Pyramid selling

[Imtiaz]

I am not usually one to get involved in silly matters. But during my recent visit to Bangladesh, I came across evidence of "pyramid" selling activities.

The targeted group are domestic and garment workers. They are asked to pay a deposit of Tk.3000 and receive Tk.600 per month when they bring in 4 new recruits [ each also having to cough up Tk.3000 ].

This type of scam has been used in different guises in almost every country. In England , it was a rage in the eighties for a few months with thousands at the bottom of the pyramid losing hundreds of pounds. I remember reading in the press that virtually the entire population of Romania and Albania were at it until the whole thing, inevitably, collapsed.

I wonder how many poor people in Bangladesh are going to get duped into making these "investments".