Püramiidiskeemiga

Püramiidiskeemiga, known in English as a pyramid scheme, is a fraudulent investment operation where participants are recruited to recruit others. The primary source of revenue in a pyramid scheme is not from the sale of any real products or services, but from the money invested by new recruits. Participants are promised high returns on their investment, which are paid out to earlier investors using the funds from new recruits.

The structure of a pyramid scheme is inherently unstable. As the scheme grows, it requires an ever-increasing number of new participants to sustain the payments to existing members. Eventually, the pool of potential recruits becomes saturated, and the scheme collapses. When this happens, the vast majority of participants, especially those at the lower levels of the pyramid, lose their entire investment.

Pyramid schemes are illegal in many countries due to their deceptive nature and the inevitable financial losses incurred by most participants. They are often disguised as multi-level marketing (MLM) opportunities, but a key distinguishing factor is the emphasis on recruitment over actual product sales. In legitimate MLMs, income is primarily generated through the sale of products or services to actual consumers, not solely from recruitment fees or investments. Recognizing the signs of a pyramid scheme, such as pressure to recruit others, promises of guaranteed high returns with little risk, and a lack of a legitimate product or service, is crucial for avoiding such fraudulent operations.