Online discount voucher operator Scoopon ordered to pay $1m The court ruled that Scoopon had made false or misleading claims to consumers and business owners. AUSTRALIA'S online discount voucher industry has been dealt a major blow after one of the biggest operators was ordered to pay $1 million in fines yesterday. A Brisbane Federal Court in Brisbane ruled that Scoopon had made false or misleading claims to consumers and business owners. The decision was a victory for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which sued the company in July and had flagged further action against similar firms offering similar "daily deals" on their websites. Justice Andrew Greenwood found Scoopon, which is backed by billionaire investor James Packer, wrongly told consumers about their refund rights and the prices of advertised goods. Businesses were incorrectly informed they faced no cost or risk in running deals with the company. In one case, a business owner was told that 30 per cent of vouchers sold would not even be redeemed when there was no evidence to back up such a claim. Scoopon chief executive Jon Beros could not be reached for comment yesterday but ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the company had been cooperative and worked to improve its conduct. The court also imposed injunctions barring Scoopon from making similarly bogus representations over the next two years and ordered it to pay part of the ACCC's legal cost. Launched in 2010, the Melbourne-based firm claims to have nearly 2 million members, 100-plus staff and a turnover of more than $100 million a year. The industry, which also includes Groupon, Cudo and OurDeal, is believed to generate about $500 million in sales annually. Consumers can acquire discounted goods or services but only have a limited time to buy the voucher on line and then use it. Businesses, which pay a percentage fee for each deal, use the service because it provides a certainty of sale and the ability to reach new clients.