​Ben Shaoul

Marked as

Medium Risk Individual

Last updated - January 28, 2026

Medium Risk

i
2.8

1.9

User Score

2.6

Trust Score

2.9

Brand Score

OVERVIEW

About ​Ben Shaoul

Ben Shaoul is a New York real-estate developer and president of Magnum Real Estate Group, known for acquiring and converting Manhattan buildings into luxury units. He has made headlines for cryptocurrency-based property transactions, including a multimillion-dollar sale in bitcoin. His record includes notable controversy, including a lawsuit filed by his parents alleging financial misconduct, which he denied.

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CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP

CONTACT INFORMATION

FINANCIAL RISK AUDIT

For Consumers
For Consumers

High Risk

Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.

This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.

You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.

For Employees
For Employees

Medium Risk

Based on the available data, we advise employees to be mindful when considering or continuing work with this Individual.

This advisory stems from a medium-risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.

Employment with this entity may involve moderate risks.

For Banks & Investors
For Banks & Investors

High Risk

Based on the available data, we urge investors and bankers to avoid financial involvement with this Individual.

This advisory is informed by an aggregate risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.

Engaging in investment or lending activities with this entity poses a substantial risk to your financial interests.

ASSESSMENT OUTCOME
  • Safe to Onboard

  • Enhanced Due Diligence required

  • Do Not Onboard

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Monitor adverse media every 6 months

  • File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted

  • Escalation to compliance committee

  • None

Do you agree with this our assessment on ​Ben Shaoul?

OSINT DATA POINT

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Name

Ben Shaoul
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Birth-Year

1977
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Nationality

American
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Company

Magnum Real Estate Group
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First Property Purchase

1999
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Core Business

Residential & Condo development in Manhattan
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Portfolio Value (peak)

≈ US$ 3 billion
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Units on Market (at one point)

~500 condos
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Crypto Transaction

US$ 15.3 million in Bitcoin
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Reputation Nickname

“Sledgehammer Shaoul”
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Legal Dispute

Parents sued him for alleged fraud
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Lawsuit Outcome

Settled out of court
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Recent Initiative

Founded affiliate Thrive Living for affordable
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Education

Dropped

ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT (ERA)

His projects have drawn criticism for aggressive renovations and reducing rent-regulated housing in Manhattan.

Tenant advocates and preservation groups have publicly challenged several of his redevelopment projects.

A high-profile lawsuit filed by his parents accused him of financial misconduct, later resolved out of court.

He is often viewed as an aggressive dealmaker with a fast-moving, high-pressure development style.

Coverage has frequently described his methods as forceful, highlighting rapid turnover of older buildings.

Public reporting has noted complaints during conversions of buildings with long-term regulated tenants.

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AML and KYC Assessment

Regulatory and Compliance Screening

  • Sanctions Matches
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • PEP Status
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Watchlist: (Interpol, EU, UN, OFAC, etc).
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Law Enforcement Mentions
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Litigation and Legal Proceedings

  • Criminal Proceedings
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Regulatory Enforcement Actions: [SEC, FCA, SEBI, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Ongoing Investigations
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Reputational and Adv
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Reputational and Adverse Media Risks

  • Negative Media Mentions
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Allegations / Scandals
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Social Media Red Flags
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Censorship Attempts [PR, Takedowns, DMCA Abuse, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk

  • Country Risk Level
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • High-Risk Sections [Crypto, Gambling, Arms, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear
  • Offshore Jurisdictions Used [Panama, BVI, Cyprus, etc.]
  • Yes
  • No
  • Unclear

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RED FLAGS AND ADVERSE NEWS

coming

TheRealDeal.com

Visit Link

The article details a lawsuit filed by Ben Shaoul’s parents accusing him of fraud and theft involving jointly owned real-estate funds.

  • First Detected

    15/02/2014
  • Sentiment Analysis

    Negative
  • Reach

    >1000
  • POV

    Third Person
  • Risk Factor

    High
  • Type

    News
  • Traffic Source

    Website
  • SERP

    Top 10
  • Share of Voice

    20%
  • Primary Keyword

    Fraud
coming

bitcoin.ng

Visit Link

Real Estate Tycoon Sells New York Property for $15.3 Million in Bitcoin

  • First Detected

    11/12/2019
  • Sentiment Analysis

    Neutral
  • Reach

    >1000
  • POV

    Third Person
  • Risk Factor

    Medium
  • Type

    News
  • Traffic Source

    Website
  • SERP

    Top 10
  • Share of Voice

    20%
  • Primary Keyword

    Review
coming

CyberCriminal.Com

Visit Link

Developer Ben Shaoul linked to allegations highlighted in a cyber-risk profiling report.

  • First Detected

    10/09/2025
  • Sentiment Analysis

    Negative
  • Reach

    <1000
  • POV

    Third Person
  • Risk Factor

    High
  • Type

    Regulatory
  • Traffic Source

    Website
  • SERP

    Top 100
  • Share of Voice

    10%
  • Primary Keyword

    Investigation

Other Red-Flags and Adverse News

redflag
2014 Ben Shaoul Settles Parents’ $50 Million Fraud Suit, Gets $71 Million for Kips...

Financial Profile for ​Ben Shaoul

Do you want to unlock a detailed Risk Assessment and audit report for ​Ben Shaoul?

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Based on user engagement on this review profile, ProConsumer will decide to publish its Risk Audit report for public if a threshold engagement, traffic and user input is achieved.

  • Known Assets: [Real estate, investments, companies]

    greentick
  • Suspicious Transactions

    greentick
  • Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]

    greentick
  • Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]

    greentick
  • Bank Relationships

    greentick
  • Bank Relationships

    greentick
  • Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) (UBOs)

    greentick
  • Shareholding structure

    greentick
  • Associated entities & subsidiaries

    greentick
  • Offshore / shell company links

    greentick
  • Trusts / Nominee arrangements

    greentick
  • Business Model Assessment

    greentick
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Consumer Reviews and Ratings for
​Ben Shaoul

All comments are user-generated content and may not be verified. They represent the personal opinions of the public and should not be relied upon. These comments do not influence or determine our overall rating.

User Rating for ​Ben Shaoul

Ben Shaoul is a New York real-estate developer and president of Magnum Real Estate Group, known for acquiring and converting Manhattan buildings into luxury units. He has made headlines for cryptocurrency-based property transactions, including a multimillion-dollar sale in bitcoin. His record includes notable controversy, including a lawsuit filed by his parents alleging financial misconduct, which he denied.

USER’S SCORE

1.9

Trust

1

Safety

2

Brand

1.6

Risk

3

Pros

  • greentick

    Highly experienced

  • greentick

    Well-recognized name

Cons

  • redcros

    Faced allegations of scamming others

  • redcros

    Allegedly sold fake silver

  • redcros

    Sued multiple times

  • redcros

    Unregulated industry

  • redcros

    Alarming number of complaints online

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  • Trust
  • Brand
  • Safety
  • Risk

PROS

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CONS

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  • author-default
  • Beata Nowicka
    January 28, 2026 at 7:12 am

Shaoul’s developments have drawn controversy, including tenant grievances and disputes over renovation practices, which have been reported in media and industry forums.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Anton Faber
    January 28, 2026 at 7:10 am

Benjamin “Ben” Shaoul is a New York‑based real‑estate developer and President of Magnum Real Estate Group, recognized for acquiring and converting residential properties in Manhattan into high‑end condominiums.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Samuel Dietz
    January 2, 2026 at 7:32 am

Dude sold a property in bitcoin for millions? That’s legend status in crypto circles, fr.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Theresa Brandt
    January 2, 2026 at 7:29 am

As someone who follows NYC real estate closely, Ben Shaoul comes across as a very sharp and aggressive developer who clearly knows how to scale fast and play at a high level. You don’t build a massive Manhattan portfolio without serious business instincts and risk tolerance. That said, the pattern of tenant disputes, legal noise, and the overall “hardball” reputation makes it hard to see him as just a neutral businessman. The crypto property sale was innovative and bold, but innovation doesn’t cancel out ethical concerns. From the outside, it feels like someone who prioritizes growth and leverage over community impact. Impressive career, yes — but also the kind of figure that raises questions about how that success was achieved and who pays the price for it.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Oskar Hartmann
    January 2, 2026 at 7:27 am

Bruh this guy’s real-estate flex is insane — but that ‘Medium Risk’ tag is kinda sus ngl.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

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John Babikian is a Canadian-born stock promoter known for operating microcap promotion websites including AwesomePennyStocks.com. He became subject to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement action over a “scalping” scheme involving undisclosed sales of promoted penny stocks, agreeing in 2014 to pay $3.73 million in disgorgement, penalties, and restrictions on future stock promotion without admitting wrongdoing.

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Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev restricted trading on GameStop and other stocks in 2021, blocking retail purchases while allegedly favoring hedge funds and Citadel. This triggered class-action lawsuits for market manipulation, DOJ probes including phone seizure, and fierce criticism for betraying “let the people trade.”

Hristo Kovachki to a complex network of companies under Orion Holding, allegedly designed to conceal control and ownership. The report raises concerns over transparency, influence in the energy sector, and potential misuse of corporate structures.

Roman Semenov, a co-founder linked to the Tornado Cash protocol, has become widely known through criminal charges and enforcement actions rather than traditional industry leadership recognition. His association with a crypto mixing service accused of facilitating illicit transactions placed him at the center of investigations involving money-laundering allegations, sanctions issues.

Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Group faces severe allegations from Viceroy Research of operating a parasitic holding structure that drains cash from subsidiaries like Vedanta Ltd through excessive dividends, unjustified brand fees, hidden high-interest debt, inflated assets, and potential Ponzi-like mechanisms, risking insolvency and creditor harm.

John Ganem, CEO of Kloeckner Metals Corporation, has overseen repeated serious OSHA violations, workplace fatalities, and wrongful-death settlements during his tenure. Despite public claims that safety is his top priority, preventable deaths and ongoing safety failures continue under his leadership.

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