An example of a scam.

This is the kind of advert that is often seen tied to lampposts at junctions or posted through your letterbox as a flyer. Similar adverts are placed under windscreen wipers or thrust at you by someone in a car park. Hardly the output of a slick professional organisation.

What are the telltale signs that this is a scam and not a genuine opportunity?

1. The couch potato's dream.
   
   The first indication is the promise of high earnings, working from your own home in your spare time. That is a classic sign of a scam.
   
   The emphasis of the entire advert is placed on the money you could earn and the positive things you can do with it.
   
   There's no mention of how you will earn that sort of income. In fact products or services are not mentioned at all!
   
   
2. It is unprofessional.
   
   Would a company, or one of its representatives, offering earnings of £60,000 plus per year, make an initial approach to potential members by posting home-made flyers though letterboxes or by tying marker-pen-on-cardboard adverts to lampposts?
   
   The cheapness and tackiness of the advert says a lot about the "opportunity" behind it. The fact that the website mentioned doesn't work either just adds to the amateur-looking image.
   
   
3. Lack of real information.
   
   A "Long established PLC" is mentioned. Why aren't they named? What is the product to be sold? What is their address? Whose is the phone number?
   
   
4. Exaggeration.
   
   The implication is that you can achieve over £5,000 income per month; "evidence of incomes is available". Assuming that this evidence is not falsified (a common occurrence with scams) then we need to know whether this level of income is an average figure or if it is the sort of income the perpetrators of the scheme are earning.
   
   The ambiguity of the sentence in the advert suggests that it is unlikely to be an average figure.
   
   "Get a FREE BMW": Really? Does joining the scheme qualify you for a free BMW? Again most unlikely!

An advert such as this one is the first line of attack for many scams. This is undoubtedly an MLM scheme being advertised by someone hoping to develop their "downline".

The person behind it will be someone who is being exploited by the scam and is not necessarily a con merchant themselves. With a knowledge of scams and the ability to spot them, we can avoid the mistake this person has made.