Pyramid Scheme? I think so...

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 58

Isn't "Cash Gifting" basically just another name for "Pyramid Scheme"? At any rate, enough people have gone to prison for it to convince me that it isn't legal.

http://www.cashgiftingwithbrandon.com/

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:32 pm

Cash Gifting is a fancypants way of saying Ponzi/MLM/Pyramid. Just because a scheme claims to be 'not illegal' and that they wouldn't do it if it were does not mean they are legal! It just means 'not tried' (yet) - courts and juries cannot try every individual scheme, so work on the basis that if it smalls like a pyramid, tastes like a pyramid and moves like a pyramid, it's a freakin' pyramid!

http://www.squidoo.com/gifting_leveraging_giving_scams
http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/RC_5StarGifting.html

I also suggest anyone interested in how pyramid/MLM schemes really work read the excellent free ebook from Eric http://www.merchantsofdeception.com/ (give an email address but it's a great book and worth it). Pyramids are that insidious - scratch the surface of big powerful names like Amway and what do you find?

Not quite a Newb Joined: 08 Oct 2009 Posts: 58

So... what can I do about a pyramid? I'm still new to the whole "ruin these scammers' lives" scene.

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:44 pm

Aside from general awareness raising, we don't really "do" pyramids here, and the few people at the top who make all the cash tend to surround themselves with mean lawyers etc. Just warn people, maybe if you're a religious type, do a little talk at church, just keep people aware. They come in all sorts of disguises, Aloe Vera networks, Amway, Women Empowering Women, gifting clubs, pigeon squab meat (yep, really), many guises. Read MLMWatch website for more info, and read that ebook too Smile

Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:00 pm

DEFINITELY a pyramid scam, and not MLM.

I have a two prong test.

1) Do you pay to join? YES.
2) Is the only way to make money by recruiting new suckers in to the scam? YES.

Both=YES, means walk like an e-GYPT-ian cuz its a pyramid.

There is a site I was on called the MMF Hall of Humiliation (www.mmfhoh.org) which we used to humiliate these scumbags. They used to have a forum where we could make fun of these things Smile

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