The Federal Trade Commission has issued a fine to the British dating services company JDI Dating, for using computer generated user profiles, referred to as “virtual cupids”.
These fake profiles were used as a bait, tricking users into upgrading their own accounts to paid memberships.
Upon creating their profile, the users would receive messages from people who supposedly lived nearby, that wanted to meet; the details would only be revealed once the users updated their subscription.
A total of 18 web sites are included as part of the FTC fine, including FlirtCrowd.com, CupidsWand.com, and FindMeLove.com.
JDI Dating was fined $616,165 dollars and must refrain from repeating this practices. For the full decision by the FTC, click here.
Here is the complete list of web sites operated by JDI Dating; some are forwards:
cupidswand.com date-notification.com dateagency.com datefirst.com dating-server.com findmelove.com flirtcrowd.com fmlbilling.com getflirting.com gohookup.com hookup.info hookupclub.com justblackhookups.com justdateguys.com justhookup.com justromeo.com letsflirt.com loadedguys.com naughtyover40.com rudefinder.com rudefinderslags.com setforsex.com