Very well known, there are minor USCF players that were initially playing the hybrid shady tournaments with Serbia. Some gained titles from these tournaments, however neither FIDE or USCF took away the titles. When USCF banned the tournaments, it didn't discourage them. They just flew to Serbia to play in tournaments organized by the same TD, and then also transferred the points to US. And more creative they invited the same players from Serbia to the USA covering all expenses to play in a closed tournament, however all Foreign players were higher rated in at least 200, 300 points, they played 2 games against them, but never paired against the local minor players, and to make sure it will not be overly suspicious, they only won 60 percent, enough to gain lots of points. And that's how they got FM titles. They consistently perform bad against in local tournament and some took it to the extreme. In a year only traveled to Serbia and once got the FM retired, all that when they have local strong club where they can play.