Multiple operators behind a “massive mobile cramming scheme”...

Multiple operators behind a “massive mobile cramming scheme” will surrender more than $10 million in assets to settle FTC allegations they were placing unauthorized charges on phone bills, said the agency in a Friday news release (http://1.usa.gov/1p1P6Vq). The settlement also includes a total monetary judgment upward of $150 million for Lin Miao and companies he helped operate, the FTC said. The judgment was partially suspended due to an inability to pay after forfeiting all possible assets, including multiple luxury cars, several houses and a variety of Tiffany jewelry (http://1.usa.gov/1nBiJgW). The FTC alleged the scheme involved offering consumers text message services to receive “love tips,” “fun facts” or celebrity gossip news, then charging the consumers $9.99 a month without permission. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proposed stipulated order. The agency acted to shut down the operation in December (http://1.usa.gov/Jz71Em). Miao and his attorneys could not be reached for comment.