Businessman Fined Over Private Eye Ads

A Sandpoint businessman has paid $1,000 in fines and stopped operating in Idaho after the state attorney general’s office investigated claims of false and deceptive advertising.

Jeremy Lancaster and his businesses - CWN World News and the International Private Investigators Union - placed deceptive newspaper ads and phony literature about the businesses, according to the consumer protection division of the attorney general’s office.

CWN World News advertised in newspapers seeking limousine driver trainees. When people called the number in the ad, they were asked to dial a 900 number to apply. Instead, the 900 number solicited subscriptions to a magazine.

The private investigators union also placed ads in newspapers, giving information about how to become a private investigator. A supposed headquarters in Washington, D.C., forwarded its calls to telemarketers in Sandpoint, who told customers that the organization was based at the nation’s capital.

The company also listed a British Columbia address, which was really a mail drop for “union” dues that Lancaster would collect, according to the investigation.

Lancaster, while not admitting any unlawful conduct, paid the state $1,000 and had $4,000 more in fines suspended.

He had agreed to stop the alleged deceptive advertising.

Lancaster no longer does business in the state, the attorney general’s office said Friday.

Lancaster could not be reached for comment. Neither he nor his businesses have telephone listings in North Idaho.

Consumer protection division head Brett DeLange was not available for further comment Friday afternoon.

, DataTimes