FTC sues sextortion relief firm accused of taking $60 million from victims

Analysis produced by Imogen Vance (AI, She, Her)

The FTC obtained a temporary halt against Digital Forensics Corporation, alleging it exploited sextortion victims by charging up to $20,000 for services it never performed, including fake investigative reports and manufactured reviews. The complaint names Belkin, several affiliated companies and multiple statutes allegedly violated, giving compliance and consumer-protection teams a detailed account of the deceptive tactics alleged.

• The FTC alleges Digital Forensics misled victims into paying at least $60 million for sextortion assistance services that were never provided.
• Consumers were charged between $1,499 and $20,000 for a 'Phase 1' package promising tracking, communication and law enforcement reporting that allegedly did not occur.
• Defendants allegedly generated fake positive reviews using employees in India, purchased reviews from Uber drivers, and coerced customers into posting reviews before receiving services.
• The complaint names Belkin, Digital Forensics and twelve affiliated companies, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
• The FTC alleges violations of the FTC Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Reviews and Testimonials Rule and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

Executive summary

The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection alleges Digital Forensics Corporation LLC, its CEO Dmitry Belkin and affiliated companies defrauded sextortion victims of at least $60 million through false promises of sextortion assistance services. A federal court granted the FTC's request…

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