Criminals to turn over a worn Michael Jordan jersey as part of settlement
Scammers who subscribed Americans, without their knowledge, to deliveries of CBD and keto diet products will have to turn over assets worth around $40 million to victims, a federal court has ruled.
The court-approved refunds followcomplaints that the scammers deceived online shoppers,concealed their identities, illegally charged victims and then sent them the products,the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday.
The companies forced online shoppers to buy more than $200 million ofCBD and ketoproducts with "free" ads, by pre-checking boxes at checkout, sharing their credit cards without consentandby bundling products with no way to opt out, the FTC said.
To pay the victims, the scammers will have to shell out cash and a mixof valuable items.
They includea worn Michael Jordan jersey and shorts from1998 Eastern Conference Semi Finals bought for around $1.35 million, aRichard Mille Tourbillon Aerodyne watch bought for $1.225 million and cryptocurrency worth around $100,000.
Still, the $40 million settlement doesn't make up for the more than $200 million the scammers charged victims, suggesting the FTC isseeking to recoup more of the losses.
Defendants U.K. resident Harshil Topiwala, Florida resident Kirtan Patel and Florida resident Manindra Gargran the companies called Legion Media, KP Commerce, Pinnacle Payments and Sloan Health Products, the FTC said.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-09-17 22:13:34
