Match.com, a subsidiary of IAC/Interactive Corp., is accused in a class-action lawsuit of generating fake romantic emails to encourage membership renewals. The lawsuit also alleges that Match.com employed people for “pretend” dates with members.
Match.com is also accused of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, also known as the RICO Act, which generally makes it unlawful for a person to use an enterprise to launder money generated by a pattern of racketeering activity.
Fighting off similar allegations, Yahoo stands accused of posting profiles of fictitious potential dating partners to make it look as though its personals service is more popular than it is.
Plaintiff Robert Anthony, of Broward County, Fla., is suing Yahoo for breach of contract, fraud and unfair trade practices.
The case against Match.com was filed by Matthew Evans after he went on a Match.com-generated date. Evens claims he was told by his date that she was employed by Match.com to garner more flattering testimonials from users who were pleased with the results of the service.
Evans attorney has called Match.com’s behavior a “grossly fraudulent practice.”
Both Yahoo and Match.com declined to comment on the cases, however, a Match.com representative denied that the company would ever hire people to go on dates with their subscribers.