Ripplewood Launches $1 Billion Investment in OpenAI’s Chat-GPT, Shocking Private Equity Industry
US private equity business was taken aback today when a fake press release appeared on the London Stock Exchange’s website, claiming that Ripplewood, a New York-based firm, planned to invest $1 billion in Chat-GPT owner OpenAI. The announcement, which was posted on the LSE’s regulatory news site, suggested that Ripplewood saw the software as a valuable asset and an opportunity to optimize investors’ portfolios. However, it has been revealed that the press release was fraudulent.
Ripplewood has already taken action by hiring lawyers to investigate how the bogus corporate announcement found its way onto the London Stock Exchange website. Ripplewood CEO Tim Collins has called it illegal and said that they have alerted the authorities. The fake press release seems to be an attempt by scammers to deceive the public and pose as corporate advisors funding AI businesses.
This incident highlights the latest wave of scammers targeting unsuspecting individuals by pretending to be American investors. Crooks have also been posing as Goldman Sachs employees on WhatsApp, attempting to convince people to invest in crypto schemes. This type of fraud has become increasingly prevalent, with over £1.2 billion stolen through fraudulent schemes in Britain in 2022 alone, according to data from UK Finance.
OpenAI, the company behind Chat-GPT, has not yet commented on the fake press release. The organization, which is partially owned by Microsoft following a $10 billion investment in January 2023, will likely investigate the matter further.
The London Stock Exchange has taken swift action to remove the fraudulent announcement from its website once its illegitimacy was discovered. Meanwhile, German news wire EQS, through which the fake press release was supposedly transmitted, has not provided a comment on the incident.
This incident serves as a reminder for investors and the public to remain cautious and verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunities or announcements before taking any action. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial to independently confirm the information directly with the companies involved or through reputable sources.
It is pertinent to note that the original press release claiming Ripplewood’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI’s Chat-GPT is entirely fictitious and should not be considered accurate. As Ripplewood continues its investigation and authorities look into the matter, it is important to rely on official statements and verified sources for credible information regarding investment opportunities in the market.
