A New Jersey firm allegedly built fake websites to bury online scandals tied to Canadians and a CRA-linked scammer, CBC investigation reveals.

Canadian Identities Caught in Web of Fake Sites

In a troubling digital deception, dozens of Canadians—along with a man linked to an alleged multimillion-dollar tax scheme—have found themselves at the center of a tangled network of fake websites designed to manipulate online reputations.

A CBC investigation by The Fifth Estate has uncovered how a New Jersey reputation management firm, cleanyourname.com, operated by David Rosenberg, allegedly flooded the web with bogus content to mask negative news, lawsuits, and criminal records.

The Curious Case of Louis Arriola

Louis Arriola, a U.S. telecom fraud convict once tied to a $63 million Canadian tax scheme, is among the most striking examples. On paper, his online persona dazzles: a Google Scholar profile credits him with 700 academic papers—some dating back to his childhood—while other sites showcase him as an artist and filmmaker.

Yet, as The Fifth Estate found, Arriola’s actual involvement in these fields is dubious at best. His name doesn’t appear on many of the publications, and professors listed on the papers deny any connection.

The Firm Behind the Digital Facade

At the center of this network is David Rosenberg of Lakewood, N.J., whose company markets itself as a specialist in erasing negative information from Google, Yahoo, and Bing search results by creating new “positive” content. But instead of legitimate rehabilitation, the operation reportedly generates fake artist profiles, blog posts, and social media accounts to bury damaging news.

Rosenberg’s own name was once tied to over 140 websites—many simply the names of individuals—before being scrubbed from online records after media inquiries.

Canadians Caught in the Cover-Up

The fallout extends to multiple Canadians, including:

• Dr. David Gerber, a Toronto gynecologist disciplined for misconduct, whose online art profiles appeared just as regulatory complaints surfaced.
• Calgary orthodontist, accused of failing to complete prepaid treatments, who suddenly became the subject of glowing online content.
• Finance professionals Marc Bistricer and Paul Zogala, linked to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission inquiries, whose names now appear on suspicious art-sharing accounts.

In many cases, the individuals deny hiring Rosenberg or knowing how their names were swept into the scheme. A lawyer for Gerber said the doctor “never authorized” the creation of these sites and has been unable to reach Rosenberg.

Disinformation’s Dangerous Ripple Effect

Experts warn that these tactics erode public trust.

“The whole point here is to confuse people,” said Ahmed Al-Rawi, director of The Disinformation Project at Simon Fraser University. “If people realize that what they are seeing is mostly fake, this will definitely decrease their trust—even when it comes from credible sources.”

The scheme also raises questions about the thin line between digital reputation management and online deception, and whether current laws are equipped to confront this murky terrain.

Web of Deceit Unravels

Following CBC’s inquiries, many of the 140 connected websites were quietly moved to new servers, making them harder to trace. While Rosenberg initially answered a phone call before hanging up, neither he nor his lawyer have responded to follow-up questions.

As the digital landscape grows more complex, cases like this expose the alarming ease with which reputations can be manipulated—and how truth itself can become a casualty of the algorithm.

Iranian ex-roads director Afshin Pirnoon faces a Canadian hearing over alleged regime ties amid Ottawa’s crackdown on senior Iranian officials.

Iranian Official Faces Deportation Battle in Canada

In a high-stakes immigration hearing, a former senior Iranian official, Afshin Pirnoon, appeared before Canada’s refugee board Thursday as the government continues its push to expel alleged regime members from the country.

From Regime Insider to Uber Driver

Pirnoon, 49, once served as director general in Iran’s Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization. Today, he works as an Uber driver in Canada, awaiting the outcome of a hearing that could determine whether he’ll be sent back to Iran.

Speaking through a Farsi interpreter, Pirnoon defended his past work, insisting that his role was technical, not political. “Whatever I’ve done in my life so far was to safeguard human lives,” he told the board. “Since coming here, I’ve tried my best to be a good citizen.”

Canada Cracks Down on Iran’s Senior Officials

Pirnoon is one of about 20 high-level Iranian officials identified by Canadian authorities since Ottawa launched a crackdown in 2022. The move came in response to Iran’s violent suppression of women’s rights protests and its state sponsorship of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis—organizations widely designated as terrorist groups.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) argues that Pirnoon’s senior government post makes him inadmissible to Canada. His hearing will determine whether the CBSA has a strong enough case for deportation.

Engineer or Enabler? Disputed Role in Iran’s Regime

A civil engineer with a master’s degree, Pirnoon worked for Iran’s government for 22 years, primarily in road safety. But the CBSA contends that his high-ranking title placed him among those supporting the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus.

Pirnoon rejects that claim, saying he had no political influence or authority. “Working for a government doesn’t mean endorsing it,” he told the board.

Deportations Rare, Despite Tough Stance

While the Canadian government has vowed to remove Iranian regime officials, the results have been slow. Since 2022, only two hearings have resulted in deportation orders, and just one official has actually been sent back to Iran. Several others, authorities say, have left Canada voluntarily.

What’s Next?

A ruling on Pirnoon’s case isn’t expected until later this year. As the government intensifies scrutiny of suspected Iranian regime figures in Canada, the outcome could set a precedent for future deportation cases.

Pirnoon’s case highlights Canada’s evolving approach to human rights and national security — and raises sharp questions about accountability, complicity, and redemption.