Ronnie Montano
The FTC alleged that Ronnie Montano and related defendants sold Mobile Money Code software with false earnings claims, deceptive emails, and refund problems. Settlements required $698,500 in payments, and consumer refunds followed.
Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.
Identity
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- Registrations
- FTC v. Ronnie Montano, et al. (FTC File No. 142-3170, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2017)
- Other handles
- mobilemoneycode.com · automobilecode.com · secretmoneysystem.com
- Jurisdictions
- United States (federal)
Settlements ended the secret-code software operation
The Federal Trade Commission alleged that Ronnie Montano, Hyong Su Kim, Martin Schranz, and related companies sold products marketed as secret codes for earning money online. Buyers were promised hundreds to thousands of dollars a day, but the FTC said the Mobile Money Code products were generic applications for making mobile-friendly websites. The products were sold through sites including mobilemoneycode.com, automobilecode.com, and secretmoneysystem.com.
The complaint said affiliate marketers used deceptive spam emails to reach consumers. Sales pages allegedly included videos in which hired actors gave false testimonials about their earnings. Consumers who tried to leave without buying encountered pop-up messages, while buyers were offered additional purchases. The FTC also alleged that the defendants made full or partial refunds extremely difficult to obtain despite a 60-day money-back guarantee.
The defendants settled in 2018 and accepted a permanent ban on marketing or selling certain money-making software. A $7 million judgment was suspended upon total payment of $698,500, which the FTC said would be used for consumer refunds. The orders also restricted misrepresentations, CAN-SPAM Act violations, and use of collected consumer information.
In March 2019, the FTC announced more than $644,000 in refund checks for 12,072 people. The operation also used the names eMobile Code, Auto Mobile Code, Easy Cash Code, Full Money System, and Secret Money System.
What is not established
The supplied releases report FTC allegations, settlements, and refunds. They do not report a finding after trial.
Sources
Every claim above rests on one of these. Open them and check.
- Enforcement action December 28, 2017
- Enforcement action June 14, 2018
- Enforcement action March 11, 2019
- Enforcement action March 11, 2019
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First recorded December 28, 2017 · Last updated March 11, 2019