PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) -- Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne announced a settlement Tuesday against two Arizona telemarketing companies and their owners after they allegedly defrauded consumers in a work-from-home business opportunity scam.
Streamline Online LLC, Superior Marketing Group LLC and the companies' owners, Jethro Becker and Sean Burnett, allegedly worked together to cheat consumers while selling an online shopping mall website and advertising to promote the site.
The defendants allegedly told consumers that by purchasing their services and products, the consumers would be Amazon.com affiliates and earn significant commissions from item sales.
The defendants also allegedly told consumers they could get a full refund if they were not happy with the results.
Horne's lawsuit alleged the defendants violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and Arizona Telephone Solicitation Act.
Upon filing the lawsuit, the attorney general obtained a restraining order against the defendants and an order to freeze their business and personal assets.
Under the terms of the consent judgment, about $400,000 in seized funds will be dispensed to consumers who filed complaints with Horne's office.
"Most of the victims -- many of whom are senior citizens on fixed incomes -- paid several thousands of dollars to the defendants," Horne said in a statement. "This settlement sends a strong message that consumer fraud is something we take very seriously and will not be tolerated."
As part of the agreement, the defendants must comply with the ACFA and ATSA, maintain confidentiality of personal information obtained from consumers, relinquish all claims to monies in accounts seized by the state and no longer engage in the advertising or sale of business opportunities in Arizona or to Arizona consumers.