whatch out !

[Guest guest]

On 18 Jul 2000, billy bob buckwheat wrote:

 

> something going through Iskcon now.. whatch out..

>

>

>

> pyramid schemes, chain letters and Ponzi schemes

> A pyramid scheme is a fraudulent system of making money which requires an

> endless stream of recruits for success. Recruits (a) give money to

> recruiters and (b) enlist fresh recruits to give them money.

>

 

 

The private gifting clubs that are going around try their darndest to sound

legitimate, but are still illegal.

 

Here's a copy of the Florida law. Your state and/or country has a similar law.

There isn't much wiggle room.

 

1) The organization of any...group...brought together under any

plan...whereby...anything of material value...given by members thereof to any

other member thereof, which plan...includes any provision for the increase in

such membership through a...process of new members securing other new members

and thereby advancing themselves in the group to a position where such members

in turn receive...things of material value from other members, is hereby

declared to be a lottery,

 

And whoever shall participate in any such lottery...by affiliating with any

such group or organization or who shall solicit any person for...affiliation

in any such...organization commits a misdemeanor of the first degree,

punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

(2) A "pyramid sales scheme," which is any...operation whereby a person pays a

consideration of any kind...in excess of $100 and acquires the opportunity to

receive a benefit...which is not primarily contingent on...goods,

services...sold in bona fide sales to consumers, and which is related to the

inducement of additional persons,...regardless of number, to participate in

the same...operation, is hereby declared to be a lottery.

 

And whoever shall participate in any such lottery by...affiliating with any

such group...or who shall solicit any person for...affiliation in any such

group...commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in

s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

 

** One might argue that gifting should or ought to be legal, but one cannot

say that it is legal. It is clearly and unambiguously illegal.

 

Full text of Florida Statue 849.091:

 

849.091 Chain letters, pyramid clubs, etc., declared a lottery; prohibited;

penalties.—

 

(1) The organization of any chain letter club, pyramid club, or other group

organized or brought together under any plan or device whereby fees or dues or

anything of material value to be paid or given by members thereof are to be

paid or given to any other member thereof, which plan or device includes any

provision for the increase in such membership through a chain process of new

members securing other new members and thereby advancing themselves in the

group to a position where such members in turn receive fees, dues, or things

of material value from other members, is hereby declared to be a lottery, and

whoever shall participate in any such lottery by becoming a member of, or

affiliating with, any such group or organization or who shall solicit any

person for membership or affiliation in any such group or organization commits

a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

775.083.

 

(2) A "pyramid sales scheme," which is any sales or marketing plan or

operation whereby a person pays a consideration of any kind, or makes an

investment of any kind, in excess of $100 and acquires the opportunity to

receive a benefit or thing of value which is not primarily contingent on the

volume or quantity of goods, services, or other property sold in bona fide

sales to consumers, and which is related to the inducement of additional

persons, by himself or herself or others, regardless of number, to participate

in the same sales or marketing plan or operation, is hereby declared to be a

lottery, and whoever shall participate in any such lottery by becoming a

member of or affiliating with, any such group or organization or who shall

solicit any person for membership or affiliation in any such group or

organization commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided

in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. For purposes of this subsection, the term

"consideration" and the term "investment" do not include the purchase of goods

or services furnished at cost for use in making sales, but not for resale, or

time and effort spent in the pursuit of sales or recruiting activities.