,” noting a positive trust score. Alcuin Capital Partners LLP is listed as an investment adviser firm, and details are available on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website, which includes the firm’s regulatory filings.

Alcuin Capital Partners is described on platforms like Crunchbase and PitchBook as specializing in equity investments in growing, profitable smaller-middle market companies. They focus on growth capital investments in the UK market. The firm’s Crunchbase profile lists a phone number (+44 203 178 4089) and an email (info@alcuincapital.com), adding a layer of credibility.

However, there are also discussions on Reddit that raise concerns about Alcuin Capital’s association with AIGM, as described in a post in the r/Scams subreddit. One user states, “They say they have a partnership with Alcuin capital (alcuincapital.com), which is located in London… That’s a fake pig butcher scam,” suggesting that the association is part of a scam setup.

Despite the generally positive reviews, the Reddit discussions hint at possible misuse of Alcuin Capital’s name by scam operations, specifically those related to cryptocurrency exchanges.

AIGMNewVIP.com Reviews

The Google search results for AIGMNewVIP.com are far more concerning. Discussions on platforms like Reddit indicate that AIGMNewVIP is likely a scam. A post in the r/Scams subreddit highlights the site’s suspicious nature, noting that “there is no legit trading that is done via WhatsApp correspondence” and describing it as “a fake pig butcher scam crypto exchange.”

Another user on Reddit mentions, “The site is 2 months old. Would you risk giving money to a site that’s not even established?” This comment underscores the domain’s recent registration date, aligning with the observed scam characteristics.

The Scam Detector website also flags AIGMNewVIP.com, providing technical analysis and warning potential users about the risks. One key issue noted is that all trading and interactions are conducted via WhatsApp, which is highly unorthodox and suspicious for a financial service.

Conclusion

Upon thorough investigation, it becomes clear that AlcuinCapital.com and AIGMNewVIP.com present starkly different profiles. With its long-standing presence, extensive portfolio, and regulatory listings, Alcuin Capital Partners seems to operate as a legitimate private equity firm. However, its name appears to be exploited by scammers, which complicates its image. This misuse by fraudulent entities like AIGMNewVIP underscores the importance of vigilance, even when dealing with established names.

AIGMNewVIP.com, however, raises numerous red flags. The domain’s recent registration, reliance on WhatsApp for trading, and overwhelming negative user experiences suggest a high likelihood of fraudulent activity. The evidence points towards a classic pig butchering scam, where unsuspecting investors are lured with promises of high returns, only to be deceived and financially harmed.

Navigating the complex world of online investments, especially cryptocurrency, requires extensive due diligence. The case of AIGMNewVIP serves as a stark reminder that a professional-looking website and the use of reputable names can be deceptive.

In conclusion, while Alcuin Capital Partners appears to be a legitimate business potentially misrepresented by scammers, AIGMNewVIP.com exhibits all the characteristics of a scam.