Last Updated
Case Status
Pending
Federal Trade Commission, Plaintiff, V. Automators LLC, also doing business as Automators AI and Ecom Skool, a Nevada limited liability company, Empire Ecommerce LLC, a California limited liability company, Onyx Distribution LLC, a California limited liability company, Stryder Holdings LLC, a California limited liability company, Pelena Ventures LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company, Roman Cresto, individually and as officer and/or owner of Automators LLC, Empire Ecommerce LLC, Onyx Distribution LLC, and Stryker Holdings LLC, John Cresto, individually and as officer and/or owner of Automators LLC, Empire Ecommerce LLC, Onyx Distribution LLC, and Stryder Holdings LLC, and Andrew Chapman, individually and as officer and/or owner of Automators LLC, Empire Ecommerce LLC, Onyx Distribution LLC, and Pelena Ventures LLC, Defendants, Peregrine Worldwide, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Relief Defendant.
Federal Court
Southern District of California
Case Summary
As a result of a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit, a federal court has temporarily shut down a business opportunity scheme that lured consumers to invest $22 million in online stores, using unfounded claims about income and profits. The operators of Automators also claimed to use artificial intelligence to ensure success and profitability for consumers who agreed to invest with Automators.
In addition to offering consumers high return as “passive investors” in profitable e-stores, Automators, which previously used the names Empire and Onyx Distribution, also offered to teach consumers how to successfully set up and manage e-stores themselves using a “proven system” and the powers of artificial intelligence.