CONSUMER ALERT

MIKE COX

ATTORNEY GENERAL

The Attorney General provides Consumer Alerts to inform the public of unfair, misleading, or deceptive business practices, and to provide information and guidance on other issues of concern.

CASH GIFTING SCHEMES

Local police departments and the Attorney General's Office have noticed a recent surge in inquiries regarding cash gifting schemes.  These schemes are presented in an endless variety of ways -- including schemes targeting NASCAR fans, or "socially conscious women." 

No matter how these schemes are presented, the bottom line is the same for all -- cash gifting schemes are illegal in Michigan.  This consumer alert will provide Michigan consumers with information on how to spot illegal cash gifting scams, and what to do if they believe one of these scams is operating in Michigan.    

PYRAMID SCHEMES ARE ILLEGAL IN MICHIGAN

Section 28 of the Michigan Franchise Investment Law (MCL 445.1501 et seq.) makes pyramids illegal in Michigan.  The statute reads in part:

[a] person may not offer or sell any form of participation in a pyramid or chain promotion.  A pyramid or chain promotion is any plan or scheme or device by which (a) a participant gives a valuable consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation or things of value in return for inducing other persons to become participants in the program or (b) a participant is to receive compensation when a person introduced by the participant introduces one or more additional persons into participation in the plan, each of whom receives the same or similar right, privilege, license, chance, or opportunity.

Essentially, a pyramid is a scheme in which participants receive compensation for recruiting other participants. 

Violations of Section 28 of the Michigan Franchise Investment Law are a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or seven years in prison. 

Multi-Level marketing plans vs. Pyramid schemes -- what Is the difference?

Multi-level marketing plans typically involve a parent company that sells products to consumers through independent sales people.  Generally, independent sales people do not receive a salary -- rather, they are compensated based on the amount of product that they sell.  Multi-level marketing plans are generally legal in Michigan.

The key difference between a legal multi-level marketing plan and an illegal pyramid scheme is that a multi-level marketing plan bases compensation almost entirely on the amount of product sold, whereas an illegal pyramid scheme is based on the amount of people recruited. 

CASH GIFTING -- JUST ANOTHER TYPE OF PYRAMID

Cash gifting schemes are the quintessential example of a pyramid scheme.  Instead of selling products, cash gifting schemes forego the sale of products and just give people cash, but the premise is the same -- like other pyramids, cash gifting schemes are based on the amount of people recruited. 

Generally, these gifting "circles," "clubs," or "groups" encourage participants to pay a substantial entry fee (which can range anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more).  This entry fee will guarantee the participants a place on a chart of members.  The participants will move on the chart every time they recruit more people into the "circle" or "club."  And once the participant moves enough on the chart, they are "guaranteed" a large payout.  Gifting schemes operate under a variety of names, as con artists that start these schemes are endlessly creative in their quest to con a lot of people out of a lot of money.  But most gifting schemes follow the general pattern outlined in this alert.

Pyramid schemes, including cash gifting schemes, can become popular very quickly, because early participants often receive their payout as promised.  Those participants that receive their money then relay their success stories to prospective participants, and the cycle continues.  The problem is that eventually the pool of new participants runs out, and the pyramid collapses, and very few participants actually receive any money.  Once a pyramid collapses, everyone, except the initial con artist that started the scam, will have limited prospect of ever getting their money back. 

I'VE BEEN ASKED TO JOIN A GIFTING SCHEME -- WHAT SHOULD I DO?

In Michigan, prosecutions of cash gifting schemes are generally handled by local prosecutors.  Michigan consumers who have been asked to join a gifting scheme, or who are aware of a pyramid or gifting scheme operating in their area, should contact their local police department, county sheriff's office, or local prosecutor. 

If you are currently involved in a gifting scheme, you should consider contacting a private attorney.  For help in finding a private attorney, please visit the Michigan State Bar's website, at http://www.michbar.org, for information on finding a Lawyer Referral Service in your area.  Along with violations of the Michigan Franchise Investment Law, charges under other state statutes are also possible. 

Finally, if you are currently involved in a gifting scheme, or have participated in a gifting scheme in the past, keep in mind that you are also required to report any earnings you received to the Internal Revenue Service.  Despite any promises made to you by those operating cash gifting schemes, earnings received from a gifting pyramid are taxable.  Thus, in addition to consulting a private attorney, you should also consider speaking to a professional tax advisor about your situation.