Million dollar pyramid powerpoint template for game
We see triangles in many aspects of our lives. “It’s a triangle because the flow of a triangle works well.
“The shape of this is a triangle,” says the presenter. It shows 15 gift boxes, arranged in a pyramid. She explains how the cloud system - which takes an hour-long presentation to describe - is “very simple,” and how great it is to see friends make it to a “birthday” and receive their gift of $40,000. She is confident, well-spoken and seems to be well received by the crowd. The presenter flips through her PowerPoint slides. But now it’s so exciting because it’s open and anybody can come, and we’re not trying to hide anything.” “Back in the ’90s, when I was involved, it was very clandestine,” she continued. “I can’t see it being negative, because there’s nothing negative about this, right? It’s all really positive,” responds a woman. “As long as it’s not negative.” The table laughs. “If you have an article, it may help us, because we could always show people who are wanting to come in,” said one male participant. Some are hopeful - they believe a positive story will make it easier to encourage newcomers to join. Some at the table are apprehensive - they know that a reporter is sitting next to them.
This cloud meets at a local restaurant weekly. A group of around 20 women and a few men sit at tables, sipping wine and picking at appetizers. “What if one opportunity changed your life?” asks the woman at the front of the room. So why are so many Cloverdale women signing on to the pyramid scheme? The Cloverdale Reporter attended three seminars hosted in Cloverdale businesses in December 2017 and January 2018 to investigate. According to the RCMP, conviction could mean up to five years in prison, or a fine of up to $200,000. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre defines a pyramid scheme as “frauds that are based on recruiting an ever-increasing number of investors” and it is illegal to promote a pyramid scheme or even to participate. Rather than selling a product or service, all of the money made in a cloud is generated by enticing new members to join. It’s not illegal, it’s a gift.ĭespite the positive terminology, the clouds are by definition pyramid schemes and illegal in Canada. It isn’t a “scheme” – it’s a community that helps women become financially independent.
The language used within the groups, at weekly meetings and within group conversations via an anonymous, encrypted texting service, is important. Other clouds offer lower buy-ins for those hesitant or unable to commit to a bigger sum. In the case of Cloverdale’s clouds, women are commonly told that if they “gift” $5,000 and recruit two more participants, they will then in turn get a “gift” of $40,000. The concept surges in popularity every few years, and has recently re-branded to escape the negative connotations of “gifting circles,” which is how the RCMP and Better Business Bureau (BBB) often refer to these pyramid schemes.Ĭlouds promise that if you invest a sum of money and recruit two more people who are willing to invest, you will one day receive a sum of money larger than the initial investment. Editor’s note: The men and women who participate in these gifting clouds have not been identified by name for legal reasons.ĭozens of Cloverdale women have invested thousands of dollars into illegal pyramid schemes known as “pay-it-forward clouds,” and are actively working to recruit family and friends throughout the Lower Mainland to join them.