Pyramid Scam on the Internet
It was bound to happen sooner or later. An old perennial con
game has shown up on the Internet. The Pyramid Scheme. And it
will probably make a fortune for a large number of people before
it runs its inevitable course.
It is likely that nothing will stop it. After all, the Federal
Government lost its case against Amway. Barely. With the
Internet, it won't be easy to trace the con or warn the
potential victims. And, of course, there's always greed. All of
the transactions are cash. There's no paper trail. The added
attraction is the temptation of not reporting the income to the
IRS. After all, where on Form 1040 is the line for reporting
cash received in the mail?
Make money on the Internet! It's easy! It's legal (so the pitch
says--repeatedly).
Read the attached exact copy of the e-mail you may receive. It's
unecessarily lengthy, but see if you can spot the fallacies.
Easy, even without doing the math. Even if it's not legal, the
Postal Service will likely be as ineffectual as usual.
Since the only people who actually get rich in the Pyramid
Scheme are those who start it or get in early, why not pass and
start your own "business"? Use the e-mail message below for a
guide. Just be sure to include a product of some sort. One that
is conceivably worth $5 and can be delivered via e-mail.
And while you're at it, you can mail us $5 for this business
seminar you just enjoyed.
And here's the e-mail message soliciting our money
(much too lengthy to hold our attention)
Subject: Work at Home from your PC
From: anon
To: [we removed our e-mail address]
I Never Thought I'd Be the One Telling You This:
I Actually Read a Piece of E-Mail & I'm Going to Europe on the Proceeds!
Hello!
My name is Karen Liddell; I'm a 35-year-old mom, wife, and part-time
accountant.
As a rule, I delete all unsolicited "junk" e-mail and use my account
primarily for
business. I received what I assumed was this same e-mail countless times
and
deleted it each time. About two months ago I received it again and, because
of the
catchy subject line, I finally read it. Afterwards, I thought , "OK, I
give in, I'm going to
try this. I can certainly afford to invest $20 and, on the other hand,
there's nothing
wrong with creating a little excess cash." I promptly mailed four $5 bills
and, after
receiving the reports, paid a friend of mine a small fee to send out some
e-mail
advertisements for me. After reading the reports, I also learned how easy
it is to
bulk e-mail for free!
I was not prepared for the results. Everyday for the last six weeks, my
P.O. box has
been overflowing with $5 bills; many days the excess fills up an extra mail
bin and
I've had to upgrade to the corporate-size box! I am stunned by all the
money that
keeps rolling in!
My husband and I have been saving for several years to make a substantial
downpayment on a house. Now, not only are we purchasing a house with 40%
down, we're going to Venice, Italy to celebrate!
I promise you, if you follow the directions in this e-mail and be prepared
to
eventually set aside about an hour each day to follow up (and count your
money!),
you will make at least as much money as we did. You don't need to be a wiz
at the
computer, but I'll bet you already are. If you can open an envelope,
remove the
money, and send an e-mail message, then you're on your way to the bank.
Take
the time to read this so you'll understand how easy it is. If I can do
this, so can you!
GO FOR IT NOW!!
Karen Liddell
The following is a copy of the e-mail I read:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
This is a LEGAL, MONEY-MAKING PHENOMENON.
PRINT this letter, read the directions, THEN READ IT AGAIN !!!
You are about to embark on the most profitable and unique program you may
ever
see. Many times over, it has demonstrated and proven its ability to
generate large
amounts of cash. This program is showing fantastic appeal with a huge and
ever-
growing on-line population desirous of additional income.
This is a legitimate, LEGAL, money-making opportunity. It does not require
you to
come in contact with people, do any hard work, and best of all, you never
have to
leave the house, except to get the mail and go to the bank!
This truly is that lucky break you've been waiting for! Simply follow the
easy
instructions in this letter, and your financial dreams will come true! When
followed
correctly, this electronic, multi-level marketing program works
perfectly...100%
EVERY TIME!
Thousands of people have used this program to:
- Raise capital to start their own business
- Pay off debts
- Buy homes, cars, etc.,
- Even retire!
This is your chance, so don't pass it up!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW OF THIS EXTRAORDINARY
ELECTRONIC MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING PROGRAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basically, this is what we do:
We send thousands of people a product for $5.00 that costs next to nothing
to
produce and e-mail. As with all multi-level businesses, we build our
business by
recruiting new partners and selling our products. Every state in the U.S.
allows you
to recruit new multi- level business online (via your computer).
The products in this program are a series of four business and financial
reports
costing $5.00 each. Each order you receive via "snail mail" will include:
* $5.00 cash
* The name and number of the report they are ordering
* The e-mail address where you will e-mail them the report they ordered.
To fill each order, you simply e-mail the product to the buyer. THAT'S IT!
The $5.00
is yours! This is the EASIEST electronic multi-level marketing business
anywhere!
HOW TO ADVERTISE INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR
ORDER.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER AND
BE PREPARED TO REAP THE STAGGERING BENEFITS!
******* I N S T R U C T I O N
S *******
This is what you MUST do:
1. Order all 4 reports shown on the list below
* For each report, send $5.00 CASH, the NAME & NUMBER OF THE
REPORT YOU ARE ORDERING, YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, and YOUR
RETURN POSTAL ADDRESS (in case of a problem) to the person whose
name appears on the list next to the report.
* Within a few days you will receive, via e-mail, each of the four
reports.
Save them on your computer so they will be accessible for you to
send
to the 1,000's of people who will order them from you.
2. IMPORTANT-- DO NOT alter the names of the people who are listed next
to each report, or their sequence on the list, in any way other than is
instructed below in steps "a" through "f" or you will lose out on the
majority of your profits. Once you understand the way this works,
you'll
also see how it doesn't work if you change it. Remember, this method
has been tested, and if you alter it, it will not work.
a. Look below for the listing of available reports.
b. After you've ordered the four reports, take this advertisement and
remove the name and address under REPORT #4. This person has
made it through the cycle and is no doubt counting their 50 grand!
c. Move the name and address under REPORT #3 down to REPORT #4.
d. Move the name and address under REPORT #2 down to REPORT #3.
e. Move the name and address under REPORT #1 down to REPORT #2.
f. Insert your name/address in the REPORT #1 position.
Please make sure you copy everyone's name and address ACCURATELY!!!
3. Take this entire letter, including the modified list of names, and save
it to your computer. Make NO changes to the instruction portion of
this
letter.
4. Now you're ready to start an advertising campaign on the
WORLDWIDE WEB! Advertising on the WEB is very, very inexpensive,
and there are HUNDREDS of FREE places to advertise. Another
avenue which you could use for advertising is e-mail lists.
You can buy these lists for under $20/2,000 addresses or you
can pay someone a minimal charge to take care of it for you.
BE SURE TO START YOUR AD CAMPAIGN IMMEDIATELY!
5. For every $5.00 you receive, all you must do is e-mail them the report
they ordered. THAT'S IT! ALWAYS PROVIDE SAME-DAY SERVICE
ON ALL ORDERS! This will guarantee that the e-mail THEY send out,
with YOUR name and address on it, will be prompt because they can't
advertise until they receive the report!
------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE REPORTS
------------------------------------------
***Order Each REPORT by NUMBER and NAME***
Notes:
- ALWAYS SEND $5 CASH FOR EACH REPORT
- Make sure the cash is concealed by wrapping it in at least two sheets of
paper
- On one of those sheets of paper, include: (a) the number & name of the
report you
are ordering, (b) your e-mail address, and (c) your postal address.
__________________________________________________________________
REPORT #1 "HOW TO MAKE $250,000 THROUGH MULTI-LEVEL SALES"
ORDER REPORT #1 FROM:
S.G.I.
2146 N. MAIN #530
SUITE 126
LAYTON, UT 84041
__________________________________________________________________
REPORT #2 "MAJOR CORPORATIONS AND MULTI-LEVEL SALES"
ORDER REPORT #2 FROM:
C. FISHER
P.O. BOX 1447
POTTSTOWN, PA 19464
__________________________________________________________________
REPORT #3 "SOURCES FOR THE BEST MAILING LISTS"
ORDER REPORT #3 FROM:
A.MEOLA
P.O. BOX 1536
CRANFORD, NJ 07016-2115
__________________________________________________________________
REPORT #4 "EVALUATING MULTI-LEVEL SALES PLANS"
ORDER REPORT #4 FROM:
SSAI
P.O. BOX 1834
BONITA, CA 91908-1834
__________________________________________________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE'S HOW THIS AMAZING PLAN WILL MAKE YOU $MONEY$
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's say you decide to start small just to see how well it works. Assume
your goal is
to get 10 people to participate on your first level. (Placing a lot of FREE
ads on the
internet will EASILY get a larger response.) Also assume that everyone else
in
YOUR ORGANIZATION gets ONLY 10 downline members. Follow this example to
achieve the STAGGERING results below.
1st level--your 10 members with
$5...........................................$50
2nd level--10 members from those 10 ($5 x 100)..................$500
3rd level--10 members from those 100 ($5 x 1,000)..........$5,000
4th level--10 members from those 1,000 ($5 x 10,000)...$50,000
THIS TOTALS
----------->$55,550
Remember friends, this assumes that the people who participate only recruit
10
people each. Think for a moment what would happen if they got 20 people to
participate! Most people get 100's of participants! THINK ABOUT IT!
Your cost to participate in this is practically nothing (surely you can
afford $20). You
obviously already have an internet connection and e-mail is FREE!!!
*******TIPS FOR SUCCESS*******
* TREAT THIS AS YOUR BUSINESS! Be prompt, professional, and follow
the directions accurately.
* Send for the four reports IMMEDIATELY so you will have them when
the orders start coming in because:
When you receive a $5 order, you MUST send out the requested
product/report to comply with the U.S. Postal & Lottery Laws, Title
18,Sections 1302 and 1341 or Title 18, Section 3005 in the U.S. Code,
also Code of Federal Regs. vol. 16, Sections 255 and 436, which state
that "a product or service must be exchanged for money received."
* ALWAYS PROVIDE SAME-DAY SERVICE ON THE ORDERS YOU RECEIVE.
* Be patient and persistent with this program. If you follow the
instructions exactly, the results WILL undoubtedly be SUCCESSFUL!
* ABOVE ALL, HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND KNOW YOU WILL SUCCEED!
*******YOUR SUCCESS GUIDELINE*******
Follow these guidelines to guarantee your success:
If you don't receive 10 to 20 orders for REPORT #1 within two weeks,
continue
advertising until you do. Then, a couple of weeks later you should receive
at least
100 orders for REPORT #2. If you don't, continue advertising until you do.
Once you
have received 100 or more orders for REPORT #2, YOU CAN RELAX, because the
system is already working for you, and the cash will continue to roll in!
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
Every time your name is moved down on the list, you are placed in front of a
DIFFERENT report. You can KEEP TRACK of your PROGRESS by watching which
report people are ordering from you. If you want to generate more income,
send
another batch of e-mails and start the whole process again! There is no
limit to the
income you will generate from this business!
*******T E S T I M O N I A L S*******
This program does work, but you must follow it EXACTLY! Especially the
rule of
not trying to place your name in a different position, it won't work and
you'll lose a lot
of potential income. I'm living proof that it works. It really is a great
opportunity to
make relatively easy money, with little cost to you. If you do choose to
participate,
follow the program exactly, and you'll be on your way to financial security.
Sean McLaughlin, Jackson, MS
My name is Frank. My wife, Doris, and I live in Bel-Air, MD. I am a
cost accountant
with a major U.S. Corporation and I make pretty good money. When I received
the
program I grumbled to Doris about receiving "junk mail." I made fun of the
whole
thing, spouting my knowledge of the population and percentages involved. I
"knew"
it wouldn't work. Doris totally ignored my supposed intelligence and jumped
in with
both feet. I made merciless fun of her, and was ready to lay the old "I told
you so" on
her when the thing didn't work... well, the laugh was on me! Within two
weeks she
had received over 50 responses. Within 45 days she had received over
$147,200 in
$5 bills! I was shocked! I was sure that I had it all figured and that it
wouldn't work. I
AM a believer now. I have joined Doris in her "hobby." I did have seven
more
years until retirement, but I think of the "rat race" and it's not for me.
We owe it all to
MLM.
Frank T., Bel-Air, MD
I just want to pass along my best wishes and encouragement to you. Any
doubts
you have will vanish when your first orders come in. I even checked with the
U.S.
Post Office to verify that the plan was legal. It definitely is! IT WORKS!!!
Paul Johnson, Raleigh, NC
The main reason for this letter is to convince you that this system is
honest, lawful,
extremely profitable, and is a way to get a large amount of money in a short
time. I
was approached several times before I checked this out. I joined just to see
what
one could expect in return for the minimal effort and money required. To my
astonishment, I received $36,470.00 in the first 14 weeks, with money still
coming in.
Sincerely yours, Phillip A. Brown, Esq.
Not being the gambling type, it took me several weeks to make up my mind
to
participate in this plan. But conservative that I am, I decided that the
initial
investment was so little that there was just no way that I wouldn't get
enough orders
to at least get my money back. Boy, was I surprised when I found my
medium-size
post office box crammed with orders! For awhile, it got so overloaded that
I had to
start picking up my mail at the window. I'll make more money this year than
any 10
years of my life before. The nice thing about this deal is that it doesn't
matter where
in the U.S. the people live. There simply isn't a better investment with a
faster return.
Mary Rockland, Lansing, MI
This is my third time to participate in this plan. We have quit our
jobs, and will
soon buy a home on the beach and live off the interest on our money. The
only way
on earth that this plan will work for you is if you do it. For your sake,
and for your
family's sake don't pass up this golden opportunity. Good luck and happy
spending!
Charles Fairchild, Spokane, WA
ORDER YOUR REPORTS TODAY AND GET
STARTED ON YOUR ROAD TO
FINANCIAL FREEDOM!!!
