Romeo Ranoco / Reuters

The Federal Trade Commission said Monday it had successfully halted a work-from-home scheme that defrauded millions of dollars from people convinced they could easily make $379 per day.

At the FTC’s request, a federal court in Utah agreed to a temporary restraining order against businesses which operated under a number of names. There is a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for March 20.

The scheme offered users phony resources, costing between $37 and $99, under the guise that they could be used to start an online business, the FTC said. But instead of providing information on how to launch a business, the companies just sold more kits and services. Victims were urged to purchase the program, which cost between $3,000 and $12,000, and charge it on their credit cards. The release does not specify how much money the schemers were able to glean from consumers.

“This case halts a massive scam that bilked consumers out of millions for useless work-at-home kits and business coaching services,” said Jessica Rich, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The defendants duped consumers into thinking they could earn thousands working from home. Protecting consumers from such pernicious schemes remains a top priority.”