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Comment RSSFTC Pounds Hard Rishab Verma of OBEY
Written by Pace LattinMarch 7, 2013 # 12:01 pm # Industry News, Specials # 21 Comments
It seems that if you have anything to do with Ryan Eagle, even showing up with him in photographs, you better run. Well, obviously this has nothing to do specifically with Ryan Eagle, but its still damn interesting. The FTC has sued Rishab Verma, known as the owner of OBEY for among other things, deceptive acts or practices.
According to the complaint, Verma was involved in the “ending of unauthorized andunsolicited commercial electronic text messages to the mobile telephones and other wireless devices…” claiming that the consumer had “won a contesat, or had specifically selected to receive a gift or prize.” Basically, the text messages were complete and utter bullcrap violating ever single FTC rule on “free” messaging, if the complaint is correct.
According to KBRC in Houston, Verma has already had some problems with the law:
In 2011, then 19-year-old Verma pleaded guilty five to felonies related to hacking into Fort Bend ISD High School computers to change student grades, attendance records and get teachers personal information. Verma is still on probation for those crimes, and Carpenter said Verma may well have violated the terms of that probation.
Not going to go into anymore details, as you can read the complaint, but it’s pretty obvious that the FTC is serious about going after Verma – including seeking all funds and monies that he’s made. Not a good time to be an OBEY affiliate.
Update: Obey.my has shut down their business, their website now reads “We are being sued by the FTC, and in order to cooperate we are immediately ceasing operations. For questions, please reach out to your dedicated affiliate manager.”
Written by Pace Lattin
Pace Lattin is one of the top experts in interactive advertising, affiliate marketing. Pace Lattin is known for his dedication to ethics in marketing, and focus on compliance and fraud in the industry, and has written numerous articles for publications from MediaPost, ClickZ, ADOTAS and his own blogs.
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wasn`t it too quick ? FTC acted really fast
Fuck…. This is the first i’ve heard of it. Bad news, gonna go see what other affiliate networks there are
So does this mean Obey is fucked?
LOL. Searched his name on google and found this:
“His companies are all focused on a Cost Per Acquisition model where he uses his strong business ethics to develop close relationships with his marketers and achieves high volume and high quality sales.”
http://www.peoplepond.com/rishabverma
This is how publishers get screwed
another round of Ryan eagle and garbage that will leave affiliates with nothing. People need to learn to put their traffic with legit players.
levelupads.com
obey.my
wolfstorm
all questioned
last year AscendMedia.com got sued
now we have the FTC going after OBEY
once these big players get you on their radar you are on for life.
Pace you are turning into the dark knight of the space. Keep this good work rolling. Its so good to have someone watching guard not just on the bad guys but pointint out good guys too!!!
thx PMI!
are you really this dumb to make generalizations and drag wolfstorm and levelupads into the mix? both of which are completely independent. I hope they sue you for libel
WSM deffo not in this grouping…get your facts straight. JC has been very clear about this.
Obey has shut down check the message on their site full of lolz
One by one the FTC is taking this whole scamdustry down
Nothing honest about affiliate marketing
Nothing honest about affiliate marketing? Sounds like you must be part of the problem or dont know much.
Do you seriously not see the difference between affiliate marketing and spamming?
OBEY is done.
Seriously, do your homework. We only work with CPA networks that harass us (the affiliate) about our landing pages and ad copy. One of my favorite CPA networks has an open channel to the FTC and actively works with the FTC on a daily basis. They also frequently audit their affiliates for compliancy. This of course mainly applies to US-based advertising especially in risky niches.
Also, I will not name this network in fear of all you numbnuts accusing me of “working for them”. Do some research and you’ll figure it out, they’re one of the biggest CPA networks.
clickbooth, everyone (should) know this by now.
Um… Clickbooth was sued by the ftc also…. also good luck getting into that network.
Lol funny how you mention scrutiny for USA offers but non us offers you can still be shady in
Clickbooth and others are morons for banning news farticles and rebills in the us but allowing it in Europe brazil and other countries
The FTC has gone after us companies abusing non us citizens there’s already case history those networks you speak of will get their balls cut off soon
How is it possible people are still getting ripped off anyways?
Like, are noobs or well entrenched affiliates sending to these scammy aff programs?
I would never send away from affiliate.com, clickbooth, w4, millionaire, why are people sending to these single man mom&indian-pop shops?
Like seriously people, how can you get scammed this day in age, do you also think you have 42 million waiting for you in Nigeria?
See that just the kind of thing that gives these moron’s room to say “nothing honest about affiliate marketing ” when you only hear about the few bad and nothing about the affiliates that are working there butts off doing things buy the book to feed their families.
You just know that anyone who makes a statement like that definitely doesn’t make a living online.
His a$$ should be sore from all that pounding
I’m looking to get back into CPA – can you recommend some good networks?
I used to be with copeac, clickbooth and azoogle, now the only one left is clickbooth. I need some new networks.
Someone help me out.. I don’t want to risk joining one of these retarded networks that will scam the affiliates and go bankrupt.
Thanks
Copeac = Scam
Clickbooth = Complete Scam
Azoogle = ROFL
You want to make money then here is the golden key.
DO NOT WORK WITH ANY AFFILIATE NETWORK every single one of them are scams.
Just advice from a veteran.
Peace out!
Looks like the FTC didn’t.