Accused Spammers Settle with FTC, CA for $475,000

Two individuals who were accused by the Federal Trade Commission and California’s attorney general of sending illegal spam have agreed to pay $475,000 to end the case, it was announced yesterday.

Named in the settlement were Qing Kuang “Rick” Yang, Peonie Pui Ting Chen, Optin Global, Inc. and Vision Media Limited Corp.

According to the FTC and the California attorney general, the defendants sent millions of e-mails in violation of the Can Spam Act.

Law-enforcement officials claimed the defendants’ e-mails contained false header information, deceptive subject lines, and failed to identify e-mail as ads. The e-mails also failed to notify consumers they had a right to opt out of receiving more e-mail, provide an opt-out mechanism, and include a valid physical postal address, officials alleged.

Under the settlement, if officials determine that the defendants misrepresented their financial situation, the defendants will be forced to pay $2.4 million, officials said.