General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Secret Sister' gift exchange is illegal pyramid scheme
The Secret Sister gift exchange campaign quickly became popular several years ago through Facebook posts
promising participants would receive up to 36 gifts, in exchange for sending one gift. Each holiday season, the
scheme pops back up. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging bottles of wine; another
suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. You might see references to receiving "happy mail" or doing the exchange
"for the good of the sisterhood." During the 2021 holiday season, be aware of variations of this theme that may
crop up on social media.
The scheme starts with a convincing invitation, either by email or social media to sign up for what seems like a
great, fun program. All you must do is provide your name and address and personal information of a few
additional friends, and tack this information on to a list thats already started of people youve never met on the
internet. Next, its your turn to send an email or social media invitation to send a modest gift or bottle of wine to
a stranger along with their friends, family and contacts.
Since it's popular on Facebook, wonder what they are doing about scammers?
entire article here, no paywall........
https://hayspost.com/posts/8b1aabc9-5b18-4c6a-8186-7dcc4ae1cf32
CrispyQ
(36,224 posts)I knew a woman who fell for pyramid schemes over & over again. She tried to interest me in a few. $500 for one. $3,000 for another. No kidding. You were supposed to invest $3K in some scheme that supposedly had taken off all over the world & was just now coming to the US. The people at the top, the first ones in, in other words, held recruiting meetings at nice restaurants & had a buffet of appetizers & wine & beer. They claimed they were making six figures in less than a year of scamming. Okay, they didn't put it quite like that. I went to one meeting & about fainted when they said the ideal amount to invest was $3K. I have no doubt she put her money into it.
KS Toronado
(16,901 posts)so they themselves make a few pennies, in essence makes them scammers also. IMO
Merlot
(9,696 posts)hunter
(38,264 posts)Then it would be legal because nobody understands it.
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)to anyone though and wound up sending a gift to one person so I wouldn't go back on my word. Initially I thought it was a Secret Santa type thing.