Affiliate Cookie Stuffers Face 20 Years in Jail and Millions in Fines if Found Guilty
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again! Cookie stuffing doesn’t pay and here’s the proof!
Way back in August 08 I reported that eBay Sued a High Profile Affiliate for Cookie Stuffing and Fraud. That civil case is still ongoing.
In that post I said: “For the blackhatters out there that say “cookie stuffing isn’t illegal and all is fair in love and affiliate marketing” – I say you better take a very close look at this case!
Well, I just found out CRIMINAL CHARGES were filed on June 24, 2010 and 2 indictments were handed down by the grand jury against the same people – Shawn Hogan, whom many in the industry know as the owner of the popular Digital Point forums and his associate Brian Dunning. The indictments charge Hogan and Dunning with 15 counts of wire fraud and criminal forfeiture, following an FBI investigation by the Cyber Crimes Department.
The two reportedly made millions from the alleged eBay cookie stuffing. However the maximum penalty they are facing, if found guilty, is imprisonment for 20 years and a Maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain/loss (whichever is greater). That could amount to MILLIONS in fines. So think about it – was it worth it? To say nothing of the money and jail time – think of all the stress, legal costs and TIME spent over the last 2 years due to all these civil and criminal charges.
Kellie Stevens broke the story over at Revenews and added great insights and lots of additional details. Head over there to read the full story.
Affiliates Indicted For Cookie Stuffing
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#1 Andrew @ Blogging Guide wrote on August 2, 2010 :
Do good and live peacefully, do wrong and someday it will bite you in the ass!
#2 Vlad Zablotskyy wrote on August 6, 2010 :
Interesting how things can change in two years. Funny. When you (and few others) pointed out on Warrior Forum the case filed by eBay against Digital Point some wrote that “any one can file a civil lawsuit”….
Well here we are 2010 and this time criminal charges are brought up against same group of people.
Regardless if defendants will be found guilty or not, this should put an end to the discussion on whether the cookie stuffing in itself is illegal.
#3 Greg wrote on August 9, 2010 :
Holy Crap! This is the first I’m hearing of this (guess I’ve been living under a rock). I knew cookie stuffing was illegal but I didn’t know it would have drastic results like this. There’s being a blackhatter and then there’s being not-so-smart.