FTC Returns Over $436,000 to Victims of Deceptive Work-at-Home Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has begun mailing checks to over 2,000 victims of the fraudulent “Money Now Funding” work-at-home scheme. This marks the return of more than $436,000 in restitution to individuals who were tricked by the deceptive business opportunity. Many of the victims, including vulnerable seniors, were lured into the scam with promises of easy money by referring local merchants to a non-existent money-lending service. The scheme, which was first exposed in earlier FTC actions, falsely promised consumers that they could earn significant income by simply referring small businesses to obtain loans. After paying hundreds of dollars for the supposed business opportunity, victims were pressured to purchase expensive sales leads that turned out to be worthless. The majority of those affected by the scheme are individuals with limited income, making this fraud particularly devastating for its targets. The checks, which total over $436,000, will be distributed to 2,031 victims of the scheme, with each recipient receiving an average of $214.68. While the reimbursement is far from making victims whole, it is an important step in righting the wrongs done by the scammers behind Money Now Funding. The FTC said their efforts to return funds to the victims highlight the agency's commitment to holding fraudulent businesses accountable and offering a measure of restitution to those who have been financially harmed.