FTC Sues Genesis Tech Over Massive Subscription Scam Network

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated legal action against Genesis Tech, exposing a sophisticated web of shell companies used to bypass app store security and defraud consumers. The complaint details how the organization allegedly funneled hundreds of millions of dollars through international accounts while masking its true ownership.

According to the FTC lawsuit, the operation relied on a network of subsidiaries incorporated in Cyprus and managed from Ukraine. These entities marketed a wide range of mobile applications to U.S. users, utilizing deceptive billing tactics that made it nearly impossible for customers to terminate their subscriptions.

A Massive Financial Footprint

The scale of the alleged operation is significant. Financial data cited in the court filing reveals the extent of the revenue generated by the network:

• Between early 2023 and mid-2025, the company’s products generated nearly $250 million in global revenue.
• In the 12-month period ending in September 2025, linked PayPal accounts processed roughly $700 million in transactions.

Deceptive Tactics and Evasion

The lawsuit highlights how Genesis Tech systematically evaded fraud detection programs implemented by Apple and Google. By frequently registering new corporate entities and rotating merchant accounts, the operators were able to obscure their identity and move funds across borders between various affiliates.

The applications involved in the scheme often employed “dark pattern” designs, making cancellation options intentionally difficult to locate. Consumers who believed they were signing up for low-cost or free services were frequently hit with unauthorized auto-renewing charges. In some instances, the company allegedly double-billed users or added charges for additional products without consent, as noted in reports like this Reddit discussion.

Key Brands and Defendants

The FTC alleges that Genesis Tech operated through several distinct brands, including:

• Amo Apps Limited: Responsible for MadMuscles, Harna, and Unimeal.
• GuruDocs Limited: Developer of PDF Guru and PDF Master.
• Obrio Limited: Creator of the Nebula horoscope app.
• Koflimin Limited: Manager of the Wisey productivity brand.
• Bramol Limited: Publisher of the fashion app Lumi.

The legal complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, names several individuals as co-defendants: Stamatis Skianis, Oksana Kucher, Iryna Oleksyn, Olga Garbuzenko, Rostyslav Ivanitsa, and Viktoriia Savchuk. The agency claims these practices are in direct violation of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA).

Genesis Tech did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to email addresses associated with its subsidiaries. This case follows a history of FTC scrutiny regarding mobile app developers, including previous actions against companies like Amo Apps Limited, GuruDocs Limited, Bramol Limited, Obrio Limited, and Koflimin Limited.