New York (CNN Business) A company that brought in millions of dollars in revenue by creating fake social media posts and comments has settled a case with the state of New York after a probe exposed its activities. It's the first finding by a law enforcement agency indicating that such activity constitutes illegal deception and illegal impersonation, according to the state's top attorney.

The New York Attorney General's office is making it clear that, in its view, selling fake social media activity in the state is illegal. Attorney General Letitia James has announced a first-of-its-kind settlement with the now-defunct company Devumi, which sold fake followers, "likes" and views on platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, SoundCloud and Pinterest, using activity from fake accounts.

According to the settlement, Devumi's customers included movie and television actors, musicians, businesspeople, politicians, pundits and commentators, athletes, academics, modeling agencies, marketing and public relations professionals and adult film stars -- all of whom hoped to show that they, their ideas or their products were more popular than they actually were.The settlement between Devumi and the state of New York does not address whether the activity of Devumi's customers is also illegal.

"Bots and other fake accounts have been running rampant on social media platforms, often stealing real people's identities to carry out fraud," James said in a statement. "As people and companies like Devumi continue to make a quick buck by lying to honest Americans, my office will continue to find and stop anyone who sells online deception. With this settlement, we are sending a clear message that anyone profiting off of deception and impersonation is breaking the law and will be held accountable."

From 2015 through 2017, according to the settlement, Devumi LLC and other companies owned by German Calas , Jr. — including DisruptX Inc., Social Bull Inc. and Bytion Inc. — made approximately 250,000 sales of social media activity and endorsements -- to customers who hoped to increase their following and create a buzz around themselves. For instance, the company sold Twitter followers in packages of up to 500,000 for $3,997 and likes and shares in packages costing up to $228 per year. YouTube subscribers were sold in packages of 100 for $29 and likes on the video-sharing service were sold in packages starting at $30 for 250 likes.

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