Announced Actions for December 10, 2002

On November 13, the Federal Trade Commission and 12 federal, state, and local law enforcement and consumer protection agencies announced a four-part initiative to fight deceptive spam and Internet scams. The centerpiece of the initiative was a group of more than 30 law enforcement actions, including seven federal court actions filed by the Commission. One FTC action, alleging that the defendants used spam to deceptively obtained consumers' sensitive financial information, was filed under seal. The seal has now been lifted. The defendants in the matter are GM Funding, Inc., Robert D. Kutzner, Global Mortgage Funding, Inc., Damian R. Kutzner, Universal IT Solutions, Inc., and Anthony Tamraz. The case was filed in the Central District of California, Southern Division. (Civil Action No. SACV 02-1026; staff contact is Brian Huseman, Bureau of Consumer Protection 202-326-3320; see press release dated November 13, 2002.)

The Commission has authorized the FTC staff to amend a complaint in the matter currently pending against Inspired Ventures, Inc., et al. This complaint in this matter, which was filed as part of the FTC's "Operation Busted Opportunity" law enforcement sweep, alleged that Inspired Ventures, Inc., Jesse Alper, and Victor Alper violated the FTC Act and the Franchise Rule in connection with their sale of business opportunity ventures. Through this action, the Commission has approved the addition of two other corporations, I.V.I. Management Corp. and Source Systems, Inc., to the original complaint. The Commission vote authorizing staff to amend the complaint was 5-0. (FTC File No. X020067; staff contact is Brad Winter, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2597; see press release dated June 20, 2002.)