Skip to main content

Who doesn’t want to earn easy, fast money online, and make six figures a year? That’s what an online business coaching and investment opportunity called “My Online Business Education”, or MOBE, promised. Finding the company behind it didn’t deliver on their claims, the FTC shut them down in 2018. Even with the company shuttered, FTC then went after Affiliates who had promoted MOBE.

 

According to the FTC’s recent complaints, five high-ranking MOBE affiliates each marketed MOBE as a sure-fire way to achieve financial success. And if you were a teen, college student, Boomer, or retiree, certain affiliates deliberately tried to hook you.

 

The online ads promising a “dot com lifestyle” grabbed attention and baited their targets:

 

“How A Baby-Faced 22-Year-Old College Dropout Just Crossed $1 Million,”

 

“This 14 Year Old Legally ‘Clones’ an Ecommerce Giant to Create What Some Call a Passive Money Miracle” and

 

“It’s not too late to catch up on your retirement savings…”

 

“…even people in their 80’s are making money by following 21 simple steps” [in the MOBE program]

 

People who clicked on the ads were led through a series of free or inexpensive marketing videos or coaching sessions. But those videos, says the FTC, were just sales pitches designed to lure people into a scheme. MOBE videos promised that if people really wanted to make substantial income, they had to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000. But, according to the FTC, what they got were worthless membership upgrades and mentoring services.

 

People who joined thought they’d learn how to set up online businesses and start earning an income. But they lost money instead – more than $300 million – in what the FTC says was an online scam full of false claims and empty promises.

 

The FTC works every day to protect people in all communities. If you’re thinking about a business coaching or investment opportunity, before you pay any money:
 

  • Remember that no one can guarantee that you will make money. No matter what, the promise of quick and easy money is always a lie, and a sign of a scam.
  • Do your homework. Search online for the company name plus the words “complaint,” “scam,” or “review”.
  • Talk to someone you trust. And if something doesn’t look right, tell the FTC about it at ftc.gov/complaint.

Learn more about work-at-home jobs and business opportunities, and learn about business coaching scams by watching this video.

Search Terms
business opportunity
invest
work at home
Topics
Jobs and Making Money
Don'tUseEmailAddress
March 05, 2020
Always report scams you see, don't ignore them.
New kid
March 05, 2020
Keep up the good work . They need too pull time like other people do
arne
March 05, 2020

In reply to by New kid

Yes, they need jail! But, what apparently happens is fraudsters steal many millions of dollars and are then shut down! So much punishment, they keep the stolen money and poor things have to retire or come up with a new scam. How does this protect consumers? No deterrent.
DeDeFi
March 05, 2020
I was one of the many people who fell for this supposedly great business opportunity. I am an older individual, and it would seem that I should have known better. That wonderful statement that says, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" rings loudly in my mind. I believe that there are profitable ways to make money online and at home however, I have not found one. It took going through this ordeal to learn a very valuable lesson. I decided to remain poor :).
barbpower
March 05, 2020
There are people promising the same thing with an Amazon business. I've checked a few of them; one even wanted my bank information, so he could deposit the money I would earn.
oldenu
March 06, 2020
What does the FTC class as a top affiliate with MOBE. I invested £6K with a Diamond level affiliate in the UK. He went into voluntary liquidation in August 2019 after MOBE went belly up. As a creditor who invested in a fraudulent business am I entitled to pursue a claim?
Paul
March 09, 2020
If i paid 2.5k will might there be a chance that i get that money back after this whole ordeal?
bplindsey
April 16, 2020
I also lost $2,085 in the scam! How do I file a claim and can I write the loss off on my taxes? If so, how?
Senior fool
August 12, 2021
I read a comment below sounds like me. This company took enough money, but not a lot because of how greedy they are, and my account never has much. What they did get was enough and they keep coming and coming for more even though I’ve told them I have nothing. Trying to get them off my back I told them I was filing charges here, but they don’t care and they are not afraid. I keep hearing the same thing as others “If it’s to good to be true it is”
Return to top