When it comes to pyramid schemes, there’s one phrase that’s often thrown around to justify reckless investment behaviour: “I got in early.”
The logic sounds simple enough—join a scheme early enough, make your money before it collapses, and walk away unscathed. But the reality is far more complex, and frankly, much more insidious.
The notion of “getting in early” is nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion, and it’s time we dismantle it.
The Criminal is Always “Early”—Not You
First, let’s get one thing clear: the only person who’s truly “early” in a pyramid scheme is the criminal behind it.
No matter how early you think you’ve joined, the scam’s architect is the one pulling the strings. They control the lifespan, the payout structure, and most importantly, the moment of collapse.
They are the puppet masters, and the rest of us? We’re just pawns, hoping to cash out before the inevitable fall.
But here’s the kicker: the scammer can decide to pull the plug at any moment, irrespective of how many participants are still “winning.”
The entire concept of “getting in early” is a smokescreen, designed to lure people into thinking they can beat the system. But there is no beating a rigged game.
It’s like a casino—sure, you might win some small rounds, but the house always wins in the end. And in the case of a pyramid scheme, the house is the scammer, and they’ve been winning since day one.
What is “Early” Anyway?
Let’s dig a little deeper. What does “getting in early” even mean in practical terms? Is it one week into the scheme? One month? Three months?
Or does it mean getting in just before the final peak of the scam, before it collapses under its own weight?
In South Africa, we’ve seen pyramid schemes follow a predictable trajectory: three peaks, usually within a six-month period, with the final peak marking the beginning of the end.
But even that “six-month expectation” is no guarantee. Some scams collapse in three months, others in less time. And then there are those that deviate from this so-called pattern altogether, catching even the so-called early birds off guard.
Timing a collapse is not a strategy—it’s a gamble with terrible odds.
Even if you’re lucky enough to join just before the scheme reaches its third peak, it’s still a fool’s errand.
The moment you hear about the scam, it’s probably already past its halfway mark, or worse, you’re hearing about it because the scammers are ramping up marketing efforts to reel in more victims before closing shop.
Marketing is How You Get Trapped—Not “Early Access”
The thing about pyramid schemes is that they rely on marketing, particularly through Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) tactics, to grow and survive.
So just because the scheme’s marketing finally reached you, or you’re hearing about it through your social circles, that doesn’t mean you’re getting in early. It just means you’re now a target.
And once you’re hooked, you’re not just another participant—you become part of the scheme’s marketing engine, tasked with recruiting others in order to secure your own returns.
What you perceive as an “opportunity” is nothing more than the scam’s inevitable expansion phase. By the time it gets to you and your clique, you’re already late.
You’re not early. You’re not smart. You’re just another cog in the machine, and the clock is already ticking down to collapse.
Encouraging the Proliferation of Scams
Here’s another consequence people tend to ignore: when you openly solicit new “investment opportunities” or pyramid schemes on social media, you’re not just exposing yourself to scams—you’re fueling their proliferation.
Every time you post, “What’s the next big thing?” or “Any new opportunities out there?”, you’re essentially putting up a flashing sign that says: “Target me!”
Scammers thrive on this kind of behaviour. To them, you’re the perfect victim—primed and ready to throw money at the next fraudulent scheme that comes your way. Worse still, you’re unknowingly marketing for them.
By promoting the idea that pyramid schemes are legitimate “investment opportunities,” you’re helping these criminals expand their reach and ensnare more victims.
It’s a vicious cycle of exploitation, and you’re complicit every time you participate.
It’s Always a Fool’s Errand
In the end, joining a pyramid scheme early is nothing more than a fool’s errand.
The criminal behind the scam has always been “early,” and no matter how well you think you’ve timed your entry, you’re still at the mercy of forces beyond your control.
By buying into the fantasy that you can “beat the system,” you’re ignoring the simple truth: the system is designed to beat you.
More importantly, by participating in these schemes and promoting them—whether online or within your social circle—you’re not just putting your own finances at risk; you’re actively encouraging the growth of more scams.
Every social media post looking for the “next big thing” is a beacon for scammers, who thrive on the collective delusion that there’s money to be made in pyramid schemes.
The bottom line? You’re never early enough to outsmart a scam that was built to fail. The only true way to avoid being scammed is not to join at all.
The post The Myth of “Getting in Early” – Why you’re never truly early in a Pyramid Scheme appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.
