Remembering the time I almost got scammed into MLM pyramid scheme Part 1
Since many people are STILL getting sucked into such schemes in 2026, let me share my experience with a so-called friend 15 years ago.
Disclaimer: This is only targeting schemes that use manipulation and deception as business strategies.
I’ve noticed that the friends who approach you about joining such schemes are often the ones who don’t mind losing you as a friend. And there’s a reason for that; partly because of how these schemes work.
Okay, so this friend texted me out of the blue, saying she wanted to meet up. Both of our parents were friends, so she knew about my dad’s retrenchment and how I had to work overtime to help pay the family bills. I was also an MBA student at the time. (There’s a reason why I’m sharing this.)
This was their modus operandi.
My friend texted me saying she wanted to catch up. She would text on and off, sometimes sending random motivational posts. Then I texted her because, well, that’s the polite thing to do. She replied, “Oh, this month I’m busy travelling. I’ll catch up with you after my travels.”
The first meet-up
She came back, and we met up for coffee. She looked nervous and was constantly dealing with phone calls. She even spoke to me in a very weird, fake American/British accent.
First, she said, “Oh, I bought a new car and my friend sent it to the workshop to get it tinted.”
Naturally, I asked what car she bought.
She said, “BMW.”
Weird though, because if I had just bought a brand-new BMW, why would I ask a friend to send it to the workshop to get it tinted for me? But whatever. I was only in my early 20s back then and had my own personal issues to deal with.
Then came another phone call. Constantly.
Apparently, it was another guy… one of her business partners from Dubai who had fallen in love with her and was trying to pursue her.
Okay… weird.
I got curious and asked about her business. (Bad idea.) She kept saying, “This business is not for you.” So naturally, I became even more curious and started asking her more questions.
That was when she said, “If you’re really interested, we should meet again and I’ll explain it to you properly. This is NOT an MLM, but an investment program. My purpose today was mainly just to meet up and catch up as friends. BUT SINCE YOU ASKED, I am happy to share”
So suddenly, it looked like I was the one asking her to meet again for a business talk. See how smart their game is?
For two cups of coffee and some snacks, she paid using a credit card. Back then, we mostly used cash, and credit cards were generally for bigger purchases .. unlike today.
I’ll continue with Day 2 in a later post.
Disclaimer: This is only targeting schemes that use manipulation and deception as business strategies.
I’ve noticed that the friends who approach you about joining such schemes are often the ones who don’t mind losing you as a friend. And there’s a reason for that; partly because of how these schemes work.
Okay, so this friend texted me out of the blue, saying she wanted to meet up. Both of our parents were friends, so she knew about my dad’s retrenchment and how I had to work overtime to help pay the family bills. I was also an MBA student at the time. (There’s a reason why I’m sharing this.)
This was their modus operandi.
My friend texted me saying she wanted to catch up. She would text on and off, sometimes sending random motivational posts. Then I texted her because, well, that’s the polite thing to do. She replied, “Oh, this month I’m busy travelling. I’ll catch up with you after my travels.”
The first meet-up
She came back, and we met up for coffee. She looked nervous and was constantly dealing with phone calls. She even spoke to me in a very weird, fake American/British accent.
First, she said, “Oh, I bought a new car and my friend sent it to the workshop to get it tinted.”
Naturally, I asked what car she bought.
She said, “BMW.”
Weird though, because if I had just bought a brand-new BMW, why would I ask a friend to send it to the workshop to get it tinted for me? But whatever. I was only in my early 20s back then and had my own personal issues to deal with.
Then came another phone call. Constantly.
Apparently, it was another guy… one of her business partners from Dubai who had fallen in love with her and was trying to pursue her.
Okay… weird.
I got curious and asked about her business. (Bad idea.) She kept saying, “This business is not for you.” So naturally, I became even more curious and started asking her more questions.
That was when she said, “If you’re really interested, we should meet again and I’ll explain it to you properly. This is NOT an MLM, but an investment program. My purpose today was mainly just to meet up and catch up as friends. BUT SINCE YOU ASKED, I am happy to share”
So suddenly, it looked like I was the one asking her to meet again for a business talk. See how smart their game is?
For two cups of coffee and some snacks, she paid using a credit card. Back then, we mostly used cash, and credit cards were generally for bigger purchases .. unlike today.
I’ll continue with Day 2 in a later post.
36-40, F
