YouPorn owner arrested in tax evasion probe

[signupdamnit]

true, i posted it above. According to Bild, FT also says he rejected the charges

You guys are kind of chummy with the "Bros" in the industry so I never know whether to believe what you report or whether you are leaving something out. That's one of the consequences of doing that. People might not know whether to trust that you are giving them the full story.

Cologne - The porn entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann was extradited from Belgium to Germany. He was brought before a judge and remain now only once in custody, said a spokesman for the Cologne public prosecutor. Thylmann, operates many of the Internet porn sites, is accused of tax evasion. Since last week, he had sat in Belgium in custody. Thylmann there had been arrested at his residence.

http://www.welt.de/newsticker/dpa_nt...geliefert.html

Hardly anything seems to connect across borders, such as pornography. That shows the example of our history to the German Internet entrepreneur Fabian Thylmann, the Boulevard of the granted the title "King of Porn".

On Monday we published an exclusive report about the arrest of Thylmann in Belgium and the search of the Manwin-offices in Hamburg. The tax investigation Koblenz has launched together with the Cologne Public Prosecutor a criminal investigation on suspicion of tax evasion.

Our coverage was picked up by numerous colleagues in this country and overseas. Especially in the English speaking hemisphere, in the U.S. and in the UK, thanks to media coverage of a message The Associated Press about the arrest. Among others was Thylmann topic at Huffington Post, Washington Post, Gawker, Guardian and The Independent.

But also in Italy, France and Belgium, there was "news" to Youporn-chief.

In the German media, the news spread like wildfire. Hardly a big media came around the message. The interest of the readers (and readers) seem to be considerable - there have been numerous follow-up article.

And also in the social networks, with Facebook and Twitter, discussed and disseminated to readers reporting to Fabian Thylmann in recent days.

"Late Night" entertainer Harald Schmidt took the news as an opportunity to take the Youporn boss for a ride.

http://investigativ.welt.de/2012/12/...eit-interesse/

[nikki99]

I have never heard anything good about Jail

[xanadu]

Why? I think this thread has had a lot of truth. Did you think this was all a made up story that Fabian created for publicity? Early Christmas gift to his family?

true, i just posted what i saw in the news, I am in Germany anyhow so its easy to stay tunned...

[Shap]

true, i just posted what i saw in the news, I am in Germany anyhow so its easy to stay tunned...

This thread has had a lot of good sharing of information both on this case as well as how the EU and Germany work in regards to these things. I've been impressed.

[xanadu]

yep, i expected it far worse as well lol

[Phoenix]

why not just set the bail to whatever number they think was evaded?
i checked the news...the germans are arresting all kinds of people for tax evasion in the last few days

http://www.dw.de/deutsche-bank-ceo-r...rge/a-16453783

[xanadu]

seems more like an international thing than just german, the carbon scandal Phoenix posted above, has been in the talks long long time and started from the UK if i remember well.

[Herrmann]

seems more like an international thing than just german, the carbon scandal Phoenix posted above, has been in the talks long long time and started from the UK if i remember well.

Yes, and a few other countries. Deutsche Bank, as big as it is, was just (un)lucky enough to trade a lot of the certificates.

[omgt]

i wonder if his brief got him clean underwear since last Friday ?

Major german newswire dpa reports that Fabian is in Germany, was seen by a judge, and remains in german jail for now.

One source that talked to the DA directly says that it is unclear, whether there will be a bail hearing before christmas or not.

[omgt]

I think there is a re-hearing of the injunction hearing on the 19th is'nt there ?
the previous hearing was an injunction to suppres details of the company structure (etc) getting out
(which you clarified below)

Well, sort of ;) First, it´s not true that Manwin sued for an "upcoming" story, they filed for a story that was already printed and claimed it would have false allegations in it. This is also common practice here: Any media outlet can claim whatever they want, but if they are factually wrong you can prevent them from saying it again.

So, the story of "Die Welt" was taken offline, but of course still existed in the printed newspaper. After that, so Welt reports further, an insider of Manwin contacted them with new documents, and they handed that to the DA. It depends on the kind of crime, but there are cases where even journalists tend to do that, because they are running the risk of being an "aide" in tarnishing a crime.

Here´s another but: The DA told Welt that the tax investigators have been following Manwin ever since the end of 2010. So, the whole theory that reports by "Die Welt" started it all seems wrong.

[Herrmann]

I think there is a re-hearing of the injunction hearing on the 19th is'nt there ?

Not a re-hearing, it will be the final decision on whether Welt can re-distribute the story. The first injunction was just preliminary.

[The Porn Nerd]

Is all this nonsense the reason my sales have sucked ass since Fabian was arrested?

FREE FABIAN!!!!

[ilnjscb]

If his plea was the German equivalent of not guilty, maybe they'll let him off on a lesser charge like Unglaubliches Trunkenheit or something.

[PR_Phil]

If his plea was the German equivalent of not guilty, maybe they'll let him off on a lesser charge like Unglaubliches Trunkenheit or something.

Incredible Drunkenness?

[ilnjscb]

Incredible Drunkenness?

No? Then maybe Wohltätige Vernebelung.

[adultmobile]

According to Bild, FT also says he rejected the charges

He stated before that the money flows and multinational + invoicing structure was an idea of a big accounting firm, for tax optimisation, they told him being was legal. It was not Fabian to do the accounting himself, we may all agree on that. Further, who gave him big loans surely checked the company structure, or even asked to change it. I dealt with banks for deals under the 5 million and they're checking your accounting more than the product you sell, so for bigger loans as Manwin got, they want lots of control.
You guys think an accounting firm plus bank/fund investors will both let the founder (Fabian) setup and use own shady companies in exotic islands, as he wishes in plain tax evasion way?

Accordingly, I believe Fabian it is especially upset at his accountant(s), who may probably have given him 2 or 3 options to choice from... even if he choice the most unlucky one, still he was told it was safe, and he believed it, and still he may believe it, what he can believe, being not an accountant himself (that I know of)? And what if the idea of Cyprus and such it was introduced by later investors, not even by him in first place: we give you loan only if you do this smart structure?

Accountants are normally safe: "we advise only, but guy done different", it is right to jail the CEO/Owner/managing Partner, who may complain on accountants with no success. Just the accounting firm of ENRON it failed shortly after, but for negative advertising, so reputation and not legal issue. Unsure of German specific laws.

Unlike most people in this thread, I can't see Fabian as a "a greedy tax evasion guy", like he knows he is doing tax evasion. This would make him as brave (or crazy) as Larry Flynt and Al Capone, while most people stated he's not that type of guy. Refer him as "stupid" also does not apply since he could write scripts, he may be opinionated, but informed.

I more wonder of who loaned Manwin money for acquisitions, as banks/funds sure work with church / sinagogue / Saudi Arabia i.e. conservative institutions, so may lose reputation (and money) if caught investing in YouPorn, PornHub's. That's seen as bad as weapons supply for North Korea by religions, govts or kings. Really they OK to use Cyprus for get and give money between German customers and employees, so for Tax people to expose them soon in the press that church / sinagogue / arabia reads?

[Three.Thousand]

You got a shit load of money, and decide to invest in the porn industry. you stay anonymous because you don't want to be associated with said business, what do you need to squeeze as much as possible out of your shady investment? a fall guy.

[omgt]

ignorance is no defence to the law
thats criminal law or tax law
if you get/got "bad advice" from your "accountant" - you are liable - not the accountant
you then might have redress i.e. a claim in a civil court against the "advisor" for negligence (etc etc) but its too late then.
i think i remember on those manwin speech videos (that are on utube) that were put on here at the begining by adg that fabulous fabian specifically said that you shouldnt just choose "any" accountant/advisor (etc) and that you have to choose one that knows what he is talking about. which is slightly ironic.

but when you look at this - what it "might" bore down to is that a "misunderstanding" between the company and the authorities - i.e. the paying of employee tax (or "not")
probably not though because if it was that simple it would not have progressed this far
(who knows)

and no, he's not stupid, not at all.
i cant program so he's well above me in that respect.

btw - it was all planned this is step 8

step 9 is fall down a big hole
and step 10 is balance a book on my head

http://gfy.com/showpost.php?p=18353281&postcount=37

He stated before that the money flows and multinational + invoicing structure was an idea of a big accounting firm, for tax optimisation, they told him being was legal. It was not Fabian to do the accounting himself, we may all agree on that. Further, who gave him big loans surely checked the company structure, or even asked to change it. I dealt with banks for deals under the 5 million and they're checking your accounting more than the product you sell, so for bigger loans as Manwin got, they want lots of control.
You guys think an accounting firm plus bank/fund investors will both let the founder (Fabian) setup and use own shady companies in exotic islands, as he wishes in plain tax evasion way?

Accordingly, I believe Fabian it is especially upset at his accountant(s), who may probably have given him 2 or 3 options to choice from... even if he choice the most unlucky one, still he was told it was safe, and he believed it, and still he may believe it, what he can believe, being not an accountant himself (that I know of)? And what if the idea of Cyprus and such it was introduced by later investors, not even by him in first place: we give you loan only if you do this smart structure?

Accountants are normally safe: "we advise only, but guy done different", it is right to jail the CEO/Owner/managing Partner, who may complain on accountants with no success. Just the accounting firm of ENRON it failed shortly after, but for negative advertising, so reputation and not legal issue. Unsure of German specific laws.

Unlike most people in this thread, I can't see Fabian as a "a greedy tax evasion guy", like he knows he is doing tax evasion. This would make him as brave (or crazy) as Larry Flynt and Al Capone, while most people stated he's not that type of guy. Refer him as "stupid" also does not apply since he could write scripts, he may be opinionated, but informed.

I more wonder of who loaned Manwin money for acquisitions, as banks/funds sure work with church / sinagogue / Saudi Arabia i.e. conservative institutions, so may lose reputation (and money) if caught investing in YouPorn, PornHub's. That's seen as bad as weapons supply for North Korea by religions, govts or kings. Really they OK to use Cyprus for get and give money between German customers and employees, so for Tax people to expose them soon in the press that church / sinagogue / arabia reads?

[Robbie]

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

I want to dedicate this song to the King of Porn, Fabian Thylmann:





ADG

[omgt]

waiting for his tea ?

friday is spaghetti bolognese - yum yum yum

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

[JFK]

No the white Bentley

[Captain Kawaii]

Thanks for the update, back in a while, gonna run and switch on the tely.......... Is it the white Hummer ?

I thought it was a white Bronco...

[Captain Kawaii]

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

I think a German member mentioned that now that their books are open...Germans, et al, can look at EVERYTHING. He is considered flight risk considering his old partners actions I imagine.

[JFK]

true, i just posted what i saw in the news, I am in Germany anyhow so its easy to stay tunned...

Dont get arrested

[omgt]

what would be the point of extraditing him to Germany , then letting him go free ???

he could just get the bus back to Belgium with a few cans of beer and a kebab and pretend absolutely nothing happened. (he might even get a discount on the bus if he wore some shorts) (and have a whale of a time on the bus)

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

[mikke]

sooner or later it had to happen.. they couldnt built porn empire with paying taxes..

[Shap]

sooner or later it had to happen.. they couldnt built porn empire with paying taxes..

That's a really dumb comment IMO

[Due]

The Fabian supporters of this thread were all saying that this was "normal" earlier. And that the only reason he was still in jail was because he was awaiting extradition to Germany from Belgium.

Well, now he is in Germany.

Why is he still in jail?

I still believe that he will be out for Christmas.
I'm not for or against Manwin. I like all the people I met from there and they have always treated me well and in a respectful way. I have not spend time researching their past or their other dealings so can't comment on any of that.
I don't think tubes would go away or the market would change if they where not here, a lot of the hate against them is for people that join the hate just to hate against someone, it makes sense because they can all focus on the same group / individual.
If all their properties was spread all over the place owned by different people it would be different.
Just compare it to all the hate against AFF, most is gone now because their stocks are down and they report losses etc... but they still advertise don't they ? Still people moved on, because there is someone else making big $

That's my perception, if I'm right or wrong doesn't really make a difference to me

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Do you think Fabian got any prison tats or other souvenirs from his jail experience? Hard to imagine someone as soft looking as Fabian transforming into a gangsta, but who knows...



Are inmate's allowed personal phone calls in the German jail system? I imagine Fabian's family has to be pretty upset by this turn of events.

I've never met Fabian in person, so I can't tell what impact incarceration, even for this short amount of time, will have on his psyche. As anti-authoritarian as I am, I would find the situation difficult even if I thought I was 100% innocent - in fact, I would be even more pissed if I thought I was innocent, as FT is proclaiming himself to be.

Given the size of Fabian's ego from the arrogance that he has displayed on GFY, I would imagine this is not setting to well with the pudgy porno boy wonder.



ADG

[Robbie]

I have not spend time researching their past or their other dealings so can't comment on any of that.

Due! Come on man...you don't have to research anything to be aware of how many people have been hurt by Manwin's tube sites displaying members area content for free (full scenes) to hundreds of millions of views.

Even if you've been under a rock the last few years (and you haven't), all you have to do is look at the industry in ruins all around.

[omgt]

it might depend on who is on his wing , and how much association there is,
but i think everyone will know who he is because of the notoriety etc
(same reason its in the papers - as well as allegedly being large scale)(allegedly)

[Robbie]

it might depend on who is on his wing , and how much association there is,
but i think everyone will know who he is because of the notoriety etc
(same reason its in the papers - as well as allegedly being large scale)(allegedly)

My guess is that Fabian has the most comfortable accommodations that jail can offer. And is kept away from other prisoners.

[omgt]

i doubt it - it doesnt usually happen, you get all sorts on the same wing, although generally categorised beforehand.

My guess is that Fabian has the most comfortable accommodations that jail can offer. And is kept away from other prisoners.

[omgt]

The one on the left has a fixated stare (high on drugs of some sort)
the one on the right is quite relaxed and looks quite content

so is this proof that acupuncture works ?



ps
the one on the left has his head on upside down as well.

Do you think Fabian got any prison tats or other souvenirs from his jail experience? Hard to imagine someone as soft looking as Fabian transforming into a gangsta, but who knows...



Are inmate's allowed personal phone calls in the German jail system? I imagine Fabian's family has to be pretty upset by this turn of events.

I've never met Fabian in person, so I can't tell what impact incarceration, even for this short amount of time, will have on his psyche. As anti-authoritarian as I am, I would find the situation difficult even if I thought I was 100% innocent - in fact, I would be even more pissed if I thought I was innocent, as FT is proclaiming himself to be.

Given the size of Fabian's ego from the arrogance that he has displayed on GFY, I would imagine this is not setting to well with the pudgy porno boy wonder.



ADG

[signupdamnit]

He stated before that the money flows and multinational + invoicing structure was an idea of a big accounting firm, for tax optimisation, they told him being was legal. It was not Fabian to do the accounting himself, we may all agree on that. Further, who gave him big loans surely checked the company structure, or even asked to change it. I dealt with banks for deals under the 5 million and they're checking your accounting more than the product you sell, so for bigger loans as Manwin got, they want lots of control.
You guys think an accounting firm plus bank/fund investors will both let the founder (Fabian) setup and use own shady companies in exotic islands, as he wishes in plain tax evasion way?

Accordingly, I believe Fabian it is especially upset at his accountant(s), who may probably have given him 2 or 3 options to choice from... even if he choice the most unlucky one, still he was told it was safe, and he believed it, and still he may believe it, what he can believe, being not an accountant himself (that I know of)? And what if the idea of Cyprus and such it was introduced by later investors, not even by him in first place: we give you loan only if you do this smart structure?

Accountants are normally safe: "we advise only, but guy done different", it is right to jail the CEO/Owner/managing Partner, who may complain on accountants with no success. Just the accounting firm of ENRON it failed shortly after, but for negative advertising, so reputation and not legal issue. Unsure of German specific laws.

Unlike most people in this thread, I can't see Fabian as a "a greedy tax evasion guy", like he knows he is doing tax evasion. This would make him as brave (or crazy) as Larry Flynt and Al Capone, while most people stated he's not that type of guy. Refer him as "stupid" also does not apply since he could write scripts, he may be opinionated, but informed.

I more wonder of who loaned Manwin money for acquisitions, as banks/funds sure work with church / sinagogue / Saudi Arabia i.e. conservative institutions, so may lose reputation (and money) if caught investing in YouPorn, PornHub's. That's seen as bad as weapons supply for North Korea by religions, govts or kings. Really they OK to use Cyprus for get and give money between German customers and employees, so for Tax people to expose them soon in the press that church / sinagogue / arabia reads?

How do we know that he really got the money from a bank as opposed to someone say in Israel or elsewhere? That could even be the real reason the Germans are on him.

Regarding his accountants how do we know that it isn't one of his accountants who turned him in in the first place? If I were his accountant and I knew of shady things and I heard rumors that the German government was about to crack down I might get scared and approach the tax authorities for immunity in exchange for talking.

We really don't know much right now.

[Herrmann]

I think a German member mentioned that now that their books are open...Germans, et al, can look at EVERYTHING. He is considered flight risk considering his old partners actions I imagine.

That was me (German), and some others stating that. But I did not say, that "et al" can look at the evidence collected, it´s just the tax investigators - for now. If they find evidence for any other crime, they have to inform the DA, he files a new suit, which comes on top of the existing one. Most often, this is then put into one trial for the reason of "acts in unity" (excuse my translation pls)

And, again: Esp. if you´re rich, have offices and / or homes in other countries, you are always considered a flight risk. Bail is an option, but that´s the decision of the judge alone. There´s no right to be set free on bail, as minor as the allegations may be.

So, that´s why he is still in jail.

[Relentless]

We really don't know much right now.

Smartest statement made in this entire thread.

[adultmobile]

How do we know that he really got the money from a bank as opposed to someone say in Israel

You mean the people in Israel give money around without use any banks?

[adultmobile]

Extradition in the news but no new info.

Manwin Chief Extradited, Hears Charges
http://www.ynot.com/content/118486-m...s-charges.html

Manwin's Fabian Thylmann Extradited to Germany
http://www.xbiz.com/news/157660

[Roald]

Smartest statement made in this entire thread.

But way less fun ;)))

[SZNY]

Seems like many people are hoping for his downfall. The guy has 900+ employees which probably all have a family and mouths to feed.

[signupdamnit]

Seems like many people are hoping for his downfall. The guy has 900+ employees which probably all have a family and mouths to feed.

And 9000+ people and their families have likely been affected by the piracy he supports. What about them?

[SZNY]

And 9000+ people and their families have likely been affected by the piracy he supports. What about them?

yeah thats also sad, manwin started with tubes and many followed so you cant directly blame them only

[signupdamnit]

yeah thats also sad, manwin started with tubes and many followed so you cant directly blame them only

Fabian had several years to make his tube properties legit with policies such as the "Three Strikes Policy" which Youtube has. He largely failed to make those changes (All the excuses people will make for him aside). I have little sympathy for him until he changes his ways. Hopefully he will. If he gets the chance and it's not too late.

If they were playing fast and loose with tax money or involved in laundering then the whole company deserves to be taken down for that alone. Whether that's the case or not we will see.

[Dirty Dane]

The raid on Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt sounds more serious. Related?

[nikki99]

merry xmas Fabian

[The Porn Nerd]

merry xmas Fabian

Now there's a nice thought from a GFY member!

[mikesouth]

Fabian is in "remand custody"
means there is no bail

[TrustedJ]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/1...8BD0EK20121214

Four Deutsche Bank employees were jailed on Thursday following a raid of its twin-tower headquarters in Frankfurt on charges including money laundering and obstruction of justice related to a carbon trading scheme.