{{Short description|Unauthorized transport investment brand}} {{Infobox company | name = Skyway Group | logo = SkyWayLogo.png | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = | trade_name = SkyWay Group | type = Private | traded_as = | industry = Investments | founded = | num_locations_year = | area_served = | key_people = | products = investment services | brands = | production = | production_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | operating_income = | income_year = | net_income = | net_income_year = | aum = | assets = | assets_year = | equity = | equity_year = | owner = | members = | members_year = | num_employees = | num_employees_year = | parent = | divisions = {{bulleted list|First SkyWay Invest Group Limited |SkyWay Invest Group|SWIG SIA|RSW Investment Group LTD (BVI) (currently renamed to NEEW-TNG LTD)|SWIG International Ltd.|SWIG America Consulting LLC Maryland (US)|SWIG Australia PTY LTD (liquidated)|ООО “Скай Вей Групп” (Russia)}} | subsid = | footnotes = }}
'''SkyWay Group''' is an investment brand used since 2014 by various crowd-investing platforms and independent agents to attract investments in string transport.<ref name="letteraemme">{{cite web |date=2018-07-20 |title=Sky Way, l'azienda del "tram volante" che non ha mai realizzato un progetto |url=http://www.letteraemme.it/2018/07/20/sky-way-lazienda-del-tram-volante-che-non-ha-mai-realizzato-un-progetto/ |access-date=2019-02-04 |website=letteraemme.it}}</ref>
The companies under which these platforms are registered have different founders and names. Among them are First SkyWay Invest Group Limited,<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |title=FIRST SKYWAY INVEST GROUP LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09320759 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk}}</ref> SkyWay Invest Group (ceased to exist in 2021), SWIG SIA<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Sky Way Invest Group, SIA |url=https://www.ur.gov.lv/en/legal-entity/?id=40103860109 |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201231654/https://www.ur.gov.lv/en/legal-entity/?id=40103860109 |archive-date=2022-02-01 }}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |last=IT |first=LURSOFT |date=2024-07-31 |title=Sky Way Invest Group, SIA, 40103860109 - company data |url=https://company.lursoft.lv/en/sky-way-invest-group/40103860109 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Lursoft IT}}</ref> (Latvia, ceased to exist in 2021), RSW Investment Group LTD (BVI) (currently renamed to NEEW-TNG LTD).<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web |title=Certificate Verification|publisher=British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission |url=https://www.bvifsc.vg/certificate-validation?qrCode=3A88972867&Submit=Submit |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.bvifsc.vg}}</ref>
In 2018, financial regulators in Germany, Lithuania, and five other countries warned that SkyWay "is not registered as a financial services provider and therefore, is not allowed to provide such services in their country," or warned the public about potential fraud the company was perpetrating.<ref name="fm2018">{{cite web |date=12 July 2018 |title=New Zealand's FMA Adds Skyway Capital to Warning List - Finance Magnates |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/regulation/new-zealands-fma-adds-skyway-capital-to-its-warning-list/ |website=Finance Magnates - Financial and business news}}</ref><ref name="Bafin" />
== Overview == The SkyWay Group (SkyWay Invest Group, SWIG) comprises companies that have raised investments for the development of string transport under the SkyWay investment brand. At various times, these companies invited potential investors to invest in the development of this transport technology. The investment method used was crowd-investing, employing various mechanisms, including convertible loan agreements. To increase the number of investors, a referral reward system was used.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Реферальная программа: что это и как работает |url=https://trends.rbc.ru/trends/social/6440f9679a79479dab94b406 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=РБК Тренды |language=ru}}</ref>
Various promotion methods, such as telemarketing and multi-level marketing, were employed to attract investors. This crowd-investing model is characterized by the fact that the manufacturing company does not sell traditional securities but enters into convertible loan agreements with investors (lenders).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-25 |title=Инвестируя В Будущее: аналитики прогнозируют еще больший рост на рынке краундлендинга {{!}} ПАРАГРАФИСТ |url=https://paragraphist.ru/investiruya-v-budushhee-rynok-kraundlendinga-vyros-v-2022-godu-na-35/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125082131/https://paragraphist.ru/investiruya-v-budushhee-rynok-kraundlendinga-vyros-v-2022-godu-na-35/ |archive-date=2024-01-25 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=Струны, которые приносят деньги: кто такой изобретатель Анатолий Юницкий и существует ли на самом деле его струнный транспорт |url=https://hightech.fm/2019/09/20/unickiy |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201231654/https://hightech.fm/2019/09/20/unickiy |archive-date=2022-02-01 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-01 |title=SkyWay: первые дивиденды от венчурного техностартапа |url=https://inventure.com.ua/analytics/articles/skyway:-pervye-dividendy-ot-venchurnogo-tehnostartapa |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201231659/https://inventure.com.ua/analytics/articles/skyway:-pervye-dividendy-ot-venchurnogo-tehnostartapa |archive-date=2022-02-01 }}</ref>
Due to the potential risks and challenges associated with crowdfunding as an investment mechanism, financial regulators in Belgium, Lithuania, and Estonia issued warnings that companies operating under the SkyWay investment brand do not have the appropriate licenses in these jurisdictions. Additionally, the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand (FMA) stated that SkyWay Capital is not registered as a financial services provider in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skyway Capital/Skyway Group |url=https://www.fma.govt.nz/library/warnings-and-alerts/skyway-capitalskyway-group/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=fma.govt.nz}}</ref>
Among the companies that operated under the SkyWay investment brand, the most frequently mentioned are First SkyWay Invest Group Limited,<ref name="auto2"/> SkyWay Invest Group (ceased operations in 2021), SWIG SIA<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto5"/> (Latvia, ceased operations in 2021), RSW Investment Group LTD (BVI) (now renamed to NEEW-TNG LTD),<ref name="auto4"/> SWIG International Ltd., SWIG America Consulting LLC Maryland (US), SWIG Australia PTY LTD (liquidated), and ООО “Скай Вей Групп” (Russia). All these companies were warned by financial regulators, and almost all have now ceased operations.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://web.archive.org/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Return to the Roots. The Belarusian Engineering Company Unitsky String Technologies Inc. Has Declared the Completion of the Rebranding |url=https://ust.inc/news/unitsky-string-technologies-has-declared-the-completion-of-the-rebranding |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102105721/https://ust.inc/news/unitsky-string-technologies-has-declared-the-completion-of-the-rebranding |archive-date=2023-11-02 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=General Designer and Founder of Unitsky String Technologies Inc. Speaks About the Reasons for the Company's Rebranding |url=https://ust.inc/news/general-designer-and-founder-of-unitsky-string-technologies-speaks-about-the-rebranding?lang=en |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=ust.inc}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Skyway Capital Ponzi rebooted as Unitsky String Technologies |url=https://behindmlm.com/companies/skyway/skyway-capital-ponzi-rebooted-as-unitsky-string-technologies/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102105720/https://behindmlm.com/companies/skyway/skyway-capital-ponzi-rebooted-as-unitsky-string-technologies/ |archive-date=2023-11-02 }}</ref>
The SkyWay Group is often mistakenly associated with Unitsky String Technologies Inc., which does not provide financial services but is a developer, supplier, and operator of transport systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Один день с инженером, который создает беспилотный транспорт в Беларуси |url=https://officelife.media/article/48651-odin-den-s-inzhenerom-sozdaet-vozdushnyy-transport-v-belarusi/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=officelife.media}}</ref> In November 2021, the company announced a rebranding, changing its name from SkyWay Technologies Co. to Unitsky String Technologies Inc. The rebranding was explained as a transition from the “startup” phase to the “business” phase and a need to emphasize the engineering company's disassociation from fundraising activities conducted by various independent agents using names related to SkyWay.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unitsky String Technologies в Минске, вакансии, обсуждение и отзывы об Unitsky String Technologies на dev.by |url=https://companies.devby.io/unitsky-string-technologies/galleries |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=companies.devby.io}}</ref>
SkyWay Group seeks investors through its website and social media.<ref name="fm2018" /> The SkyWay Group have been seeking potential investors all over the world using various forms of marketing such as crowdfunding,<ref name="letteraemme" /> telemarketing<ref name="VolgaNews2017">{{cite web |last=Дмитренко |first=Алексей |date=May 2017 |title=Самарцев затягивают в "высокотехнологичную" финансовую пирамиду |trans-title=Samarans are being dragged into a "high-tech" financial pyramid |url=https://gid.volga.news/article/437987.html |accessdate=24 April 2019 |website=ПокупкиСамара}}</ref> and multi-level marketing.<ref name="siol2018">{{cite web |last=Tomšič |first=Matic |title=Kdo so Rusi, ki lovke stegujejo po slovenskem denarju |trans-title=Who are the Russians hunting Slovenian money |url=https://siol.net/digisvet/novice/kdo-so-rusi-ki-lovke-stegujejo-po-slovenskem-denarju-468937 |website=siol.net}}</ref> It has also been documented that the SkyWay Group promote their technology with paid advertising on television and in newspapers,<ref>{{cite web |last=Сидорович |first=Константин |date=18 September 2018 |title="Это прикол на День дураков?" Что происходит со SkyWay Юницкого - Технологии Onliner |url=https://tech.onliner.by/2018/09/18/skyway-2 |website=Onliner}}</ref> and that financial services are being offered via social media.<ref name="fm2018" />
== String transport == SkyWay Group presented investment opportunities for a technology called ''string transportation''.
The string transport project represents a new type of elevated light rail transport system. It is based on technology involving pre-stressed transport overpasses of a new generation, with the key element being the string rail. This rail is a steel or composite beam containing a bundle of pre-stressed tension wires (strings) and equipped with a rail head. Passenger and freight electric vehicles with steel wheels are intended to travel automatically along these rails at speeds up to 150 km/h (potentially up to 500 km/h). Horizontal loads on the viaduct are supported by anchor supports spaced up to 10 kilometers apart. These supports can be integrated with passenger stations, freight terminals, and commercial spaces.
The string transportation project existed long before the establishment of the SkyWay Group. In 2001, a test track based on this technology was constructed in the town of Ozery in the Moscow region. The project was commissioned by the administration of the Krasnoyarsk Krai, led by Governor Alexander Lebed. Construction was completed in record time, and within nine months, the first tests were conducted in October 2001. The vehicle used for testing was a ZIL-131 truck, modified specifically for the string rails. The tests validated technologies for service and road maintenance were also developed. However, the project did not progress further, and the test track was soon closed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Струны, которые приносят деньги: кто такой изобретатель Анатолий Юницкий и существует ли на самом деле его струнный транспорт |url=https://hightech.fm/2019/09/20/unickiy |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=hightech.fm |language=ru}}</ref>
In 2001, the technology gained recognition and was included in the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unitsky.engineer/assets/files/shares/2001/2001_40.pdf|title=United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Центр ЮНИДО в РФ поддерживает развитие экологически чистых производств и струнного транспорта в Беларуси : Новости : ЮНИДО |url=https://unido.ru/news/unido_podderzhivaet_razvitie_v_belarusi/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=unido.ru}}</ref> During the project, an analysis was conducted of several existing transport programs at both federal and regional levels in Russia.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
Several companies are involved in implementing this technology, such as Unitskiy String Technologies, Kathmandu Podway Company Pvt. Ltd., BeemCar Ltd, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2019 |title=Look: The Skyway is the new transport project to beat traffic in Sharjah |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/look-the-skyway-is-the-new-transport-project-to-beat-traffic-in-sharjah-1.67420944 |access-date=2020-01-29 |website=gulfnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Constant |first=Olivier |date=12 March 2018 |title=Système de transport innovant : SkyWay marque des points dans les Émirats arabes unis - Actu-Transport-Logistique.fr |url=https://www.actu-transport-logistique.fr/ferroviaire/systeme-de-transport-innovant-skyway-marque-des-points-dans-les-emirats-arabes-unis-511679.php |website=www.actu-transport-logistique.fr}}</ref> Representatives of these companies have repeatedly stated their independence from the activities of the SkyWay Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2017/02/03/sud-skyway|title=Автор проекта SkyWay Юницкий потребовал 200 тысяч рублей от Onliner.by}}</ref> Projects are being implemented in Belarus<ref name="arabianbusiness.com">{{Cite web |title=SkyWay project in Sharjah launches experimental phase |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/transport/431543-skyway-project-in-sharjah-launches-experimental-phase |access-date=2019-12-25 |website=ArabianBusiness.com |date=27 October 2019}}</ref> and the United Arab Emirates, with recent negotiations taking place in the UAE.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-12 |title=Système de transport innovant : SkyWay marque des points dans les Émirats arabes unis |url=https://www.actu-transport-logistique.fr/archives/ferroviaire/systeme-de-transport-innovant-skyway-marque-des-points-dans-les-emirats-arabes-unis-511679.php |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.actu-transport-logistique.fr |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="2017JulyETControversy2">{{cite news |last1=Venugopal |first1=Vasudha |date=13 July 2017 |title=Doubts raised over Belarus company credential for Rs 250-crore skyway transport project in Dharamshala |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/doubts-raised-over-belarus-company-credential-for-rs-250-crore-skyway-transport-project-in-dharamshala/articleshow/59568813.cms |accessdate=15 July 2017 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 January 2021 |title=Watch: Sharjah to open UAE's first high-speed sky pod network |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/transport/watch-sharjah-to-open-uae-s-first-high-speed-sky-pod-network-1.1141999 |access-date=2021-01-17 |website=The National}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan try 150kmph Sky Pod in Dubai |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/transport/sheikh-mohammed-sheikh-hamdan-try-150kmph-skypod-in-dubai |website=Khaleej Times}}</ref><ref name="DW2019">{{cite web |date=12 February 2019 |title=Sky Pods could be here sooner than we think |url=http://www.dubaiweek.ae/news/47788/sky-pods-dubai-rta/ |publisher=DubaiWeek}}</ref><ref name="KT2019">{{cite web |title=Skyway to transport passengers along Dubai's skyscrapers |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/transport/skyway-to-transport-passengers-along-dubais-skyscrapers |accessdate=2 May 2019 |website=Khaleej Times}}</ref>
In addition to demonstration models at the EcoTechnoPark in Belarus, the companies has exhibited technology at trade fairs like the 3rd Singapore International Transport Congress and Exhibition (SITCE).<ref>{{cite web |title=Gateless gantries, suspended trams among public transport innovations on show at World Cities Summit |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/gateless-gantries-suspended-trams-among-public-transport-10512540 |website=Channel NewsAsia}}</ref>thumb|A monorail vehicle at the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin in 2018.
=== Marketing === The SkyWay Group started negotiating with countries like Lithuania,<ref name="lietuvos" /> Australia,<ref name="5aa2016" /> Slovakia,<ref name="STU2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.stuba.sk/sk/diani-na-stu/stu-a-sky-way-podpisali-memorandum-o-inovativnom-zeleznicnom-systeme-teraz.sk.html?page_id=10227|title=STU a Sky Way podpísali memorandum o inovatívnom železničnom systéme [teraz.sk] - Slovenská technická univerzita v Bratislave (STU)|website=www.stuba.sk}}</ref> India,<ref name="2017JulyETControversy" /> Italy<ref name="letteraemme" /> and Indonesia.<ref name="ekbis2018" />
====Lithuania==== The municipality of Šiauliai in Lithuania signed an investment agreement with SkyWay in 2014. The mayor of Šiauliai was later criticized for negotiating with the SkyWay Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snaujienos.lt/miesto-gyvenimas/30184-sutartis-dl-styginio-transporto-skandalo-centre|title=Sutartis dėl Styginio transporto skandalo centre|website=www.snaujienos.lt|date=12 September 2014 |accessdate=9 April 2019}}</ref> and at the end of 2014 he was instructed to cancel the negotiations.<ref name="lietuvos">{{Cite news|url=http://www.delfi.lt/verslas/verslas/lietuvos-bankas-oro-traukinius-zadancio-a-junickio-veikloje-sukciavimo-pozymiai.d?id=65880462|title=Lietuvos bankas: "oro traukinius" žadančio A. Junickio veikloje – sukčiavimo požymiai|last=Černiauskas|first=Šarūnas|work=DELFI|access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref><ref name="bnn2014">{{Cite news|url=http://bnn-news.com/genuine-investment-project-boondoggle-scheme-lithuania-national-security-threat-119828|title=A genuine investment project? A boondoggle? A scheme? Lithuania: a national security threat first|date=2014-09-25|work=Baltic News Network|access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.delfi.lt/business/siauliai-decides-to-cancel-suspicious-investment-deal-near-military-airport.d?id=65948518|title=Šiauliai decides to cancel suspicious investment deal near military airport|website=DELFI}}</ref> In 2014, the Bank of Lithuania released an official statement warning investors of SkyWay.<ref name="lietuvos"/> An investigation by the country's Prosecutor General's office found no evidence to prosecute the company. A subsequent lawsuit by SkyWay against the Lithuanian government was dismissed in 2018.<ref name="tbc2019">{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=146312|publisher=The Baltic Course|date=7 January 2019|accessdate=1 March 2019|title=Court dismissed Rail Skyway Systems' EUR 10 mln claim against Lithuania|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://42.tut.by/605613|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412115959/https://42.tut.by/605613|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2019|title=Основатель компании, строящей струнный транспорт, подал иск против Литвы на 10 миллионов евро|date=24 August 2018|website=42.tut.by|accessdate=24 April 2019}}</ref>
====Australia==== In 2016 in South Australia, SkyWay negotiated with Flinders University to build a 500 meter long line for $13 million Australian dollars under the direction of ex-state transport minister Rod Hook who worked for SkyWay as an infrastructure consultant.<ref name="5aa2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.fiveaa.com.au/shows/rowey-bicks/the-plan-to-bring-driverless-sky-trains-to-adelaide|title=Unveiled - the plan to bring driverless sky trains to Adelaide|website=FIVEaa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sensational-adelaide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5762|title=[PRO] Flinders Skyway - $13m - Sensational-Adelaide.com|website=www.sensational-adelaide.com}}</ref> These negotiations were eventually postponed indefinitely in August 2018, as they opted for driverless busses instead.<ref name="TAA2019">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Warnings mount as it all looks like pie in the Sky-Way|work=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |date=23 February 2019}}</ref>
====Slovakia==== In July 2016 SkyWay signed a memorandum of understanding with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava to promote SkyWay technology in Slovakia.<ref name="STU2016"/>
====India==== In May 2017 a memorandum of understanding was signed by the minister of Urban Development of the Northern Indian state Himachal Pradesh with SkyWay Group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/dharamsala-to-boast-of-worlds-first-skyway-himachal/661943/|title=Dharamsala to boast of world's first 'skyway': Himachal Pradesh government|date=10 May 2017|newspaper=Financial Express}}</ref> The minister who negotiated with SkyWay was criticised for doing so "without following proper procedures"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/bjp-leader-attacks-minister-over-skyway-project/articleshow/59690474.cms|title=BJP leader attacks minister over skyway project|website=The Times of India}}</ref> Critics also questioned why an agreement was signed with a company that had no operational projects,<ref name="2017JulyETControversy">{{cite news|last1=Venugopal|first1=Vasudha|title=Doubts raised over Belarus company credential for Rs 250-crore skyway transport project in Dharamshala|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/doubts-raised-over-belarus-company-credential-for-rs-250-crore-skyway-transport-project-in-dharamshala/articleshow/59568813.cms|accessdate=15 July 2017|work=The Economic Times|date=13 July 2017}}</ref> and for the suitability of the technology to be used in the region.<ref name="2017JulyETControversy"/>
====Indonesia==== In September 2017 a memorandum of understanding was signed with the University of Indonesia in West Java to build on-campus 'sky trains'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merdeka.com/teknologi/gandeng-skyway-indonesia-ui-akan-bangun-kereta-langit.html|title=Gandeng SkyWay Indonesia, UI akan bangun 'Kereta Langit'|first=Anwar|last=Khumaini|website=merdeka.com|date=26 September 2017 }}</ref>
In December 2017 a memorandum of understanding was signed in Jakarta for a proposed project in Kalimantan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribunnews.com/bisnis/2017/12/01/skyway-technologies-mou-dengan-mii-dan-pt-jorong-port-development|title=SkyWay Technologies MoU dengan MII, dan PT Jorong Port Development|website=Tribunnews.com|date=18 May 2023 }}</ref>
In February 2018 a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Gadjah Mada University in Central Java to promote research and innovation in the field of transportation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://republika.co.id/share/p4fbma335|title=UGM Gandeng SkyWay Kembangkan Inovasi Transportasi|date=20 February 2018|website=Republika Online}}</ref>
The OJK (the Indonesian financial regulatory agency) added SkyWay Capital to its list of prohibited companies.<ref name="detikfinance2018">{{cite web|url=https://finance.detik.com/moneter/d-3903414/hati-hati-ini-57-investasi-bodong-yang-dilarang-ojk|title=Hati-hati! Ini 57 Investasi Bodong yang Dilarang OJK|first=Eduardo|last=Simorangkir|website=detikfinance}}</ref> As a result, all negotiations in Indonesia were finally cancelled or postponed and the activities of the Indonesian subsidiary "PT SkyWay Technologies Indonesia" were frozen.<ref name="ekbis2018">{{cite news|title=Investasi Mandek, PT Skyway Teknologies Indonesia Umumkan Pembekuan|url=https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/1342265/34/investasi-mandek-pt-skyway-teknologies-indonesia-umumkan-pembekuan-1538221823|date=30 September 2018}}</ref>
====Italy==== In early 2018 negotiations took place in Italy. The Secretary of State for the Republic of San Marino signed a memorandum of understanding at the EcoTechnoPark in Belarus in March 2018 for the construction of the San Marino-Rimini line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/news/comunicati-c9/pdcs-interpellanza-monorotaia-a168841|title=PDCS: interpellanza monorotaia|date=20 March 2019|website=SMTV San Marino}}</ref> The mayor of the Sicilian city Messina also used SkyWay's "flying trams" to promote his electoral campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strettoweb.com/foto/2018/06/tram-sospeso-cateno-de-luca-elezioni-messina/712818/|title=Elezioni Messina, Cateno De Luca fa sul serio: ecco il progetto dell'avveniristico tram sospeso in aria [VIDEO e DETTAGLI]|date=7 June 2018|publisher=}}</ref> Both negotiations were postponed or cancelled because of concerns brought up in local politics and by the Italian regulatory agency Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (CONSOB).<ref name="BII2019">{{cite web |last=Sparaciari |first=Andrea |date=1 May 2019 |title=Attaccàti al tram… Dal Pirellone a Messina, gli italiani che hanno abboccato alla fantomatica monorotaia da 500 kmh di SkyWay |trans-title=Attack on the tram… From the Pirellone to Messina, the Italians who took the SkyWay's elusive 500 kmh monorail |url=https://it.businessinsider.com/attaccati-al-tram-dal-pirellone-a-catania-gli-italiani-che-hanno-abboccato-alla-fantomatica-monorotaia-da-500-kmh-di-skyway/ |publisher=Business Insider Italia}}</ref>
In March 2019, Brianza – a region in North-West Lombardy, Italy – invited SkyWay to present a feasibility project for a cable car between Cologno Monzese and Vimercate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lamartesana.it/attualita/metropolitana-volera-prolungamento-carugate/|title=Col prolungamento la metropolitana volerà|date=10 March 2019|website=La Martesana}}</ref> Due to controversy surrounding the company these negotiations have been postponed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milanotoday.it/attualita/progetto-periferie-sky-way.html|title=Progetto con treni volanti per il Milanese, Bussolati: "Attenzione, è una farsa, società bloccata da Consob"|website=MilanoToday}}</ref>
==Financial regulation== Regulators in Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have warned investors about SkyWay not being authorized to issue shares in the respective countries.<ref name="fm2018"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fktk.lv/klientu-aizsardziba/fktk-atkartoti-bridina-par-skyway-capital-sniegtajiem-pakalpojumiem/|title=FKTK atkārtoti brīdina par SkyWay Capital sniegtajiem pakalpojumiem}}</ref>
In February 2018 the Italian regulatory agency CONSOB prohibited the advertisement and sale of certain SkyWay investment products to Italian citizens.<ref name="BII2019"/><ref name="CONSOB2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.consob.it/it/web/area-pubblica/bollettino/documenti/hide/interdittivi/divieto/2018/d20291.htm?hkeywords=&docid=8&page=0&hits=11&nav=false|title=CONSOB Skyway Invest Group Warning - Resolution 20291|website=www.consob.it}}</ref>
In May 2019 the German regulatory agency BaFin prohibited the public offering of SkyWay investment products to the general public.<ref name="Bafin">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bafin.de/SharedDocs/Veroeffentlichungen/DE/Verbrauchermitteilung/weitere/2019/meldung_190611_Sky_Way_Capital_Inc.html|title=Sky Way Capital Inc.: BaFin untersagt öffentliches Angebot von Investments|website=BaFin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/bafin-news-sky-way-capital-inc-bafin-untersagt-oeffentliches-angebot-von-investments-7593650|title=BaFin News: Sky Way Capital Inc.: BaFin untersagt öffentliches Angebot von Investments|website=finanzen.net}}</ref>
In August 2019 the Financial markets Authority (FMA) of the New Zealand reiterated warning about potential Skyway Capital/SWIG scam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fma.govt.nz/news-and-resources/media-releases/fma-reiterates-warning-about-potential-skyway-capitalswig-scam|title=FMA reiterates warning about potential Skyway Capital/SWIG scam|website=FMA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2019/09/financial-markets-authority-warns-new-zealanders-to-stay-away-from-skyway-invest-group-scheme.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025024814/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2019/09/financial-markets-authority-warns-new-zealanders-to-stay-away-from-skyway-invest-group-scheme.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2020|title=Financial Markets Authority warns New Zealanders to 'stay away' from SkyWay Invest Group scheme|website=NewsHub}}</ref>
== Criticism == Concerns have been raised in published articles about information the company has posted about itself to drive investment. These concerns include the unrealistic returns promised to investors,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/transportas/transporto-revoliucija-zadantis-rusas-siauliams-mauna-kvailio-kepure.d?id=65806180|title=Transporto revoliuciją žadantis rusas Šiauliams mauna kvailio kepurę|first=Šarūnas|last=Černiauskas|website=DELFI|quote=Shares are likely to gain tremendous value and solid dividends as long as there is a functioning technology infrastructure. Each £100 you invest in today may turn into a £20,000 capital.}}</ref> the value of its intellectual property,<ref name="onliner11september2017">{{cite web|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2017/09/11/skyway|title="Паразитирую на финансовых пирамидах", "перспективы развития — виртуальные". Что происходит со SkyWay Юницкого|trans-title=“I am leeching from financial pyramids”, “development prospects are virtual”. What is happening to Yunitskiy's SkyWay|first=Константин|last=Сидорович|date=11 September 2017|website=Onliner.by}}</ref> awards it has won,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geldthemen.de/geldanlage-kapitalanlage/skyway-capital-transport-award/|title=SkyWay Capital und der Golden Chariot Award - Ein Fake? geldthemen.de|date=24 November 2017|website=geldthemen.de}}</ref> and people/organizations who have invested in the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geldthemen.de/geldanlage-kapitalanlage/skyway-capital-luegen-anleger/|title=SkyWay Capital Lügen - Angebliche Investoren erfunden|date=23 January 2018|website=geldthemen.de}}</ref>
Particular criticism relates to misleading information about proposed SkyWay projects. Onliner.by (a popular Belarusian news portal), for example, document that the claims SkyWay made about a proposed project in Mogilev were actually untrue.<ref name="onliner11september2017"/> Similar misleading promotion has been documented relating to proposed projects in Russia,<ref name="VolgaNews2017" /> the Crimea<ref name="Primechaniya2017">{{cite web|url=https://primechaniya.ru/home/news/iyul_2017/yunickij_skyway_sevastopol/|title=Под пение струн: в Севастополь зашла новая пирамида?|trans-title=Singing the strings: has a new pyramid entered Sevastopol?|first=Андрей|last=Лучников|date=4 July 2017|website=Примечания.ру}}</ref> and India.<ref name="onliner11september2017"/>
The first critical article by the publication ''Onliner'' by was released in September, 2016 and it was commenting on the EcoTechnoPark testing facility being built at the time in Marjina Horka.<ref name="onliner2016">{{cite web |last=Сидорович |first=Константин |date=5 September 2016 |title=Илон Маск — чушь собачья, несите деньги мне. Белорус основал "компанию на $400 млрд" и строит под Минском "сверхскоростной" Sky Way |trans-title=Elon Musk - bullshit, bring me the money. Belarusian founded “a company for $ 400 billion” and builds a “superfast” Sky Way near Minsk |url=https://tech.onliner.by/2016/09/05/sky-way |accessdate=2 April 2019 |website=Onliner}}</ref> The EcoTechnoPark representative sued them for damage done to the company and its reputation. The court refused a lawsuit in June 2017 and was required to pay costs incurred by the defendant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tech.onliner.by/2017/06/08/sud-skyway-2|title=Суд отказал академику РАЕН Юницкому в исковых претензиях к Onliner.by - Технологии Onliner|first=Константин|last=Сидорович|date=8 June 2017|website=Onliner|accessdate=24 April 2019}}</ref> The appelation against this dismissal was unsuccessful.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://gid.volga.news/article/465427.html|title=Sky Way Invest Group "приструнили" на 120 миллионов|first=Алексей|last=Дмитренко|website=ПокупкиСамара|date=2 March 2018 |accessdate=24 April 2019}}</ref>
In May 2017 the ''Volzhskaya Kommuna'' newspaper published a critical article on their 'Volga News' information portal about a telemarketing campaign used for funding in Samara.<ref name="VolgaNews2017"/> The company's representative Andrei Khovratov filed a lawsuit against the editorial board but in March 2018 the court decided against the plaintiff.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://primechaniya.ru/home/news/mart-2018/skyway-pristrunili-na-120-mln-rublej/|title=SkyWay "приструнили" на 120 млн рублей|first=Андрей|last=Лучников|date=3 March 2018|website=Примечания.ру|accessdate=24 April 2019}}</ref>
In July 2017 the popular Crimea news sender ''Primechaniya.ru'' published an article critical of a telemarketing campaign promoting investment in an unsupported SkyWay project in Sevastopol.<ref name="Primechaniya2017"/> Later articles they published include information about legal threats issued by SkyWay employee Andrei Khovratov who represented SkyWay in the Crimea<ref>{{cite web|url=https://primechaniya.ru/home/news/iyul_2017/primechaniya_skyway_ugrozy/|title=Продавцы воздуха грозят "Примечаниям" Роскомнадзором|first=Андрей|last=Лучников|date=6 July 2017|website=Примечания.ру}}</ref> and the unsuccessful litigation in Minsk and Samara.
==See also== {{Commons category|SkyWay (Belarusian company)|SkyWay}} *Automated guideway transit *SkyTran *Suspension railway
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Crowdfunding Category:Monorail companies