President of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection Tomasz Chróstny issued decisions against people who encouraged participation in forbidden pyramid-type promotional systems in social media. It is about programme promoters led by American companies International Markets Live (IML) and Eaconomy. The total amount of penalties exceeded PLN 400,000.
UOKiK considered that influencers used their recognition and reach to reach mostly young people seeking rapid financial success. They promised "business cooperation", development and a stable source of income. In fact, the benefits of the participants depended primarily on the acquisition of more people and the expansion of the structure, not on the sale of products or educational services. This is a classic feature of a banned pyramid-type promotional system that violates the collective interests of consumers.
Penalties for IML promoters
International Markets Live (formerly operating through i.academy and iyovia.com) offered exchange market rates, cryptocurrency and e-commerce. A key element was the partnership program, in which the participant received Independent Business Owner status and recruitment fees after the initial and monthly contributions were paid.
The defendants were:
- Franciszek Rumak – PLN 169,068,
- Grzegorz Baryła – PLN 105,668,
- Łukasz Disputen – 42,267 zł.
Punishment for promoting Eaconoma
The second company, Eaconomy of Las Vegas, sold educational material on financial markets and money management. After the subscription package was purchased, you could enter a partnership program based on recruiting more people.
Margaret Magiera received a penalty of PLN 84,534. The Authority also accused it of disseminating false information about possible earnings.
Position of President of UOKiK
Tomasz Chróstny emphasized: "They had a vision of making quick money. They argued that anyone could achieve financial independence, and that success was at hand. In fact, they encouraged participation in prohibited pyramid-type promotional systems. In such systems, the possibility of gaining benefits depends primarily on obtaining more participants, not on selling products or services."
He also added that not only organisers are responsible, but also conscious promoters who benefit from the trust of their recipients.
Obligations and follow-up
Decisions are invalid – an appeal is granted to the court. Ukarani must publish information on decisions on their websites and on social media.
UOKiK points out that after the end of cooperation with IML Franciszek Rumak and Grzegorz Baryła began to promote the platform jifu.com. Małgorzata Magiera is also currently active in the partnership program of this company. The Office shall conduct the investigation and verify that the jif model does not bear the characteristics of a pyramid-type promotional system.
The case shows that the UOKiK increasingly enforces responsibility not only from foreign organizers, but also from people who build ranges and recruit participants into illegal structures in Poland.
Source: UOKiK message
