How Much Money do We Need to Lose to MLM Scammers Before We Learn a Lesson?
Every year, there are dozens of come-and-go MLM scams in the Philippines. Victims are throwing away millions of pesos to the owners of these programs, but people are still letting themselves get fooled. How much money do we need to throw away before we will learn a lesson?
These programs can scam almost everyone. From police officers, working professionals, celebrities, and even business people are lured to give away their hard-earned money for free. Thanks to effective marketing hype implemented by these programs.
MLM programs in the Philippines are designed to make money for the owners and not for the investors. There might be a handful of legit programs, but is it really worth the time to join them in order to find out whether they are scam or not?
It was November 2013 when a friend asked me to join NBO-Global (New Business Opportunity). He was so persuasive and aggressive in convincing me, but because my mind is locked, he failed miserably. He was disappointed and called me “negative thinker”. I did not say anything bad about his program because I don’t want to disappoint him. The only thing I told him was “get out as early as you can,” which he received negatively.
I understand the drive and motivation of every MLM member. They are more energetic than any other sales people because the motivation from their mentors are always great. House, vacation, car, financial freedom are always the motivation factor. MLM members are the most gullible and clueless people on earth.
People are joining programs like NBO because they believe that they can get rich without properly analyzing how the system works, what are the strengths and weaknesses, and the possibility of closure. Even our former finance manager was lured into joining NBO – only makes me scratch my head.
One year later, the ever-energetic friend of mine is avoiding me because he doesn’t want to discuss about the NBO anymore after losing more than 20,000. NBO’s Facebook pages, YouTube videos, and other websites are becoming idle and silent. Members are begging the company to return their money – the same members a year ago who did everything to recruit, to promote, and to protect the ill-fated company.
The alleged CEO Nhadine Chloe (not sure if this is a real name – sounds fishy) posted a letter in Facebook telling another lie just to calm panicking members. She said a new investor is coming to save everyone – what a rubbish and blatant lie.
Who is in his right mind paying anyone’s debt without expecting a return? This alleged CEO is dreaming. Would someone be interested in investing into a bankrupted business without anything to offer in return? Of course there is a possibility that some people who are desperate to take their money back would still believe in her. The company was able to fool everyone before so it is possible that more fools will join again, and lose more money again.
Filipinos are not ignorant. The only problem is lack of analysis before making a decision. We join just because our friend or family has joined, or because of “pakisama”. Some people are blinded by greed. If there is a business that can double your money in two to three months, banks would eventually close because no one will invest into them.
A legit business is all about having the balance of supply and demand. Whether you are providing consumable products or services, there should always be an end user to buy your products. Doubling your money without selling anything or I say selling bottles of bogus guyabano and other health products is impossible. I don’t understand why people who have higher education still fall into this trap.
Having a business permit or a DTI business registration certificate does not mean the business will last 20 years. Anyone who has these documents can get lost any time without a trace.
MLM in the Philippines is a thing that should be ignored. The people who run these businesses are the same people who took away your money before. They are expert in doing this. When a program closed, they will open another, again and again.
If you lost money before, don’t live with it. There are better and legit ways to make money, especially online. Whether it is online or offline, 95% of MLM programs are scam so beware.
NBO is only one among the latest programs that stopped issuing payments. The owners are already enjoying their lives spending your money so don’t live with it. Stop expecting because there is no hope, instead, do other legit things to recover your losses. Consider your experience enough to stop putting your money into MLM scam programs.
Contributed by Raymund Estanislao, Calamba City, Laguna
See Also: Freelance Hacker for Hire: How this Pinoy Cyberspy Earns at Least $12,000 Every Month Legally
