Pyramid Schemes

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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:05 pm

I know we have discussed this on here before but I wondered if anyone has any new ideas. Basically, a few years ago, I did put my email address down for information on a money making idea. Once said information arrived and I did some investigation, it was obvious (to me at least) that it was a pyramid scheme. Naturally I didn�t take it any further, but what is beginning to bug me is that the guy who runs it, is still trying to contact me, via email, three and a half bloody years later�.

Three and a half years and he still hasn�t given up. I get loads of spam and the like, and everyday, another email from him. I have tried to block him, blacklist him, send them back undelivered, and all has failed. I have even put a couple of his email addresses on the lad shuttle, and it hasn�t stopped him.

It shouldn�t bother me, I mean I get loads of rubbish everyday. But the email address I have is a proper one, my name and all that, so I want to keep it. But I would like this bastard to stop, I have emailed him and told him to stop, but he doesn�t.

Short of assassination (and the subsequent feast from B A Ware), any ideas?

{EDIT: Oohh, my 200th post!}

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:29 pm

You should be able to set up a filter that autodeletes his e-mails, what service do you use?

Not quite a Newb Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 51

find out the laws in whatever country your in regarding pyramid schemes and offer to pass along his email addy and details to the appropriate authorities should the laws state that pyramid schemes are illegal in your country..

I had one ages ago that did the same... somehow this dude got my mobile number and called me like every second day until I found out that pyramid schemes in australia are illegal... he stopped calling after I told him I was going to email his name and number to authorities if he called me again.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:40 pm

I'm in the UK and my service provider is Zoom. The spam controls are very basic and don't seem to work.

Frankly, I wouldn't know who to report it to, and lets face it, its more of an irritation than anything else.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 51

you could always put his email on here and let these guys have fun with him Twisted Evil

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:46 pm

My pleasure. PM me for details anyone who fancies some fun.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:03 pm

Not sure if this will be of any help..

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38561.html

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:55 pm

The problem with pyramid-ponzis is that a lot of perpetrators don't realize/understand that it's wrong. Although I think Ponzis are about as bad as 419, I don't know that I'd bait a low-level ponzi person the way I'd bait a lad.

The other thing is that a lot of things that really are ponzis are technically legal, because they have some product or service attached to them. I my mind this doesn't justify it unless one could make a living just selling the product or service without needing to bring new people in. However, the law is not so restrictive, so by baiting things that are effectively ponzis you may be baiting legal activity.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:04 pm

Ponzis and pyramids are more in the line of work of www.cattyshaq.com and places like that. I don't think they lend themselves to baiting in the same way that our usual punters do.

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 11:05 pm

As far as I know, HYIPs are illegal in most countries these days, so a bit of official pressure shouldn't be out of the question. Cool

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:41 am

Thanks for the responses. On of our excellent members has a plan, so if anything amusing comes of it, I will post.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:30 pm

Quote:

Most MLM claims to be doing "direct selling" in MLM is mere pretense.
...
The FTC definition of a legitimate MLM includes a rule allowing no more than 30% of its sales to "distributors".
...
What can be done about MLM abuse?

Consumer protection and other law enforcement personnel can get informed so that when MLM companies attempt to dupe them with claims of being legitimate "direct sellers," they can use the "5 Red Flags" discussed above to refute their claims. (See End Note 2 for a thorough explanation of the "5 Red Flags.") Also, with product-based pyramid schemes it is most effective to be proactive, rather than reactive. If an agency waits for complaints to mount up, it is usually too late to take effective action to protect consumers. The damage is already done and, in Ponzi fashion, the TOPP�s will have moved on to other areas.

Ex-distributors willing to complain are the most potent witnesses against pyramid schemes. If you suspect misrepresentation and pyramid scheme abuse, be vocal and assertive in registering your complaints. Contact your state consumer protection agency�and the FTC for action on a federal level. You may get little attention acting alone, but if enough consumers complain, the agencies may at least try to contain the abuse. Unfortunately, in law enforcement it is often the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

^^ Source: Consumer Awareness Institute - http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/tax_study.htm accessed 8 Aug 2007

__________For more information on MLMs, see:______

(Canada) Competition Bureau - http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/

Consumer Awareness Institute - http://www.mlm-thetruth.com/index.html

Direct Selling Association - http://www.dsa.org/
Pyramid Schemes http://www.dsa.org/aboutselling/consumer/index.cfm?fuseaction=pyramid

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - http://www.ftc.gov/
"PYRAMID SCHEMES" http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/other/dvimf16.shtm - by Debra A. Valentine, General Counsel for the U. S. Federal Trade Commission

MLMSurvivor.com http://www.mlmsurvivor.com/
Information and Web Resources for Survivors of MLM Abuse and Deception

National Fraud Information Center - http://www.fraud.org/

New York State Attorney General - http://www.oag.state.ny.us/
Don't Get Caught in a Pyramid Scheme

Pyramid Scheme Alert - http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/
A Proactive Guide for Consumers, Regulators, and Consumer Advocates
Types of Pyramid Schemes
Twelve Tests for Evaluating a Network Marketing "Opportunity" - PDF file
When Should an MLM Be Considered an Illegal Pyramid Scheme? PDF file

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/
Reporting Scams and Frauds - FAQ's
Pyramid Schemes http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/pyramid_e.htm
Scams - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams/index_e.htm

Oregon Department of Justice - http://www.doj.state.or.us/
Suspected Pyramid Schemes - http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/pyramids.shtml

SCAMwatch (Astraulia) - http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
SCAMwatch is a website run by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). The aim of SCAMwatch is to provide information to consumers and small business about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - http://www.sec.gov/
"Ponzi" Schemes - http://www.sec.gov/answers/ponzi.htm
Pyramid Schemes - http://www.sec.gov/answers/pyramid.htm

Utah Division of Consumer Protection - http://www.dcp.utah.gov/
[url=http://www.dcp.utah.gov/education/pyramid.html]Pyramid Schemes http://www.dcp.utah.gov/education/pyramid.html

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:52 pm

Eight wrote:

I don't think they lend themselves to baiting in the same way that our usual punters do.

Depends on the ponzi, I have one now that I am baiting. It has given me two of the pyramids in my sig. This ponzi that I am baiting is originating in Lagos too. So make what you want of that.