Crime & Safety

Grosse Pointe Farms Police Warn of Pyramid Scam

Women are invited to give money, with a potential to earning a larger amount, according to Grosse Pointe Farms.

The Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety has issued Nixle alert warning residents of potential pyramid scam.
 
According to the alert, the Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety has received a number of tips and follow-up information on potential pyramid scams that may be occurring in the Grosse Pointes.

The scams reportedly involve "recruiting women to join, or be invited to cocktail parties to view private showings of giftware and to participate in “Gifting Clubs or Women Empowering Women Clubs” or a variation," according to investigators. 

Although some of the parties are legitimate, police warn some are scams to entice women to donate money under the pretext of helping someone with the promise of significant returns on their gift of "money."

There can be penalties for running these pyramid scams. MLive reports that seven Newaygo County women were arraigned on felony charges in connection with a pyramid scheme targeting women.

These scams use the names such as the Women Integrity Group, Circle of Friends, Women Helping Women, the Gifting Club and Heart to Heart, according to the report.


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