Would I Lie To You Honey?

Consumer watchdog alleges fake flirting by dating website

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Jetplace Pty Ltd, the operator of dating website, www.redhotpie.com.au.
The ACCC is alleging Jetplace created and published fictional profiles on its website and used them to send ‘flirt’ and other messages to registered users.

The ACCC alleges Jetplace engaged in misleading conduct by representing that:

• each and every profile was created by a person who came to the site and registered

• any profile identified in a search conducted by a member would be a member created profile, and

• every profile viewable on the website and every message received from a profile provided an opportunity for a member to socialise with, and potentially meet, a member who created that profile or caused the message to be sent when that was not the case.

The ACCC alleges the directors of Jetplace, Mr Mark Semaan and Mr Maxwell James McGuire, were knowingly concerned in, and party to the contravening conduct.
The ACCC is seeking declarations, injunctions, orders and costs.