Police uncover China's largest online pyramid scam

Banned in China nine years ago, pyramid selling scams get special attention as authorities try to eradicate them.

The story "Police uncover China's largest online pyramid scam" published August 31, 2007 at 7:47 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[ParadoxianGiant]

Get Rich Quick Schemes

SO, they banned pyramid sales in China, did they? For crying out loud, why is it not against the law in the first place - in ANY country - to lie to people in order to get their money? This (blatantly lying) has been the sales tactic of choice in the past few years for many companies and individuals. For example, what ever happened to the law (in the U.S.) that existed at one time - against False Advertising? How is it that we must listen to lies all day and all night long on TV - telling us that it is normal to have headaches, acid reflux, "high cholesterol", diabetes, E.D., and the most outrageous and ridiculous one - "RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME"?! And this ain't the half of it. How is it that we must listen to these blatant lies, as a result we buy the lifetime membership to the "Legal But Poisonous Drugs Club Of America", while there is not one word of outrage, and not a single attempt from the government to stop such dishonest tactics?

There was a time when it was shameful to lie, shameful to cheat, but in today's world, well...

I guess that's all I have for now. If you want to discuss this further, please visit me, I'm easy to find.

ParadoxianGiant

[Stating]

Why Is It Always Just 1 or 2 People?

Ever notice in China that whenever there is any large scale crime like adulterating food, counterfeiting, pyramid schemes there are only 1 or 2 people aprehended and charged. They are then either executed or commit suicide. But surely there are more than 1 or 2 people involved in these massive operations. Curious don't you think?

[NoVista]

It's obvious!

The fraudsters have read the "Big Boy's Book of U.S. Government Pragmatism". Either that or the "Running a Drug Cartel for Fun & Profit".

Both business models are the same: keep the kingpins hidden and if there's a problem, throw a scapegoat under the bus.