Adult Company That Used Affiliates Is Ordered to Halt Spam Operation

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has ordered the halt of a spam operation run by an operator of numerous online adult and social-networking websites.

The Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday that affiliates of ATM Global Systems sent out unsolicited email with false or misleading header information and failed to include an opt-out mechanism and a valid postal address.

ATM Global operates SexyFriendsearch.com, FunHookups.com, JoinDatingFun.com and EDateFunTimes.com.

On Friday, a U.S. District Court in Chicago barred the company and owners Mark Richman and Nathaniel Seidman from further violations of the U.S. CAN-SPAM Act. It also required the company to establish an affiliate monitoring program and imposes a $75,000 civil penalty.

ATM Global didn't immediately return a phone message by XBIZ seeking comment on the court order.

The company, based in Boca Raton, Fla., has used affiliates to drive users to its websites since January 2006 or earlier, the FTC said.

The affiliates sent spam with "lurid" subject lines and false header information, making it difficult for recipients to determine the identity of the sender, the FTC said.

The judge's order included a civil penalty of $442,900 — the amount the defendants made from the spamming operation — and all but $75,000 was suspended, based on the defendants' ability to pay, the FTC said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Sweden Bans Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has approved a proposal to criminalize purchasing sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

Asa Akira to Deliver XBIZ Talk at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that decorated performer, Pornhub brand ambassador, and author Asa Akira is set to deliver an exclusive talk at XBIZ Miami.

JustFor.fans Launches 'Fentanyl Test Strip' Initiative

JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched a test strip initiative to combat the nationwide fentanyl crisis.

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Million Billion Media Launches New Website

Management and PR agency Million Billion Media (MBM) has launched a new website.

'Neon Nightswim' Party Returns to XBIZ Miami

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the annual Neon Nightswim Pool Party will once again illuminate XBIZ Miami on Tuesday, May 20.

FSC Addresses UK Age Verification Guidelines

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an article offering guidance on the U.K.'s Online Safety Act and the various guidelines put forward by the country's telecommunications regulator Ofcom.The article follows:

European Commission Posts AV Guidelines, Seeks Feedback

The European Commission has made public its draft guidelines on protecting minors online under the Digital Services Act, including age verification requirements covering adult sites and platforms.

'White-Hot' Party Set to Kick Off XBIZ Miami

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the annual White-Hot Party, the official opening bash of XBIZ Miami, is set for Monday, May 19, at Mynt Lounge in South Beach.

Show More