Police warn public about easy-money scam, Fredericton, N.B

 CMP in New Brunswick is warning the public about an alleged pyramid scheme disguised as a multi-level marketing business opportunity currently circulating in the province.

This scheme, believed to originate in the United States, promises easy money to people who purchase a product called the "Successful Squares Long-Term Money Maker" after receiving an offer in the mail. Recipients are asked to send in money orders to purchase a "square" or space on a mailing list, with the promise that they will soon be the ones receiving money from all future square purchases made by others, earning up to $30,000.00 within two months.

"The document people receive in the mail claims that this system is legal, but this is not the case," says Cpl. Marc Potvin. "Pyramid schemes such as this one are against the law and will result in people losing the money they send in."

People should be particularly wary of any scheme where no actual product is promoted and the focus is on recruiting other people to make money. Pyramid schemes collapse by design, and those at the bottom will end up losing money. Pyramid schemes violate the Competition Act and those who attempt to profit from them can be subject to fines of up to $200,000 and face prison terms.