FTC Cracks Down on MLM Recruiter Who Promised ‘No Less Than Six Figures’ — While Most Earned Nothing
Stormy Wellington, a high-level participant at Total Life Changes and Farmasi, banned from making deceptive earnings claims after allegedly recruiting workers with false income promises
MIAMI — The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against a prominent multilevel marketing recruiter who allegedly used false and baseless claims about earning hundreds of thousands — even millions — of dollars to lure new participants into two different MLM ventures, while company data shows the vast majority of participants made little or no money.
The FTC’s complaint names Stormy Wellington, who spent a decade as a high-level participant at Total Life Changes (TLC) before leaving in August 2025 to join Farmasi, a makeup and wellness MLM. In both roles, the agency alleges, Wellington used deceptive earnings claims to recruit new members.
“Today’s actions make clear that the FTC will go after individuals who deceive consumers trying to earn a living,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This case highlights the FTC’s ongoing efforts to protect workers from recruiters who misrepresent potential earnings.”
According to the complaint, Wellington posted videos on her Facebook page promoting TLC with a caption stating, “I will help 1000 families make 5-7 figures in the next 90 days to 12 months!” After moving to Farmasi, she allegedly told new recruits, “I’m telling you right now, no less than six figures, no less. Repeat that to me. No less than six figures,” and promised she would make “60 new millionaires in 2026.”
The FTC said: “The promoters of a pyramid scheme may try to recruit you with pitches about what you’ll earn. They may say you can change your life — quit your job and even get rich — by selling the company’s products. “That’s a lie. Your income would be based mostly on how many people you recruit, not how much product you sell.”
But the companies’ own income disclosures tell a different story. TLC’s 2023 income disclosure states that 76.8% of active participants — 23,124 people — earned no compensation at all. At most, 0.4% of all active participants (113 people) earned more than $5,000. Farmasi’s 2023 disclosure shows that fewer than 1% of active participants earned income in the six-figure range that the FTC alleges Wellington promised.
A proposed order filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida settles the FTC’s allegations against Wellington. The order prohibits her from misrepresenting or assisting others in misrepresenting earnings from any business venture.
Specifically, Wellington is banned from making false claims — either directly or through images of homes, vehicles, purchases, or travel — about what participants will likely earn, what she or other participants have actually earned, or why participants do not earn substantial compensation.
Any future earnings claims must be truthful, non-misleading, and substantiated in writing at the time they are made. Wellington must provide that evidence to anyone who expresses interest in becoming a participant. She is also required to notify her downline participants about the order’s prohibition on making deceptive and unsubstantiated earnings claims.
Stormy Wellington took to social media to issue a public apology, addressing not only her fans but also the individuals who enrolled in her programs. In her message, she acknowledged their concerns and expressed a commitment to doing better moving forward. She shared that she intends to shift her focus toward becoming an inspirer and motivational voice within the coaching industry, aiming to provide more meaningful guidance and support.
You may be looking for ways to grow your money through investments—and that’s completely understandable. But offers promising unusually high or quick returns can be a major red flag. Scammers rely on these promises to draw people in, and the losses are significant. According to FTC data, consumers lost more than $7.9 billion to investment scams in 2025, with a typical individual loss exceeding $10,000.
These scams often begin on social media, messaging apps like WhatsApp, or through online ads claiming you can make fast profits. Sometimes, the approach feels more personal—coming from a friend, acquaintance, or even a romantic interest who offers to “coaching” you in stocks, forex, or cryptocurrency. Once you invest, scammers may show fake account growth or fabricated earnings to gain your trust. In reality, the investment doesn’t exist, and your money is gone.
To protect yourself, keep a few key principles in mind. All legitimate investments carry risk, so anyone who downplays that risk or presents an opportunity as “guaranteed” should not be trusted. Take time to research any company, promoter, or individual by searching their name along with terms like “review,” “scam,” or “complaint,” and review multiple sources. Also, verify that anyone offering investments is properly licensed by using tools like Investor.gov. For certain assets like precious metals, you can check registration through the CFTC database.
Staying cautious and doing your homework can make the difference between a smart investment and a costly scam.
FTC Fines Publishing.com $1.5 Million for Promising ‘Foolproof’ Passive Income That Most Never Saw
Online self-publishing company and its principals allegedly used incentivized testimonials, buried refund conditions, and claimed consumers could ‘copy the exact system’ to make thousands monthly
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Publishing.com LLC and its two principals will pay $1.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the company misled consumers about how much money they were likely to earn using its self-publishing programs — while most buyers never achieved the promised income and many discovered refunds were anything but “no questions asked.”
The online self-publishing company, which sells courses such as the AI Publishing Academy (costing up to $1,995) and a supplementary program called Publishing Accelerator, advertised its offerings as a “foolproof, passive income system” that would allow consumers to earn substantial money publishing e-books and audiobooks.
“Consumers, including workers, need accurate information up front about potential earnings to make an informed decision about how to invest their time, money, and efforts,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “This case advances the Commission’s priority of protecting American workers from deceptive and unlawful conduct.”
According to the FTC’s complaint, since at least 2018, Publishing.com used free online videos and promotional emails to entice consumers. In one email, CEO Christian Mikkelsen claimed consumers could “copy the EXACT system hundreds of my students use to make $1,000 to $3,000 a month in passive income.” The complaint alleges that both Christian Mikkelsen and Chief Product Officer Rasmus Mikkelsen presented themselves as having personally used the system to achieve significant wealth.
But most consumers who bought the company’s products and services never achieved the income promised in the advertising, the FTC said.
The company’s “no questions asked” refund guarantee proved illusory for many consumers, according to the complaint. Publishing.com allegedly imposed additional conditions buried in fine print or lengthy terms of service, making it difficult or impossible for customers to obtain refunds.
The FTC also alleged that Publishing.com frequently highlighted positive consumer reviews and testimonials without disclosing that some were written by company employees, relatives of the Mikkelsens, or others with material connections to the company. The company also failed to disclose that it offered prizes, cash, and additional services in exchange for positive testimonials. At times, the complaint states, Publishing.com even conditioned refunds on consumers providing positive reviews.
Under the proposed order settling the charges, Publishing.com and the Mikkelsens are prohibited from making earnings claims unless the claims are not misleading and are supported by a reasonable basis. The order also bars specific misrepresentations detailed in the complaint, requires clear disclosure of refund and cancellation terms, and mandates disclosure of any unexpected material connections with endorsers or any incentives provided for reviews.
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