PROJECT FAL$E HOPE$

Project FAL$E HOPE$ is a state and federal sweep by regulators and law enforcement agencies targeting bogus
business opportunities and work-at-home scams. We’ve all see the bogus ads for quick money making opportunities (“Make $5,000 week from home working only 10 hours per week!”).

pdf franchiseThis state enforcement list points out the franchisors who violated various state fraud and securities regulations. Some of these names are a surprise:

  • Aussie Pet Mobile (consent order)
  • Bio Performance, Inc (Petition for Temporary Restraining Order, Temporary Injunction and Permanent Injunction
    and Asset Freeze)
  • Candy King (permanent C&D, administrative fine of $25,000 against Candy King and $7,500 against Gladstone, Candy King barred for five years from offering biz ops in Connecticut, Candy King must offer rescission for approximately $100,000 to affected Connecticut purchaser investors, Gladstone barred for five years from acting as an officer or director of any entity selling biz ops in Connecticut)
  • Coffee Beanery Ltd (consent order)
  • Coffee Heaven (final order to cease & desist)
  • Daily Grind (agreement)
  • Garagetek (summary order revoking registration – New York)
  • GNC (consent order)
  • KaBloom (consent order)
  • Lady of America (order to show cause)
  • Pet Products Delivery
  • Regal Nails LLC (Stipulation and Agreement, payment of $3,000 fine for unregistered business opportunity sales in Connecticut)
  • Tax Recovery Group (permanent C&D from sales of unregistered tax service biz ops and notice of intent to fine issued)

Hat tip: “busmagroomer” in the discussion forum

Update 2-14-2007:

Read Michael Webster’s excellent Misleading Advertising Law blog for your daily dose of provocative Due Diligence for Income Earning Opportunities.

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Article by Ryan Knoll

Ryan is an attorney and valuation specialist residing in Chicago. He chronicles his thoughts and research on FranchisePundit.com. You may reach him by email ryanknoll@gmail.com or mobile telephone 312-715-8115. Read 448 articles by
One Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ryan,

    Readers might also be interested in the over 100 stories I have written about fraudulent biz ops, at
    http://www.bizop.ca/blog2/lawsuits/business_opportunities/

    Michael

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RSS Discussion Forum

  • Re: De-Identify February 7, 2012
    There are several issues here.1)   Ethics – though your franchisor may not have lived up to your expectations if they are meeting the letter of the law then I am not sure you have the moral upperhand.  If you signed on to pay and advertising fee without... […]
  • Re: De-Identify February 5, 2012
    it would be leaving early..Its a Franchise that has lost over 30 units in the past few years. and is not living up to what we bought into.. advertising fee's are not being used on anything for the franchisee. and there is no support from the franchise... […]
  • Re: De-Identify February 4, 2012
    Quote from: jerichox on February 01, 2012, 08:27:34 AMJust wondering if you guys think its a smart idea for a franchisee to de-identify his store? Also.. Franchises normally have a list of items that need to be changed to the color of ... […]
  • De-Identify February 1, 2012
    Just wondering if you guys think its a smart idea for a franchisee to de-identify his store? Also.. Franchises normally have a list of items that need to be changed to the color of the walls to the lights that hang.. How would you go about doing this.... […]
  • Re: franchise directory January 8, 2012
    Remember if  you approach a franchisor and that franchisor uses brokers you should be able to reduce your franchise fee by the price of the commision they would pay to a broker.    You have bargaining power before you sign the FA not after!!!!Moreover... […]

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