BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued a cease and desist order Friday against a business opportunity seller and its owner for allegedly engaging in fraud and do-not-call law violations.
Northstar Advertising Solutions LLC, doing business as Network Media Solutions, and William Religo, the company's owner, sell online business opportunities such as online advertising and website design.
A consumer filed a complaint with Stenehjem's Consumer Protection Division alleging that the business promised her $6,000 of income per quarter if she paid $9,000 in start-up costs. The consumer alleges that she received no income, no customer support or service, and no answers to her questions since making the payment.
Stenehjem also alleges that the business made calls to a telephone subscriber on the do-not-call list, a violation of the do-not-call list. Additionally, Northstar Advertising Solutions failed to respond to a civil investigative demand issued by Stenehjem's office to find out more about the practices of the business.
"I am concerned about allegations indicating this business may be engaged in what is commonly referred to as a 'biz-op' scam and that it failed to respond to the civil investigative demand and cooperate with the investigation," Stenehjem said.
N.D. AG goes after business for fraud, do-not-call violations
