WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operators of a deceptive business opportunity scheme have been required to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars and relinquish profits to settle allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The case involved false promises made to consumers about lucrative e-commerce ventures tied to Amazon and Walmart.
Under settlement orders approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Trevor Duffy Young, Wessam Baiz, and two companies connected to Baiz will forfeit substantial assets to the FTC. Operating under names such as Lunar Capital Ventures, Ecom Genie, Profitable Automation, and formerly Valiant Consultants, the defendants misrepresented the profitability of their business opportunities.
“Young, Baiz, and Baiz’s companies were part of a deceptive operation that took advantage of consumers looking to invest their hard-earned money, only to learn that promises of successful e-commerce stores were a total sham,” stated Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s action holds these defendants accountable by banning them from marketing or selling business opportunities and requiring payments to defrauded consumers.”
Allegations and Court Actions
The FTC initially filed suit against the defendants in October 2024, alleging fraudulent claims about the profitability of e-commerce stores created and managed by the defendants. Advertising materials promised revenues of over $100,000 per month and even positioned the stores as potential “million-dollar” operations. According to the FTC, these promises rarely materialized, leaving most consumers unable to recoup the tens of thousands of dollars invested.
The settlement orders permanently bar the defendants from engaging in, marketing, or managing any business opportunity. Additionally, all parties are prohibited from making deceptive representations about any goods or services in the future.
Financial Penalties
The order against Baiz and his companies, including Baiz Sales and Salespreneurs, requires the surrender of all assets held by a court-appointed receiver, as well as multiple bank accounts seized in connection to the case. The monetary judgment against Baiz and his entities totals $13,988,712. However, this judgment is suspended due to an assessed inability to fully repay the amount.
A similar order against Young requires the turnover of bank account contents and includes a total monetary judgment of $6,024,211, also suspended due to financial incapacity. Should any of the defendants provide false information about their financial standing, the full monetary judgment could be reinstated and become immediately payable.
Ongoing Legal Action
The FTC’s case against other parties involved in the alleged scheme remains active. Preliminary injunctions currently prevent remaining defendants from operating similar businesses while litigation is ongoing.
The resolution of these cases represents a decisive step by the FTC to protect consumers from predatory business practices, particularly those targeting individuals seeking economic stability through online opportunities.
The FTC’s staff attorneys handling this matter are Sara Tonnesen and Molly Rucki of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. The finalized settlement orders were approved by a 4-0 Commission vote and secured court approval on March 19.
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