How to spot a pyramid scheme - Stacie Bosley

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  • Опубликовано: 25 дек 2024

Комментарии • 9 тыс.

  • @henrykjohn78
    @henrykjohn78 5 лет назад +17977

    When someone:
    - wraps their arm round you
    - tells you about an exciting business opportunity
    - reassures you it's not a pyramid scheme, even though you don't have such concerns
    - is an old high school friend
    It's a pyramid scheme

    • @thecollector4332
      @thecollector4332 5 лет назад +307

      Henryk John
      That happened with a far relative that I had met like twice in my life. Sadly, my sister in law kinda fell for it.

    • @quatreunhuit
      @quatreunhuit 5 лет назад +41

      I got 2/4.

    • @Foxy02016
      @Foxy02016 5 лет назад +209

      Henryk John also cheerleading is clearly a pyramid scheme

    • @Alejo__
      @Alejo__ 5 лет назад +3

      Henryk John whats a pyramid scheme??

    • @erwinsmithes1655
      @erwinsmithes1655 5 лет назад +33

      My aunt fall for it.. Luckily i didnt.. One more, complicated member awarding system

  • @insolentish4529
    @insolentish4529 5 лет назад +42126

    Red flag: Someone from highschool you haven't talked to in years hits you up randomly

    • @PedroHernandez-su1wb
      @PedroHernandez-su1wb 5 лет назад +2140

      This is exactly, exactly what happened to me yesterday

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 5 лет назад +1789

      LOL....yes! And they say, "I just started my own business" or something like that.

    • @michaelbell3952
      @michaelbell3952 5 лет назад +411

      Happened to me a few years ago.

    • @Cam-pt9ex
      @Cam-pt9ex 5 лет назад +237

      EXACTLY LMAO

    • @JackXFrost01
      @JackXFrost01 5 лет назад +703

      A friend did the same to me too. Messaged me on facebook to watch this slideshow about beauty products that was for her "presentation" for class and asked me to critique.
      As OBLIVIOUS as I was at the time. I watched the whole 10 min and opened a Microsoft word doc. And made 1 page notes saying things like *this girl needs to stop saying umm* or things like *add more slides that show the product being used more etc.* She said *oh lol thanks* and never messaged me back.
      A few months later I then realized that it was a scam when my I told my other friend about it and laughed because she was approached by her too on facebook. THANK goodness for my naivety back then.

  • @allergictohumansnotanimals5671
    @allergictohumansnotanimals5671 4 года назад +7902

    At a pyramid scheme meeting:
    “I used to be like you once.”

  • @arturomillan
    @arturomillan 3 года назад +695

    I absolutely bursted out laughing when she said to send the video to three people you know. Brilliant!

    • @levanteluxegifting8430
      @levanteluxegifting8430 Год назад +11

      big brain time

    • @thefog13
      @thefog13 7 месяцев назад +12

      Tell 5 people you know to like this reply

    • @Abbyssiniyan7604
      @Abbyssiniyan7604 6 месяцев назад +7

      ​@@thefog13 what's in it for me though a quarter of the likes you receive😂

    • @thefog13
      @thefog13 6 месяцев назад +1

      @@Abbyssiniyan7604 then tell them to like your reply, too

    • @Abbyssiniyan7604
      @Abbyssiniyan7604 6 месяцев назад +2

      @@thefog13 yeah but you have to promise those that like your replies that they will get something in return for it to be effective yk

  • @trevormccarron4451
    @trevormccarron4451 4 года назад +8067

    the sad part is if i show this to people caught in mlm they’ll just say “oh well the one i’m in is legitimate”

    • @opai1821
      @opai1821 4 года назад +133

      Exactly

    • @thenuetrix6574
      @thenuetrix6574 4 года назад +123

      But there really are legitimate mlm though

    • @rr-mt9np
      @rr-mt9np 4 года назад +642

      @@thenuetrix6574 got brainwashed I see

    • @therealCrazyJake
      @therealCrazyJake 4 года назад +295

      The Nuetrix the video acknowledges this, and states that as one of the reasons pyramid schemes can be hard to spot. Deadlines and paying your way into the business were the key red flags they named to tell the difference.

    • @theone7059
      @theone7059 4 года назад +23

      @@thenuetrix6574 they're all legit smh... it depends how many people came before you though...

  • @thecitizenoftheinternet1077
    @thecitizenoftheinternet1077 3 года назад +5402

    Keywords:
    - Be your own boss
    - Passive income
    - Entrepreneur
    - I used to be like you... (insert a heartbreaking sob story)
    - Business opportunity
    - No college or university degree needed
    - Make money online
    - Only available for a limited time
    - Make 10K a month while sitting on a couch
    - Quit your job
    - Motivation
    - Investing
    - Positivity
    - This is DEFINELY NOT a pyramid scheme!

    • @TheEdMab
      @TheEdMab 3 года назад +338

      Sounds like some RUclips ads 😂

    • @NKevin44
      @NKevin44 3 года назад +125

      I get all these in my RUclips recommendations

    • @steeledminer616
      @steeledminer616 3 года назад +149

      Okay but let me tell you about how I found this crazy easy trick to earn more money than I ever had before, as my own boss from my living room. I can't believe it took so little effort, and if you watch through this ad I'll let you in on the secret too.

    • @owenb8636
      @owenb8636 3 года назад +36

      Girlboss/ boss babe

    • @gabym9830
      @gabym9830 3 года назад +52

      Financial freedom is another one🤣

  • @giraudy221
    @giraudy221 4 года назад +16110

    The biggest sign is when they say “Wanna Be Your Own Boss?”

    • @longhairgetinthere
      @longhairgetinthere 4 года назад +65

      😂🤣😂

    • @talentlesscommenter1329
      @talentlesscommenter1329 4 года назад +45

      Antonio Innocente that’s a Ponzi scheme.

    • @MuditVerma
      @MuditVerma 4 года назад +240

      How do they typically justify "being your own boss" when you have to report back with how many people you recruited? Doesn't make sense even from the get go...

    • @nothanks39
      @nothanks39 4 года назад +12

      HUN

    • @Papikof
      @Papikof 4 года назад +4

      I swear yo 🤣🤣🤣

  • @Infernaladmiral
    @Infernaladmiral 2 года назад +705

    You know what's worse than being a victim of pyramid scheme and loosing your money? Loosing friendship and relationships over it.

    • @alexthecreator8380
      @alexthecreator8380 Год назад

      what do you mean by that?

    • @gokuldutt7476
      @gokuldutt7476 Год назад +59

      @@alexthecreator8380 when people buy products from MLM or pyramid scheme they are basically trapped and have to push their products to more people which means they have to convince their close friends or relatives to buy overpriced products so that they can recover their own losses. Now when you try to annoy other people to buy overpriced products from pyramid scheme they would obviously lose all interest in talking to you.

    • @Adushka1976
      @Adushka1976 Год назад +22

      @@gokuldutt7476 I've lost 2 good friends to a pyramid schemes... both called me for meeting with a great news... first vitamins, second cosmetics... never talked to them again.

    • @luda.chrisotzz
      @luda.chrisotzz Год назад

      @@Adushka1976did you end your friendship because of their involvement on selling products from an mlm or did they only see you as a customer & kept pushing you to buy from them that ended your friendship with them?

    • @Jonassssss6
      @Jonassssss6 Год назад +3

      It's spelled losing

  • @juanhercberg
    @juanhercberg 5 лет назад +14298

    Some more Red Flags for everyone to consider:
    -The Canadian flag
    -The Swiss flag
    -The Chinese flag
    -The Turkish flag

  • @mrplop38
    @mrplop38 5 лет назад +3807

    When you said fight fire with fire I thought you were gonna tell us to start our own pyramid scheme

  • @Michaelthegrape7680
    @Michaelthegrape7680 3 года назад +8540

    I wasn’t interested in this video at first, but my brain was like: “You never know...”

    • @acupofjo22
      @acupofjo22 3 года назад +47

      Same

    • @yourcarsextendedwarranty333
      @yourcarsextendedwarranty333 3 года назад +205

      yoo same here i was like "who cares?" but then a week after watching this video for the first time one of my mom's friends approached both of my parents and told them about a "wonderful job opportunity" that can make them "millions" by being a life insurance agent and recruiting others to do the same. Looking up that company pointed to a pyramid scheme lawsuit and bad reviews and i had to convince them to not join.

    • @yourcarsextendedwarranty333
      @yourcarsextendedwarranty333 3 года назад +31

      @George B they ended up not joining

    • @yourcarsextendedwarranty333
      @yourcarsextendedwarranty333 3 года назад +16

      @Ethereal •Solana• no, it was called Premier Financial Alliance

    • @lucasamorimrabelo1278
      @lucasamorimrabelo1278 3 года назад

      🤣

  • @NoriMori1992
    @NoriMori1992 3 года назад +502

    I fell for a gifting group once. Even though it had the exact same structure as a pyramid scheme, the difference in context and stated purpose was enough for me to not see it. Fortunately I only sent one gift before one of my Facebook friends who I tried to share it with pointed out that it was a scam. That's the only time I ever fell for a scam, and I fell for it so publicly too, so it was really embarrassing.

    • @bullettomy7thheart
      @bullettomy7thheart 2 года назад

      You’re not very smart are you

    • @arundhathidev327
      @arundhathidev327 2 года назад +22

      Can you please tell me what was the context and stated purpose ? This is to help a friend

    • @temporaltomato3021
      @temporaltomato3021 2 года назад +19

      Thanks for sharing. Would be hard to me to admit, even though I know it would help people.

    • @youreverydayhellknight4257
      @youreverydayhellknight4257 Год назад +19

      You know that friend is a keeper.

    • @KnakuanaRka
      @KnakuanaRka Год назад +13

      Sounds like a good friend to have. And how did this group work and how was it presented to make it seem different? I!ve honestly never heard of a gifting group before, so I’m not sure what that would be like.

  • @CaiqueBrite
    @CaiqueBrite 5 лет назад +1735

    Red flag (MLM): When the primary goal seems to be find more sellers rather than consumers.

    • @alimanigobi3158
      @alimanigobi3158 5 лет назад +58

      The intelligence in this one statement. Your summary skills are impeccable my good fellow.

    • @RyanTheHero3
      @RyanTheHero3 5 лет назад +46

      By the way do you want to join our company. All you gotta do is recruit 3 people and buy our £500 make up kit. No qualifications required!

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 5 лет назад +3

      Agree. Problem is that many MLMs disguise this fact. But yes, this is true!

    • @andresvalentin6924
      @andresvalentin6924 5 лет назад +3

      @@JohnBowl14690 They can never truly hide how they make money.

    • @HappinessOrDeath
      @HappinessOrDeath 5 лет назад +5

      Actual framing: The "Business entrepreneur" buying his/her starter pack is actually the customer

  • @chhive
    @chhive 4 года назад +3210

    Common things in MLM:
    1. The recruiter is hyper enthusiastic and knows it all
    2. The recruiter thinks that he or she is so successful and you can be the same like them
    3. You can do this and make a living by part time
    4. You can help many other people
    5. Require you to go through training and workshops
    6. They have many many members around the country and the world
    7. You can be your own boss
    8. You can travel around the country or the world, again workshops
    9. You need to pay to get a license while you don’t need to pass anything
    10. You need to pay for background check
    Typical products they sell:
    Diet
    Vitamin
    Personal financial programs
    Insurance

    • @jofx4051
      @jofx4051 4 года назад +127

      You should add others like:
      Health instrument (bracelet, water filter, air filter)
      Online education
      Trips
      And most likely things with overpaid priced or unreasonable things that doesn't actually has real facts (self-claimed facts) that usually they say it is the best product and only they sold it

    • @hellz23456
      @hellz23456 4 года назад +7

      almost getting into the insurance once but i said to her i got covered by country already and it's fine, then i walk out.

    • @jofx4051
      @jofx4051 4 года назад +10

      @@hellz23456 Nah some kind of insurance companies are kinda falling into this too

    • @hellz23456
      @hellz23456 4 года назад +6

      @@jofx4051 what do you mean of nah?, insurance company is pyramid scheme too the real insurance is goverment one

    • @shayaankhusro4104
      @shayaankhusro4104 4 года назад +9

      This sounds like some RUclips ads I've come across.

  • @caffeecup5319
    @caffeecup5319 5 лет назад +8201

    When someone is:
    -Worshipping a cat named Ra
    -Wears a funny little hat
    -Living in the desert
    -Constantly building
    Then it's probably a pyramid scheme

  • @harshitagrawal791
    @harshitagrawal791 3 года назад +337

    Can we take a moment to applaud the animation. Just brilliant!👏🏼👏🏼

    • @aerozed95
      @aerozed95 2 года назад +8

      Very reminiscent of the opening sequence to the movie “Catch Me If Can”

  • @thisguy4505
    @thisguy4505 3 года назад +5506

    "I'm successful and making loads of money! So I'm going to show you how to do the same thing and create competition against myself. Makes sense, right?"

    • @aryan3229
      @aryan3229 3 года назад +108

      absolutely right.

    • @shadowspark
      @shadowspark 3 года назад +192

      If rich entrepreneurs were as generous as they pretend to be, they’d pay livable wages, not paltry commissions. If a suit says over and over they want only to help folk like you achieve wealth/greatness, they’re a fraud.

    • @samudrabikashbaruah5041
      @samudrabikashbaruah5041 3 года назад +7

      Thats how team work works I guess?

    • @bsgfan1
      @bsgfan1 3 года назад +19

      Case in point: Billy Beane and his “Moneyball” formula. He wrote a book on it and other baseball teams started using it. Suddenly, his secret weapon was being used against him left and right.

    • @thefreelanceworker3491
      @thefreelanceworker3491 3 года назад +18

      It doesn't work that way. You are not recruiting a competition but a business partner. When you sell a product, you are earning only from your sales. But if you recruit somebody, you also earn from their sales. It's like a manager getting commission from his agents. But again, MLM and pyramid scheme is not the same.

  • @babagee2216
    @babagee2216 4 года назад +2982

    "I used to be in that chair you guys sitting right now"

  • @Cod4Wii
    @Cod4Wii 5 лет назад +4580

    "Do you wanna get rich quick?"
    "Do you wanna work at home and make lots of money fast?"
    "It's a multi-level marketing business."
    -pyramid scheme

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 5 лет назад +122

      MLM - More Losing Money

    • @PotatoBoiOfficial
      @PotatoBoiOfficial 5 лет назад +31

      how about "get started flipping houses right here in the bay area using other people's money"

    • @DionRemeijsen
      @DionRemeijsen 5 лет назад +57

      @@JohnBowl14690 Money Losing Method

    • @lydiamusima5840
      @lydiamusima5840 5 лет назад +2

      Cod4 Wii it’s all lies and total embellishments

    • @gutt315
      @gutt315 5 лет назад +15

      If all was rich none was rich! Next!
      Its a scam!

  • @gavinlamp5426
    @gavinlamp5426 3 года назад +61

    I once had a "customer" at work ask me how a product worked. So I explained it to her. She then told me I had great salesman skills, and offered me a job interview for selling "Insurance." I figured it would be at an office somewhere. We did a webcam interview. The only problem was her "partner" didn't show his face, and kept trying to amp me up about how much money I would be making. Every time I asked about what kind of insurance I'd be selling, he'd dodge the question instantly with "We will get to that, but first you need to build a team, and recruit some more members." I immediately figured it was a pyramid scheme. But I didn't understand how he'd get money off of me, until he said that I needed to pay him $200 for a "license." Sadly, this isn't the first time someone has tried to "recruit" me, for something suspicious. One of my coworkers fell for this with hair cleaning products and ended up losing thousands of dollars.

    • @scarsound
      @scarsound 2 года назад +10

      SERIOUSLY
      The only time you "pay" for any sort of "license", insurance wise, is in order to take the provincial/stage courses/classes and the errors/omissions insurance for yourself in case something happens, and even then, most legit insurance companies or banks will pay you the money back after you pass your exams. Y'know... like any normal job would do if you had to pay for training or certification of some sort out of pocket.
      Good thing you ran for the hills, because zoinks.

  • @cmichaels9544
    @cmichaels9544 3 года назад +3512

    One of my friends invited me to his house for an amway presentation. I grilled the presenter so hard she actually started yelling at me and told me to leave 😂 all I was doing was picking at flaws in her logic. Was a proud moment for me

    • @casmartin790
      @casmartin790 3 года назад +168

      Could you give us an idea of what logic you picked at and what she was saying? I've been to a few of these Amway things and decided it was bogus, I know people who have invested so much into it and still have seen no rewards but see everyone 'above' them winning 🤷‍♂️

    • @Nyante
      @Nyante 3 года назад +28

      Please share what you said/asked

    • @cmichaels9544
      @cmichaels9544 3 года назад +686

      I used simple mathematics, I said if I'm trying to sell toothpaste for example, and each person makes 2% of the sale, given that there are now 100 people below me I can make 2% from each for 1 products? She said yes, I said well in that case your products will become horrendously espensive so why would I buy from you if I can go to a retail store and buy it for a quarter of the price?
      I also asked what I'm buying when I pay the sign up fee and she said access to the program and where exactly does this money go? We can't pay for something and not know for what and who's benefit. She said it's a shared scheme that benefits only new sign ups when they sell products. I said then why do we need to make a markup and what stops me from going to a manufacturer and buying at wholesale and selling just below retail without paying a sign up fee and a percentage to every one that I joined under? It makes more business sense.
      I also said that this sounds like enslavement since I'm working for this scheme and instead of the company paying me a salary and/or commission on anything I sell, I then need to pay my bosses (people that joined prior to me) for products I've sold.
      Needless to say, I own a business and so did my father so the business aspect and the mathematics stumped her, she became highly frustrated when I was grilling her in front of everyone else who also saw the same logic and were agreeing with me

    • @heinekensese_
      @heinekensese_ 3 года назад +31

      @@cmichaels9544 woah, amway don’t let us buy their products wholesale?

    • @cmichaels9544
      @cmichaels9544 3 года назад +178

      @@heinekensese_ they probably do but you're missing the point 😊 I meant that it's more feasible to go the a wholesaler and buy from them directly as opposed to amway which is essentially a middle man made up of countless thousands of people who all supposedly get a cut if whatever you sell

  • @jaygarcia6094
    @jaygarcia6094 3 года назад +4120

    whenever you hear "this is NOT a get rich quick scheme" just know it's most likely a get rich quick scheme.

    • @phantom_mist1726
      @phantom_mist1726 3 года назад +131

      "It's not going to be easy", "I was in your shoes once", or "are you willing to train?"

    • @iwontreplybacklol7481
      @iwontreplybacklol7481 3 года назад +46

      Or they are just there to use you. I went to this "real estate investor" free seminar once. It was basically a pitch for you to pay them a subscription fee so you can be a bird dog for them. Lame.

    • @ethannakamura96
      @ethannakamura96 3 года назад +20

      Trading crypto is easier than you think. Thank you Joseph Allen for helping me make $5000 in one week.

    • @zaklaj
      @zaklaj 3 года назад +1

      @@ethannakamura96 pls put link

    • @arnoldshmitt4969
      @arnoldshmitt4969 3 года назад +11

      @@ethannakamura96 LOL NICE ONE

  • @debeddagreat3263
    @debeddagreat3263 4 года назад +3597

    "we are not selling products, we are going to sell *OPPORTUNITIES* "

    • @pradeepsandy4631
      @pradeepsandy4631 4 года назад +35

      @@siddharth5027 Just simply say you're not interested in this business anymore. They'll keep two to three meetings to keep you but be strong in your decision. They can't force you to keep in the business, it's always your wish.

    • @donm1719
      @donm1719 4 года назад +1

      siddharth lmaooooo

    • @goldflakes1371
      @goldflakes1371 4 года назад

      HAHHAHA

    • @davidkonevky7372
      @davidkonevky7372 4 года назад +3

      Yeah, they're basically selling the job, not the actual product

    • @Pikrioling
      @Pikrioling 4 года назад +8

      Oh yes, you are selling me the opportunity... to have you arrested and your little pyramid scheme eradicated.

  • @confusioned2249
    @confusioned2249 2 года назад +59

    Pro tip for everyone: If someone tries to get you to sell something and they say it's a MLM, just leave instantly, it's 100% either a scam or a pyramid scheme

  • @cannedbaef
    @cannedbaef 4 года назад +3135

    "Dude, it's called multi-level marketing"
    -Friend from highschool you haven't seen for years

    • @feroniks366
      @feroniks366 4 года назад +20

      Canned Baef nah it’s called illegal

    • @MAA-kw4ez
      @MAA-kw4ez 4 года назад +1

      OHhHh

    • @jackw4573
      @jackw4573 4 года назад

      Took from Trevor Wallace lol
      ruclips.net/video/M_XELa7kdmQ/видео.html 0:21

    • @cannedbaef
      @cannedbaef 4 года назад

      @@jackw4573 Never heard of the guy.

    • @totaldan99
      @totaldan99 4 года назад

      @@cannedbaef bruh hes funny af
      Loved the area 51 movie/skit

  • @alyendragon4209
    @alyendragon4209 4 года назад +6176

    No youtube, I was looking for a guide on how to START a pyramid scheme

    • @b0nnieba3
      @b0nnieba3 4 года назад +225

      I think they're trying to tell you something...

    • @Gremlor
      @Gremlor 4 года назад +494

      They're trying to help you by telling you what makes a pyramid scheme noticeable, that way you can keep a low profile.

    • @izzydd5075
      @izzydd5075 4 года назад +67

      @@pantbd dude he was obviously joking

    • @perisaizidanehanapi7931
      @perisaizidanehanapi7931 4 года назад +35

      No, not in this recession you won't.

    • @niggy.
      @niggy. 4 года назад +8

      exactly

  • @nonh1
    @nonh1 5 лет назад +2694

    "Let me assure you that this is not one of those shady pyramid schemes you've been hearing about. No sir. Our model is the trapezoid!"

    • @AleksoLaĈevalo999
      @AleksoLaĈevalo999 5 лет назад +65

      @unOrdinary Replica
      Weird square.

    • @chariethe
      @chariethe 5 лет назад +37

      SOLD.

    • @saskeru9346
      @saskeru9346 5 лет назад +12

      @unOrdinary Replica
      Good
      I mean, don't worry about that

    • @GraveUypo
      @GraveUypo 5 лет назад +63

      yes, it's a trapezoid because there are TWO people at the top.

    • @theobserver3753
      @theobserver3753 5 лет назад +9

      I'm in..😂😂😂

  • @jollycooperation7446
    @jollycooperation7446 3 года назад +110

    Had this almost happen to my mom. I had to convince her NOT to do it. Oh did it take a lot of talking, math, and explaining. Someone asking for money to be put into a "pot" like a card table is a big red flag. Then asking 6-8 more people to do the same so you can start your own "pot" is another huge red flag.
    She tried getting me to do it, not even 2 minutes of her explaining it, I figured it to be a pyramid scheme.

  • @freshescapes7929
    @freshescapes7929 3 года назад +1777

    When someone told you to attend a seminar for business opportunity, accept the invitation , eat food as much as you can ,take home if possible ,but never sign up for anything ,tell them you'll think about it, and repeat the cycle for next invitation

    • @michaeladdd
      @michaeladdd 3 года назад +143

      That's what i did too. Taking their coffee as much as i could.

    • @bluedaylight1243
      @bluedaylight1243 3 года назад +93

      You dare use my own spell againts me?

    • @iwontreplybacklol7481
      @iwontreplybacklol7481 3 года назад +63

      Im hungry for dinner.
      Web search: get rich in real estate and ecommerce instead of restaurants 😂

    • @danyelleorr-mcneil4711
      @danyelleorr-mcneil4711 3 года назад +34

      @@ChuyR. that is hilarious 😂 the best part is you didn't even know what was happening, but was smart enough to ask the right questions 🤣🤣

    • @vincezaaa
      @vincezaaa 3 года назад +7

      Literally what I did as well haha. Makes me feel powerful knowing things on dark and light sides of society

  • @8015908
    @8015908 5 лет назад +1963

    Another red flag:
    That unmarried aunt or uncle you meet at a family party who is suddenly very interested in your life.

    • @khorasanvn6598
      @khorasanvn6598 5 лет назад +8

      FakeUser NameTwo explain pls

    • @tinachristine4573
      @tinachristine4573 5 лет назад +87

      @@khorasanvn6598 they've fallen victim to a pyramid scheme and they are trying to recruit.

    • @leonslaw5722
      @leonslaw5722 5 лет назад +7

      I was really thinking this was going to go the amish route

    • @mcslog
      @mcslog 5 лет назад +17

      Corey Leon - As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain, I take a look at my wife and realize she’s very plain...

    • @CutieRingoJoy
      @CutieRingoJoy 5 лет назад

      Me: runs away

  • @TastyJason7
    @TastyJason7 5 лет назад +9567

    “Send this to 3 people you know”
    *hol up*

    • @alanyuan8565
      @alanyuan8565 4 года назад +127

      I know eh

    • @isaacibbotson4632
      @isaacibbotson4632 4 года назад +301

      This is what I came here to say, but in my heart I knew it had already been said

    • @GhettoFilipino
      @GhettoFilipino 4 года назад +20

      Tasty Jason 😂😂

    • @mayhair
      @mayhair 4 года назад +227

      That's the joke

    • @natalitorres5279
      @natalitorres5279 4 года назад +27

      And you have to leave a like should have been added

  • @Hamyhamster24
    @Hamyhamster24 3 года назад +2288

    Pyramid scheme: When you have to pay a fee to work for them.
    Real job: they pay you for training and the amount of hours you put in.

    • @crackspider101
      @crackspider101 3 года назад +121

      Also pyramid scheme: The more you earn, the more you have to pay your bosses

    • @williamwingo4740
      @williamwingo4740 3 года назад +61

      General rule of thumb, applicable to other areas--like job placement services--as well as MLM: "If they want you to pay money, they are not legitimate."

    • @brandonsaquariumsandterrar8985
      @brandonsaquariumsandterrar8985 3 года назад +10

      Wait, so strawberry picking is a pyramid scheme

    • @Dfox773
      @Dfox773 3 года назад +3

      I came here for this comment

    • @yipe222
      @yipe222 3 года назад

      Hamy Nguyen In MLM you don't work for them, It's not a job.

  • @CJMajesty
    @CJMajesty 5 лет назад +2190

    Destroys friendships, relationships and marriages too.

    • @karelperlado6612
      @karelperlado6612 5 лет назад +15

      Very true

    • @justinl2009
      @justinl2009 5 лет назад +95

      Also applies to blue shells in Mario Kart

    • @SDPTheGhost
      @SDPTheGhost 5 лет назад +20

      Just A P39N Don't forget playing Monopoly

    • @mila-evans
      @mila-evans 5 лет назад +17

      Reck
      And the +4 uno card

    • @haZedxClanz
      @haZedxClanz 5 лет назад +1

      • Mila •
      Also stacking plus 2 and 4 cards

  • @xonx209
    @xonx209 3 года назад +1112

    I too lazy to sell anything to anyone or to recruit people. This is my built-in defense against pyramid schemes.

    • @weirdvibes1729
      @weirdvibes1729 2 года назад +56

      Ah finally the only thing I'm good at

    • @raykepper
      @raykepper 2 года назад +2

      Too bad you don't even know what one IS! DUH!!!

    • @underscoreellipsesdothyphe1563
      @underscoreellipsesdothyphe1563 2 года назад

      If you have someone telling you you should buy something, it's a pyramid scheme lol actual businesses don't force their products on people, only scammers do

    • @ninadgodse6199
      @ninadgodse6199 2 года назад

      Same bro same

    • @loganbuckley2010
      @loganbuckley2010 2 года назад +2

      This is probably a lie that you made to fell good about yourself

  • @BestMentalism
    @BestMentalism 2 года назад +22

    the difference between an honest MLM and a pyramid scheme is easy: in an honest MLM you never have to purchase anything to enter, you just need to sell products (without having to buy them first), and what you earn from your referral is coming from their own products sells VS in a pyramid scheme you have to purchase products or pay a monthly fee just to stay in the business. Basically: honest MLM = focused on selling products VS pyramid scheme = focused on recruiting sellers.

  • @leeannedestine679
    @leeannedestine679 4 года назад +1715

    Hi. Im 14 years old. How do i explain to my parents that what they're being sold is a mlm and a scam?? Bc they believe everything i learn from the internet is wrong

    • @g0dly1
      @g0dly1 4 года назад +303

      Show this video and lots of news articles about pyramid scheme

    • @tanyagupta3376
      @tanyagupta3376 4 года назад +208

      @@g0dly1 but they think everything on the internet is wrong

    • @g0dly1
      @g0dly1 4 года назад +255

      @@tanyagupta3376 hmm newspaper articles then

    • @iresekore1764
      @iresekore1764 4 года назад +81

      Tell them about Vemma

    • @Anemonemon
      @Anemonemon 4 года назад +352

      Let them learn the hard way then

  • @ParadiseLordRyu
    @ParadiseLordRyu 4 года назад +3172

    “You don’t get rich by going to college. You get rich by getting rich.”
    -Griffy

    • @kevinkevin6445
      @kevinkevin6445 4 года назад +48

      Lol did u get recommended this after watching his vid

    • @GhettoFilipino
      @GhettoFilipino 4 года назад +48

      Steps to getting rich:
      1) drop out of college

    • @Dany-G.
      @Dany-G. 4 года назад

      😂😂😂

    • @DirectorHMAN
      @DirectorHMAN 4 года назад +3

      It makes sense actually.

    • @Queeze101
      @Queeze101 4 года назад +8

      Step 3: ". . . . . . . 😏"

  • @yoitzdave
    @yoitzdave 4 года назад +553

    "Its not a pyramid scheme, it's not even a scheme per se"
    *draws triangle around business structure*

    • @tylerschmidlin3436
      @tylerschmidlin3436 4 года назад +19

      It’s a reverse funnel system

    • @uselessemailid
      @uselessemailid 4 года назад +15

      The office!

    • @jorgerueda5227
      @jorgerueda5227 4 года назад +7

      The office!

    • @jorgerueda5227
      @jorgerueda5227 4 года назад +3

      uselessemailid a man of culture!

    • @ruburtoe1
      @ruburtoe1 4 года назад +3

      The reflective upside down pyramid technique is the newest high growth marketing algorithm for high funding success. Lexiconigraphical gibberish can be a red flag

  • @maymenar9445
    @maymenar9445 3 года назад +179

    I wish I would’ve knew this this time last year .. being in one of there’s things damn near ruined my life . I look back and cringe at how brainwashed I was .. so embarrassing once you realize what happened to you . So depressing once you realize youre never going to “ make 10,000 a month online working part time” I’m honestly still recovering . Really it’s because they got me at my lowest point . Single mom working 2 jobs to make ends meet little to no time spent raising my child because I have to work so that we can survive . Me knowing I’m a hard worker I was told by this company that if I just worked hard enough , if I just wanted it bad enough it would happen for me . Well I worked hard, and definitely wanted it bad enough and it didn’t work out and I lost almost everything. The company shut down right when I was about to reach 2000$ a month ..

    • @abradam26
      @abradam26 Год назад

      you can always start again with a legitimate mlm. you can still be your own boss, just be cautious and learn to differentiate between a pyrimid and a legit mlm

    • @sandrastella
      @sandrastella Год назад +10

      @@abradam26 no thanks 😂😂😂😂

    • @quietpandora4855
      @quietpandora4855 Год назад +6

      ​@@abradam26 no thanks

    • @eviljesus6111
      @eviljesus6111 11 месяцев назад +4

      ​@@abradam26 ypur profile picture is a big red flag

    • @thetrickster9885
      @thetrickster9885 9 месяцев назад +2

      Single moms are target

  • @kagura-chan2456
    @kagura-chan2456 3 года назад +649

    In Philippines you can easily spot a pyramid scheme with the following:
    - non-close friend suddenly DM'ing you
    - the phrase "are you an open minded person?"
    -

    • @raymondolarte1254
      @raymondolarte1254 3 года назад +1

      Do you Know about B Hip One,
      i think its a Pyramid scheme?

    • @catfurrpiwpowpiwpaw
      @catfurrpiwpowpiwpaw 3 года назад +31

      I smell Frontrow in the air lol

    • @sabbyinfante7799
      @sabbyinfante7799 3 года назад +26

      "Have you heard of FRONTROW?" LOL

    • @CherryVilla21
      @CherryVilla21 3 года назад +2

      Omg. Someone I don't know but goes to the same school as me messaged me about Frontrow. I said I wasn't interested lol. I made a good decision.

    • @sexymary
      @sexymary 3 года назад +1

      Hahaha totoo Yan 🤦🤦🤦🤦🤣

  • @aolson1111
    @aolson1111 4 года назад +1472

    When they say "it can't be a pyramid scheme, because pyramid schemes are illegal!"

    • @mosh57
      @mosh57 4 года назад +153

      "nah man, our cars won't get stolen if we don't lock them, that's illegal"

    • @kingclampz6081
      @kingclampz6081 4 года назад +9

      @@mosh57 🤣 🤣 🤣

    • @Olive-ey1cc
      @Olive-ey1cc 4 года назад +65

      They can’t be a bank robber, bank robbing is illegal

    • @Soyosan22
      @Soyosan22 4 года назад +26

      This is usually the first line they say when you confront them. B*tch, it's illegal to kill but people still doing it :D

    • @alcohol70percents
      @alcohol70percents 3 года назад +1

      wow, I actually been told so lol

  • @godsmacked1000
    @godsmacked1000 4 года назад +2571

    I went to one of those once. They told me “This isn’t a pyramid scheme. Your job is a pyramid scheme. You’re working to make someone else rich. Here you make yourself rich” 😂

    • @TheKutie36
      @TheKutie36 3 года назад +319

      Funny thing is it’s true cause your manager boss make money from you and his boss will make even more... Only thing is atleast you’re guaranteed a check in a job 😂

    • @sebastians9285
      @sebastians9285 3 года назад +25

      It’s true though

    • @joshvineyard7253
      @joshvineyard7253 3 года назад +39

      This is not true. Just look up the difference. I’m sure there’s a video explaining it better than I can

    • @sebastians9285
      @sebastians9285 3 года назад +55

      @@joshvineyard7253 a job is a pyramid scheme of it’s own

    • @dodisatrio3017
      @dodisatrio3017 3 года назад +134

      @@sebastians9285 you paid more because of your expertise and experience instead of recruiting more staff to work for you, how is that the same. And ofc, companies and founder makes more money from its worker,they need to struggle to make a company before they could even start hiring staff, if they don't make profit that would just a time wasting activity.

  • @kevjun252
    @kevjun252 Год назад +5

    Thanks, I saved my loved one by showing her this video. She wasn't convinced at first when I explained pyramid schemes but this video made her understand.

  • @meeeee129
    @meeeee129 5 лет назад +684

    How to spot a pyramid scheme:
    Person who sat behind you in high school ten years ago hits you up on Facebook with a once in a lifetime opportunity to retire before you’re 21 by working a part time full time part time job where you’re your own boss

    • @reinaldomartinez13
      @reinaldomartinez13 5 лет назад +8

      That sounds like the dream to me

    • @izzulhaziq4898
      @izzulhaziq4898 5 лет назад +3

      I now hate that "friend"

    • @yourlordandsaviouryeesusbe2998
      @yourlordandsaviouryeesusbe2998 5 лет назад +33

      So you were in high school at 11 years of age?

    • @AkunoKen
      @AkunoKen 5 лет назад

      Right on the spot.

    • @gur262
      @gur262 5 лет назад +1

      Or you do photography /stylist/whatever now and they need photos whatever and proceed to waste your goddamn time and Sadly murder is illegal so you are never getting your time back

  • @gmanunreal
    @gmanunreal 4 года назад +334

    One time I made a recruiter crack.
    I was doing my best to fail the job interview...
    Him: "I like you. You have a good head on your shoulders. Even though you're not our target audience, you would be perfect for our company. All you have to do is pay $110 for the membership cost"
    Me: "Wait, I have to pay you for me to work here? If you want me to work for you, why don't you waive the fee?"
    Dude blows his head gasket then starts saying how he hates college kids because they don't "get it". He went from being the nicest guy with a big smile, all of a sudden wouldn't even look at me.

    • @shadowaker6260
      @shadowaker6260 3 года назад +56

      Yeah, never trust ""companies"" that make you pay for some "getting started" course.
      If they are legit they will assure your education or hire someone already educated

    • @justindiddler101
      @justindiddler101 3 года назад +1

      @@shadowaker6260 forex

  • @boxingfanatics2918
    @boxingfanatics2918 4 года назад +1720

    When your highschool crush texted u after 40 years..its a pyramid scam.

    • @yaymere
      @yaymere 4 года назад +67

      40 years- now that’s a lot of years 👀

    • @ayo2080
      @ayo2080 4 года назад +31

      @Christopher Boukalis why must the word unoriginal be used so wrongly.

    • @dhawandeepdhiman5547
      @dhawandeepdhiman5547 4 года назад +1

      Lmao

    • @romanpapec6735
      @romanpapec6735 4 года назад +13

      Damn I thought she is finnaly into me... thanks for ruinning all hope

    • @LaCiupacapra
      @LaCiupacapra 4 года назад

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @Curlyblonde
    @Curlyblonde 8 месяцев назад +5

    Years ago I was pressured by a co-worker to attend a Pyramid Scheme Recruitment Presentation for Vitamins & Supplements in our small community, knowing full well what I was walking into.
    I resisted the high pressure tactics employed to get me to buy into their scheme after their presentation was finished and the recruiters of course got quite irate with me, pretty well throwing me out and shaming me.
    Looking around I saw many local business people, lawyers, even law enforcement in the audience, eagerly signing on and paying to get in on "this special opportunity to make money while you sleep".
    Often wonder how that turned out for them.

  • @MaydayxRadio
    @MaydayxRadio 4 года назад +2065

    The 900+ dislikes on here are probably pyramid scheme business owners

    • @FranklinSninsky
      @FranklinSninsky 4 года назад +49

      they dont have to, the people who sign up for these things are so hopeless, friendless, or just enojoyable lifeless, they will brainwash themselves with nothing more than a small push...

    • @elenif.vlachou9126
      @elenif.vlachou9126 4 года назад +1

      or they know more about what all these people are talking about. The only pity is they pay attention to these kinds of posts.

    • @trezapoioiuy
      @trezapoioiuy 4 года назад +28

      Not necessarily owners. Scammed people don't like being exposed as gullible.

    • @mr.speyside5240
      @mr.speyside5240 4 года назад +1

      900+ Boss Babes disliked

    • @jamesmatt3708
      @jamesmatt3708 4 года назад

      It wasn't easy with the kind of experience I had with them, thank God to Solution Global Recovery I was able to get back my lost Funds through the help of Solution Global Recovery here’s their email address you can contact them at : jm7480652@gmail.com and they will also help you to recover all your lost funds

  • @uwillnevernoewhoiam
    @uwillnevernoewhoiam 5 лет назад +307

    One of my friend got caught in an MLM. He was convinced it wasn't a scam and even tried recruiting me. Eventually he blamed himself for not being able to get rich off of it. He now works a regular job

    • @kingoffuzziethieves
      @kingoffuzziethieves 5 лет назад

      Like he did to begin with. Like you do. I don't call that a "loss".

    • @buxadonoff
      @buxadonoff 5 лет назад +36

      @@kingoffuzziethieves he lost the money invested to start and he lost his time, i call that a loss.

    • @luv2charlie
      @luv2charlie 5 лет назад +12

      uwillnevernoewhoiam thats how those predators work, convincing people they have to "work the plan!" So sad.

    • @eurekamreum5458
      @eurekamreum5458 5 лет назад +1

      lmao that happened to my ex as well

    • @sneakershowcase3992
      @sneakershowcase3992 5 лет назад +1

      Do you remember what the company name is?

  • @TallSilhouette
    @TallSilhouette 5 лет назад +289

    Walked into a job interview that turned out to be a pitch for a pyramid scheme. That was infuriating.

    • @saniyahardison3940
      @saniyahardison3940 5 лет назад +5

      How’d you know?

    • @seanpotts5252
      @seanpotts5252 5 лет назад +9

      Same thing just happened to me. Another multi-level marketing agency operating under different names that they change every month or so and are virtually untraceable. Luckily I caught it quickly.

    • @AshHeaven
      @AshHeaven 5 лет назад

      Have they ever posed as “Advertising Companies?”
      If so, they have probably attempted to get me.
      So shady

    • @eumemo4814
      @eumemo4814 5 лет назад +1

      How about me? Who walked int a date.

  • @avaraquel6981
    @avaraquel6981 3 года назад +6

    The king of the hill episode when Peggy got caught up in the pyramid scheme saved me a few years. The job I was offered was identical to the episode plot buying and selling “products for living “ .

  • @SwedePlaysGames
    @SwedePlaysGames 4 года назад +1518

    "No no, it's not a pyramid scheme... it's a... *trapezoid* scheme."

  • @jonathannuamah3296
    @jonathannuamah3296 4 года назад +1838

    *How to Spot a Pyramid Scheme*
    It involves you bringing in another person.

  • @forexams668
    @forexams668 4 года назад +2292

    " I made 7 million dollars sitting on a park bench "

    • @premiumdomainnames
      @premiumdomainnames 4 года назад +16

      @The Kraemer Forrest, was it from Ping-pong or lieutenant Dan's investment into the Fruit Company ?

    • @sancrosanct5070
      @sancrosanct5070 4 года назад +3

      I know this guy. Man trying to dupe us all out here. Along with many more of them

    • @brownpunk1794
      @brownpunk1794 4 года назад +7

      @@premiumdomainnames its was bubbas shrimp concept

    • @bonniehowell4259
      @bonniehowell4259 3 года назад

      @The Kraemer This response deserves WAY more attention...

    • @UnaversalTriumph1one
      @UnaversalTriumph1one 3 года назад

      Dam how lol

  • @everydayslang
    @everydayslang Год назад

    LOOOOL “fight fire with fire. Send this video to three people you know”. What an amazing sign off.

  • @smileyhehehe
    @smileyhehehe 5 лет назад +391

    Another Red flag:
    When your friend who rarely (actually, never) invite u anywhere (especially if it is not your close friend) suddenly invite you for a drink and chill.

  • @nokay3809
    @nokay3809 5 лет назад +1461

    If they say it’s not a pyramid scheme
    *Its probably a pyramid scheme*

    • @texchu8331
      @texchu8331 5 лет назад +4

      Your life isn't a pyramid scheme.

    • @thalespro9995
      @thalespro9995 5 лет назад +1

      R u in a pyramid scheme

    • @arnaldocisneros2212
      @arnaldocisneros2212 5 лет назад +2

      What are people supposed to answer if they are being asked if their business is a pyramid scheme or not, then?

    • @nokay3809
      @nokay3809 5 лет назад +1

      Arnaldo Cisneros this is a pyramid scheme

    • @antonsevigny5688
      @antonsevigny5688 5 лет назад +7

      @@arnaldocisneros2212 who asks a legitimate business if it's a pyramid scheme?

  • @nishantchatterjee3049
    @nishantchatterjee3049 3 года назад +521

    "Send this video to 3 people, then encourage them to do the same"
    Nice one.

    • @prashantprithyani4879
      @prashantprithyani4879 3 года назад +2

      Lmao 🤣

    • @xonx209
      @xonx209 3 года назад +9

      Most adults figured out the scheme by learning from other people's mistake. And the more hands-on people learn by their own mistakes. The remaining ones are just naive and would not learn from this video anyway.

    • @julianbaxter2403
      @julianbaxter2403 3 года назад +3

      I used the pyramid to destroy the pyramid.

  • @rbeanz7986
    @rbeanz7986 6 месяцев назад

    Nearly got into this scheme. My friend offered me a job without me knowing that the job he offered was a pyramid scheme or a mlm type of company. He used sweet words in order to woo me into joining this type of scheme. I was hesitant to join but thanks to this video, I found out what the purpose of why my friend was eagerly and persistent of inviting me into the company. Thanks very much Ted-Ed. You saved my life.❤❤❤

  • @pikachuumbra8001
    @pikachuumbra8001 5 лет назад +597

    Red flag : "bro, lets have coffee sometimes, " "are you open-minded?"

    • @CutieRingoJoy
      @CutieRingoJoy 5 лет назад +37

      No I’m closed minded thank you

    • @realjatt10
      @realjatt10 5 лет назад +30

      When they start the sentence with bro, it's a pyramid scheme

    • @franzbi8465
      @franzbi8465 5 лет назад

      Can relate. Haha.

    • @ItsCottonie
      @ItsCottonie 5 лет назад +4

      Pikachu Umbra Oh my gawd the “are you open minded?” Line is so spot on!!

    • @pikachuumbra8001
      @pikachuumbra8001 5 лет назад

      @@ItsCottonie ikr?

  • @flea9512
    @flea9512 5 лет назад +505

    if the job makes you pay to work for them; its a scam

    • @DS-xj2zz
      @DS-xj2zz 4 года назад +15

      Difference between a worker bee and a wealthy bee is making wise choices with what you're investing your money/time into.
      Win some, lose some.
      Not all jobs that require you to pay are schemes, you have to pay school to become a medical doctor, and then pay for a license to practice medicine after you complete all educational requirements in any state you reside. Is that a scheme?
      Many other jobs require certain credientials, paid with time/money/experience, so it's not necessary shady.
      Only shady thing is when the job pay you one rate, and no raises or raises don't match inflation/cost of living, that's harsh living conditions, meanwhile, CEO has million dollar income...that's a pyramid scheme

    • @jordanjenkins1671
      @jordanjenkins1671 4 года назад +21

      If I may modify your statement, "If the job makes you pay THEM to work for THEM, it's a scam". I say that because for some jobs, you may need to pay for a permit, a license, a test, etc. The difference is you're paying some separate organization for such item/service, not the company desiring to hire you.

    • @drgdfhg
      @drgdfhg 4 года назад +2

      Aren't you paying for your regular job with your time and sweat just to end up having more depts which you can't pay because your regular job's wedge is too small? I'm not paying 30-40 years of my life just to realize I haven't really live in this world and not developing. Your boss is above you, he tells you which time to work, e. g. they are the ones that are organizing YOUR graphic. Then friends tell you: come on, let's go out, and then you say: Oh, I'm sorry, tomorow I got to work and the next day I go on my other work... Because I'm in the bottom of the pyramid in my regular job in which my boss never wants me to progress, because if I progress, I will be useless to my boss... Something is really wrong in all these. Woking day/night should be 4 hours which will open more working spots for example... Remember - you are not taking the money from here. You only take your mind for after. So surround yourself with better educated and informed people!! Good luck! Still be careful with frauds. In my eyes MLM is okay, because you recieve the products that you buy from the shop anyway... Only that MLM pays you back at some point if you do it professionally. Ask yourself if others around you are really pros. Read good books... Robert Kiyosaki, Eric Worre, Tom Big Al Schriter... If you don't earn from MLM, then you lack some knowledge. What if you knew enough, what if you got better with your skills? Eh? Did anybody told you that if your inviter/leader had 5 parners and you got 10, all prople active, it is YOU who WILL GET MORE THAN your leader. To these days I don't think every "pyramid scheme" is fraud. Bad people Pyramids are just big entry fees, you got your money away, you don't get anything. That's the scheme you should be aware of.

    • @jordanjenkins1671
      @jordanjenkins1671 4 года назад +4

      @@drgdfhg If you really want to be your own boss, start your own business. It can be anything--a car repair shop, a restaurant, a SaaS startup, independent contractor, etc. True independence without all the cult brainwashing and scamming.

    • @jase7722
      @jase7722 4 года назад

      @@drgdfhg brainwashedddd

  • @icloudydust
    @icloudydust 5 лет назад +307

    My dad was recently offered a business opportunity, and since I watched this video a few months ago I showed it to him. I was suspicious about it since he told me, so it made more sense for me to show it to him. Twas a was a pyramid scheme, plain and simple. Thanks for the very helpful video!

  • @Kvothe_Bloodless
    @Kvothe_Bloodless 3 года назад +2

    I’m glad the RUclips algorithm chose me as its one of 3 friends.

  • @vitcermak7737
    @vitcermak7737 5 лет назад +409

    1. If someone you don't know contacts you with a job offer without any prior specification, be cautious.
    2. If the person avoids answering questions like "what will my actual task be?", be suspicious.
    3. If the person says you have to pay a fee in order to get started, just walk away.
    P.S. Be a bit self critical and realistic. Would anyone pay you that much for doing nothing at all? And if so, why wouldn't all the people do it already? The value needs to be created in order to generate money.

    • @Logun2549
      @Logun2549 5 лет назад +17

      I'm creating a trapezoid scheme

    • @oneha6241
      @oneha6241 5 лет назад +8

      If paying a fee before getting started is the basic of a scam then every business ever started is a scam

    • @courtneyflurry2439
      @courtneyflurry2439 5 лет назад +2

      I am a highschool student, I and I get text messages from many random numbers and acquaintances from school talking about a "job opportunity with flexibility," but when I ask what the actual job is, I get a confusing response that doesn't answer the question.

    • @ayarimeriam4497
      @ayarimeriam4497 5 лет назад +5

      @@oneha6241 businesses invest money to start a business and the only people doing it are the one starting the business if you have to pay money to work for someone then that is most definitely a scam

  • @BigMastah79
    @BigMastah79 4 года назад +1025

    “Send this video to three people, and encourage them to do the same”
    Idk man... sounds like a pyramid scheme

    • @triparadox.c
      @triparadox.c 4 года назад +30

      Except you are not financially burdened to do so, and you're not promised money after spending a certain $$$ just to work.

    • @BigMastah79
      @BigMastah79 4 года назад +8

      Jovindio Wieuse ...

    • @gazebo9730
      @gazebo9730 4 года назад +6

      That’s exactly the point. Are you brain dead?

    • @BigMastah79
      @BigMastah79 4 года назад +12

      Gswaggamer it’s a joke. Are you brain dead?

    • @gazebo9730
      @gazebo9730 4 года назад +1

      CallieBestGirl of course!

  • @oedhelsetren
    @oedhelsetren 3 года назад +1211

    Easiest way to spot a pyramid scheme: claims that anyone can make money from home with no skills or training.

    • @darthvitiate7373
      @darthvitiate7373 3 года назад +1

      etORO Is A PyrAMiD scHEme

    • @angefabricenda560
      @angefabricenda560 3 года назад +1

      @@darthvitiate7373 how? Can you explain that pls

    • @darthvitiate7373
      @darthvitiate7373 3 года назад +10

      @@angefabricenda560 im joking cause their ads are about making money at home (stock trading)

    • @sarashahzad5478
      @sarashahzad5478 3 года назад +9

      Yeah
      No business or job in this world can be done with out knowledge

    • @angefabricenda560
      @angefabricenda560 3 года назад

      @@darthvitiate7373 haha

  • @itsybitzzy
    @itsybitzzy 3 года назад +9

    "Are you an open minded?"
    That's the queue to walk away.

  • @proton8689
    @proton8689 5 лет назад +424

    The product should sell itself. Basically, you shouldn't have to hire more people just to get money. The thing you're selling should be able to generate a revenue

    • @SueRosalie
      @SueRosalie 5 лет назад +17

      and if a product is any good it will be available in stores

    • @pantherfree5890
      @pantherfree5890 5 лет назад +7

      @@SueRosalie The store takes a good amount of profit too so a good product with mlm actually works great

    • @jasoneldredge1728
      @jasoneldredge1728 5 лет назад

      @@SueRosalie Not if marketing/distributions costs make MLM the better alternative...

    • @silverviper13
      @silverviper13 3 года назад

      no product sells by itself, that´s why we have advertising wich is actually very expensive. The difference is that mlm rely more on mouth to mouth publicity.

    • @HealthHorror
      @HealthHorror 2 года назад

      @@SueRosalie Not true at all! Stores sell the lowest quality coffee ever. When you start ordering it online, you start to see how great real coffee can taste. Not everyone can mass produce products for stores. It doesn't mean it's a bad product.

  • @monishankumar3748
    @monishankumar3748 5 лет назад +1842

    I read that as 'How to start a pyramid scheme'.... 🤣

  • @epicOway
    @epicOway 5 лет назад +454

    During my summer job I had at least 1 person a week trying to recruit me for a pyramid scheme. They prey on broke college students hoping they dont know any better.

    • @blondie4lyfe245
      @blondie4lyfe245 4 года назад +1

      Crow huh that’s odd

    • @thechoseone456
      @thechoseone456 4 года назад +12

      Yeah, that's a common one. "Work for atudents". A quick Google or search on glassdoor'll tell you all you need to know about the company.
      For ours at UH it was "Vector Marketing". We saw ads of that company everywhere. Though they've since changed name multiple times, they're always around on campus.

    • @zzzzzzzzzz779
      @zzzzzzzzzz779 4 года назад +8

      The accuracy in this statement man.

    • @smol_chilli_pepper
      @smol_chilli_pepper 4 года назад +15

      In my first year of college I was invited to a meeting at the student union on campus not knowing it was a pyramid scheme. They tried to tell us that school wasnt important and told stories about how much money they made and the places they travelled ect. The speaker wore a flashy watch and I remember him telling us not to listen to those that discourage us from joining because you should only listen to financial advice from ppl who made money ie them. I didnt speak up, I just decided that I wanted nothing to do with it after that night. The guy who invited me called me the next day and tried encouraging me to join and to get my family members to purchase membership as well but he quickly realized that i wasnt trying to get trapped

    • @jae151
      @jae151 4 года назад +12

      someone wants to recruit me telling he gain a lot of money, but when he asked me to buy the products to be a member I asked him to lend me some money cause he have enough and he is overly confident that it will have profit, he walked away.

  • @Doubtfulgrace101
    @Doubtfulgrace101 2 года назад +16

    Jobs were scarce in our small Alaska town, so my family got wrapped up in vemma in the early 2000's. I was a kid but saw many people join up in it who didn't have many prospects and a major lack of job experience and knowledge. Many of whom were hoping to take care of their families and only got multiple bottles of the medicinal "juice" that tasted of ground-up Flintstones vitamins. A year ago I was cleaning out my grandparents garage and there were still ancient bottles of their gritty mangosteen health product they could not move. 🙃

  • @BryanElAteo
    @BryanElAteo 5 лет назад +881

    This just reminded me of a "friend" trying to sign me up for Herbalife. When I told him that was a pyramid scheme he got upset and started with his programed script on how this was not a pyramid scheme 😅

    • @alexanderwindh4830
      @alexanderwindh4830 5 лет назад +19

      That's sad....but don't you have a go to "script" in your head for about most things you encounter?
      So many weird people join mlm sadly

    • @nicoleharrington9086
      @nicoleharrington9086 5 лет назад +13

      I was cussed out 😂

    • @cantseeshadow
      @cantseeshadow 5 лет назад +65

      I lost my best friend to AmWay (scAmWay) and at the was invited to these meetings. At the time I had no clue and went to two more before I realized the fake-happy personalities across the room. I never spent a dime on the BS seminars and I said ✌️

    • @Emandiaz123
      @Emandiaz123 5 лет назад +6

      Haven’t told my friend as I think he’ll also become very upset with me if I tell him

    • @kombine3789
      @kombine3789 5 лет назад +20

      My friend asked me to watch a live stream seminar so I can be convinced that it's legit and it was literally the guy giving them a script without officially saying script.

  • @boudebbouzabdessamedoussam9771
    @boudebbouzabdessamedoussam9771 5 лет назад +237

    Another red flag:
    If there is no contract that prove the company is legitimate and legal

  • @vincere7599
    @vincere7599 5 лет назад +340

    Filipinos can relate to this:
    1. Frontrow
    2. AIM Global
    3. Royale
    4. Uno
    5. Paysup
    6. Nu skin
    7. Paysbook
    8. Onepro
    9. Unlishop
    10. PPM
    11. Unitywealth
    12. Unitywork
    13. Adafarm
    14. Captchasure
    15. iAM Worldwide
    16. USANA
    17. KAPA International Ministry
    New scheme groups added to the list thanks to the comments below, I never knew there are a lot more, most I never even heard of!

    • @swoozh0828
      @swoozh0828 5 лет назад +28

      Add Uno and Royale to the group..

    • @qseued
      @qseued 5 лет назад +21

      Nu skin

    • @Merfolk_
      @Merfolk_ 5 лет назад +16

      Paysup too, it's really just about targeting naïve people and letting them think it's legit for the sake of them investing and earning money with no regard to those people under them having more difficulty in recruiting and selling for that company they got them into the first place.

    • @GaboCodzArtz
      @GaboCodzArtz 5 лет назад +28

      Frontrow is definitely a pyramid scheme. The fact na they time-pressured me to buy their "packages" after 1-2 days is quite suspect.

    • @jigsyow2647
      @jigsyow2647 5 лет назад +6

      And now, introducing..... Unli shop, unli scam 😂 😂 😂 😂

  • @einhobbitmithut1399
    @einhobbitmithut1399 3 года назад +1

    The Artstyle looks a lot like the Opening Credits frm "Catch me if you can", loving it!

  • @ls.1344
    @ls.1344 5 лет назад +305

    1. got to be a former classmate
    2. Messages you on facebook to share their posts.
    Smell a scheme right there.

    • @paulhan1615
      @paulhan1615 5 лет назад +17

      Especially when that former classmate who never tried to contact you for years, suddenly calls you to have a dinner together...

    • @victorstart6488
      @victorstart6488 5 лет назад +6

      And uses the word 'hun' a lot

    • @IceRaven555
      @IceRaven555 5 лет назад +8

      Especially when they see you as college students who desperately needs money

    • @lovi6531
      @lovi6531 5 лет назад +3

      "Are you open minded for business?"🤣

    • @mauro0893
      @mauro0893 5 лет назад

      w o r l d v e n t u r e s

  • @dipikaboro1332
    @dipikaboro1332 4 года назад +890

    When the son of deposed King of Nigeria emails you directly, you help . His father ran a freaking country😌

    • @undown9427
      @undown9427 4 года назад +19

      The office XD

    • @cuishanwu5
      @cuishanwu5 3 года назад +3

      Who dat

    • @ajmalsafi13
      @ajmalsafi13 3 года назад +11

      I have to make a call.

    • @supptk
      @supptk 3 года назад

      @@undown9427 Michael Scott said this?

    • @morelove4ya
      @morelove4ya 3 года назад +1

      @@supptk yeah

  • @westlethegreat6388
    @westlethegreat6388 3 года назад +863

    Accidentally clicked on this thinking it was "how to *start* a pyramid scheme"

    • @ishapatil5433
      @ishapatil5433 3 года назад +8

      Lol same

    • @fuziontonygaming
      @fuziontonygaming 3 года назад +47

      Step one: Start recruiting anyone

    • @Randofolk108
      @Randofolk108 3 года назад +64

      Send this video to 3 people that you know now to spread awareness and become your own boss!!

    • @DoubleDOwnage
      @DoubleDOwnage 3 года назад +10

      Yes.... "accidentally"

    • @benjaminlore6633
      @benjaminlore6633 3 года назад +8

      you probably still got the information you were looking for from this video

  • @naut7051
    @naut7051 2 года назад +32

    Hustlers university💀

  • @제규형
    @제규형 3 года назад +273

    'If it seems too good to be true, it probably is' is such a good quote. In the modernized world there's no convenient way to make money that easily by sheer good heart. It's a good way to learn how the world works, but it's also sad how some people want to commit to these schemes.

    • @francescoghizzo
      @francescoghizzo 3 года назад +19

      In financial jargon, it's called the "no arbitrage condition".
      In an efficient market, if there's a way to make free money, it gets discovered pretty quickly and as more people find out about it, the less profitable it becomes.
      This makes all opportunities to make quick and easy money disappear really fast

    • @reallouiethecat3132
      @reallouiethecat3132 3 года назад +2

      Yeah, this proverb guy seems pretty cool to have come up with it, wonder what else he has said

    • @One.Zero.One101
      @One.Zero.One101 2 года назад +3

      Same with online shopping. If a GTX 2080 video card is only 20 dollars, you better use your brain and know that it’s fake.

    • @hobomike6935
      @hobomike6935 2 года назад

      @@One.Zero.One101 I genuinely got one on sale, but it was _not_ for 20 bucks it was still freakin expensive even at discount

    • @Слышьты-ф4ю
      @Слышьты-ф4ю 2 года назад +1

      That's the whole point of market system: if there's real way of fast safe easy money, it's already overused by everyone.

  • @iunnor
    @iunnor 3 года назад +347

    Remember guys: No one is actually THAT interested in you making money off of THEIR business.

    • @Nagib23_32
      @Nagib23_32 3 года назад +8

      Except if it makes you both more money. This is literally how world works

    • @restinpeace1916
      @restinpeace1916 3 года назад +10

      @@Nagib23_32
      Even in that situation with legitimate businesses, that involve actual production of goods and services, no one is still THAT interested in you making money off of THEIR business. For business it's always minimizing game, there are factors keeping salaries up however:
      1. Unions.
      2. Paying very little will reduce worker efficiency.
      3. High competition for
      labor ( depends on situation on market, mostly works for workers with rare set of skills ).
      To name a few.

  • @windowsxpp
    @windowsxpp 4 года назад +266

    "The guy who recruited me has a Lamborghini now", "if you don't pay now, you will regret when your neighbors are driving a Porsche"

    • @aditya22439
      @aditya22439 3 года назад +10

      You mean the guy is in a pyramid scheme and owns a lamborghini now??

    • @windowsxpp
      @windowsxpp 3 года назад +21

      @@aditya22439 No, they never will, unless he is at the top :D

    • @izzamind
      @izzamind 3 года назад +4

      @@aditya22439 it was quoted means the recruiter is telling he @windows xp to join because he knows of someone in driving lamborghini

    • @ethannakamura96
      @ethannakamura96 3 года назад +2

      Trading crypto is easier than you think. Thank you Joseph Allen for helping me make $5000 in one week.

    • @willchapman6073
      @willchapman6073 3 года назад +1

      @@ethannakamura96 can't tell if this is a joke or not but terrible area to comment this if your legit LOL.

  • @TachyonKing
    @TachyonKing Год назад +4

    I almost fell for a pyramid scheme at university. The only thing that saved me was that I was too poor and balked at the money they demanded. Had I known what it was, I would have called it out immediately.

  • @lucasheterjag
    @lucasheterjag 5 лет назад +138

    I was soo close to fall for this exact thing when I was younger. I told my dad about it and he warned me and told me about pyramid schemes. I should thank him again

    • @AlexanderRivera23
      @AlexanderRivera23 4 года назад +2

      Lucas S. Lovén Your Dad was smart 👌

    • @dark_emperor9427
      @dark_emperor9427 4 года назад +3

      Exact same situation happened to me lol 😂😂

    • @mr.django6283
      @mr.django6283 3 года назад

      You're welcome my boy

    • @realorfake7588
      @realorfake7588 2 года назад +1

      THE SAME HAPPENED TO ME TODAY .MY DAD TOLD ME THAT IT IS A PYRAMID SCHEME

  • @porters.5811
    @porters.5811 5 лет назад +459

    "You look like someone who's always wanted to own your own business."

    • @icarusfabrication3197
      @icarusfabrication3197 5 лет назад +2

      uncle_tai x lol why yes I have 😂😅😃🤣

    • @dddmemaybe
      @dddmemaybe 5 лет назад

      My god. I am buisinessu mannu. I am respect. I declare my first purchase as corporate leader is 500 dollars of your miscellaneous and unneeded household objects! I am so gonna git rich off of this!..
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .....

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 5 лет назад +1

      Lol. So true. The pitch, "I realized that working for myself is the best way to become financially independent". I've heard them all.

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 5 лет назад

      @@peterwonaprize - Yep. Funny thing is that I have never met a friend, family member, or acquaintance that has ever retired from an MLM. The only people that have ever retired from an MLM are the guys up on stage at the conventions.

    • @lydiamusima5840
      @lydiamusima5840 5 лет назад +1

      It’s someone else’s business and they need your money 💰 to get somewhere

  • @matucomedes
    @matucomedes 5 лет назад +337

    Literally anything that involves you having to pay to get in and having to recruit new members

    • @Alejo__
      @Alejo__ 5 лет назад +3

      Matuco BULLAguero you pay to go to school and get a job. Jobs hire and recruit. Military recruits new members. Clubs recruit. Schoolls recruit. Sports teams recruit. I dont see your logic

    • @Kmab77
      @Kmab77 5 лет назад +7

      @@Alejo__ obviously legitimate schools don't count. But it is possible for a pyramid scheme to disguise itself as an educational facility. But the general rule of thumb should be if it is an organisation where you have to pay membership fees to get in and where buying a large amount of the product or service to get in is a prerequisite and you are compensated for the members you recruit then it is probably a pyramid scheme

    • @jay2coolfau
      @jay2coolfau 5 лет назад +3

      @@Alejo__ yeah but they don't pay you recruitment fees as your main source of income

    • @Alejo__
      @Alejo__ 5 лет назад

      Kmab77 buying and reselling a product is the dumbest thing. But thats not what i was referring to. What im talking about is the recruiting concept.

    • @Benjamin1986980
      @Benjamin1986980 5 лет назад +1

      @@angelomartyr name one MLM that has the majority of its members make any money. For most, you need to be senior level with dozens of people below you to even clear minimum wage

  • @kevin084life
    @kevin084life 2 месяца назад

    2 years ago I left a pyramid scheme job before I even knew what a pyramid scheme was. This video explains it perfectly.

  • @ErnestJay88
    @ErnestJay88 5 лет назад +194

    Simple, if it's "Too good to be true" it means too good to be true, like "invest in our company $10, and then you will got $1.000 next month"

    • @sumeiyahsyeda9386
      @sumeiyahsyeda9386 4 года назад +20

      I see you you sneky decimal

    • @jacopocongiu6917
      @jacopocongiu6917 4 года назад +7

      Sumeiyah Syeda Ernest Jay is probably European, where dots are used instead of commas

    • @justicewarrior9187
      @justicewarrior9187 4 года назад +2

      Imagine the first guys who invested in Warren Buffet company in the beginning...
      Invest 10 000 and get 1000 000 000

  • @nathanbame4198
    @nathanbame4198 3 года назад +148

    Can we take a few seconds to appreciate the very satisfying sound effects and animations that went into this this

  • @particle35n29
    @particle35n29 3 года назад +211

    If you hear: “be your own boss”
    Run away, run far away.

    • @xonx209
      @xonx209 3 года назад +9

      Be my own boss? OK, then you pay me $500 and I'll give you some junk to sell.

  • @davidlaush180
    @davidlaush180 6 месяцев назад

    I appreciate the inclusion of the difference between a pyramid and ponzi scheme. I get confused at times but the graphic is a great addition.

  • @SpiritedSpy
    @SpiritedSpy 4 года назад +366

    "Hey bud I know it's been a long time,"

  • @bonniehowell4259
    @bonniehowell4259 3 года назад +342

    Whenever a highschool classmate who hasn't spoke with you in years contacted you to share an unique "business opportunity ".....Block them.

    • @jonathannuamah3296
      @jonathannuamah3296 3 года назад +1

      For real though!

    • @akari707bangtan
      @akari707bangtan 3 года назад +5

      I don't think you should block them. They're vulnerable people who fell prey to these companies, and i think you should convince them to leave and pull themselves together.

    • @lucretiajones3956
      @lucretiajones3956 3 года назад

      Me 😂

    • @toe_sucker_4165
      @toe_sucker_4165 3 года назад +1

      I don't block. I mock.

  • @PatrickdaStarr
    @PatrickdaStarr 5 лет назад +797

    If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

  • @Ganokk
    @Ganokk Год назад +2

    Thank you TED. The video has everything you can know.

  • @YasminMuryadi
    @YasminMuryadi 4 года назад +1830

    Hah! I'm practically invincible against the pyramid scheme as i,
    Have no friends.

    • @kylerose2842
      @kylerose2842 4 года назад +13

      Dw I'll be your friend.

    • @lam9090
      @lam9090 4 года назад +34

      Oh they find you alright

    • @bigdog3628
      @bigdog3628 4 года назад +8

      yep a friend is another way of saying "A person who will always pick them over you if there is no other choice"

    • @krozmasan6507
      @krozmasan6507 4 года назад +5

      @SARAH GIBBS If you view it from another angle, it might be a very friendly move.
      "Hey pal! I've found something where we can both get a lot of money!"
      If you haven't spotted the pyramid scheme, and fell for it, one can genuinely believe he's helping his friend.

    • @nvcbl
      @nvcbl 4 года назад

      111111
      11
      111111
      11
      11

  • @rage_2000
    @rage_2000 4 года назад +246

    *Facebook games in 2012:* invite your friends to gain gifts
    *Me a paranoid:* that’s a pyramid scheme!

    • @mynamesbigmynamesbigmyname4757
      @mynamesbigmynamesbigmyname4757 4 года назад +25

      That actually is, a lot of Facebook game used the pyramid scheme to get player.
      At least you don't get "schemed" bcz you paid nothing

    • @warmike
      @warmike 3 года назад +2

      @@mynamesbigmynamesbigmyname4757 also, these games are usually very pay to win

    • @miak.5196
      @miak.5196 3 года назад

      @@warmike yes, the fb game dragon city is one example.

    • @jasonander4964
      @jasonander4964 3 года назад +1

      @@miak.5196 wait that’s a Facebook game? WHAT?
      wait Mia khalifa why are you here

    • @Endless20162
      @Endless20162 3 года назад

      @@miak.5196 not really since you can easily hack it.

  • @halneufmille
    @halneufmille 4 года назад +480

    The worst of all: when they make their sales pitch at your dinner party.

    • @blondie4lyfe245
      @blondie4lyfe245 4 года назад +8

      halneufmille oof just happened😭😭

    • @tokugawahisaka07
      @tokugawahisaka07 4 года назад +26

      When the manager of your paper company tries to sell you on his wife's candle scheme while the ossobuco is braising.

    • @awmelee2908
      @awmelee2908 4 года назад +1

      Sean H. Ceo of comedy ^^^

    • @tamarquaye
      @tamarquaye 4 года назад +5

      I once had someone try to pitch their scheme to me at my grandad's wake lol.

    • @JozelleRenia
      @JozelleRenia 4 года назад +2

      Tamara wow! That’s so low

  • @UnleashthePhury
    @UnleashthePhury 3 года назад +2

    “No barriers to entry” is the dead giveaway.

  • @jerry3790
    @jerry3790 5 лет назад +573

    Is it a pyramid scheme if you’re trying to get investments in order to build a pyramid?

    • @gdlizy
      @gdlizy 5 лет назад +29

      If you only get profit when you recruit more members to invest for the pyramid.

    • @myrojyn
      @myrojyn 5 лет назад +30

      Sounds more like a retirement plan

    • @isham2044
      @isham2044 5 лет назад +9

      U trying to make a Pyramid so it's still a Pyramid Scheme in the end, so yes

    • @ronstoppable1133
      @ronstoppable1133 5 лет назад +8

      I'm actually down with this plan. The world needs more Pyramids

    • @html-hz5sv
      @html-hz5sv 5 лет назад +1

      then it's ponzi first