In a recent settlement, the Federal Trade Commission banned defendants accused of orchestrating a so-called "Get-Rich-With-Amazon" scheme from marketing and selling business services, according to the FTC.
The FTC accused the defendants, who ran "Amazing Wealth System," of falsely claiming consumers could create a profitable online business by buying defendants' "secrets for making money on Amazon." The defendants had no affiliation with Amazon.
The FTC claimed the defendants made false or unsubstantiated claims such as, "Get started on Amazon and Make $5,000-$10,000 in the next 30 days. . . even if you have never sold anything online before." Then, defendants charged consumers from $995 to more than $35,000 to use an exclusive "plug-and-play system," telling them it would help create a profitable online business selling products on Amazon.com, the FTC alleged.
The $11 million settlement requires the defendants to return millions to consumers.
More articles on business:
Amazon's Alexa is coming to Marriott hotel rooms
American Airlines says it didn't rig airfares, settles suit for $45M
Apple partners with Oprah Winfrey for original programs