Mounties in Prince George are warning the public after a gifting pyramid scheme has appeared in the city.
The scheme is known as a "gifting circle" and targets groups of citizens who are then convinced to recruit friends and others they know.
A "new member" must pay their recruiter a gift of $5,000 to join.
Each member is then expected to recruit eight new people, so everyone would end up with a total of $40,000.
Recruiters will try and legitimize the buy-in payment by insisting that it isn't taxable or illegal because it is only being handed over as a gift.
Police say victims involved in the pyramid scheme often don't realize that they are doing anything illegal. RCMP are reminding citizens to be leery of "get rich quick" ventures.
In July of this year, two women in Maple Ridge, B.C. were formally charged for running a gifting pyramid scheme.
If you have any information about fraud offences in Prince George, you are asked to contact the detachment at 250-561-3300.
