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Social media and bullboards were over-run with potentially slanderous accusations that LDS was operating a meth lab (due in part to how the news unfolded and the equipment and materials found – refer to the quote above with respect to “on par with methamphetamine manufacturers”) and less than kind comments about management and the company’s paid stock promoter(s). Trading of shares in LDS were halted before the markets opened on December 1st and that was prudent given the events that transpired. If you read articles or stories about this from others that appear dismissive of the potential severity of the events look at the top or bottom of the story to see if LDS is a paid client.
But as we know, some of the companies trading only on the OTC have undergone increased scrutiny and some have found themselves with CEOs charged with fraud. This December example serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence and if audit firms are doing this then just imagine what the paid promoters/influencers and hucksters on social media and bulletin boards are up to. A few letters behind a name mean little unless those letters are backed by an unparalleled duty of care such as is the case with Doctors, Lawyers, and Accountants. As the above example illustrates, even these professions have members that may not always put the public trust first and foremost.