Acai Berry scammers $2 million lighter after FTC settlement
The affiliate ad network behind a tidal wave of bogus pitches for Acai Berry weight loss products and colon cleansers has agreed to pay a $2 million penalty to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for deceptive advertising.
The FTC announced the judgement on Wednesday against Clickbooth Affiliate Network of Sarasota, Florida and said the funds recovered from Clickbooth would be used to provide refunds to consumers who were taken in by the company's deceptive marketing practices.
The complaint charges Clickbooth with a variety of deceptive advertising practices to promote products with names like "Acai Pure," "Acai Max," "Pure Berry Max" and "Acai Advanced Cleanse." Among other things, Clickbooth is alleged to have worked hand-in-glove with its affiliate marketers: helping design ads, tweak product claims and even design web sites on which the ads would appear.
