A U.S. district court in central Florida has unsealed an FTC complaint accusing two related groups of defrauding consumers nationwide. The complaint alleges that the defendants enrolled consumers without their knowledge into continuity plans for personal care products, charging them repeatedly for items they did not agree to purchase. This scheme involved deceptive ads for “”free”” CBD and Keto-related products, with many consumers billed for products they did not consent to receive.
The FTC claims that the defendants misled consumers by promoting products with false claims and then charged more than advertised, enrolling them in unwanted subscription plans. Additionally, they allegedly used shell companies to process unauthorized charges and launder credit card payments. The complaint names Harshil Topiwala, Kirtan Patel, Manindra Garg, and their associated companies, including Legion Media, KP Commerce, Pinnacle Payments, and Sloan Health Products.
The defendants are accused of multiple violations, including misrepresenting product offers, unauthorized billing, and credit card laundering. The FTC also cites violations of the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) for failing to disclose billing terms and provide cancellation options, as well as the Electronic Funds Transfer Act for debiting bank accounts without consent.
The case highlights the FTC’s commitment to addressing fraudulent billing practices and protecting consumers. The complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, has been unsealed following a vote by the FTC. The investigation received support from various law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.”
