Local

State AG, Amazon sue company over get rich quick training packages

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Amazon and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson have filed lawsuits against a company they say deceptively advertises and sells training packages to potentially thousands of Washingtonians for as much as $35,000.

The Massachusetts-based company, FBA Stores LLC, made promises to provide secret information on how to make large sums of money selling on Amazon, and in some cases sold bad products that would at times cause Amazon to shut down consumers’ accounts, Ferguson said.

Scroll down to continue reading

Trending headlines

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

“The defendants promise easy money, but deliver a scam,” Ferguson said. “I will not tolerate scammers preying on Washingtonians.”

The lawsuit accuses brothers Adam Bowser and Chris Bowser and their companies, including FBA Stores, of numerous violations of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act and Business Opportunity Fraud Act.

Amazon has filed its own lawsuit against the Bowsers.

The AG’s office says the company has offered trainings in at least eight Washington cities this year, with potentially thousands of Washingtonians receiving deceptive advertising and hundreds purchasing training.

Claims of Amazon affiliation
The lawsuit said the Bowsers deceived consumers by using multiple Amazon trademarks in their presentations and promotional materials, but their company is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon.

Brochures with various Amazon logos were sent out promising a free “Amazon Workshop” in-person or online. The workshop promises to teach consumers to make as much as $10,000 in the next 30 days. Most mailers include “complimentary VIP tickets” with a listed value of $147 to what is really a free event.

Emails are also sent for free training that promises consumers will “discover the secrets to making a stinking fortune on Amazon.”

Once at the training event, attendees are pressured to apply for financing to get started or to apply for multiple credit cards or take out mortgages on their property to cover the cost, the lawsuit alleges.

The “techniques” taught at the seminars, such as buying fake reviews, violate Amazon’s terms of use, and as a result, Amazon may shut down the accounts of FBA Stores’ clients. The clients are not told of the risk and the Bowsers also operate a service where consumers pay for help in getting their account suspension lifted.

Products not as advertised
According to the lawsuit, FBA Stores encourages clients to use the company as a product supplier or an intermediary with other manufacturers and distributors.

In many cases, the lawsuit alleges, items advertised by FBA Stores as “new” are actually used or refurbished, and items that are advertised as being in original packaging have been noticeably  repackaged. Often, items are of a lesser quality than advertised.

The selling of mislabeled or misleading items can also lead to Amazon suspending their account. Ultimately, clients may be unable to sell items purchased from FBA Stores at the profit promised in the trainings and advertising, and if Amazon shuts down their seller accounts, they may be unable to sell the items at all.

The complaint asks the court to order the Bowsers and FBA Stores to stop deceptive practices, provide restitution to affected consumers and impose penalties of up to $2,000 per violation.

Victims are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office.