Russia's Central Bank issued a formal warning on August 16, directly naming AI Marketing and three associated companies – UDM Creators LTD, Wexford Alliance Limited, and Zarya LLC – for displaying clear characteristics of a pyramid scheme operation. This official notice pointed to their operational model as a financial risk to participants.
Wexford Alliance, registered in Hong Kong, functioned as a shell entity. It handled money flows for both INB Network and AI Marketing, effectively laundering funds through its accounts. The exact roles of UDM Creators and Zarya remain less clear in public records. AI Marketing itself had operated as a Ponzi scheme under the umbrella of INB Network.
This entire structure collapsed when INB Network abruptly halted all withdrawals on July 12. This action effectively terminated the Ponzi scheme. At the time, INB Network publicly attributed the freeze to Russian authorities, claiming their website had been blacklisted. This statement likely referenced the Central Bank's warning, which officially followed a month later.
Investigators believe individuals of Russian origin managed both INB Network and AI Marketing. A significant portion of the schemes' promoters and investors were residents within Russia. The swift intervention by Russian authorities, therefore, provides a strong explanation for the sudden failure of the operation.
Instead of dissolving quietly, AI Marketing attempted a re-launch this month. The new incarnation operates under the name CashBackPro. The Central Bank's warning notably omitted any mention of INB Network. This omission, combined with the timing, suggests the rebrand serves as an effort to continue the fraudulent activities using a new identity.
Online traffic data for the CashBackPro website indicates a significant shift in its target demographic. The majority of new visitors now originate from countries such as Venezuela, India, and Algeria. Victims who lost funds in AI Marketing or INB Network should compile all transaction records and contact their local financial fraud authorities.
