Marketers of “FREE” iPad settles with FTC

Like someone pointed out, you can go to jail in many areas for not paying a ticket. These people INTENTIONALLY SCAMMED / DEFRADED millions of people. Note the judgment was to forfeit the money received AFTER the affiliates and other expenses were paid.  The profit was then probably transferred out of the USA.  So in  a nutshell it is just a joke of a judgment. There is ZERO reason for them to not do it again. The were probably setting up another scam while waiting for the judgment.

No the financial penalty is inappropriate and was ultimately paid by those who were scammed.  This is inappropriate because these individuals will go out and find another scam.  This is one way our government lets us down. Fraud should always involve a significant amount of jail time, not a payoff to a federal agency and a promise by crooks they "won't do it again."  I respectfully disagree with the action or lack of it.

I just took the biggest ѕhⅰt of my life.  My аѕѕhоⅼе is burning.

They especially got a deal since the judgement was suspended "due to their inability to pay" - IOW they spent the money already. Not much of a deterrent, IMHO.

Scammers don't need fines; they need prison time.

A slap on the wrist for con-men stealing $356,950. Most people would go to prison for stealing!

They should really do jail time like any other fraudster....doesn't matter what the fine, they have already scooted the money out and then claim they're broke.  So they just get off scott free to start defrauding again?  Not right....they need to spend a year with Bubba and see how well they can scam those guys.

Oh, the irony! The first defendant named, Cresta Pillsbury, spoke at a convention in Las Vegas in 2013 about "How to Prevent Online Fraud". No, I'm not kidding. Disgusting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kTHoHmUeK0

look, as much as I hate these scumbag scammers, calling for government sponsored rape isn't who we are as a society, at least I hope not.

The so-called "fine" that was accessed was "suspended" due to their inability to pay......meaning, that they've shifted the monies to some other place (or into cash) beyond the reach of the U.S. Government.  That's right FTC.....make 'em "feel the hurt".  Right.

Then they will just use the microphone feature of their computer or phone to "dictate" their scam messages into.
They may have problems wiping in the restroom, however.

I also applaud the FTC, but this judgement doesn't sound like much of a deterrent does it? I'm sure they are laughing all the way to the bank (of computer servers) waiting to send more spam and make more money off the public.

I'm pretty sure this is why LLCs and incorporation exists - to place liability on the "company" accounts and protect the individuals' assets.

It'd sure be hard to hit the little microphone button, though.

What a joke. No punishment to speak of. Completely sickening that they got off due to "inability to pay." Who would have that kind of money in their back pocket anyway? Make these criminals make payments the rest of their lives - send them to jail if they miss.

Or just tell them they were naughty and ask them super nicely not to do it again. EQUALLY EFFECTIVE MEASURES.