You would hope people would do their research these days, but they are still operating out there. They have some high profile members.
I don't know if there are any similarities, but some people I worked with did the Landmark course. They tried to sell it to me, but I never even went along. Apparently they go for a hard sell. Found this article about it. It's years since anyone mentioned it to me.
I read the Guardian article.., scary. 15 hours a day for 3 days running.. bollocks to that. Not heard of Landmark before you mentioned it.
As for Scientology, it's still going.. I may watch that doco.. Going Clear next, trailer is here