Püramidskeemi

Püramidskeem is a non-sustainable business model where participants make money primarily by recruiting new members, rather than by selling actual products or services. New recruits pay a fee to join, and a portion of this fee is passed up the chain to earlier investors. The core principle relies on exponential growth. For the scheme to remain solvent, a constant influx of new members is required.

The structure resembles a pyramid, with early participants at the top benefiting from the money invested by those lower down. Eventually, the pool of potential recruits dwindles, and the scheme collapses. When this happens, most participants, especially those at the bottom, lose their entire investment.

Püramidskeemid are often disguised as legitimate multi-level marketing (MLM) businesses. The key differentiator is the emphasis on recruitment over genuine product sales. In a legitimate MLM, income is primarily derived from selling products to consumers, with recruitment being a secondary aspect. In a püramidskeem, recruitment is the main, if not the only, source of income.

Authorities worldwide consider püramidskeemid illegal and fraudulent. They are characterized by a lack of real economic activity, high risk for participants, and the inevitable financial loss for the majority. Common tactics include promises of quick and easy money, high returns with little effort, and pressure to recruit friends and family. Recognizing these signs is crucial to avoid falling victim to such schemes.