< Back to Previous Page Home Based Business Scam Operating From Florida and Tennessee Has Been Stopped A federal district court in Tennessee has stopped a common enterprise of seven corporations and five individuals from continuing to operate an illegal business opportunity scheme which has marketed telephone calling cards and multi-purpose public access Internet terminal business ventures to consumers nationwide since August of 2001. In their sales seminars and promotional materials, the defendants made false and unsubstantiated earnings claims, and misrepresented their cancellation and refund policies. The defendants failed to provide consumers with timely, complete, and accurate disclosure statements and earnings claims documents as required by the Franchise Rule. In addition, the defendants’ telemarketing campaign resulted in numerous violations of the FTC’s “Do Not Call” provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The Court has appointed a temporary receiver and frozen the defendants’ assets. The Temporary Restraining Order names: Internet Marketing Group, Inc., based in Lebanon, Tennessee; OneSetPrice, Inc., RPM Marketing Group, Inc., and National Events Coordinators, Inc., all based in Orlando, Florida; First Choice Terminal, Inc., based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; First Choice Terminal, Inc., based in Scottsdate, Arizona; and B & C Ventures, Inc., based in Reno, Nevada. The individual defendants are David G. Cutler, Cindy Gannon, Paul D. Bonnallie, Tisa Christiana Spraul, and Michael J. Hatch.  The FTC’s complaint alleges that, since August 2001, the defendants, acting as a common enterprise, have marketed and sold telephone calling cards and multi-purpose public-access Internet terminal business opportunities at prices ranging from $12,995 to $249,950. The defendants sell their business ventures to consumers at weekend sales seminar or “shows” held at hotels throughout the United States. Consumers receive pre-recorded telemarketing messages inviting them to attend the shows and directing them to call a toll-free “reservation” number to receive show invitations, directions, and discount certificates. The defendants’ shows are conducted in stages. First, there are general sessions where an overview of the business venture is presented. Through written applications and a “point” system for rating prospects, potential purchasers are selected as “qualified” and invited to attend at least on additional detailed session. The defendants then pressured qualified purchasers to sign a Purchase Agreement and make a payment, according to the FTC.