At the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a federal court has temporarily halted Click Profit, an online business opportunity scheme. The FTC claims that this operation deceived consumers into spending millions with false promises of substantial profits through online sales.
The FTC's complaint accuses Click Profit and its owners of misleading consumers by promoting large "passive income" earnings using a proprietary system supposedly powered by artificial intelligence. This system allegedly allowed users to sell goods on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok. The complaint further states that Click Profit falsely claimed affiliations with major companies such as Nike and Disney to persuade consumers to invest tens of thousands of dollars.
"Click Profit misled consumers by falsely promising them guaranteed passive income using cutting-edge AI technology and exclusive brand partnerships," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Their deception caused individual consumers to lose tens of thousands of dollars while the Click Profit’s operators enriched themselves. The FTC is working to hold the defendants accountable and secure redress for their victims, who have collectively lost millions of dollars."
According to the complaint, Click Profit operated under various names including FBALaunch, Automation Industries, and PortfolioLaunch. It marketed its business opportunity as "safe, secure, and proven to generate wealth," suggesting it could yield consistent profits superior to traditional investments.
Consumers were charged a management fee starting at $45,000 plus additional costs purportedly for inventory purchases. The complaint alleges that few saw any return on investment or earned the promised profits; instead, many faced significant losses and credit card debt.
Advertisements for Click Profit suggested potential earnings in six-to-eight figures from online stores. Co-founder Craig Emslie appeared in ads showcasing cash to highlight possible earnings. Alleged testimonials promoted substantial customer profits with assurances that consumer stores could be acquired by venture capital firms linked with Click Profit at high multiples.
The complaint reveals actual data indicating over 20% of stores earn no money post-Amazon fees while another third makes less than $2,500 in gross lifetime sales. Most participants reportedly cannot recoup startup costs due to ongoing charges and profit share fees imposed by Click Profit.
Further allegations include delays or failures in opening consumer stores and issues such as blockages or suspensions on selling platforms like Amazon affecting 95% of their stores. When revenue was generated, consumers were pressured into reinvesting it into inventory purchases.
The company reportedly became unresponsive after receiving initial payments from customers who often resorted to outside organizations for refunds following unresolved complaints. Many faced threats from Click Profit citing unlawful non-disparagement clauses when they attempted legal action against it.
The FTC's charges involve violations against co-founders Emslie and Patrick McGeoghean along with partners Jason Masri and William Holton plus associated companies under several acts including the Business Opportunity Rule among others.
A unanimous vote authorized filing this complaint within Florida's Southern District U.S Court where a temporary restraining order was issued on March 5th against these entities involved pending further proceedings which will determine outcomes based upon public interest considerations deemed necessary during investigations conducted by appointed staff attorneys Lisa W Bohl & James Davis representing Midwest Region Federal Trade Commission efforts towards protecting educating American citizens regarding fraudulent practices encountered nationwide today more details available via consumer.ftc.gov site alongside report fraud scams bad business practice submissions accessible through ReportFraud.ftc.gov portal featuring social media updates alerts latest news coverage surrounding related topics actively monitored across digital platforms regularly updated accordingly ensuring awareness remains top priority always maintained throughout duration process involved addressing matters 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