:-) Yes, and likely not an accident but deliberate, with intent to make a DBA / sole proprietorship (if that's even what that was) look like either a foreign corporation or at least a LLC. Practically all these "companies" have 'Ltd' or 'Limited' in them - I can't see this as just a coincidence. Also, "Components Ltd" as a company name sounds very nondescript and can be used for almost any type of business (like high tech, especially in California's Silicon Valley or Orange County), which is probably how and why it was chosen.
Limited Liabilities and Corporations are registered with the state. At least that is to the best of my knowledge. That New York State database linked above is for Corporations.
I saw Corporations and LLCs and LLPs there. Also, Hsu's "companies" seem to have a "traveling" or "flexible" ZIP code when used in donations (according to donations records). But all of them seem to be Manhattan ZIPs, so any Fictitious Name Filing for dba should be found in papers around that county that specialize in these ads (within 10 years, I believe, in most states, but may differ by states) .
"Next Components, Ltd" phone and address is not "listed" as "in the book" but according to NY DOS it has the same address that I found for "Components Ltd" which is also "listed" at another address with the same phone number, and was "formed" earlier according to FEC donations records. "Chaotic life style to say the least" and "our eyes just glaze over the complexity" may become a mantra if they want Hsu to become the only scapegoat and prevent from spreading looking at Hsu's "gullible investors" and other "victims".
It is very easy to buy a corporate name (shell company) from someone who had registered the name and is no longer using it.
Exactly, it is very easy and should not be all that expensive, so why not do it and establish a "legitimate" corporation[s] (not dba) to protect himself if he wanted to either get a legitimate business (especially import / export with China, as alleged by Rosenman) or a swindle? How would one expect to hook a "whale" to invest big money into a China import-export business without even "on paper" real company with business address? Even with a business representative, it's never done. It's only needed for one real purpose - to establish a business checking account, transactions in which hopefully are being thoroughly examined. DBAs also have to pay city annual business license renewal fees and/or taxes and state quarterly sales taxes (if any, but at least forms have to be filed).
The Corporation and Business Entity Database includes business and not for profit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and limited liability partnerships, as well as other miscellaneous businesses.
The Hsu's 'Components Ltd' should have been there if he was legit. I noticed on some of his political donations he incorrectly spelled the company name as 'Componets Ltd'. Did a search on the NY database and it is not registered.