Ran Cohen
Cyprus
Ran Cohen’s BridgerPay faces serious allegations of facilitating fraudulent transactions despite its ISO status under Visa, raising concerns about compliance failures.
1.7/5
Trust Score
Composite score based on public data signals and verifiability indicators.
2
Red Flags
The dossier on Ran Cohen has been compiled using publicly available sources including court records, regulatory filings, corporate registries, archived media reports, and other verifiable documents. Research is conducted in collaboration with journalists, OSINT analysts, researchers, and citizen contributors.
The information presented is provided for informational and research purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a legal determination regarding Ran Cohen. We welcome credible evidence, corrections, or additional documentation that may help improve the accuracy and completeness of this record.
Created: March 4, 2025 • Updated: September 13, 2025
Ran Cohen is an Israeli politician and former Knesset member for the Meretz party. Over his political career, he has been associated with several controversies, including accusations of incitement and internal party disputes.
Accusations of Incitement Against Settlers
In 2003, Ran Cohen was accused by MK Yehiel Hazan of Likud of inciting against Israeli settlers. This accusation stemmed from Cohen’s remarks, which were perceived as inflammatory by some members of the Knesset. The controversy highlighted the tensions between different political factions regarding settlement policies.
Internal Party Disputes and Allegations of Racism
Cohen’s tenure in Meretz was marked by internal disputes, particularly after the party’s merger with Yossi Beilin’s Shachar movement. He ran for the chairmanship of the new party but lost to Beilin. Supporters of Cohen attributed his defeat to anti-Mizrahi racism within the party, pointing out that he was the only non-Ashkenazi to reach a senior position within it.
Retirement from Political Life Amidst Controversy
In 2008, following Beilin’s resignation, Cohen announced his intention to retire from political life and not seek a spot on the party’s list ahead of the upcoming general elections. He expressed a desire to start a new chapter focused on personal interests, but some speculated that internal party dynamics influenced his decision.
Criticism Over Housing Policy Legislation
As Minister of Industry and Trade, Cohen was associated with the “Law of Public Housing,” which allowed residents of state-supplied houses to assume ownership. While the law aimed to benefit residents, it faced criticism for potentially undermining public housing policies and raising questions about its long-term impact on housing availability.
Leadership Challenges Within Meretz
Cohen’s leadership within Meretz faced challenges, particularly concerning the party’s direction and internal cohesion. His tenure saw debates over the party’s identity and strategy, with some members questioning his leadership style and the party’s ability to unite diverse factions within Israeli society.
Conclusion
Ran Cohen’s political career was marked by several controversies, including accusations of incitement, internal party disputes, and criticism over housing policies. While he made significant contributions to Israeli politics, these issues have left a complex legacy, influencing perceptions of his leadership and the Meretz party’s trajectory.
Compliance and Regulatory Intel
| Risk Category | Assessment Question | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Liabilities | Does have any significant outstanding liabilities that may pose financial risks? | Not Known |
| Undisclosed Relations | Are there undisclosed business relationships or affiliations linked to ? | Not Known |
| Sanctions or Watchlist Matches | Is listed on any international sanctions or compliance watchlists? | Not Known |
| Criminal Record | Does have a record of criminal activity or related investigations? | Not Known |
| Civil Lawsuits | Are there civil lawsuits, past or present, involving ? | Not Known |
| Regulatory Violations | Has faced regulatory violations or penalties? | Not Known |
| Bankruptcy History | Has filed for bankruptcy or been involved in any bankruptcy proceedings? | Not Known |
| Adverse Media Mentions | Have there been significant adverse media mentions related to ? | Not Known |
| Negative Customer Reviews | Are there negative reviews or complaints from customers or clients about ? | Not Known |
| High-Risk Jurisdiction Exposure | Does operate within or have exposure to high-risk jurisdictions? | Not Known |
| Ongoing Investigations | Is currently subject to any ongoing investigations? | Not Known |
| Fraud or Scam Allegations | Have there been fraud or scam allegations involving ? | Not Known |
| Reputational Risk Incidents | Have there been incidents significantly impacting ’s reputation? | Not Known |
| High-Risk Business Activities | Is engaged in any high-risk business activities? | Not Known |
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Source of Information
- 1 .Justice.gov "Boiler Room" Operator Pleads Guilty to International Securities Fraud Conspiracy Retrieved 01/08/2022
- 2 FinTelegram Regulator warns against BridgerPay scam client The Forex Premium Retrieved 23/02/2021
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Oren Shabat Laurent
Tel Aviv, Israel
Intel Reports
3
Trust Score
2.1
Coinbase
Wilmington, Delaware
Intel Reports
0
Trust Score
1.9
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Despite Visa ISO status, BridgerPay allegedly processed payments for high risk merchants raising compliance concerns
BridgerPay's involvement in the TradInvestor scam has drawn regulatory scrutiny
As a former client of BridgerPay I was alarmed to discover that the platform, under Ran Cohen's leadership has been implicated in facilitating transactions for numerous scam operations This revelation has severely undermined my trust in their services
Ran Cohen's payment platform has been criticized for lax regulatory oversight potentially enabling fraudulent activities Such allegations suggest that BridgerPay's compliance failures may have contributed to the proliferation of financial scams, putting users at risk