New York – Online Eyewear Seller Charged For Defrauding His Customers

New York – The FBI arrested today Vitaly Borker the operator of “DecorMyEyes.com,” a website through which he sold purported luxury eyeglasses, for allegedly operating a scheme to defraud his customers by selling counterfeit and inferior quality goods and making unauthorized charges, and, when those victim customers complained, retaliating through a pattern of cyberstalking and threats.

According to the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Since at least January 2007, Borker has been the owner and operator of an online retailer of purported luxury eyewear, based in Brooklyn, New York, known as “DecorMyEyes.com.”

Based upon statements from numerous victims, emails and other documented communications involving Borker, and well over 200 complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission by victims in states across the United States as well as in countries abroad, Borker allegedly engaged in a distinct pattern of conduct in which he defrauded his customers, and when those customers complained, he responded with threats and obscene conduct.

Specifically, DecorMyEyes.com customers complained that they purchased luxury eyewear that was often defective, damaged, used, counterfeit, and/or did not come with a promised “certificate of authenticity.” On many occasions, Borker also billed customers for unauthorized charges (such as a twenty percent “restocking fee”), failed to reimburse customers for returned or unfulfilled orders, or never sent merchandise for which customers had been charged. When those customers tried to return or exchange the merchandise, Borker then subjected them to a campaign of aggressive, obscene, and intimidating conduct, either in his own name or using aliases. Among other things, he told them that he had their personal information, that he knew where they lived, and that he would visit horrific violence upon the complaining customers and their close family members.

Borker, 34, was arrested this morning at his home in Brooklyn, New York. Federal agents conducted a search of Borker’s home during which they found several firearms and ammunition.