In the late l950s and into the 1960s, a few disreputable drop-outs from legitimate Multi-Level Marketing companies, frustrated by the fact that the ethics of MLM prevented them from exploiting others, devised the Pyramid Selling system.

They recognised the potential for huge personal profits if the concept was twisted to suit their own selfish purposes. Now the key appeal was to greed at the expense of others.

Pyramid Selling — the Mutant Offspring of legitimate MLM
 
The irony of their scheme was that no-one who was victimised by it could legitimately cry ‘foul!’ because they were, in fact, victims of their own greed. Willing to turn a blind eye to any personal misgivings, they sought to get rich by introducing others, just as willing (and greedy), into the scheme.

For the predators behind the system, it was a dream come true. For a short time at least… until the bubble burst.

Some of the legitimate Multi-Level Marketing companies, concerned that the Pyramid operators were undermining the integrity they had so carefully nurtured, drew the attention of the US authorities to the problem. Victims were also beginning to complain to the government and media. Before long, the scams were outlawed.

Outlawed in the USA… Next Stop — Australia!

Taking their fast-buck fortunes, the Pyramid operators cast their eyes round for other suitable feeding grounds. They soon found one that was ripe for picking.

Australia was just like home — same language, same customs, even the same open, trusting, friendly natives. By the early 1970s, Australian authorities were beginning to investigate and outlaw these insidious scams, too.

Pyramid selling fell into total disrepute, leaving thousands broke and disillusioned, repenting their greed at leisure.

  
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