The Hidden Epidemic of Done-For-You Amazon Store Scams: My Story and the Bigger Picture
The Harsh Reality of 'Done-For-You' Amazon Store Services: My $328,495.95 Loss
The dream of passive income has fueled an entire industry of "Done-For-You" (DFY) Amazon store services. Promising turnkey e-commerce success, these services lure investors with assurances of hands-off profits. Unfortunately, for many investors like myself, these promises collapse into devastating financial losses.
In my own experience, I entrusted a DFY provider with an investment totaling $328,495.95. Instead of profits, I faced mismanagement, lack of communication, and ultimately, a complete financial loss. The venture that was supposed to generate stable passive income became a drain on my finances and my peace of mind.
Reported losses to online scams in the U.S. surged to $16.6 billion in 2024, marking a 33% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). This trend underscores the escalating threat of cyber fraud nationwide.
Interestingly, I am not alone. In fact, mounting evidence shows a growing number of victims are coming forward.
One notable case is Jo Anna Browning v. Eyad Abbas and Empower Consulting Group LLC, filed on January 28, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County, Florida. Browning alleges breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and unjust enrichment, seeking damages exceeding $500,000. Her lawsuit claims that Abbas and Empower Consulting misused her funds, including for Amazon-related ventures that produced none of the promised results.
Similarly, a verified amended complaint was filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida, by Randy Martono-Chai v. Empower Consulting Group LLC, OnyxEcom LLC, Eyad Abbas, Blake Evertsen, and Kevin Vieira. Martono-Chai accuses the defendants of fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, civil theft, and more, stemming from failed Amazon automation and e-commerce investment services. His losses reportedly exceed $200,000.
A third case, Katy Ferguson v. OnyxFunding LLC, OnyxEcom LLC, and Kevin Vieira, was filed on November 18, 2024, in Orange County, Florida. Ferguson alleges breach of contract, civil theft, and violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) after investing over $80,000 into promised Amazon and Facebook store automation services that failed to deliver.
These three lawsuits, while separate, reveal strikingly similar patterns of behavior: grandiose promises, mismanagement or outright misuse of funds, and eventual financial harm to trusting investors.
Despite these lawsuits and mounting evidence, media coverage of DFY Amazon store scams remains surprisingly sparse. Why? Several factors likely contribute:
- Victim Reluctance: Many victims feel embarrassed or ashamed to admit they were misled, preferring to stay silent.
- Complexity of Legal Action: As my own attorney observed, the volume of potential DFY scam victims is so high, and the cases so complicated, that he refuses to even consider 90% of inquiries.
- Contractual Barriers: Many DFY service agreements include venue clauses, arbitration agreements, and "no disparagement" terms designed to suppress public complaints.
- Shifting Targets: Operators often close one business entity and reopen under another name, making it difficult for law enforcement and media to track long-term patterns.
And yet, scattered reports tell a clear story. A 2024 Mashable article profiled an individual who lost $56,000 to a DFY Amazon scheme. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has previously sued Amazon "get rich quick" operators, including a 2018 case where consumers lost anywhere from $995 to $26,000 each. Reddit forums like r/AmazonSeller are filled with heartbreaking accounts of entrepreneurs who were promised the world but received only debt.
When you step back and connect the dots, a disturbing picture emerges: Done-For-You Amazon store scams appear to be a hidden epidemic.
How many people have lost their savings chasing this dream? How many families have faced debt and financial ruin because of these operations? How many more lawsuits will need to be filed before this story gets the national attention it deserves?
As someone who has personally lived through this nightmare, and having now read multiple lawsuits detailing similar experiences, I can say with certainty: the problem is much larger than anyone is reporting.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a DFY Amazon store service, don't stay silent. Report your case to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov/Complaint), the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), and consider sharing your story publicly to warn others. By raising awareness, we can expose these predatory practices and help prevent future victims.
Sources:
- Jo Anna Browning v. Eyad Abbas and Empower Consulting Group LLC (Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, FL, filed January 28, 2025)
- Randy Martono-Chai v. Empower Consulting Group LLC, OnyxEcom LLC, Eyad Abbas, Blake Evertsen, and Kevin Vieira (Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County, FL, filed 2025)
- Katy Ferguson v. OnyxFunding LLC, OnyxEcom LLC, and Kevin Vieira (Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, FL, filed November 18, 2024)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are considering legal action, please consult a qualified attorney.
