United States of America v. Metro Data Management, Inc. et al

Filing 51

FINAL JUDGMENT: The clerk of the court shall close this case. Ordered by Judge Sandra J. Feuerstein on 5/5/2016. (Florio, Lisa)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, -against- STIPULATED CONSENT DECREE AND FINAL JUDGMENT Civil Action No. 14-6791 (SJF)(GRB) METRO DATA MANAGEMENT, INC. d/b/a DATA MARKETING GROUP, LTD., KEITHA ROCCO, individually and as an Officer of Metro Data Management, Inc., 9097 9394 QUEBEC INC. d/b/a INFOGEST DIRECT MARKETING, MARY THANOS, DANIEL SOUSSE, PHILIP LETT, DESTINY RESEARCH CENTER, LTD., MARTIN DETTLING, MARIA DUVAL, and PATRICK GUERIN. FILED IN CLf:Rl'';:- OFFICE U S DISTRIC"f COUfn E 0 N y * t\1\'( 05 Z016 * LONG ISLAND OFFICE Defendants. WHEREAS, the United States commenced this action against Defendant 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. d/b/a Infogest Direct Marketing ("Infogest") by filing a Complaint in this Court, and added additional defendants Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse, Philip Lett, Martin Dettling, Destiny Research Center, Ltd. ("DRC"), Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin (collectively sometimes hereinafter the "defendants") by filing an Amended Complaint in this Court, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the Amended Complaint states a claim for relief under the Fraud Injunction Statute, 18 U.S. C. § 1345; and United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment WHEREAS, on November 19,2014, having considered the ex parte application of the United States, the Court issued a temporary restraining order as to, inter alia, Defendant lnfogest; and WHEREAS, the United States and Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin wish to settle this action upon the following terms without further litigation; WHEREAS, the parties hereby agree to fully and finally settle this matter without any admissions of liability or wrongdoing on the part of Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin; WHEREAS, neither this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment, nor the fact that defendants have agreed to a permanent injunction, shall constitute an admission of liability, be admitted into evidence or otherwise used against them in any other matter, save for a matter to enforce this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment; WHEREAS, the defendants are not citizens or residents of the United States but wish to finally resolve the matters alleged in the Amended Complaint without further litigation and therefore agree that this Court may enter and enforce this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment against them in the United States, but specifically do not submit to this Court's jurisdiction (or the jurisdiction of any court in the United States) for any other purpose by entering into this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment. NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that: Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345 and the inherent power of this Court: 1. i. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and Page 2 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from committing mail fraud, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1341; ii. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from using the United States mails or causing others to use the United States mails to distribute: 1. any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials on behalf of DRC, Maria Duval, Patrick Guerin or any other actual or fictional individual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant or astrological items or services for a fee; 2. any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials that falsely represent, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly, that the recipient of the mailing was specifically selected to receive the mailing based on a reason other than the fact that the recipient's name appears on a mailing list; 3. any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials that represent, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly, that services or items offered for purchase will: (a) increase the recipient's odds and/or probability of winning a lottery or other game of chance; (b) bring the recipient luck or good fortune; or Page 3 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment (c) entitle the recipient to receive an inheritance or other payment from a party other than the seller of the goods and services; or 4. any other false and misleading advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials; iii. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from taking any action to receive or causing to be delivered any incoming mail, at any address anywhere in the United States, which is responsive to any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials on behalf ofDRC, Maria Duval, Patrick Guerin or any other actual or fictional individual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant or astrological items or services for a fee. iv. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from using, possessing, having control over, or forwarding mail from or to any address, Post Office Box, or Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA) Box, which has been used by the Defendants or their agents to receive any incoming mail which is responsive to any advertisements, solicitations, payments, or promotional materials sent in the United States on behalf of any actual, or fictional htdividual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant, or astrological items or services for a Page 4 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment fee, to include but not limited to: I. 1285 Baring Boulevard, #411, Sparks, NV, 89434 2. 1285 Baring Boulevard, #409, Sparks, NV 89434 3. 201 West Lake Street, #555, Chicago, IL 60606; v. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from selling, offering for sale, licensing, renting, disclosing or utilizing for any purpose other than the defense of any legal action any lists of consumers or mailing lists of any type that have been compiled from consumers in the United States who have responded to solicitations bearing the names Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, or Patrick Guerin, except that defendants may disclose such lists to their legal counsel as necessary for the defense of any other (a) pending legal actions in which a Defendant has been named as a party, or (b) pending criminal investigations where a Defendant has been identified by law enforcement as a target of the investigation; vi. Within 30 days of the date of entry of this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Order, Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are ordered to dispose of any lists of consumers or mailing lists of any type that are currently in their possession or control, compiled from consumers in the United States Page 5 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment who have responded to solicitations bearing the names Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, or Patrick Guerin or order any custodian who has possession of any such lists to dispose of them, unless retention by defendant's legal counsel of such lists is necessary for the defense of any other (a) pending legal actions in which a Defendant has been named as a party, or (b) pending criminal investigations where a Defendant has been identified by law enforcement as a target of the investigation. Disposal shall be by means that protect against unauthorized access to the customer information, such as by burning or shredding any papers, and by erasing or destroying any electronic media, to ensure that the customer information cannot practicably be read or reconstructed. With respect to any lists that are personally disposed of by Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, these Defendants shall, after completing any disposal, provide to Plaintiff a certification, sworn under penalty of perjury, detailing what materials were identified for disposal and in what manner disposal was accomplished, and certifying that Defendants no longer have in their possession any such lists. Any Defendants who do not have in their possession or control any such lists shall provide to Plaintiff a certification that they do not possess any such lists, sworn under penalty ofpeJjury. Any Defendants who retain such lists for purposes of the defense of any other pending legal actions shall provide to Plaintiff a certification, sworn under penalty of peJjury, stating that such lists are retained and the format in which such lists are retained. With respect to any lists that are in the custody of a Page 6 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment third party, Defendants Infogest and DRC shall provide Plaintiffs with certifications, sworn under penalty of perjury: I. listing the names and addresses of all third party custodians in possession of such lists; 2. listing the individuals at the third party custodians that defendants contacted to direct the third party custodians to dispose of such lists; 3. listing the individual who contacted the third party custodians on behalf of defendants, and the dates, time and manner by which defendants directed the third party custodians to dispose of such list; 4. listing the individuals at the third party custodians that responded to confirm that disposal was accomplished; 5. listing the date, time and manner in which the individual responded to confirm that disposal was accomplished; and 6. identifying any third party custodian that did not confirm that disposal was accomplished; vii. Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin, their agents, officers, employees, and successors, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them are jointly and severally permanently enjoined from performing "caging services" including processing direct mail payments and orders, with regard to direct mail solicitations sent through United States mail on behalf of Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, Patrick Guerin or any other actual or fictional individual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant or astrological items or services for a Page 7 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment fee; viii. The United States Postal Inspection Service is authorized to open any and all United States Mail detained by the United States Postal Inspection Service pursuant to the Temporary Restraining Order in this matter. The United States Postal Inspection Service shall return any currency, bearer instruments (including but not limited to money orders and travelers checks), and any personal effects that can be positively identified with its sender. This return shall include a letter notifying the sender of the disposition of this matter, attached here as Exhibit B. The United States Postal Inspection Service is authorized to destroy any and all remaining detained mail (including but not limited to envelopes, order forms, correspondence, personal checks, and payment card information (PCI)). ix. Within seven (7) days after the entry of this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment, Defendants are ordered to submit to the United States an acknowledgment of receipt of this Consent Decree and Final Judgment sworn under penalty of perjury; 2. This Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment shall not be modified except in writing by the Parties and approved by the Court. 3. This Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment shall be governed by the laws of the United States. 4. The Parties agree to bear their own costs and attorneys' fees in this action. 5. The temporary restraining order entered on November 19, 2014, is superseded by this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment and is hereby vacated and Page 8 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment dissolved. 6. Within fourteen (14) days after the entry of this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment, the United States shail cause the Chief Postal Inspector for the United States Postal Service to seek and obtain an order in the administrative action In re Destiny Research Center, Ltd. and Martin Dettling and Maria Duval (filed on or about November 14, 2014), dismissing the administrative Complaint with prejudice, vacating the Orders and Cease and Desist Order attached to the administrative Complaint, and vacating any other orders or judgments issued in that proceeding. 7. This Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment contains the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter herein. The Parties acknowledge that there are no understandings relating to the settlement other than those expressly contained in this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment. 8. The undersigned signatories each represent that he, she or it is fully authorized to enter into the terms and conditions of this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment and to execute and legally bind to this document the Party which he, she or it represents. 9. Defendants hereby agree to waive, release, and remit any and all claims, either directly or indirectly against the United States and its agencies, employees, representatives and agents, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and their employees, with respect to this action. 10. This Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment may be executed in Page 9 of15 United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment counterparts, each of which constitutes an original and all of which constitute one and the same Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment. Signatures delivered by facsimile transmission, or as .pdf attachments to emails, shall constitute acceptable, binding signatures for purposes of this Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment. II. This Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment shall constitute a final judgment and order in this action, United States v. Metro Data Management, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 14-6791 (SJFXGRB), as to Defendants Infogest, Thanos, Sousse, Lett, Dettling, DRC, Duval and Guerin. jurisdiction over the enforcement and inte r ts Stipulated Consent o resolve all disputes arising hereunder as may """"""'"""!'~t. The C\cr~ o{ -lne C.O\.lrt 6t\Ql\ c..\ose... -1t1 1 ~ c..O..~c.,... SO ORDERED this S tb day of H Oj ,2016. A s/ Sandra J. Feuerstein m~NORABLE~ANDRA J. FEUERSTEIN UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Page 10 of15 UrritedStatu •.loktroDotaMau:;g111oon1, Inc., otal., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) SlipuJa1ed c..- Docne ond finaiJudplent IT IS HEREBY AGREED: TBii UNWjD SlATES OF AMERICA Dated: Brooklyn, New York Fplna; _, 2016 Apr;/ 13 ROBERT L. CAPERS United States Attorney Eutem DistrictofNew York By: et--~+=:? agelatos Assistant United States Attorney Tel. (718) 254:-6182 Dated: Washington, DC Febi-;_,2016 BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Civil Division United States Department of Justice Afn\ '' JONATHAN F. OLIN • Deputy AssisJant Attorney General MICHAELS. BLUME DiRc:tor Consumer Protection Branch By: tiM!- Ann F. Entwistle Trial Attorney U.S. Department of Justice Tel. (202) 305-3630 Page 11 of15 Unird States v. Metro /JaJa Managemenl, Inc., et aJ., 14-CV-6791 (SJFXGRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment THEINFOGESTDEFENDANTS MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS, LLP Counsel for Defendants 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. d/b/a Infogest Direct Marketing, Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse and Philip Lett Dated: New York, New York FebiUIIf'Y _, 2016 f\tAJ... "'1 By: L~~~ Arunabha Bhoumik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 9097 9394 QuEBEC INC. DIB/A INFOGEST DIRECT MARKETING Dated: Quebec, Canada February__, 2016 By: Axel Wend President Dated: Quebec, Canada February __, 20 16 MARY THANOS Mary Thanos Dated: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 DANIEL SOUSSE Daniel Sousse Dated: Quebec, Canada February__, 2016 PHILIP LETT Philip Lett Page 12 oflS United S/olu v. Mara Dola MfJIIt/gU/1114 Ina., II a!, 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(ORB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judpnt TUEINFQGESJDEfENDANTS Dated: New York, New York February_, 2016 MANATT, PHELPS&: PmLLIPS, LLP Counsel for Defendants 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. dlb/a Infogest Direct Marketing, Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse and Philip Lett By: Linda Goldstein Arunabha Bhoumik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 9697 9394 QUEBEC INC. Dated: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 DIB/A INFOGEST DIRECT MARKETING By: Axel Wend President Dated: Quebec, Canada MARY THANOS February_, 2016 Mary Thanos Dated: Quebec, Canada DANIEL SOUSSE February_, 2016 Daniel Sousse Dated: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 PmLIPLETT Philip Lett Page 11 of15 UrriiMI Stat., v. Me/l"o Data Altmagemen4 Inc., et a/., 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment THE INFQGEST DEfENDANTS MANATI', PHELPS & PHILLIPS, LLP Counsel for Defendants 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. d/b/a Infogest Direct Marketing, Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse and Philip Lett Dated: New York. New York February__, 2016 By: Linda Goldstein Arunabba Bhoum.ik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 9097 ~QuEBEC INC. DIB/A INFOGEST DIRECI' MARKETING Datc4: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 By: Axel Wend President Dated: Quebec, Canada February~ 2016 Dated: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 MARY THANOS ~ DANIEL SOUSSE Daniel Sousse Dated: Quebec, Canada February__, 2016 PHILIPLETI PhiUpLett Page ll oflS UnimdStatuv. MIITODGIGM-w.n4 btc., otaL, 14-CV-6791 (SJF)(ORB) S1ipullled eo-t Decree and Final Judgment THE INFOGEST PEf1iNPANTS Dated: New York, New York MANAIT, PHELPS & PlfiLLIPS, LLP Counsel for Defendants 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. d/bla February__, 2016 Infogest Direct Marketing. Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse and Philip Lett By: Linda GoldS!Ciin Arunabba Bhoumik Mombers Tel. (212) 790-4500 !10!17 !13!14 QuEBEC INC. Dated: Quebec, Canada February__, 2016 D/B/A INII'OGEST DIRECT MARKETING By: Axel Wend President Dated: Quebec, Canada MARY THANOS February__, 2016 Mary Thanos Dated: Quebec, Canada February jj 2016 DANIEL SOUSSE lJ~·J Jr., J fz_. Daniel Sousse Dated: Quebec, Canada February~ PHILIP LETT 2016 Philip Lett Page 1l of l!i Uni~d Slata v. Metro Data Malffl6""1nt, Inc., eta/., 14-CV-<i791 (SJF)(ORB) Stipulated Conaent Decree and Final Judgment THE INFOGEST DEFENDANJS MANATT, PHELPS & PIDIJ JPS, LLP Counsel for Defendants 9097 9394 Quebec Inc. dlb/a lnfogcst Direct Marketing, Mary Thanos, Daniel Sousse and Philip Lett Dated: New York, New York February_, 2016 By: Linda Goldstein Anmabha Bhoumik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 Dated: Quebec, Canada 9097 9394 QuEBEC INC. D/B/A INFOGEST DIRECT MARKETING February_, 2016 By: Axel Wend Preaidcnt Dated: Quebec, Canada February_, 2016 MARY THANOS Mary Thanos Dated: Quebec, Canada DANIEL SOUSSE February_, 2016 Daniel Sousse Dated: Quebec, Canada February /!e.. 2016 PageUoflS United Slates v. Metro Data Management, Inc., eta/., 14-CV~791 (SJF)(GRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment THE DESTINY RESEARCH CENTER DEFENDANTS MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS, LLP Dated: New York, New York ~~2016 Counsel for Defendants Martin Dettling and enter, Ltd. Destiny R By: Linda Goldstein Arunabha Bhoumik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 Dated: DESTINY RESEARCH CENTER, LTD. Switzerland February_, 2016 By: Martin Dettling Director Dated: Switzerland MARTIN DETTLING February_, 2016 Martin Dettling Page 13of1S UnUwdStatuv. Metro/)(I}QManog#mMI, Inc., etaL, 14-CV.-6791 (SJF){ORB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment TIDj DE81JNX Bl§ti,:\BCH CENTER DEDNDAN'I'S MANATT, PHELPS & PHILLIPS, LLP Dated: New York, New York February~ Counsel for Defendants Martin Dettling and Destiny Research Center, Ud. 2016 By: Linda Ooklsmin Anmabba Bhoumik Members Tel. (212) 790-4500 Dated:~19.,~{ Switzerland ~016 DESTINY RESEARCH CENTER, LTD. llttiJ: oCttling Director MARTIN DETTLING M8mn Dettling Page13 of15 Dated . \HRI \ 1)1'\ A I Fmoc~ . .101 () I. idemiticatinn. ~p~::..:1ficall~ a Page 14 i>t 15 ---""..J Unl,dStatesv. Metro Data Management, Inc., etaL, 14-CV-6791 (SJFXGRB) Stipulated Consent Decree and Final Judgment PATRICK GUERIN Dated:1 S/'t !2o14 France PATRICK GUERIN February --' 20 16 I, i\\ale..Rk (k,NAJA<JD ·CJ{oull.tl'o~ ~3ens!tl efthe l:hlited sum.oi=-A.Rteriea, ' ~(c.:.€gsar.J~f:S h-o\cu a. I.e 11t , France, duly commissioned and qualified do hereby certifY that: on this day, before me personally appeared Patrick Guerin, having presented government issued photo identification, specifically a - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - • and who executed the foregoing Consent Decree freely and voluntarily in my presence. IN WJTNESS THEREOF, I h(Jl}e hereunto set my hand and official seal t h i s - - - - - - day of 13 ar;' .2016. Page 15 of15 EXHIBIT A UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Civil Action No. 14-6791 (SJF)(GRB) Plaintiff, - againstMETRO DATA MANAGEMENT, INC. d/b/a DATA MARKETING GROUP, LTD., KEITHA ROCCO, individually and as an Officer of Metro Data Management, Inc., 9097 9394 QUEBEC INC. d/b/a INFOGEST DIRECT MARKETING, MARY THANOS, DANIEL SOUSSE, PHILIP LETT, DESTINY RESEARCH CENTER, LTD., MARTIN DETTLING, MARIA DUVAL, and PATRICK GUERIN. Defendants. Plaintiff, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, by and through the undersigned attorneys, hereby alleges as follows: INTRODUCTION I. The United States brings this action for a temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunctions, and other equitable relief pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345, in order to enjoin the ongoing commission of criminal mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S. C.§ 1341. The United States seeks to prevent continuing and substantial injury to the victims of fraud. 2. Since at least 2000 and continuing to the present, Defendants, using the United States mails, have engaged in a predatory mail fraud scheme. Defendants mail solicitations to victims throughout the United States promoting various psychic and clairvoyant services and purported talismans. The solicitations are written to give the impression that they are personalized to the individual recipient, and state that Defendants Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin are psychics who have had visions or have otherwise determined through the use of psychic powers that the individual recipient has the opportunity to achieve great wealth and happiness. The solicitations often state that one of the purported psychics has seen the individual recipient winning millions of dollars through the lottery. In reality, Defendants mail tens of thousands of nearly identical, purportedly personalized solicitations every month to consumers throughout the United States. The solicitations urge the recipient to purchase various supernatural and divinatory objects or services in order to achieve the predicted wealth. Defendants represent that these items are unique artifacts, when in reality these items are purchased in bulk and sent to thousands of consumers. 3. In response to receiving these direct mail solicitations, over one million American consumers have sent payments to the Defendants totaling more than $180 million. 4. For the reasons stated herein, the United States requests injunctive relief pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345 to enjoin Defendants' ongoing scheme to defraud using the mail in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1345 and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1345. 6. Venue lies in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 (b)(2). PARTIES 7. Plaintiff is the United States of America. 8. Defendant Metro Data Management, Inc. d/b/a Data Marketing Group, Ltd. ("Data Marketing Group") is, and was at all times relevant to this action, a corporation organized 2 and existing under the laws of the State of New York. Data Marketing Group's principal place of business is 60 East Industry Court, Deer Park, New York, I 1729, located in the Eastern District of New York. 9. Defendant Keitha Rocco is the president and CEO of Data Marketing Group. Keitha Rocco resides in Suffolk County, New York, in the Eastern District of New York. 10. Defendant 9097-9394 Quebec Inc. d/b/a Infogest Direct Marketing ("Infogest") is, and was at all times relevant to this action, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the province of Quebec, Canada. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Infogest transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. II. At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Mary Thanos was the Director of Operations oflnfogest. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Thanos transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 12. At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Daniel Sousse was the Customer Relationships Manager at Infogest. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Sousse transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 13. At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Philip Lett was the Director of Marketing of Infogest. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Lett transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 14. At all times relevant to this action, Destiny Research Center, Ltd. ("Destiny Research Center") was a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Hong Kong. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Destiny Research Center transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 3 15. At all times relevant to this action, Martin Dettling was the sole Director of Destiny Research Center. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Dettling transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 16. At all times relevant to this action, Maria Duval licensed her name and used her name, reputation and likeness to solicit money through the U.S. mail by direct mail solicitations sent by Destiny Research Center. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Maria Duval transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. 17. At all times relevant to this action, Patrick Guerin licensed his name and used his name, reputation and likeness to solicit money through the U.S. mail by direct mail solicitations sent by Destiny Research Center. In connection with the matters alleged herein, Patrick Guerin transacts business in the Eastern District of New York and throughout the United States. DEFENDANTS' ONGOING FRAUDULENT SCHEME 18. Beginning at least as early as 2000, Defendants have engaged in, are engaging in, and will continue to engage in a mail fraud scheme that has defrauded consumers throughout the United States out of more than $180 million. 19. Defendant Destiny Research Center, acting through its agent, Infogest, sends solicitation letters through the United States Postal Service to consumers throughout the United States. These solicitations promote the psychic and clairvoyant services of Defendants Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin (collectively, "the psychics"). Destiny Research Center sends dozens of different form solicitations to consumers, all styled as personalized letters, and all offering predictions of impending wealth, the opportunity to win large sums of money, or other good fortune. The solicitations misrepresent that one of the psychics learned of the specific consumer and the consumer's potential to accumulate great wealth through a dream or vision. Recipients 4 of the solicitations were in fact identified through the purchase of commercial mailing lists. The solicitations urge consumers to purchase various objects and psychic services as a means to ensure that the predicted wealth and good fortune come to pass for a cost of approximately $40$50. Consumers who purchase products or services in response to the solicitations are then bombarded with numerous additional, similar solicitations. 20. Defendant Infogest, operating out of Montreal, Canada, manages the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin direct mail campaigns on behalf of Defendant Destiny Research Center. Infogest oversees and hires third-party vendors to acquire lists of thousands of consumer addresses, to print and mail solicitations, to collect and process victim payments, and to send fulfillment materials and additional solicitations in response to customer orders. 21. Infogest has managed the direct mail operations for the Maria Duval psychic solicitations since at least the year 2000. Prior to 2007, Infogest ran the Maria Duval operations on behalf of the corporate entity Zodiac Zone. On April20, 2007, the United States Postal Service issued a cease and desist order (No. CD-4667) against Maria Duval and Zodiac Zone, ordering them to: cease and desist immediately from falsely representing, in connection with any promotional materials sent through the mail to consumers for whom Respondents possess no personal information other than name, address and the fact that the consumer's name and address appear on a particular mailing list, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly in substance and effect, whether by affirmative statements, implication or omissions that: (a) The consumer of the solicitation was specifically selected to receive the mailing based on a reason other than the fact that the consumer's name appears on an mailing list; (b) Respondents are aware of specific intimate information (e.g. birth date) about the consumer which will directly impact on the person's well being. 22. Since 2007, Infogest has sent the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin solicitations on behalf of Destiny Research Group and Defendant Destiny Research Center. Many of the Maria Duval solicitations sent by Infogest on behalf of Destiny Research Center are virtually identical 5 to solicitations previously sent on behalf of Zodiac Zone. Infogest has continued to manage the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin direct mail campaigns. 23. Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin license to Destiny Research Center the right to use of their names and likenesses in conjunction with the marketing of psychic and astrological goods and services within the United States. 24. Infogest has no more than five employees, and at all times relevant to this complaint, Defendants Thanos, Sousse, and Lett have been the individuals managing the Duval and Guerin direct mail campaigns for Infogest. 25. Thanos is the Director of Operations of Infogest and has been primarily responsible for management of the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin direct mail campaigns in the United States since at least 2000. Thanos communicated with a third-party company to license lists of names and addresses from list brokers for the Duval and Guerin mailings. Thanos also corresponded with third-party companies that provided printing and fulfillment mailing services. Thanos directed the fulfillment companies regarding what trinkets and written materials should be sent to purchasers who placed orders in response to specific solicitations. Thanos corresponded with the fulfillment companies to ensure that they had enough volume on hand of specific trinkets to meet the anticipated customer demand in response to a specific mass solicitation. 26. Thanos knew, based on her role in overseeing the operations of the Duval and Guerin schemes, that the letters and trinkets sent to purchasers were not individualized or unique, as the solicitations represented. 27. For example, in June 2014, Thanos sent a third-party fulfillment company a .pdf of the flyer for a new Maria Duval "promotion," and provided fulfillment instructions regarding 6 what products should be sent to customers who place orders in response to the promotion. That flyer is attached here as Exhibit A. Thanos states that for this first promotion, they are expecting "about 700 Cnd orders & 2, 700 US." Thanos states that the product for this promotion is the "LAK statue," that the fulfillment company should "use the one that the made in China label has been removed," and that the statue would need to be wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. She then directs the fulfillment company to look at the attached flyer for an idea of how the parcel should look. She also states that the promotion has a second gift which is sheets of paper rolled and tied. The attached promotion flyer is styled as if written by Maria Duval herself and describes Duval's trip to India to visit a shaman. The flyer contains a picture of a parcel wrapped in paper and string and states, "This is the mysterious parcel I brought back for you, containing your precious statue. As you can see, I haven't opened it, as that is for you and you alone. As soon as it's opened, you will feel its positive radiance and your life will start to change!" The flyer also contains a picture of a scroll wrapped in string and states, "This is the rare parchment that Shaman Arkashmiri gave me for you, which will help you win even more money!" 28. Sousse is the Customer Relationships Manager for Infogest. Sousse has been involved in the management of the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin direct mail campaign in the United States for over ten years. Sousse's role has included receiving and responding to all complaints regarding the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin solicitations, including those (a) in which consumers threaten to sue, (b) submitted through the Better Business Bureau, and (c) from state attorneys general. 7 29. Sousse knew, based on his role in the operations of the Duval and Guerin schemes, that the letters and trinkets sent to purchasers were not individualized or unique, as the solicitations represented. 30. Lett is the Director of Marketing for Infogest. Lett has been involved in the management of the Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin direct mail campaign in the United States for over ten years. In his role as Director of Marketing, Lett has corresponded with third-party companies that provided printing and fulfillment mailing services in support of the Duval and Guerin direct mail schemes. He has directed these fulfillment companies regarding which fulfillment products should be provided to fulfill orders placed in response to particular Duval and Guerin solicitations. He has also directed these fulfillment companies regarding the formatting of Duval and Guerin solicitations. 31. Lett knew, based on his role in the operations of the Duval and Guerin schemes, that the letters and trinkets sent to purchasers were not individualized or unique, as the solicitations represented. 32. Specifically, in July of 2012, Lett directed an employee of a fulfillment company to use a random number generator to fill in days, hours, and lucky numbers in a letter from Maria Duval. The form letter from Maria Duval states, "I would advise you to note down these dates and numbers. I've calculated them specifically for you for the coming months. These are the intensely lucky, perhaps 'magical' dates on which the astral forces charged with luck, money, love and success will be finely attuned with your personal sensibilities." The form letter is attached here as Exhibit B. The letter then contains a chart listing twelve dates, each with an associated time of day and six "Special numbers with great luck potential." Lett directed the employee of the fulfillment company to complete the letters with "2 random days for each of the 8 next 6 months," "HOURS Randomly from 8 AM to 9 PM," and "6 numbers randomly from I to 56." The fulfillment employee confirms that, with regard to the lucky numbers, "Each set will repeat (but not within the same order) and so each order should be fairly different looking and when repeats appear they will most often be in different locations." 33. Infogest contracts with a third-party company to print and mail the Duval and Guerin solicitations. The printed Duval and Guerin solicitations are shipped by truck from Canada across the border into the United States and are deposited with the U.S. Postal Service in Albany, New York. Destiny Research Center mails solicitations in batches of as many as 20,000 or 50,000 pieces of mail at a time. 34. From 2006 through the present, Infogest has sent over 56 million pieces of mail to consumers in the United States on behalf of Maria Duval, Patrick Guerin, and Destiny Research Center. 35. The solicitations contain an order form and return envelope for consumers to mail responses and payment. The return envelopes are pre-addressed to Destiny Research Center at one of three addresses. Those addresses belong to Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies ("CMRAs") in Nevada, Illinois and Ontario, Canada. T~e CMRA accounts were opened by Defendant Dettling. The CMRAs bundle the mail they receive from victims addressed to Destiny Research Center and forward the mail to Defendant Data Marketing Group. 36. Defendant Data Marketing Group opens all incoming mail from consumer victims, processes consumer payments, including scanning and depositing checks, and enters the names, addresses and orders of consumers who respond with payments into a database. Defendants also review correspondence from consumers for refund requests. These services are known in the direct mail industry as "caging services." 9 37. Data Marketing Group processes as much as $500,000 worth of victim payments on behalf of Destiny Research Center every two weeks. 38. Data Marketing Group opens and reads mail from consumers in order to enter requests for refunds into a database. Over three separate one-week periods in 2014, Data Marketing Group received a total of approximately I ,500 letters written by consumers and addressed to "Duval" and "Guerin," and to the psychic characters utilized by a similar scheme for which Data Marketing Group also provides caging services. The consumers frequently wrote about topics like receiving Medicare or Social Security benefits, large debts, and medical illness or ailments, and pleaded for the psychics to intervene and address these challenges. Many consumers complained in letters that products or services purchased were not working as promised or about the volume of solicitations received. 39. Based on these letters, Data Marketing Group knew that many victims believed they were personally corresponding with the psychics, when in fact they were recipients of form letters. Based on the text of the solicitations and the sheer volume of mail, Data Marketing Group knows that the solicitations sent by Destiny Research Center are form letters. 40. Once customer payments are entered into the database, a third-party fulfillment company sends the product ordered to the customer, along with a new solicitation offering further psychic predictions and urging the purchase of additional items and services. 41. Data Marketing Group sends invoices for the caging services it performs on behalf of Destiny Research Center to Thanos, lnfogest' s Director of Operations. 42. Data Marketing Group seeks permission from Sousse, lnfogest's Customer Relationships Manager, prior to issuing large refunds to victims of the Destiny Research Center fraud. Data Marketing Group forwards to Sousse questions from Destiny Research Center 10 victims regarding order fulfillment. Data Marketing Group also sends Sousse reports regarding the general content of letters from victims, as well as any specific complaints about certain products or psychic readings received in victim letters. At all relevant times, Sousse reviewed and directed the handling of customer relations, including complaints, as part of the mail fraud scheme. SPECIFIC MISREPRESENTATIONS Personal Knowledge and Personalized Predictions for Consumers The solicitations misrepresent to consumers that "Maria Duval" and "Patrick 43. Guerin" have personal knowledge of the individual recipient and that the recipient was selected to receive the mailing based on a reason other than the fact that the person's name appears on a mailing list. The solicitations misrepresent that the psychics have seen visions of the individual recipient winning huge sums of money or receiving other good fortune. In fact, Defendants send nearly identical solicitations to tens of thousands of consumers. Defendants use a mail merge to insert the names of consumers and occasionally numeric details, such as the number appearing on a talisman, into pre-written form letters. One such solicitation informs consumers that "Maria Duval" and "Patrick Guerin" 44. both had complementary psychic visions revealing that the consumer would win substantial money through the lottery. In order to receive the lottery winnings predicted by the psychics, the solicitation urges consumers to spend $50 to receive a talisman and the "Invaluable Guide to a New Life" and to have Maria Duval perform a "Grand Ceremony." Specific misrepresentations contained in this solicitation include the following: • So, now ~ internationally acclaimed psychics have predicted what your future holds in store for you ... it's fantastic news, [victim narne] ... take note of these 4 things that are very important for you: April 2, 2014, Powerball, Winnings, Problems Solved 11 • Patrick Guerin told me he had experienced incredible visions of amazing clarity, the likes of which he had rarely ever experienced ... At this point, Patrick Guerin saw he could help these people and among them, he saw YOU [victim name]! Yes, this great psychic of international renown KNOWS how to help these people really win massive sums of money on games of "chance" that could make their financial woes a thing of the past. • The most surprising thing is, [victim name] .. .I saw the same thing for you!. .. There is no doubt at all, [victim name], that you are among this small group of people about whom Patrick Guerin and I had such clear visions. The solicitation containing the above statements is attached hereto as Exhibit C. Nearly identical solicitations were sent to thousands of other consumers. These solicitations include copies of "notes" purportedly written by the psychics during their individualized visions regarding the recipient of the solicitation. The "notes" are printed to appear hand written, but identical "notes" appear in the solicitations to other consumers, save for the name and birth date of the individual recipient. Defendants Misrepresent That the Products and Services They Offer for Sale Are Unique and Will Bring the Purchaser Wealth and Good Fortune 45. Defendants urge recipients of their solicitations to purchase various products, such as talismans and artifacts, or psychic services, which they fraudulently represent will bring the purchaser wealth and other good fortune. Defendants misrepresent that these products and services are unique and have been developed specifically for an individual consumer. In fact, Defendants offer identical items to thousands of other consumers, and use the services of a thirdparty fulfillment company to ship thousands of identical items to consumers around the country. Moreover, contrary to Defendants' misrepresentations, the purported talismans and services bring no wealth or good fortune. 12 46. Defendants include such misrepresentations in the solicitation attached here as Exhibit C, including the following statements: • Patrick Guerin knows a good part of the help you're going to need to win this money and sort out all your most urgent money problems while I know the other parts. In fact, between us, we have the solution to all your most urgent problems! We locked ourselves in for 3 days and worked together around the clock to perfect a brilliant, unique and very dynamic and personalized help plan that comes in 2 parts. • We've written down everything we've seen for you in one unique, invaluable but very straightforward document. ... [With the "Invaluable Guide to New Life"], you're going to know what day and what numbers you need to play to win again and again (all you're going to need to do is check off the numbers we indicate to you on your lottery tickets). • In celebration of your NEW LIFE, we've prepared a mysterious and extraordinary gift for you- a powerful Talisman that can attract MONEY and LUCK. It's the same Talisman that Patrick Guerin carries with him all the time. He's never shared it before, but in your case he had no hesitation. The most powerful and ancient Talisman we have ever known is now YOURS! The talisman and the "Invaluable Guide to new Life" are offered to thousands of other consumers throughout the country through the same form letter. This is just one example of dozens of form letters that Defendants send to consumers by the thousands promising "personalized" psychic products and services. Solicitation of Further Personal Information from Recipients Under the False Premise That Such Information Will be Used for Personalized Psychic Predictions 4 7. Several of the solicitations sent to consumers by Destiny Research Center request that the consumers send back further information, such as their birth date, or physical items such as hair or photographs, in order to allow the psychics to create more accurate predictions for those consumers. 48. As one example, one solicitation offers a "personal astral-clairvoyant forecast" from Maria Duval for $45. The solicitation also encloses a green envelope and requests that 13 consumers send back in the envelope a personal photograph or a few strands of hair. The solicitation states: As soon as I have your photo (or the strands of hair from your head) in my possession, I am going to be able to concentrate all my psychic strengths further. I will keep the photo with me for the months and years to come so that my contact as a medium can be with you permanently, [victim name] .... [Victim name], with this in hand, I can prepare your detailed personal astral-clairvoyant forecast in the next few days. The outside of the green envelope contains instructions to place a photograph or hair inside, and states, "Once this envelope has been sealed, it may be opened ONLY by me," followed by Maria Duval's signature. In fact, employees at Data Marketing Group throw the green envelopes returned by consumers into the trash without opening them. 49. The specific misrepresentations identified in paragraphs 43 through 48 are only a few of examples of the similar misrepresentations contained in dozens of form letter solicitations utilized by Defendants. Defendants knew that the letters sent to consumers were not in fact personalized letters, but were form letters sent to thousands of consumers throughout the United States. 50. The product order pages of the solicitations contain text running vertically down the side of the page stating that "individual results may vary" and "For novelty and entertainment purposes only." The text is printed in micro print and intentionally blurred to make it barely decipherable. Recipients are highly unlikely to see, let alone read and understand this tiny print. This hidden disclaimer does nothing to counteract the overall impression conveyed by the solicitations that they contain accurate predictions of guaranteed future wealth and happiness. 14 HARM TO CONSUMERS 51. Consumers suffer financial losses from the lies told by Defendants. Consumers have paid Defendants over $180 million in response to solicitations containing the types of misrepresentations described above. The Fraud Complaint System operated by the United States Postal Inspection Service contained at least 700 complaints referencing Maria Duval or Destiny Research Center as of September 30,2014. The Consumer Sentinel database operated by the Federal Trade Commission contained at least 500 similar complaints as of the same date. The complaints generally pertain to false representations and fraud related to the products or services provided by Duval or Guerin. Victims also complain about a lack of refunds and the large number of solicitations they receive. This harm to consumers is ongoing and will continue without the injunctive relief sought by the United States. COUNT I (18 U.S.C. § 1345- Injunctive Relief) 52. The United States realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs I through 51 of this Complaint as though fully set forth herein. 53. By reason of the conduct described herein, Defendants violated, are violating, and are about to violate 18 U .S.C. §§ 1341 and 1349 by executing a scheme or artifice to defraud or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent representations with the intent to defraud, and, in so doing, using the United States mails and/or a private or commercial interstate carrier. 54. Upon a showing that Defendants are committing or about to commit mail fraud, the United States is entitled, under 18 U.S.C. § 1345, to a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, and a permanent injunction, restraining all future fraudulent conduct and 15 any other action that this Court deems just in order to prevent a continuing and substantial injury to the victims of fraud. As a result of the foregoing, Defendants' conduct should be enjoined pursuant to 55. 18 u.s.c. § 1345. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, the plaintiff United States of America requests of the Court the following relief: (a) A temporary restraining order under 18 U.S.C. § 1345 as follows: 1. Enjoining Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them from committing mail fraud, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1341; ii. Enjoining Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them from using the United States mails or causing others to use the mails to distribute: I. any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials on behalf of Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, Patrick Guerin or any other actual or fictional individual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant or astrological items or services for a fee; 2. any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials that represent, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly, that the recipient of the solicitation was specifically selected to receive the mailing based on a reason other than the fact that the recipient's name appears on a mailing list; 16 3.any advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials that represent, directly or indirectly, expressly or impliedly, that services or items offered for purchase will, or could, improve the consumer's financial condition; or 4. any other false and misleading advertisements, solicitations, or promotional materials; iii. Enjoining Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them from receiving or causing to be delivered any incoming mail, at any address anywhere in the United States of America, which is responsive to the solicitations that are the subject of this action, or any other solicitations substantially similar thereto; tv. Enjoining Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them from selling or offering for sale any lists of consumers or mailing lists of any type compiled from consumers who have responded to solicitations bearing the names Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, or Patrick Guerin; v. Enjoining Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them from performing "caging services," including processing direct mail payments and orders, credit card processing, and check scanning, with regard to direct mail solicitations on behalf of Destiny Research Center, Maria Duval, Patrick 17 Guerin or any other actual or fictional individual or entity purporting to offer psychic, clairvoyant or astrological items or services for a fee; vi. Ordering Defendants, their agents, officers, and employees, and all other persons and entities in active concert or participation with them to preserve all business, financial, accounting, and other records concerning the operations of Data Marketing Group, Infogest and any other corporate entity controlled by Defendants; vii. Authorizing the United States Postal Service to detain all of Defendants' incoming mail, at any address anywhere in the United States of America, which is responsive to the solicitations which are the subject of this action, or any others substantially similar thereto; and viii. Authorizing the United States Postal Service to detain any advertisements, solicitations, and promotional materials which are the subject of this action and any substantially similar advertisements, solicitations, and promotional materials that are deposited into the United States mails by Defendants, their agents, officers, or employees, or any other persons or entities in active concert or participation with them. (b) A preliminary injunction on the same basis and to the same effect; (c) A permanent injunction under 18 U.S.C. § 1345 on the same basis and to the same effect, except that paragraph (a)(vi) supra shall be excluded from the final order. Further, paragraph(a)(vii) supra shall be modified to read as follows: Authorizing the United States Postal Service to detain and return to sender all of Defendants' incoming mail, at any address anywhere in the United States of 18 America, which is responsive to the solicitations which are the subject of this action, or any others substantially similar thereto; Paragraph (a)(viii) supra shall be modified to read as follows: Authorizing the United States Postal Service to detain and destroy any advertisements, solicitations, and promotional materials which are the subject of this action and any substantially similar advertisements, solicitations, and promotional materials that are deposited into the United States mails by Defendants, their agents, officers, or employees, or any other persons or entities in active concert or participation with them. (d) For such other and further relief as the Court shall deem just and proper. Dated: November 6, 2015 BENJAMIN C. MIZER Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Civil Division United States Department of Justice ROBERT L. CAPERS United States Attorney Eastern District of New York 271 Cadman Plaza East Brooklyn, New York 1120 I JONATHAN F. OLIN Deputy Assistant Attorney General s/ John Vagelatos JOHN VAGELATOS Assistant United States Attorney Tel. (718) 254-6182 Fax: (718) 254-6081 john. vagelatos@usdoj .gov MICHAELS. BLUME Director Consumer Protection Branch s/ Ann F. Entwistle ANN F. ENTWISTLE Trial Attorney U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 386 Washington, D.C. 20044 Tel. (202) 305-3630 Fax: (202) 514-8742 E-mail: Ann.F.Entwistle@usdoj.gov 19 EXHIBIT A Exhibit A Exhibit A EXHIBIT B - Firstname, you now hold the Secret of the Words of Power ... MARIA DUVAL <Date> Dear <Firstname>, I have now received your "CONFIRMATION FORM" giving your consent to receive Absolute Power, in the form of the WORDS OF POWER, along with your payment. I'd like to congratulate you on your fast response to my previous letter, and for accepting my offer to join the elite circle of initiates. This is the sort of opportunity not everyone gets. It's a Secret that really can bring you everything your heart desires. There's no limit to the ways it can help you (money, problems, difficult luck, love, winnings, solving family situations, etc.). The Words of Power are a magnificent privilege, but they also carry a responsibility. You can of course use them as you wish, and as often as you wish, but always to do good. In all sincerity though, I don't doubt you, <Firstname>, because I know you're a worthy person. That's why I decided to send you this incredibly powerful Secret. I'm absolutely delighted to put this precious Secret in your hands- the WORDS OF POWER, contained in a very special book. I recommend you read it very carefully, because it's important to really absorb the full force of the Words of Power. Exhibit B I'm also giving you some practical tips, so you can make the best use of them, and achieve whatever it is you most want, in all areas of your personal, social and professional life. Consider this book a friend who will remain by your side, so your life will be forever beautiful and rich! As promised I will reveal Table for Activating Numbers the exact dates and times so winning a fortune and making below your mysterious gift - «the with Great Luck Potential» with you can boost your chances of a success of your life. I would advise you to note down these dates and numbers. I've calculated them specifically for you for the coming months. These are the intensely lucky, perhaps 'magical' dates on which the astral forces charged with luck, money, love and success will be finely attuned with your personal sensibilities. Table for Activating Numbers with Great Luck Potential Day AUitUSt 3"' 2011 Aueust 25"' 2011 September 1'1 2011 September 7"' 2011 October 15"' 2011 October 27"' 2011 November 3"' 2011 November 17"' 2011 December 1'1 2011 December 21" 2011 Januarv 3"' 2012 Januarv 12"' 2012 Time 14.00 09.00 16.00 20.00 10.00 11.00 18.00 09.00 13.00 13.00 18.00 20.00 Special numbers with !(Teat luck votential 1-56-45-46-32-20 42-15-20-12-35-8 25-47-2-25-41-39 Etc. On these special days you might want to buy a lottery ticket, schedule meetings and plan all sorts of important jobs, as well, of course, as using these numbers WITH the corresponding Words of Power. Your intuition will tell you the best way to do this. If you do this you'll boost the strength of the Words of Power and I can assure you that the results will amaze you. Exhibit B You'll finally be able to get everything you've wanted and dreamed of for so long! A veritable "avalanche" of happy events will flood into your life, as the luck that has been "blocked" for many long years is finally released... All that remains now is to initiate you into this magnificent secret, so you can use it and finally take the step across the threshold into a fulfilling and successful life. You can be sure I'll be using all my skill as an established clairvoyant and my occult gift to help you along. I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you find happiness and prosperity with these incredible Words of Power ... Firstname, from today onwards, a new life is starting for you! And I 'm so happy for you I Your true friend, Maria Duval Exhibit B EXHIBIT C So, now g internationally acclaimed peych1cs have p:red1cted what your future holds in store for you. .. it's fantastic news, - '1'114 Pl ,ol•l•l"llllllll'lddl• 11•1!oll•l•llu•ll•llu 1 - take note of these 4 things that are very .important for you: MARIA DuvAL October 16, 2013, Powerbell, Winnings, Problems solved ol-TV--Montllu•:r-n September 19, 2013 -pndledo.. Mantllult,GIII radloPI<+-- leataredlao-700 utw £lM~ardcla lbo-WiodiO ............... .......!hkaiiJ ....... (more tlwl20 Ill date) Ability 10 Jlftlllet llle I'DIIInamlhuadla ..-....,die :But first, let me explain how this all startEd. --.odeallllc aatborilleo It all began with a strange telephone calL •• At that moment, I happened to be working on some It'.4-. ~ c.,j..c.'ndi; u ••• ~ Destiny Research Center ?&... ~-..~ LCEU 019103 xhibit C L important fi1ee, and 8JIIOllg them YOUR FILE, because new and unexpected e1emen'tl3 had just oome to light. some totally This new information was incredibly exciting because, as ya11're soan goil'lg to see, it calls for sWeeping cJlangeB and i.JIIp1:UVe.nentB in your life. But then, the telephone rang... I wouldn't normally take a telel:lhoJle call while I'm doil'lg this kind of met1culouiJ work since lt can be ~ ~ and I need to stay totally concentrated. But thiS t1me I had a ~feeling that this call was different. More importantly, I had a feeling that it was~ linked to the work I was doing for you. :And I wasn't _ . When I picked up the ha.r1daet. I ~1!red the warm. gentle voice of my friend, the renowned ~ Patrick Guerin. This seer has a worldwide reputation. He also has the rare and special power to make people ~ win and ~AIN at the lutlm~ and other~ of "chance , ~~ y '18i'ge of money {eee the extra informa that I have enclosed especla11y for you)! amoun He ~= replied that he had w;l;ij!Jnel,y J.mpurt.wlt and canf information to give tliiSe peopl:eiiiCI that he oouldn't tell me any more aver the pllon& He also told me he Deed¢ my help! He and I ~ that we al:a>lutel.y had to meet to discuss this in person. We agreed to meet early the next day... I CtN<V-z'eiJ:-.~ ~! Hm REVE"·ATTQNS AR>UT YOU AND YOUR F!JTtJRF! Once he was sitting down in my office, Patrick Guerin told Exhibit C me he had experienced incredible visions of ~ clarity, the likes of which he had rarely ever experienced. In his v1s1ons. there were some ~le he didn't· know was able make out some 'tJ1!ll8S about them. one of the he knew far sure was that I was in contact with you quite o in the last few weeks. al~! Patrick Guerin could see that this specific ~P of some eer:i.ous problems, particUlarly in the- area of money. Their lives weren't how they wanted it to be and they of'ten felt desperately alone, BEiek:1ng a way . out of their current Bituat:l.on. people were plagued by At this point, and among them, he saw internatfrmal renown KNOWS saw he could help these people Yes, this great PsYchic of help theSi:l peop"li really win erf~cfu{ ~~of "chance" that cou1d make solutions to the 'tattling! woes! ~t%C ~ ~tly ~ "I know I can ees11y change their lives, Maria!" he told me. But the ~ part of the stpry is that in his vision, this great psychiC and seer wasn't a1orie in dvj,ng his help to these few ~ specific pecmle becauae I. Marla DuVal, was pravi.dil'lg them with valuable, vital help as well! rk.~4tvt~~..d.~-·· I saw the same thing far you! of shock. nxmey, the When Patrick Guerin had finished, I ~ state 'BAsicaJJy1_ rd seen the same thing far you, cha.ngeB, "Cne new life... · The Money. Mg ch.anges and a new life. •. There's no doubt at all. • that J!2Y are anx:mg this small group of people about Patrick Guerin and I had such c:Jear Visions. Too man;y very apec1fic pieoes of information that he gave to me are ao CJ.eariy llnked to you that it simply cannot be a coincidence. Do you remem . .earlier when I told ~ that just befare I .e:ot that call I was alao work1ng on your file? Well it was LY_ ~uae I had seen th.eee changes in you;- future that had picked up yt?Ur file and was gettfilg i'eady to write to you! You can imagine my amazement. · Yes-- I too have seen~ win an initial large sum of nxmey Cur"'!''m'.lottery, and rve 8.1ao seen that all your f?~~ ~z£:4 ~ CIP~C«~.. Ce ~~/~~··· 019103 Exhibit C III08t ~t problems are going 1xJ find a haPP.Y and positive so1utiori! • That could never happen! So, now you're going to bettet• understand why what Patrick Guerin told me came as such a shock! Surely, you can no ~ doubt that ~ life reap.y is ll:Ci.ru!: to ~ and nnney and happiness are finally going to 'De 1:iY your siDe! w~'t'lr=,~c.= ~~ ~oefit When Patrick Guerin had finished ~ me what he'd seen in future I had not a shadow of doubt tha't :YO\! were a part of his visions. I then exp1ained what I had seen. .. allll08t the same things! He wasn't surprised because, as I mentioned, in his vision he'd seen that I was going 1xJ he1p. your We both wanted to be abeol.utel~:le'r l;ain there was no mistake and that we were both t the same individuals, inol.'Udi.rlsl: you in this case, So, we showed each ather our notes whicli I attached at the bf this letter. And as. you can see, it REALLY fits! The message is perfectl.y ol.ear for both of us! Y~ ~ ,,.;., ~ ~' ~ .(Wt.Pt''/' NPd -1144 4div- ~ ~~.,;., Patrick Guerin knows a ~ part of the he1p you're going to need 1xJ win this money and mrt out all yt)!11" III08t urgent money prob1enl3 while I knoW the ather parte. In fact, 'betweeil us, we have the so1ution to all your moot urgent problems! · That's whv ~ 'Wf!!ve decided to join forces and poo1 our knowledge to~ rr~~ ,~-..._~; I From our respective visions, it was~ cl.ear that for_ you to receive this first ]l:lg win and to sort out ~ problemS, Patrick Guerin and I must work ~ and poo1 our knowledge and skill. And that's just w done. We l.ocked oursel.ves in for_ 3 -~ys and wcrked tqgether around the c1ock to perfect a br1lllant, unique and very r-- Exhibit C dynamic and peraxuali?Pd help plan that comes in 2 part& But firBt, ~must unc:lerstand 1111 that with this help you are definitely going to be able to~ very quickly to this first i.Jnportabt sum of money and see an your mOst urgent probl.erne disappear! Action 1: Your invaluable GUIDE to your NEW LIFE We've written down ~(fve seen for you in one unique, invaluable but ~ tforward doctiinent. I f you reed this guide, Y!'U're ~ have all the tips and information you need to eeiiJe tne opportunities that come your way, at exactly the right moment. Pbr example, Y!'U're go.1,ng to lmow what day and what nwnbers you need to p~ win ~ and ae.'ain (all you're going to need to do is off numbei'Swtdnilicate to you on your lutbel=tickets). You're going to lmow exactly what you need to do to ~life, 00rt out~ p:robleme and ~more thine:s It's all clearly expla1neC1 in a ~tforwarcf manner, simply follow tne instructions that PatrUlk Guerin and I are goillg to give you. Action 2: our EFPID.l'lvE aid and supwrt! With this Guide and the support and psychic assistance I talked about above,~ are~ to receive from life all that you are Owed and eii expect... in other words, rooney and the aolution of your current probleme. Patrick Guerin and I have seen it: With our ~ ~ and ha'PPineea~ ~ to ~ into your life! It's Written in your tiiture. _you ve to tO ~ ~ life change is grasp the hand of f:riendship we are holC11rlg out to you. The rest, absolutely evervtll1rut else, is up to tliat great psyohic Patrick Guerin and riiyself, Maria Duval. I.et us use the power of our vibrations and luck and money is going to flow into your life, as surely as they seem to be aVOiding you now. Most imp:n tantly of all, you must accept these changes as they hapPen to you, because an opportuni:tv that jOU ignore is an opportunity that usually NEVER SHOWS fJp AGAIN! = :For all this happineea to~ life, for ~ make t1fCt br:lm with ~on your e... it canJiSt,CIW;for ~iqys tO f1ri8.lly All you need do is flll out and return, as aoon as possible. M.u. ~ ~~· Pk• ~ ~ .... 019103 Exhibit C ~al the .Aesistanoe Form on the last page of this letter. More irnport!mtly, do it mnt away because, i f I may remind we saw that the first Ptidtive event is set to happen in your ( life in just a few days' time! So, act now. you, GOO]) NEwS/ We are offering a part of our help for free! You may perhaps be th.1.rlk!ng that assistance as special as we are offer:l.ri£ you today could be ~ expensive. There are, after all, going to lJe two very :renowned Psych1.cs act:lJ'lg on your behalf and world.J'lg very hard for :you. :But as ~ know, we are nat motivated ~ DJO!ll!Y_. What we want, more than anvthirll;t. is ygur happi.pllffl' That would be the beet reward we oaUl.d a8K for. That's why Wf!ve decided, together, to offer you the first 1JBrt of our lisB:lstanoe ~'11 have to pay for le the ~tion and ani:m:U.ng: fees of sending your Invaluable Guide for a New Life to yOU. t}fiseta!P" :But that's nat all! For us to be sure you're not ~ even the sl.iroltest risk, we are also offerlllg ~ a .run and JmC!md1tl.ol'la1. money-back guarantee. This means thatlilthe ~.Y ~ event that ever:vthinsl: we've predicted for you doesn't ha~ need only~ lef us Know and you're go1IIg ~to receive an te and .fUll refUnd. So, you are not~~ any risk at all by pl.ac1ng your faith in us and asking for our help. It's now time to fill out and mail off your ~aJ .Aesistanoe Form wi~. Patrick Guerin and I know life is ti.Oinl£ to give you ever;thing you've ever wanted. Hanni"" is ~ way to you. &.vrrlwt and sincere friend, ..:;;{.~~~~ Maria Duval PS: In celebration of your NEW LIPE, we've ~ a ll1VS'Ilerious and extraordinilrv rlft for you - a 'POWel.'fu1 Talisman tliat can attract MONEY and "'Lt:rCK. It's the same TaUsman that Patrick Guerin car:aes with 1iiiilall the time. He's never shared it before, but in yo1,U' case he had no hesitation. The meet poweri'ul and ancfi!nt Talisman we have ever known is now YOURS! Exhibit C 7 ~ ~ '&#..,. ;/(,.~ p~ 6;~ ~ ·dul~ ~ My r•# $1. ~~ dear-· We.have never met yet I know so many things about you! Yes, I had very clear visions and I know your life is going to change very soon, but only if you make the right decisions today. I know the life you• re leading right now is not all you hoped for_. I know you're currently immersed in serious problems that are casting a shadow over your existence-. I also know you need URGENT help sorting out your money problems so that you can have a decent standard of living_ And, finally, I know you deserve MUCH MORE out of life than you're currently · getting. I've seen you winning an initial, very large, sum of money_ I've seen all your most urgent problems find a solution, one after the other_ I've seen a new life taking shape·on your horizon, more wonderful and fulfilling that you could ever imagine._ I've seen joy and happiness light up your face_ I've seen a person full of energy, getting the absolute most out of life -And that person is you lllllt I can say this and confirm it: Your life really is going to change, in ways more significant than you can imagine, and I'm not the pnly psychic to have seen it! I can't emphasize enough the fact that all the good things I saw heading your way. Maria Duval saw them too! I have never heard of this happening in the history of clairvoyance! So, this is irrefutable proof that your life really is going to change over the coming weeks! Just imagine-. For all this amazing happiness, and all this joy we have seen coming into your life, the only thing you have to do is agree to accept the help Maria Duval and I are offering you by simply returning the enclosed Special Assistance Form today. If I could do it for you I would, but unfortunately I can't do that. You and you alone can do this. I am telling you to accept this sincere and selfless offer we are making you today. You won't regret it and your future happiness may depend on it. Maria Duval and I are awaiting your news with great impatience, Your devoted and sincere friend, P..S. M~sf i ~ttMrfanf b{ all, d ~ if Evtl'lf is C.Oittil'/9 vtry s~011( 1117141 bec.4vst y~vr f;rsf Lvc.J..y 019103 Exhibit C Notes taken by me d'tll'ing the Vision I had alxnzt ---- -· --· ····------· ----· " -- -- -·-· ----· ._,._ ·---- ----~-- ~- ~-- ~- __ . ~ -- • I ' f So, you see - _ there- JB no doubt; l:nth Patrick Guerin and I saW"'the' same haPPillees and the same ahalJgee linked to :YOU! There iB a~utely no .reason why ~ that we are Pl'edicting for you COUldn't cxxne trQe. Y--. ,..:., 6 ,c..t:~"""' ~.,...;,.(A...a,.,. p.._ -.11:.. ,...,z' .....,... ------------ Exhibit C l \ 00 :Both of you saw far me, at the oom tl-!!lfl the following great ohangee: 1 A first happy event in 'l7 day!i!o Many major wins an gamee of chanoe. J.n cmd to all my most urgent problems. Good news in my relatianahi:t:a and my emotional life. other (s:ignif1cant) wins on games of chance! A tatally new and much happier life! Yes, I want these transf'cmnati.ons in my life and so would ask you kindly to perform: QO My Grand CerEIJIO!lY which can make me a WINNER and a.llow me to SEE and these many important opportunit:l.es that are ooming my way, part:lcularly 1n the area of MONEY! SEizE .Aml_,~lease send me: lX) Mv rqyster1oufl -bt.J1A!!!RD with the power to attract LUCK and MONEY. (X) My Inyaluah]e Guide to my New T.1f19. in which I'm goii:)g to find all the need to grasp my many chanoes at ~ the right time when they oome along. SUCh as far example: The days and numbers I should play to ma:x:l.m1m my chances to win, and win BIG! What I need to do to change my life and see an end to my problems. !nfarmat1on I 00 What you most want far me is my haPPiilees. That's why you've decided of your help far f'l:'ee, I only pay the cost of the preparation and mailing of my Invaluable Guide to a New Life (just f.:O) which I am encJnsing with this Aas1.stance Form 1n the following manner: to offer me the first part I encJoee a ( ) check ar ( ) money arder far a total of S50, (which 1ncludee all fees and f1:rErt-Class delivery fees) made out to: Destiny R arch Center, ar ( ) cash. or by Credit card: ( ) Mastercard ( ) visa Gard. Gard. No= Please check your address below and, i f neceesery, correct using CAPITAL LRl'l'E!RB. Thank you. ~~is: Expiry date (MM/Yl): - - ' - - 132!m() ~~------------------· Your Complete a.'arantee :sro<XlA that my birthdate is: of Satisfaction IMPORTANT: In arder to eliminate any risk an your part, we're offering you a full lifetime money-back guarantee 1n the very unlikely event that what we're prediating far you doesn't happen. So, you've gat a'la:Uutely nothing to 1oee by putting your faith 1n us and asking far our help. -Maria LCEU 019103 Exhibit C Exhibit B ® UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE DOJ MAIL FRAUD TEAM [Date] First Name, Last Name Address 1 Address 2 City, State Zip Re: United States of America v. Metro Data Management, Inc., et al. Civil Action Number 14-CV-6791 (SJF) Dear Sir/Madam: We are writing you because you previously mailed [merge field-money/bearer instrument/personal Item and specific amount of remission] to Maria Duval or Patrick Guerin care of Destiny Research Center. We are returning your [merge field-money/bearer Instrument/personal item and specific amount of remission]. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed civil charges against Destiny Research Center, Ltd., and purported psychics Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin, along with other defendants. The case, filed in the Eastern District of New York, alleged that the defendants conducted a scheme to defraud consumers through the mail. Specifically, DOJ alleged that the defendants solicited payments from consumers for services and talismans previded by Duval and Guerin, based upon purported individual psychic visions of consumers' wealth and happiness. DOJ alleged that these purported individual psychic visions were nothing more than form letters sent as mass-mailings to individuals whose names appear in mailing lists purchased by the Defendants, and thus, were fraudulent. On November 19, 2014, the United States District Court made a probable cause determination that the defendants were conducting the mail fraud scheme described above. Among other things, the Court ordered the U.S. Postal Service to detain mail sent to the defendants and purported psychics. On 2015, the District Court entered a permanent injunction against the defendants, prohibiting them from offering psychic, clairvoyant, or astrological items or services for a fee. This injunction also requires USPIS to return to consumers any currency, bearer instruments (such as money orders or travelers checks), or personal items that can be identified with a specific sender. Enclosed, please find the [merge field-money/bearer instrument/personal item and specific amount of remission] that was able to be identified as belonging specifically to you. Should you have any questions about this notice, please contact Cheryl Duffy with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at (202) 353-0371. For more information, visit [insert URL for press release website.] PO Box 7404 Washington, DC 20044-7404

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