Devumi was an American company founded in 2010 [1] which sold fake influence on social media. In October 2019, Devumi settled with the Federal Trade Commission, in the agency's first-ever complaint regarding the sale of fake followers, views, and likes on social media, for $2.5 million.
While Devumi operated, it sold more than 200 million fake followers. Even at its peak the company was tiny with their main office located above a restaurant in Florida. The firm primarily sold Twitter bots sourced from operations like Peakerr, SkillPatron, JAP, Cheap Panel and YTbot at a markup to celebrity and commercial clients. [2] The company also operated on YouTube, SoundCloud, and LinkedIn. [3]
In 2018, The New York Times published an expose about Devumi and its role in social media fraud, including supplying fake video views and social media account followers to customers. [4] The revelations in the story spurred action from regulators. [5] Devumi was forced to shut down soon after the article was published. [6]
In 2019, owner and CEO German Calas, Jr settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $2.5 million. [7] [8] According to the FTC this was the "first-ever complaint challenging the sale of fake indicators of social media influence." [9]
Devumi was an American company founded in 2010 [1] which sold fake influence on social media. In October 2019, Devumi settled with the Federal Trade Commission, in the agency's first-ever complaint regarding the sale of fake followers, views, and likes on social media, for $2.5 million.
While Devumi operated, it sold more than 200 million fake followers. Even at its peak the company was tiny with their main office located above a restaurant in Florida. The firm primarily sold Twitter bots sourced from operations like Peakerr, SkillPatron, JAP, Cheap Panel and YTbot at a markup to celebrity and commercial clients. [2] The company also operated on YouTube, SoundCloud, and LinkedIn. [3]
In 2018, The New York Times published an expose about Devumi and its role in social media fraud, including supplying fake video views and social media account followers to customers. [4] The revelations in the story spurred action from regulators. [5] Devumi was forced to shut down soon after the article was published. [6]
In 2019, owner and CEO German Calas, Jr settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $2.5 million. [7] [8] According to the FTC this was the "first-ever complaint challenging the sale of fake indicators of social media influence." [9]