A pyramid scheme is a business model that recruits members via a promise of payments or services for enrolling others into the scheme, rather than supplying investments or sale of products or services. As recruiting multiplies, recruiting becomes quickly impossible, and most members are unable to profit; as such, pyramid schemes are unsustainable and often illegal.
Pyramid schemes have existed for at least a century in different guises. Some multi-level marketing plans have been classified as pyramid schemes.
How does this scam work?
You may hear about a pyramid scheme from friends, family or neighbours. Usually, pyramid schemes recruit members at seminars, home meetings, over the phone, by email, post or social media.
In a typical pyramid scheme, you pay to join. The scheme relies on you convincing other people to join up and to part with their money as well. In order for everyone in the scheme to make a profit there needs to be an endless supply of new members. In reality, the number of people willing to join the scheme, and therefore the amount of money coming into the scheme, will dry up very quickly.
Some pyramid scheme promoters disguise their true purpose by introducing products that are overpriced, of poor quality, difficult to sell or of little value. Making money out of recruitment is still their main aim.
The promoters at the top of the pyramid make their money by having people join the scheme. They pocket the fees and other payments made by those who join under them. When the scheme collapses, relationships, friendships and even marriages can be damaged over money lost in the scam.
It is against the law to promote or participate in a pyramid scheme.
Warning signs
- You are offered a chance to join a group, scheme, program or team where you need to recruit new members to make money.
- The scheme involves offering goods or services of little or doubtful value that serve only to promote the scheme, such as information sheets.
- There are big up-front costs.
- The promoter makes claims like ‘this is not a pyramid scheme’ or ‘this is totally legal’.
Protect yourself
- Do not let anyone pressure you into making decisions about money or investments - always get independent financial advice.
- Be wary of schemes or products that claim a guaranteed income.
- Consider whether the rewards you have been promised are dependent on product sales. If so, are the products of real value, sold at a reasonable price and something that there is actually consumer demand for?
- Remember that family members and friends may try to involve you in a pyramid scheme without realising that it is one.
- It is against the law not only to promote a pyramid scheme, but to participate in one.
Have you been scammed?
If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
We encourage you to report scams to WA ScamNet via the report a scam page. This helps us to warn people about current scams, monitor trends and disrupt scams where possible. Please include details of the scam contact you received, for example, email or screenshot.
We also provide guidance on protecting yourself from scams and where to get help.
Spread the word to your friends and family to protect them.
List of Scams
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Graeme John Eddington / Living Polarbear Style
Read More...An Eden Hill man has been convicted for a second time and fined a total of $10,000 for promoting and taking part in an illegal pyramid scheme.
Graeme John Eddington, who operated under the business name Living Polarbear Style, was fined $5,000 each on two charges of participating in a pyramid scheme and attempting to induce another man to participate in the scheme. Mr Eddington was also ordered to pay Court costs of $5,886 in the Perth Magistrates Court on 11 January 2013.
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Beat the Recession Chain Letter
Read More...Pyramid schemes have been around for a while but WA ScamNet has received recent complaints about a chain letter doing the rounds, which uses the global financial crisis as a way to convince people to take part.
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Canadian Diamond Traders
Read More...WA consumers are being warned not to become involved in a diamond related pyramid-trading scheme emanating from Canada, which is operating in WA.
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David Rhodes Chain Letter Scheme
Read More...This is a 'remake' of similar chain letters under the names Edward L Green, David Stein and Paul Collins. This chain letter claims to be from David Rhodes and that you can turn $218 into $78,185 within 80 days.
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Departure Central Inc
Read More...Consumers are being warned not to book a ticket on Departure Central Inc, the latest incarnation of the 1980s illegal airplane pyramid scheme.
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Mike Fitzgerald
Read More...If you are a Western Australian and participate in this scheme, you will be chased by Consumer Protection, required to sign undertakings (or face prosecution) not to participate in the scheme and made to refund any money you have made
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Pat Griffin aka David Rhodes
Read More...Pat Griffin isn’t very original it seems. You see the illegal scheme he is trying to peddle to Western Australians is nearly identical to another bunch of schemers including Edward L Green, David Stein, Paul Collins and David Rhodes.
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Paul Collins chain letter scheme
Read More...For years, the most common pyramid scheme investigated by Consumer Protection has been a chain letter called the "Paul Collins letter." It says it's all perfectly legal. So why do they need made-up names and PO boxes? Sadly, many of the people who follow the instructions find that the only response they get is from a Consumer Protection Investigator. Instead of a $20 note there is a letter about a $20,000 fine.
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Paul Richmond
Read More...The Paul Richmond letter is a pyramid selling scheme and illegal in Western Australia.
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PayPal - Fast Easy Money
Read More...Pyramid scheme operators are promoting the use of the legitimate online payment system, PayPal, to perpetrate their illegal activities.
