A crackdown by the Federal Trade Commission resulted in fraud charges against a Van Nuys company for bilking an estimated $300 million through get-rich schemes. “Operation Short Change” targeted companies in 13 states that promised non-existent jobs and bogus government grants; phony debt-reductions services; and overhyped get-rich-quick plans. Mentoring in America in Van Nuys marketed books, CDs and DVDs under the titles “John Beck’s Free & Clear Real Estate System,” “John Alexander’s Real Estate Riches in 14 Days,” and “Jeff Paul’s Shortcuts to Internet Millions.” Two principals in the company and three alleged inventors promoted the products through infomercials and sold the systems for $39.95. Purchasers were later contacted by phone to be offered “personal coaching services” ranging in the thousands of dollars, according to a Federal Trade Commission release
