Business directory telemarketer Justin Pold was sentenced to 18 months in prison for running a directories scam from call centers in Toronto, Montreal and St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada's Competition Bureau said Friday.
Pold also received two years probation, a seven-year prohibition order under Canada's Competition Act and an order prohibiting him from participating in any activity involving the sale of office supplies or business directories by telemarketing.
Canada's Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that promotes and maintains fair competition on behalf of consumers.
The scam involved telemarketers misleading nonprofits, businesses and government agencies in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom by claiming to be their regular vendor of office supplies or business directories. Telemarketers did not disclose the terms and conditions of delivery, which included a 20 percent return fee.
Several corporations operating under various business names also were charged. They include Commercial Business Supplies, Merchant Transaction Supplies, Merchant Supply Services and International Business Directories.
Two other individuals have pleaded guilty in the scam, and another awaits trial.
