$PZZA Gate, Part 2: The Network Behind Fake Papa Johns News

Hunterbrook Media’s investment affiliate, Hunterbrook Capital, does not have any positions related to this article at the time of publication. Positions may change at any time. Full disclosures below.

Papa Johns International ($PZZA) stock surged more than 18% on November 10 after false reports that the company had received an acquisition offer from a private equity firm. The fake news was spread by several websites that appear to be run by U.K. nationals based in Dubai that offer “pay-to-play” placements of articles across their network of outlets, according to Hunterbrook Media’s forensic analysis.

Here’s what we know so far.

The earliest version of the acquisition rumor identified by Hunterbrook appeared on BusinessMole, crediting a post on NewsReleases.co.uk, a feed that openly solicits businesses to “get featured” by emailing [email protected].

The BusinessMole article was posted on its website at 8:26 a.m. Eastern time — about an hour before markets opened in the U.S. — under the profile “Newsteam PR.” A reverse image search of the profile photo leads to Sam Allcock, an author across several news sites and blogs.

Allcock describes himself as a “digital marketing