虚构的30亿美元！Napster融资骗局崩了

Core Insights - Napster, formerly known as Infinite Reality, announced a $3 billion funding round in January, which has now been revealed to be non-existent, as the promised funds will not materialize [2][3][4] - The company claims to be a victim of misconduct and is cooperating with investigations by the SEC and the Department of Justice regarding the funding and its mysterious investor [3][4][10] Funding and Investor Details - The CEO John Acunto had previously stated that a mysterious investor would inject $3.36 billion at a valuation of $12 billion, which would have been one of the largest funding rounds of the year [2][4] - Following the announcement, Napster's communications indicated that the investor was a consulting firm named Sterling Select, which later clarified it was not an investor but had referred other potential investors [6][9] - The company has faced multiple lawsuits from creditors alleging unpaid debts, including a $22 million claim from the former owners of a virtual reality company it acquired [7][9] Company Operations and Challenges - Napster has been transitioning from a focus on the metaverse to artificial intelligence, acquiring several companies in the process, but has faced significant operational challenges, including layoffs of about one-third of its workforce [5][7] - The company has repeatedly promised shareholders opportunities to cash out through buyouts, but these promises have not materialized, leading to frustration among investors [3][4][7] - Allegations of inflated partnerships and financial misrepresentation have surfaced, raising questions about the company's credibility and operational integrity [4][5][6] Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny - The SEC and DOJ are investigating the circumstances surrounding the funding and the company's disclosures, with the SEC's inquiry initially focused on a canceled reverse merger [3][10] - If it is proven that Napster knowingly misled investors about the funding, the company could face severe consequences, including potential securities fraud charges [10]