Fabian Thylmann

Fabian Thylmann (born in 1978 in Aachen, Germany) is a businessman who was managing partner of the adult website conglomerate Manwin[1] (now MindGeek). In October 2013, he sold his stake in the company, which was at the time the largest adult entertainment operator in the world.[2]

Thylmann is married with two children,[3] and he started computer programming when he was 17.[4] His breakthrough came in the late 1990s when he developed software called NATS (Next-generation Affiliate Tracking Software),[5] which enabled website operators to track users clicks on advertisements and links so that they could be paid commission.[6] Thylmann used the money he made with NATS to buy various companies in the adult industry, and he later established Manwin.[4]

In December 2012, he was extradited from Belgium to Germany on suspicion of tax evasion. Thylmann did not contest the extradition order, although he reportedly denied avoiding paying tax.[3]

It was reported in October 2013 that Thylmann had stepped down and sold Manwin for €73 million. The reason for selling the company remains undisclosed.[7]

Upon the sale of Manwin, Thylmann wrote in a letter to employees:

“ It is with a sad heart that I have to announce that I have decided to sell Manwin to Manwin's top management team. Please believe me that this decision has been one of the hardest in our lives for both my wife and myself. [...] Both myself and Manwin are at a stage where I can no longer add significant value to the best of my ability. I hope I have taught all of you and management the right values to be able to continue the company in the best possible way and I am looking forward to following its development.[8] ”

In April 2015, Thylmann was indicted by the Cologne, Germany federal prosecutor on tax evasion charges. [9]

References

  1. ↑ Morris, Chris (18 January 2012). "Meet the New King of Porn". CNBC. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  2. ↑ Pardon, Rhett (18 October 2013). "Fabian Thylmann Sells Stake in Manwin to Company Management". XBIZ.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "'Porn king' detained on suspicion of tax evasion". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wallace, Benjamin (30 January 2011). "The Geek-Kings of Smut". New York Magazine. p. 5. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Reynolds, Emma (20 December 2012). "'King of Porn' arrested on charges of avoiding paying tax on the £60million profits from his online sex empire". Daily Mail Online. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  6. ↑ Buse, Uwe (20 December 2012). "Harnessing the Internet: The German Porn King's Revolutionary Model Page 1". SPIEGEL ONLINE. p. 1. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Germany's 'Porno King' gives up empire". The Local. Berlin, Germany: The Local Europe GmbH. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  8. ↑ Pardon, Rhett (18 October 2013). "Fabian Thylmann Sells Stake in Manwin to Company Management". XBIZ.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  9. ↑ XBIZ. "Fabian Thylmann Reportedly Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges". XBIZ.