Ana Maria de Souza-Goswami wrote: "I fell for this Japan Life Mattress and spent about a lakh of rupees for a double mattress with two pillows in 200l".
-------- I have subsequently spoke to Ana Maria on the phone. =====
Dear Ana Maria,
Thanks for sharing. I know many others who have been taken in by this scam but who are reluctant to admit that they got conned. That is how the Pyramid scammers get away. Each new entrant will not admit his gullibility until he entraps others in hoping to recover at least his initial investment - and that's how the scam continues being perpetuated.
Magnetism as an alternative medical therapy may or may not have its benefits. The point in this particular scam is that the Magnetic Mattress value itself would be 1/4th of the money you paid for it, if it is indeed as efficacious as they claim. The remaining money you are paying is for the prospects of 'business' and 'profit' by roping others in. Keep in mind that the only people who actually make money in such scams are the initiators of the scams and the first rung operators, at most.
Fortunately Ana Maria did not attempt to rope in others into this scam and bore her losses. Many others have desperately tried all means to lure others in and in the process have ruined friendships and relationships besides causing monetary losses to their near ones. They are almost as guilty as the perpetrators of the scam. Their gullibility caused others also to suffer.
At a time when even GoaNet is being used by some gullible and stubbornly determined people to defend and perpetuate hoaxes, and cause unnecessary panic, I think we should give it some thought.
Cecil ====
