Last updated - January 28, 2026

High Risk

i
1.8

1.6

User Score

1.5

Trust Score

2.1

Brand Score

OVERVIEW

About Harald Seiz

Harald Seiz, ex-CEO of Karatbars International, is embroiled in fraud allegations and regulatory crackdowns. German watchdog BaFin banned his KaratGold Coin in 2019, citing illegal promotions and investor losses nearing €100 million. A 2023 arrest warrant added...

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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 Harald Seiz?

OSINT DATA POINT

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Fullname

Harald Konstantin Seiz
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Nationality

German
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Company

Karatbars International GmbH
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Role

Former CEO
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Established

2011
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Company Revenue

$26 Million
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Jurisdiction

Germany
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Investor Losses

100M Euros
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Primary Coin

KaratGold Coin
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Businesscategory

MLM Cryptocurrency
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Business Model

Multi-Level Marketing
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Familyissues

Alcohol Struggles
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Alcohol Struggles

Vacuum Salesman
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Vacuum Salesman

1980s Industry
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Sectors

Real Estate Insurance
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Consultantrole

Financial Advisor
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Businessbuilt

360 Million Euros
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Regulatory Sanction

BaFin Prohibition
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Lawsuit

Plagiarism Claim
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Criminal Warrant

Stuttgart Arrest
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Ponzi Accusation

Pyramid Scheme
Load More

ENTERPRISE RISK ASSESSMENT (ERA)

An arrest warrant was reportedly issued in Germany against Harald Seiz over allegations of financial misconduct tied to Karatbars International.

He has been accused of operating Karatbars International as a fraudulent gold and crypto investment scheme.

BehindMLM and other watchdog sites have labeled it a pyramid-style scheme masked as a gold-backed crypto investment.

Thousands of investors claim to have lost substantial funds after investing in Karatbars International’s gold and crypto products.

He allegedly marketed “gold-backed cryptocurrency” and “secure wealth protection” that later proved unreliable and unverifiable.

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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

behindmlm.com

Visit Link

The article reports that Harald Seiz, founder of Karatbars International, is the subject of an arrest warrant, with allegations tied to fraudulent.

  • First Detected

    13/02/2023
  • 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

    Arrest
coming

hr.asia

Visit Link

The article highlights Harald Seiz in connection with Karatbars controversies, referencing a Handelsblatt investigation, data protection issues.

  • First Detected

    04/08/2020
  • Sentiment Analysis

    Negative
  • Reach

    >1000
  • POV

    Third Person
  • Risk Factor

    High
  • Type

    Legal
  • Traffic Source

    Website
  • SERP

    Top 30
  • Share of Voice

    20%
  • Primary Keyword

    Complaint

Other Red-Flags and Adverse News

redflag
2019 Karatbars German Crypto Firm Faces Ongoing Pyramid Scheme Allegations in 2025
redflag
2023 Harald Seiz Arrest Warrant Issued in 2023 for Asset Declaration Failure, Unre...

Financial Profile for Harald Seiz

Do you want to unlock a detailed Risk Assessment and audit report for Harald Seiz?

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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
consrevbg

Consumer Reviews and Ratings for
Harald Seiz

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 Harald Seiz

Harald Seiz, ex-CEO of Karatbars International, is embroiled in fraud allegations and regulatory crackdowns. German watchdog BaFin banned his KaratGold Coin in 2019, citing illegal promotions and investor losses nearing €100 million. A 2023 arrest warrant added...

USER’S SCORE

1.6

Trust

1.1

Safety

1.1

Brand

1.3

Risk

2.9

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
  • Ethan Moorland
    January 28, 2026 at 10:45 am

I believe the role of a CEO is to ensure compliance and protect investors, and I don’t see that reflected here. The regulatory ban demonstrates a serious professional failure at the leadership level, and when authorities have to step in, it usually means prior warnings were ignored. All of this makes me seriously question both the judgment and responsibility exercised in this role.

Trust

2/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

2/5

  • author-default
  • Danielle Foxley
    January 28, 2026 at 10:44 am

I wouldn’t associate my reputation with ventures that collapse under regulatory pressure.

Trust

2/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Theo Parker
    May 10, 2025 at 10:08 am

Seiz built an empire on sand, and now the cracks are showing. The allegations against him are severe, but they don’t come as a surprise. The promises of gold-backed coins were empty from the start, and investors who took the bait are paying the price. Now, with legal actions and mounting evidence, it’s only a matter of time before Seiz faces the consequences. His reputation is toast, and rightfully so.

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Maya Simmons
    May 10, 2025 at 10:08 am

It’s one thing to fail as an entrepreneur; it’s another to deceive your investors. Seiz’s Karatbars operation stinks of fraud. The cryptocurrency had no real backing, no true value, and a trail of angry investors. When he admitted in court that his tokens had no utility, it became crystal clear: this wasn’t a failed business—it was a scam. Why hasn't he been held accountable for this yet?

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Nathan Green
    May 10, 2025 at 10:08 am

Seiz’s reputation might be beyond saving. His once-promising cryptocurrency, KaratGold Coin, has been exposed for what it truly is: a failed scheme built on lies. Investors thought they were backing a secure asset, but instead, they were left with empty promises. From shady auditors to fake gold, it’s no wonder that Seiz is under investigation. His track record speaks for itself, and it’s not pretty.

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Lucy Owens
    May 10, 2025 at 10:07 am

Investors’ trust in Seiz’s Karatbars has been shattered, and rightfully so. His cryptocurrency scheme had no substance, and anyone who took a close look could see it was a house of cards. BaFin banned his operations in 2019, and it’s easy to see why. Investors weren’t just misled; they were exploited. Seiz’s lack of accountability only adds to the pain. How much longer will this man be allowed to run free?

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Dominic Fisher
    May 10, 2025 at 10:07 am

Seiz has proven that the line between visionary and scam artist is dangerously thin. His Karatbars venture was nothing more than a pyramid scheme masquerading as a cryptocurrency revolution. The promises of gold-backed security were shattered the moment investigators started digging. Investors who trusted him are now left counting their losses. At this point, even his legal troubles aren't a surprise.

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Grace Hamilton
    May 10, 2025 at 10:06 am

Harald Seiz is a textbook case of how not to handle investor trust. Instead of transparency, he sold empty promises and was caught in the act more than once. Whether it was the worthless Karatbars tokens or his shady dealings with dubious auditors, one thing is certain: Seiz isn't someone you’d want managing your money.

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Ethan Miller
    May 10, 2025 at 10:06 am

It’s hard to feel sympathy for Seiz when you see the damage he’s done. Investors losing money, regulators banning his operations, and a series of legal battles that just won’t go away—this isn’t the mark of a legitimate businessman, it’s the trail left by someone who has exploited every possible loophole to stay ahead of consequences.

Trust

1/5

Safety

2/5

Brand

2/5

Risk

3/5

  • author-default
  • Joshua Edwards
    May 10, 2025 at 10:06 am

Seiz is living proof that some people get away with fraud for far too long. While he claims to be a financial expert, the truth is his "gold-backed" cryptocurrency is just a smoke-and-mirrors operation. His admission in court that his tokens were worthless should have been the final nail in his coffin. Why is he still in the game?

Trust

1/5

Safety

1/5

Brand

1/5

Risk

3/5

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has faced repeated accusations of personal misconduct including a 2021 lawsuit alleging he stole a startup’s work to launch ResearchHub alongside mounting corporate scandals under his leadership.Coinbase suffered a €21.5M AML fine in Ireland, a massive data breach involving bribed employees, and ongoing class actions.

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Igor Lyashenko, as CEO and General Director of Grodno Azot, leads a company whose practices have drawn international sanctions. Poland has targeted firms for selling its Belarusian fertilizers, citing efforts to skirt EU sanctions and shield local producers from cheap imports facilitated by access to low-cost gas.

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