(October 31 – 15:25 ET) -The Competition Bureau today released the results of its participation in an international search to identify Internet-based “get rich quick” schemes. The sweep was led by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, in partnership with the International Marketing Supervision Network, which represents law enforcement authorities from more than two dozen countries, including Canada.
The probe was launched in February 2000. Its aim was to identify misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices in the marketplace. These included schemes such as illegal lotteries, investments scams and deceptive offers to provide work or services from home. Approximately 200 sites were examined.
Based on the international results, 25 Web sites were found to be based in Canada. After further investigation, Bureau officials advised 14 Canadian companies that the information contained on their sites could raise concerns under the Competition Act. To date, the Bureau says five companies have changed their Web sites to comply with the law.
“The international Internet sweep is part of the Bureau’s ongoing activities to combat misleading advertising and deceptive marketing practices in the electronic marketplace,” said Johanne D’Auray, deputy commissioner, fair business practices branch.
The Bureau says nternational cooperation is important due to the borderless nature of the Internet and the fact that Internet advertisers are often based in other countries.
-IE Staff