Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit in Defiance County against Ecommerce Business Builders (EBB) and its owner, Cole Dockery, alleging violations of Ohio law. The complaint centers on claims that the online consulting business accepted large down payments from consumers, made misleading statements, and failed to deliver promised services.
Seven consumers have reported issues with EBB to the Attorney General’s Office, with disputed amounts totaling more than $142,000. The lawsuit accuses Dockery of violating the Business Opportunity Purchasers Protection Act (BOPPA), which requires sellers of business opportunities in Ohio to provide specific disclosures before accepting payment and prohibits false or misleading earnings claims.
“If you’re going to sell business success, you’d better offer a whole lot more than empty promises,” said Yost.
Previously, Dockery and his company National Anglers Association were investigated by the Attorney General’s Office for similar practices. That case resulted in a consent agreement filed on January 24, 2024. The company admitted to four violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act related to failing to deliver goods as promised, making false claims, inadequate customer service, and not clearly disclosing refund policy limitations. As part of the agreement, National Anglers Association agreed to pay $4,579.37 in consumer restitution and $3,500 in civil penalties.
In this new case involving EBB, Yost alleges that Dockery promoted “opportunity plans” through social media posts promising quick profits after an initial investment ranging from $6,700 to $32,100. These plans included help creating online stores on platforms such as Amazon and TikTok Shop. Dockery also claimed he would conduct product research for high-profit items and pay influencers to market products sold through these stores.
The lawsuit further states that Dockery did not maintain necessary data supporting his profit claims nor provided required disclosures or complied with BOPPA’s financial requirements.
Yost is seeking court action to stop further BOPPA violations by Dockery and EBB as well as restitution for affected consumers and civil penalties.
Consumers who believe they have been misled by EBB or similar businesses are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or call 800-282-0515.
