RCMP says FSJ pyramid scheme is a scam

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Fort St. John RCMP confirms the pyramid scheme operating in the city is illegal.

Rumours have been circulating that this scam has been endorsed by the RCMP. Constable Jackelynn Passarell says it doesn't matter what the group is named, it is a scam and it is not endorsed by the RCMP.

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A group called 'Women Empowering Women' is attempting to recruit more women into the scam. Participants are asked to pay up to five thousand dollars to join the group.

The group promises participants 'gifts' or more money. The participants are encouraged to recruit their friends and family, and are told members will receive $40,000 when they reach the top of the pyramid.

The group claims to have started in response to bad economic times. Constable Passarell says anyone who participates in the group is committing a crime.

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However, Passarell says if you joined the group not knowing it was illegal, it is an entire different situation. If you have any information contact the Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8140.

**For more on this story you can read the original story posted February 17th by Clicking Here

***UPDATE - Here is the latest on the Pyramid Scheme as of February 26th 2009. Click here for details

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the truth in print

Submitted by google is my friend on Wed, 2009/02/18 - 22:38.

This is not the first time this exact scam has happened: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/03/10/mb_pyramid031000.html http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/02/11/mb_11022000_scam.html Here is the section of the Criminal Code that pertains to this issue (taken from here: http://www.canlii.org/ca/sta/c-46/sec206.html):) Criminal Code PART VII: DISORDERLY HOUSES, GAMING AND BETTING Gaming and Betting 206. (1) Every one is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years who (e) conducts, manages or is a party to any scheme, contrivance or operation of any kind by which any person, on payment of any sum of money, or the giving of any valuable security, or by obligating himself to pay any sum of money or give any valuable security, shall become entitled under the scheme, contrivance or operation to receive from the person conducting or managing the scheme, contrivance or operation, or any other person, a larger sum of money or amount of valuable security than the sum or amount paid or given, or to be paid or given, by reason of the fact that other persons have paid or given, or obligated themselves to pay or give any sum of money or valuable security under the scheme, contrivance or operation; The majority of the women involved in this are neither stupid nor malicious. They are hopeful. They saw an opportunity to improve their lives and in their hope they did not consider the consequences. All pyramid schemes bottom out. It's a fact based on the very structure of the thing, but something that many, many people do not think through. There is nothing to be ashamed of; try to learn from it. The RCMP will probably be lenient with anyone who was involved in this and did not understand the law. They don't have to be, but I can imagine they will not punish everyone. The people who started this, however, will be in pretty big trouble. If you care about the people who involved you, and the people who you involved, have some compassion in the situation. We all make mistakes and no one was trying to hurt you. It's during times like these that we really need each other, so why not band together as women and love each other even when there are not pots of money rolling in. J.