They would have to find someone with $5,000. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

"Circle of Sisters"...grow the hell up already!

This scam is alive and well here, and to see innocent people brought into these schemes is really ugly.

Both men and women are suckered by these schemes, and people throw parties to welcome the scammer into their home.

Sucker punch the scammers out of business!

Don't attend these parties, and say "no way" when they ask you to listen to what they have to say.

Holy Crap it's back...

This happened back in the mid 80's but it was called a pyramid in those days. I met a guy who started several of them and made enough to buy a house. Many late joiners got screwed.

if you are dumb enough to fall for it, you deserve it. C'mon... $5k? who gives $5k on nothing.

Isn't MonaVie a pyramid scheme too??

pyramid schemes do work, but only if they never end. Yes some people will see 40K, however, what makes the scheme illegal is there is no guarantee that "YOU" will see any money. If it ends before everyone gets paid, tough dodo.

Of course, "EVERYONE" can never get paid. But I'm sure we all know that. It's just like Social Security.

MonaVie is nothing more then snake oil, they claim it cures all including cancer...... I tried it, and had it tested. The lab said the horse died from diabities.

Sounds like Bear Stearns has resurfaced....

Let's get back to the subject-THE SCAM! I was approached by someone, but did not fall for it. Was anyone else approached, or have you heard of anyone falling for it?

Didn't Oprah endorse this?

SHe endorded the aci berry, not MonaVie

Oprah is an anti-christ. Anyway, this sounds an awful lot like Amway. "GO DIAMOND!!!!"

I was approached by this scheme. Begins by being invited to a wine and cheese party. Last night 130 women signed up....do the math. Intelligent smart business woman here in Naples are involved in this and are saying that they got $40,000. and are signing up to go again.

GREED-GREED-GREED-GREED----------------

Scams of this nature will continue on until the end of humanity. They just change the name of them. I have been approached for others, but it seems logical to me that you have to count on others to make this "dream" come true, and I really dont have much faith. Disclaimer: By faith, I dont mean religion.

You would not believe the "high end women" who were deeply involved, wives of judges, bankers, realtor idiots, travel people, do nothing wives....

PT...what, they get you half looped on the wine and then present this scam? I've never heard of it but then, I wouldn't have $5000 to invest in anything.

Trexler what are "do nothing wives?"

Does it matter, as you already offended anyone who is a wife?

The point is very clear....pyramid schemes are suckervilles for nice people who trust others.

Very intelligent people in Naples are suckered into this SCHEME. Smart people, THAT SHOULD KNOW BETTER.

There is the
White-Collar Crimes Unit in Naples, and THEY BETTER BUST anyone remotely involved with starting these scum bag, pyramid, wannabe businesses, with no rhyme or reason...EXCEPT TO RIP OFF other PEOPLE in Naples.

SICK TRICKERY...and I don't know about Mona Vie...but their water cure-all, sounds fishy to me.

There are women in these circles who have had life-changing experiences. They have made friendships that will last a lifetime. A person is allowed to gift anyone they would like for up to $12K per year. It's an empowering experience for women.

I am a member of the circle of sister's and it is the most wonderful,rewarding,and empowering thing I have ever been involved with in my hole life, we do not recruit or require you to bring a friend into the circle, if a women should need her gift returned for any reason, she will receive her gift back and exit the circle. When I joined I gave my gift and eventually got to recieving and brought no one else into the circle, I was able to sponcer my sister who is going though a divorce and to be able to do that for another person is so wonderful, everyone in our circle feels the same way this changes peoples lives. I am sure you people do not want to here something positive like that, but in the economy we are in right I'm sticking with the circle of sisters we are all there for each other, all woman are equal in ther journey! Sorry to burst your bubble it is not a scam, it is about women helping women. After you have been fully gifted, you my wish to maintain your connection with the circle by cycling though again, like many do or simply move forward in your own life, enhanced and supported! If you are a smart woman in Naples you would be involved with the circle of sisters!!!

Clearly it's "high end" women... they have the smarts AND the cash

The media should not put out stories without researching them. The Circle of Sisters is not a pyramid scam and many women's lives have changed for the better because of the experience. No one has lost money. Get the facts before passing judgement.

Got a problem with some of the responses:

First, if it is not a "pyramid" and not illegal, then why would it be investigated?

Second, #24 Posted by Levi08, " A person is allowed to gift anyone they would like for up to $12K per year." This is true, but as the article states people are getting $40,000 in return once they complete the circle. Are you gonna pay taxes on the remaining $28,000?

Thrid, #27 Posted by JBVikesfan, "No one has lost money" Maybe not yet, but what happens to the last person in? It eventually HAS to end. What if nobody else decides to enter and it fizzles out? The last one's in are screwed!

A judge's wife is involved? Wow, wonder if arrested if she'll get off on just probation?

JBVikesfan...so are you one of the crooks running the scam?

PT, hope you made a call to CCSO.

"Seven Sisters" and whatever they rename it the NEXT time, and, yes, there will be a next time is a pyramid scheme! For more information please check out these links:

http://www.sec.gov/answers/pyramid.htm

Wikipedia has some nice graphics which illustrate the problems well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_...

Oh, yes...it is ILLEGAL to perpetrate this scheme or participate in it. Why? It is fraud. Turn these crooks in. They will move on to other communities after they bilk you of you money. Why not move them into jail and prison instead?

But SOMEONE has to lose eventually!
And it's the people at the end of the line!
You loan me $ and I borrow the same from soneone else to pay you back, and that someone borrows from someone else to pay. Although this isn't about borrowing. it's the same thing.
JBVikestan...I hope NDN has your name on file. YOU ARE PART OF THIS SCAM! Are you at the top of this?
NDN....please investigate this screen name and protect the innocent!

Can anyone say "Ponzi Scheme" -- just another definition of Pyramid Scheme. Just plain illegal, period the end. When in this case her in Collier County, the women get the 40K and re-enter, the only thing happening is they are yet, "reinvesting" their money by sponsoring "More" women. Just a twist on a larger pyramid. Cant Believe This!!

I am deeply saddened to live in a time when we, as Americans are so easily swayed by paranoid suspisions and wild flights of fancy of ignorant comments.
Perhaps if most of these commenters were to READ the things on which they comment they would see the very basic errors in judgement.
1.) It's called a circle because it has no end, no top, no bottom, aka no criminal mastermind, not corporate structure, no association to pay off, no head hancho lining their pockets with the fruit of hard working women's labor
2.) This is not an investment scheme. The caring women of these circles are not "investing" money, they are donating it to other women so that they can have financial freedom and independance. Most times they are directly gifting their freinds, family, neighbors, and coworkers. And in those strange instantces when they are gifting a stranger, they will inevidablly be making a friend for life.
3.) There are legitimate circles of trust out there and I, along with all the rest of the memebers of those circles will be the first to tell you that the one being investigated is the work of some paranoid greedy person who took the sincere values of the real circles and perverted them into some get rich quick scheme.
I agree that anyone should be weary of the scams that do exist because it is clear from all of these comments that one is more likely to find mistrust, greed, hypocracy, and fraud in this world then they are to find love, trust, support and blind, random acts of generosity and kindness. So if you are lucky enough to have been invited into a circle where you find all of these qualities, then bless you for being a trusting person in return.
I can only hope that the women who were smart enough to see this experience as a gift, not a get-rich-quick scheme, are the same women who are smart enough to see this article as an ill- researched rant of an over eager editor with nothing to report on but rumors and perversion of the truth.
Good luck to everyone who thinks for themselves!

We are a possitive group of women helping other women in this poor economy, alot of women have lost there jobs and this has changed our lives it's not about borrowing money it's about giving it. If you were a smart women in Naples you would be apart of the circle of sisters, no one is being taken advantage of here no one loses we all support each other and it is in many other states and is doing very well, we can't count on the economy or the government so why not each other and who are you or anyone else to tell me who I can give my money to.

I was asked to join.....NO way. this is a major scam......

Why is this illegal? Can't you do what you want to with your money? What law are you breaking?
I don't understand.

To GatorsFan
Clarificaton:
The gifting is not received in one lump-sum. A person gets gifted by eight different women at different times. No one gets more than $5K from any one person at any time.

I believe the only reason why this is finally coming out now is because Circle of Sister has about recruited all the women they possibly can. It is why I think they, themselves, may have made the authorities aware of it, just to shut it down and to quell those who did not benefit from the gift.
I should also mention that this has not just started. I was approached last Fall. And, with specific instruction to hide this gift from my husband.

Levi08: Does not matter how much is received at one time at all. The IRS implemented "gifting" as a way for someone to gift up to 10K without any expectation of receiving anything back. The money going in and out of this circle therefore cannot be considered "gifts" for income tax purposes. In other words = tax evasion. Amja, (Theres the answer)

Yorkie:
So what you're telling me is that if eight people in your family each give you a $5K check as a birthday gift, then you are evading taxes by not paying taxes on the money that they gave you? The taxes have already been paid....It was given to you as a GIFT! I highly doubt you would be calling up your accountant to find out how much you owe in taxes!!!!

NEWS JUST IN!

Women’s Circles can accelerate humanity’s shift to a post- patriarchal era.
Be not afraid, men, women's circle work in your favor too.
Time for a little education, people and perhaps the time to cut the cord of fear.

A circle is a shape with an unbroken circumference and a symbol of wholeness.
The boundary edge or line defines the circle. Once it is broken, it’s no longer a circle. The same principle holds for a women’s circle. The boundary must be intact for it to be a circle, and for it to be safe. That boundary is the ability to hold the contents, a necessity for trust to exist. What is said in confidence is held in confidence. Plain and simple.

Women's Circles are places for women to feel received fully by other women. They are set up to be safe, a place to be open, speak from the heart, evolve!, break trough old habits and thought patterns, show up!, be committed, set goals and intentions and have other women's support in overall growth. Women's Circles are places of empowerment, of trust and of embracing life.
Sometimes a woman does not belong in this circle because she can’t make the commitment to really be there. As in any significant relationship ambivalence and the inability to make a commitment become problems.
Sometimes a woman does not belong in this circle because she cannot hold on to her center or connect to the center of the circle. Or keep confidences, or see others or herself clearly, and she needs to leave for the good of the circle.
The same problem arises for women in their codependent relationships.

A woman’s circle is a creative work of art in process.

...and the money?? The money is a mere reward for showing up and doing the inner work, inspiring others and being a courageous woman, at the very least. These circles are not for the meek that want to stay meek and voiceless. They are for women that feel a positive change is needed.

Say what you want about Pyramids and all the rest of the above negative ramblings.
My response is for the majority of you to gather your bearings, become educated, be ready for inevitable change and clean up your oozing fear of life.

Ok Levi08, if you think what you're involved is right, then go ahead but when the well runs dry or the cops shut you down and everyone goes to jail, what happens to the people who put their $5k in and have not received their "gift"?

Yorkie: Do you think in America that someone is going to go to jail for helping someone else out by giving them money? If that's the case then there are going to be a lot more people behind bars than the "Circle of Sisters". When I bought my first home, my parents helped me with my down payment. They gave me money with a gift letter....If what you are saying is true, then anyone who gives a gift of cash to someone else has commited a crime......Hey, maybe we can share a cell!

Who holds all this Gift Money?

There's no holding place....One woman gives it to another woman as a gift....No secrets! It's just women helping each other!! Plain and simple! The reason why men don't do it is because they don't think like women....It's too "touchy-feely,warm and fuzzy" for them. Women internalize each others feelings and emotions. There's a certain sense of gratification when you know that you've helped a sister in need.

What happens to the last of the women if and when this circle runs out of supporters?

Sounds very scary to me.

By the way, you can search "Monavie scam" and see the real story.
Also, acai juice is one of the smallest amounts of ingredients in the bottle.
You can buy pure acai pulp at Sunshine Market, frozen, for a lot less money.

I always like to believe that if something really works, no one would be sick, fat, bald,have acne, etc.

Sheenabella:
If you give from your heart...then you are not expecting anything in return....Obviously, when YOU "scratch someone's back", they better be ready to return the favor.
I also believe that good comes to those who help others whether it be now or in another life.....

Sorry Sheenabella...My comment was for NaplesCracker....

I left Naples a few years ago, but I've heard of this scam through a myriad of friends. Many educated and prominent women are participating, and putting pressure on others to do the same. People with integrity identified this as a Ponzi-type scheme from the get-go. I have heard that hard-working women who cannot afford cash up front, are using credit card cash advances to buy in to this INVESTING, NOT GIFTING program.(The former gets a cash return, the latter does not.) Come on CCSO, find the ringleader. Come on NDN, expose the perps. Innocent people are being hurt by this, not to mention that these people are accessories to criminal activities without their awareness. YIKES!

The Security and Exchange Commission defines pyramid scams (I posted this link before)
http://www.sec.gov/answers/pyramid.htm

"The hallmark of these schemes is the promise of sky-high returns in a short period of time for doing nothing other than handing over your money and getting others to do the same."

Ponzi schemes are different and both are illegal because they are fraudulent. Wikipedia has a pretty good explanation of both.

Not only will CCSO get involved with going after these fraudsters but the FBI will as well. It is a FEDERAL crime...not "gifting"...I am not sure but think that Treasury agents could be involved because of the tax implications in this cheat scheme.

So sad you who have been taken in by this fraud are so gullible, but the crooks count on this gullibility.

PERHAPS THE MEDIA AND LAW ENFORCERS OF THIS TOWN WOULD BETTER SERVE YOU, THE LEARY AND JUDGEMENTAL COMMENTORS, BY GOING INTO THE TOWN OF NAPLES AND FINDING OUT THOSE THAT REALLY DO SCAM....I.E. THE ILLEGALS THAT USE OUR SYSTEM AND YES, YOUR TAX DOLLARS, TO GET HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES. ILLEGALLY RESIDING, TAKING OUR JOBS,(MOSTLY BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL TO LAZY TO GET YOUR BUTT OUT THERE FOR AN HONEST DAYS WORK) AND WHEN THE SYSTEM KICKS THESE ILLEGALS TO THE CURB, THEY ONLY NEED WAIT 30 DAYS TO GO BACK AND RECEIVE MORE OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. PERHAPS THIS IS WHERE WE COULD PUT SOME ENERGY AND RESOURCES TO THINK ABOUT YOUR MONEY INSTEAD OF SOME WOMEN THAT WORK HARD, AND PAY TAXES ON THEIR EARNINGS, AND THEN BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL GOD GIVEN RIGHT SPEND AND SHARE IT HOW THEY CHOOSE WITHIN THE TAX LAW.

Crooks are crooks jem...are you one of those who think this scam isn't a crime? Obfuscation by misdirection only works for those who are eager to grab onto easy money and those who perpetuate the fraud.

Hard to read all caps. Yelling isn't needed.

Don't you have anything better to do than share your one sided crap that you really know nothing about, who are you to say were to put my money, you obviously don't have 5,000 to give or to spend so you really don't need to worry about it do you BlueTonguedVole?

What is most painful to me is the inability to comprehend the math. Is this why Circle of Sisters is being targeted to women? Eaglebeak is correct to mention that there will eventually be those who will not receive gifts. If you will all study the diagram presented here at the government site listed below, please understand that the more people giving the gift will result in an exponential amount of people having to take the loss.
By the way, the gift cannot be considered a tax deductable donation.
Also, if this is legal, what can’t this organization have a non-profit/Church status?
http://www.sec.gov/answers/pyramid.htm

I'm with you 100% on this one, BlueTongueVole. You always do the research, and are, for the most part, correct.

Circle sister is just freaking out because many more will be onto their scam after reading this article, and the circle will soon come crashing down.

If I were circlesister, I'd invest part of the money on a good punctuation book.

Pretty sure Blue has more than $5000, and he will still have it when yours is gone, baby, gone.

Nothing beats having an honest job, and doing the work.

I have several friends that have gotten involved with this scheme, and my wife has been approached several times by her friends and co-workers. Fortunately for me she has politely declined to pay someone to be her friend.

The concept of supporting each other is great, but why does money have to be linked to it? If you are friends, then why do you have to sign a letter of "gift" that indicates you don't expect anything in return? How can you get your money back if you signed a document stating you didn't expect anything in return? It tries to make you feel good, but greed and lack of motivation is what fuels this scheme. It is no different than the motiviation pyramid scheme called Landmark.

I can think of many ways that a women could improve her financial, spiritual and physical wellbeing with $5,000.00. I would buy into the fact that you want to help someone in need, and give them a "gift" of $5,000.00, but this scheme promotes the fact that your "gift" will give you a return of $40,000.00. Would any of these women even associate with each other if the thought of getting $40,000.00 wasn't link to it?

Do the research yourself! Why are you counting on blue boy to do your work? You sould call your accountant or your lawyer they can tell you the gifting laws.

circlesister, BlueTongueVole is trying to help you by showing you lnks to the laws as it relates to fraudulent activities as outlined by the The Security and Exchange Commission.

If the CCSO is investigating this than there must be something illegal about it. If not, you all have nothing to worry about.

sweetie:
I don't need an accountant or lawyer to tell me when I am being jerked around.

Thanks again for the info, Blueboy! :)

Hey circle, did you know that you can get millions from helping out a woman in Nigeria whose husband died and left her millions?

Check it out! LOL

Circlesister, BlueTongueVole is only trying to help you by giving you a link to the laws as it relates to the Securities & Exchange Commission.

If it wasn't legal then why is the CCSO investigating? If it's legal then you all have nothing to worry about.

oops, it posted twice....my bad :(

How do you think I got the five thousand to join the circle? I only made 500,000.00, I had to split the rest with a broker from Nigeria!!! This circle thing I get to share with my family and friends, it is wonderful! P.S. The Nigerian thing did not work out so bad! Just kidding you really know nothing about a great thing!

Now indigo has joined in and made this into childish jibberish instead of an adult dialogue. Blue, what part of this isnt a pyramid do you not understand. It is truly unfortunate that you are not READING what the circle sisters are writing. You seem to think you know what this is all about when in fact you dont know a thing about it because you are not listening, instead you like to dip your poison pen into the inkwell and continue with your drivel about pyramids. Some of what has been written have been out and out lies, meant to mislead the public and isn't the public just eating it up. You people actually must think we women are totally stupid and being lead around by rings in our noses. We are informed, intelligent and empowered women helping other women. Women from all walks of life. I and many of my sisters work full time jobs just like the rest of you. Lighten up people.

If somone wants to spend 5 grand on this. Why do you people care. Its not your money. So shut up get off your fat butts and go out and enjoy Naples. I am sure some of you are internet attorneys and computer bullies that hide behind all your bs. If it against the law then that the police handle it. The sad thing the police should have better things to do then try and find the ringleader.

buddahcab2 must be circlesister's husband, or daddy.

Either that or he started the sister circle and is annoyed because he is losing a LOT OF MONEY, and friends.

Oh, and circlesister, I may know nothing about a "great thing", but I know a lot about rip-offs.

Have fun with your munny, hunny.

Loan buddahcab2 your punctuation book when you are through with it.

How do you spell money?

People helping people? hmmmm I guess If you were rich & you really sincerely wanted to help someone out, Then why don't you rich sisters give your $5000.00 to a charity or help out a really poor person that you don't know.. That my friend would be really called a gift of kindness, Why do these sisters only seem to sponsor other rich sisters,wives ECT...
I don't understand why they call it a gift, when they expect $40,000. in return for their investment?
This scam has been called circle of sisters, Women of Integrity,It is still a pyramid, it is still fraud, & it is just white collar crime, It is pretty sad that some of these rich people really think that they are innocent, If you feel the need to donate $5000 to an organization, check out the abused & neglected children living in Naples or if animals are your thing, then donate to the humane society. NOT these high society rich women that will take your money & give you some cheese & wine.

Indigo,
If you're going to be the punctuation police, you might want to make sure yours is perfect. You use a lot of unnecessary commas.

oh,really,I,didn't, notice, thanks,for,telling,me.

i,spel,money,munny,for,the,phonics,r,fun,peepul,

NaplesCracker,you,have,a,really,nice,butt,,,!!!

i,like,the,way,that,you,think,MrMetoo.,,,

,goodnite,

JunkYardDog,,
ewe,r,two,funnie,,,do,you,have,a,really,nice,butt two,,??

Hey buddah and circularsistah:
I'll sell you five commas for five dollars. You go out and find two people each and sell them 5 commas for five dollars, and send it to me. Tell them to go out and each find 2 people to buy commas for five dollars,,,,,,,,,
We'll be rich!'''''''

Hey JunkYard and NaplesCracker;
How about if you sell your butt for five dollars each, and then...
oh,wait,forget it, that's ILLEGAL.
My bad..
This is too funn,,,,,!

thanks,bruddah,i'se,is,really,tryin.

Speaking of butts, gotta get mine out of here, before it gets too fat from blogging,then I'll have to change my poster name to buddah,,,,,what was it again?,,,

HEY,maybe I can sell my fat butt for ten dollars,then,,,,,

Ok, I'll stop.

CircleSistah...(like that spelling better)...The deal is this is an illegal scheme/scam. If you talk about how great this deal is, perhaps you are of the organizers.

I do believe the FBI is on the trail of this scam. Don't know if they will make arrests or just continue to gather evidence.

Keep it up ladies and sooner or later you will be caught with your illegal pyramid scheme showing.

My wife and I invest carefully and legally. Actually, I would love for my wife to get an invitation to join. She would be a perfect witness! Smile, ladies for your mug shot...
PS. If you want to really "gift" someone, try donating to children's charities, the American Red Cross Disaster fund, Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society, Hospice, etc.

Indigodragonfly: can I buy a vowel? NaplesCracker and JunkYardDog...ROTFLMAO.

Just noticed this NDN story: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/j...

Just think how much good your "gift" of 5000K would do here. Want to do some good? Put your money where their hungry mouths are.
I noticed that our favorite charity is among the contributors to this worthy and legal cause. Guess I will send them a bigger contribution than usual. Yep, when I "gift", I really gift.

Blue! Where ya been? I finnah be wain fo yo retort,bruddah,!

Ok, I'll sell you a vowel, but you have to go out and find five more people to buy a vowel,,,,,
by,the,way,oh,no,i,can't ask if ,you,,,have,,a,nice,butt,because,you are,married,
i,need,new,lines,this,joke,is,getting,old,

OK..., comma, how 'bout, comma, I gift, comma U a semi-colon? comma?

Here, you go, ( ; ) U could ask my wife about what I have behind, LOL, but she...(stammer, stammer) finds other aspects to be better assets. Bottom line: she is invested.

Gee, sorry I missed most of the fun parts of this blog!

Hey JYD, glad you are a neighbor. Laughter helps many ailments.

I confess, indigodragonfly, I get my colons and semi-colons mixed up. any help you can share is appreciated and you don't have to sign a form.
Good night JYD and all.

OHMYGODDOESTHATMEANIAMKICKEDOUTOFTHECIRCLE,,,?

Thanks, Blue, I needed that. This is my favorite comma: (,)

Boy, are you quick! Love the comment about your wife being invested,and the other better assets.

Assets! Bottom line! Too funny! :0),,,,,,,,(,)
Better than a semi-colonic.

or a semi-circle, where you only get $2500.

This should be called the TWISTED sister circle with no cash back for late investors!

Bust em...... White Collar Crimes Unit.

But when the judge's wife has to go to trial.....I'm afraid this will not be pretty.

It will be almost as funny as Judge Carr watering his lawn during a drought.

BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY....the drought is OVER right now.

Circle S, This really sounds interesting. A few questions: Does it take 5k to get in? Is the 5k given to the circle or can you gift it to a particular sister? Can I sponsor my wife and daughters and how do I get hold of you to set this up?

Hey are any of you Women of Integrity, or circle of sister's going to gift the truely needy? or sponsor a stranger?

I heard that they are arresting 'GIFTERS' already.

I find all this very disturbing.
I have been involved in this for over a year and I never invested any money. I met a great deal of smart independent women and I was never pressured in any way.
I very much want to join this and I was planning on paying taxes on my gifts.

I wonder why you people are so who are worried about all these poor helpless women who cant think for themselves.

I find all this offensive, naples reporters really have nothing better to do than report on this!! who cares.
I have not met a women yet that is pressured in any way and there never will be.

Where is the actual information on this story? Research here is flimsy at best, however it still seems to be a pyramid scheme.

Then dont do it if its not for you, but I agree. The story is flimsy and seems no more than a scare tactic for someone who is bored or jealous.
I had my accountant check into this and he didn't see any issues as long as I follow the gifting laws.

Well I guess thats why I pay a professional to think for me.
There is many pyrmid companies out there and I dont see them all getting into trouble.
Mona vie- love it great product
amway- not for me but it works nice
Nikken- great product
Weightloss companies, vitamin any other multi-level marketing is the same but for some reason they are all still operating. Again I ask Why do any of you care? If its not for you then dont do it...

If we want to move on to things that need investigating HOW ABOUT THE RAOD CREWS HERE they are hardly on a job and can anyone say SLOW. And is there a reason the goldengate flyover needed waterfalls that cost the people millions of dollars. No this is a big deal...

I have been involved in this for over a year and I never invested any money. I met a great deal of smart independent women and I was never pressured in any way.
I very much want to join this and I was planning on paying taxes on my gifts.
posted by striderbiter

How can you be involved in this for over a year, and THEN very much want to join this?

I am glad this article was posted, it will serve as a warning to all of the uninformed, maybe elderly women who are the usual targets for this crap.

BTW: Monavie: Overpriced fruit juice that produces very expensive urine.

Just what miracles have you experienced from drinking it?
I'd LOVE to know, as would millions of others who pay over $30 a bottle.

Good luck. Buy any bridges over the Sahara lately?

Joining means gifting i was still involved I just didnt have the money to gift.

Lets see mona vie helps you remove checmicals from your body and I have had fibromyalgia for 10 years and when i take this product in conjuction with other chiro/reikki I have gotten great results.

Is it an overnight result NO. But I long ago gave up on western medicine as doctors have been unable to help me. There is no overnight mircle for anything.

Different strokes. I love when you do something different than the norm you are a freak or stupid.

Interesting why you are so upset for me, I didnt ask nor do I need a person to babysit me.
I didn't have anyone sponsor me because I wanted to come up with it myself.
Well lets see I have tried other types of juices and you are right but guess what I still pay 45$ per bottle at the store, you get what you pay for. For the record its called quality products with no pesticide. I am sure you think organic is propaganda also.

I just can't believe that some women are so dang gullible. Not that some men are infallible because PT Barnum's partner sure had it right...there is a sucker born every minute. Cults count on it. GRIFTERS count on it. All manner of con-artists count on this kind of vulnerability. Old GAME, ladies....nothing new under the sun here, but just repackaged to sell you a fraudulent concept.

If a judge's wife is truly involved, shame on her. A spouse can do things beyond their partner's control. If the judge knew about the involvement, he needs to be held culpable as well. (The watering thing with Carr...He should have been charged. Clarence Tears is a total sell out as is all of SFWMD...we need to elect this board and not be taxed without representation.)

If the FBI doesn't bust this up, perhaps Treasury will because the IRS will go after anything they can when it comes to shady income.

Ever stop to think there is a criminal element involved at the base of this thing? I don't mean just the stupid acts which have suckered people into this pyramid, but like the mob? Seriously. You have no idea of how invasive the roots of organized crime can be. The new "mob" isn't just the traditional group of dudes as portrayed in the movies or programs like the Sopranos. They have become much more sophisticated.

Sunshinelover, multilevel marketing has been investigated by the Federal Trade Commission. The practices are barely legal, but they get by. The folks at the top of this "distribution" system resemble that of a pyramid scheme, but they have managed to squeak by the laws so far. I believe Amway had a problem with price fixing, but that got cleared up.

I just look forward to the day the Feds come in and bust this up. CCSO may beat them to the punch but if not...sure will be fun to watch when the proverbial doo hits the fan.

I am sure you are right. YOu seem to need to be..

Hey striderbyter: The law is the law for a good reason. Want to change it and make fraud legal?

Get a good lobby and go for it. Perhaps you will make it so. Sometimes even congress makes good decisions and keeps good laws...unfortunately they also bow to special interests. Get strong enough and change the laws...

In the meantime...well perhaps you will have a knock on your door someday soon. Maybe not. Depends if you told the truth when you signed up or if you obscure your IP.

Striderbiter there is nothing wrong with you consuming this juice stuff. Organic food is great. We eat almost all organic food. Why? Mostly the avoidance of antibiotics because of the increase in resistant microbes and frankly the food tastes more like it did years ago: good and wholesome.

Chemicals make up our bodies....so you don't want to rid yourself of all of them! We also avoid foods with artificial preservatives.

Hope your health continues to improve.

Strider - I bet that if you saved the $45 you spent on your MonaVie that you would have had enough to invest in the circle sisters.

OR! Wait! I'm going to start something, everyone send me $5 and I'll send you a handwritten thank you note back. With a picture of my dog's butt, who BTW is VERY nice.

OR! You could send me $5 and mow my lawn for me once a week (you don't have to use the trimmer, I'm very picky about how my bushes get trimmed) and in return you could buy me a $5 coffee each week at Starbucks. We could chat, maybe dicuss politics. It would be FUN!

I'm a really nice person, great friend. I'm TOTALLY worth 5 bucks. I have a nice green lawn (without cheating thank you!), and my dog's are super hott.

Lets play a game. There are several common grammatical errors in my post. I will send $5 to the first person who gets them all!

If there are women who genuinely want to help other local women, go to this link www.MyFuturePast.com
and donate.

em, I am willing to sell pictures of my naked pinky toe for 300$ obo.

Cool emmydev....can I guess and join your Circle, too?

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez?

I'll throw 5k into your guessing game.

It's a gift...ya know.

Like the gift of life from drinking expensive grape water from the Amazon.

Or the gift of tax breaks for advertising pricey water on the back of cars, parked in taxpayer-funded public parking lots.

Twisted sister games make all kinds of claims.

No matter what it is.....it's a scam.

Striderbiter,
Post#105, we are allowed to be upset, because whether or not you give a gift or receive a gift there is going to have to be those participants that will suffer the loss for your gain, and/or others gain. Participation will run dry. Therefore, many people whom have giving the gift will eventually see nothing but a loss because they were unable to recruit others to offer gifts. Does it even matter to you that when the cycle comes to a complete halt, that there will be women that will lose their money? I supposed as long as you give your gift and you can get two more ladies to give a gift your hands are clean. Are your hands really clean when these women have to take out a cash advance on a high interest rated credit card and are unable to pay back because they did not get the gift. Seriously, those who support this, do you all really think that there is an endless supply of women able and willing to give the gift?
How convenient that this has been brought to the surface. Again, I still think that it was the recipients of these gifts that ratted out this scam on their own organization for fear that there may be an uprising by those which did not receive gifts. Now, suddenly it’s illegal. Ops! Sorry you cannot have your gift, after all.
Sorry to sound redundant on this point, but, the supporter’s sales pitch does sound very much like the sales pitch of a cult. I feel the need for an intervention!

I know my wife would not pay anyone to become friends. I see it as rich ladies pulling in the not so rich ladies and letting them see the rich ladies giving each other rich ladies money, so the now the not so rich ladies gives a gift to the rich ladies, the rich ladies then tells the now even more not rich ladies get out of our circle. No more wine and cheese for you..... It should be called the circle of evil women....
Amazing what some people think. If it's not a crime then why don't you all rich friendly ladies go sit down with the lawmakers and show them how it truely works, don't hide come out and identify yourselves be the respectful rich ladies you each other make yourselves out to be.

emmy:
You are so cool, and funny! You can join our circle for free!

and you don't even have to show your dog's butt!

Shes a little bit of a floozie, my dog. She shows her butt to everyone. I've tried sending her to doggie boot camp but she insists. I'm really at a loss of what to do.

Hey guys, let's quit picking on striderbiteme.

She's right.
Monavie does cure all ailments.

Just don't forget to add the 3 shots of Stoly, Absolut, or for those real die hard Monaviers, Jack Daniels.

Oops, I, forgot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

sunshinelover, you are in for free too!!!

Welcome, my sistahs!
Let the games continue!

All you have to do is pay, five dollars, email a picture of your butt to the NDN photos, and find four other people to do it..,,,,,,,,,,

I just can't seem to position the camera for the right butt angle,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

wait, I, fogotts,to,put,down,my,Monavie/Absolut/vicodin blend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

STOPBOTHERINGME!! Oh, wait, i, forgot,i,started,this,,,,,,,,,,,

emmy,i,am,a pro,at,floozies,,just send me $500,,,,,,

atworkandatplay:

That was RICH!!!
Here's some,commas,,,,,,welcome to the circle.

Where's Chad and the wizard?

IRS.gov

Annual Exclusion for Gifts for 2007
For calendar year 2007, the first $12,000 of gifts to any person (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts made during that year.

For calendar year 2007, the first $125,000 of gifts to a spouse who is not a citizen of the United States (other than gifts of future interests in property) are not included in the total amount of taxable gifts made during that year.

I heard recently about a new one starting up around here, for a drink called Verve?

As far as Monavie removing chemicals from your body, so does water, and your kidneys, and for a lot cheaper.

Funny, but notice how bossman1's request has gone unanswered?
Maybe they ran out of cheese.

Circle, those....,,,,,wagons and let's have some commasense.
In your case, Emmy your doggy is probably already waggin', right? Pugs are usually friendly dogs.

Oh, and strider is into magnets, too. Not surprising. Crystals, too???

Ah, the magical solutions to the world. Abandon logic and reality because fantasy is so much better. Enter the Magic Kingdom with your accountant who "thinks" for you? Wow. Good luck stryder! Sounds like one "professional" to avoid. But, then ALL accountants are honest and totally up on the law, right? Perhaps he/she is used to the ENRON around things. (yuk, yuk.)

Anyone for spontaneous generation since commasence has taken over? Ok if i share some grammatical errors, Emmy?

JunkYardDog:
Bet we can pass 200 comments!
Welcome all newcomers! Both sexes welcome! All manner of mammals! Welcome! Welcome! No mucho dinero either! Comprende? Si! Si!

Boy, I have such a warm fuzzy feeling,,,,,OOOOPPPPSSS! Just sat on my cat.

OK, strider, I'll bite.. I'll give you $5000 cash, if YOU give ME $10,000 cash for good faith money, then when I get my $40,000, I give you back the $10,000.

Come on, what have you got to lose? It's not illegal, IS IT?

Started to feel warm and fuzzy yet?

Still haven't answered the question of what the end circlers get when the circle DOES end.

Waiting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(commas come in handy)

Blue, got any magnets I can borrow?

How about some Absolut?

C'mon, be a circle buddy, will ya?

I havent laughed so hard in such a long time, you bloggers are hilarious! Well, looks like this has come "Full Circle" - All the step sisters ran off with the slipper somewhere, perhaps paradise island.

Yorkie's in! Welcome,welcome!

beetlejuice, you too, sorry I missed ya, brutha, but I finna be chuggin the Monahvee!

Ok, name songs with "circle" or "sister" in them, winner gets a free invite to da the wine an cheese pahtay!

Monavie shots included!

"Circle of Life"

"Sister Christian"

Your turn!

Ya know this circle thing must be just a way to get dizzy people to run around (in circles of course). Single malt scotch for me, please.

Now and then these blogs go from sublime to ridiculous. This one has reversed the trend.

We are sublime. Glad you are accepting all mammals into this circle. A sistah only club made me a bit uncomfortable. Any chance we could include a snake or two? I believe the coachwhip forms a circle to escape.

Wooo I'm in! Could our theme song be that circle of life song from the Lion King? Thats all warm and fuzzy. I think we could possibly steal some members from tha sista circle.

I bet Oprah would join our circle.

Sorry emmy, I put that one already.
"Circle Of Life."

C'mon, there's got to be tons of them out there.
OR
You can make a title up, BUT it has to do with the sister circle stuff.

Sure Blue, let's let snakes join. After all, that's what started this whole Circle of Sisters thing anyway, right?

C'MON! There's gotta be oldie circle or sister songs!

"sisterhood of the traveling pants"

Do movies count?

"Sister Act"

How bout the fact that if you Google "Circle of Sisters" you will find web sights tryig to promote physical abuse shelters and help for women with addictions, etc....
These Pieces of SH#@ are tarnishing something that truly has helped women over the years. By using the name, "Circle of Sisters", to make a few bucks for some rich Bit#$es who can afford 5 grand up front. Next thing you know somebody in town wil have a golf stadium you can invest in. Oh wait! That scam was already used.

Kodak's in!

Way to go, JYD!
edied, Yes! Movies too!

I got another: Full Circle-Aerosmith

"Sister Disco"
The Who

#140 Way to go, Kodak.

"sisters are doin' it for themselves"
aretha franklin

Drivin sister-Mott the Hoople

Over and out, it's been fun!

Won't make 200(probably) but you people who participated are the best!

See ya next wacky article!

I'm in the Circle...

You're in the Circle....

Wouldn't ya like to be in the Circle, too?

Drink Mona Vie, invest with me, throw money out there and see....

How fruity can they be?

I'd better stop before the Dr. Pepper guys come after me for copyright infringement. :-)

How about classic literature: Who amongst you could ever forget that classic read....,,,,Sisters Karamazov?

Or going back to the basic books once used in schools everywhere:
See Sally run in circles? See Spot chase his tail! See Sally get chased by Spot the police dog. "Out Spot, out out, dammed Spot" cried Sally as the not so friendly officer, Dickie Smith, tasered her for resisting arrest. I used the oft used short version of Richard, but NDN censorship changed it to "unmentionable" since when is a guy named Dick unmentionable?

Only beaver dams can make into this censored blog as well. NDN why not do some REAL reporting. Some investigative reporting about Circle schemes and drop the asinine censorship?

FYI, legitimate coffee shops have been dissed by this censorship too. Try putting in the name for the one with the little burro...you know Bad ss and you will see a pretty funny result.

I love Bad Bass coffee....don't mess with my brew.

Those coffee ice cubes in my iced coffee are deligthful on a hot day.

There's no circle there either...no scam...just great coffee...with some bad humored t-shirts mixed in.

Totally offended by the Republican donkey shirt....the owners should consider revising those.

But Mona Vie....does NOTHING for me.

These Circle chicks disgust me!

Beetlejuice is into poetry so early this AM.

Can 50 more about this group with circular logic (lack of logic) make it on board? One wonders.

Time for coffee!

OHMYGOD, I am never going to bed before 3 again!

beetle, YOU ROCK!

I should have known better, real men stay up after 11 in times of grave importance, like making it to post 200.

I have faith in you, my bruthas and sistahs,

Bad dereierre (ok, I know I spelled it wrong, no butt shot for me) coffee is number ONE, April the owner ROCKS!

Comeon, we make it to 200, coffee with Monavie and, oh heck, skip the Monavie caa-caa (can I write that?) coffee and your favorite indulgent shot added) on the Circle of Sistahs.
As someone stated before, "Cheese? We don't want none of your stinkin cheese!"

emmy, we're countin on you, babe!

REAL MEN also continue to blog on this very important issue, before noon.
Didn't want to offend all of the other real men out there.

Day off, heading to the beach, I'll look for any peculiar crop or sand circles.

indigo,
These are times of grave importance, and we are dealing with a contagious psychosis. This "Sister of Mercy" cult has used smart psychological tactics to get money out of women and now that it's out, no one is admitted to contributing a gift (too embarrassed to talk about it). This kind of reminds of Dorothy-Reynolds-spiritual-life-coach story.
We need to intervene. And, we need to reach 200.
I’d like to hear more about how great the circle is. Please, more sales pitch!

Okay, I've just opened up a paypal for you all to send donations to me. You can send your $5 (Or more!) to circleofsiblings4emmy@sucker.com I didn't want to offend the men of this blog so I made sure to use the PC term "siblings."

If you need me I'll be sippin some patron down on the beach...errr I mean I'll be making copies of that important document by boss needs by 3.

crap. I mean "MY boss needs" not BY.

BYE.

I just got done reading the article on how our housing market is back on track.

Well, I was wondering..could the circlesisters please pitch in a buy my condo from me? You could use it as like a halfway house for all the sisters you help through tough times. It has a very nice large walk in closet that you could store all your gifted designer clothes.

Contact me at buyemmyscondosista@sucker.com

Thanks.

I'm sorry I found this article and these blogs so late into the conversation! I personally don't care one way or another what everyone else does...I try to live my own life...however I just couldn't find the strength to keep my comments to myself this time...

If entire societies across the world can be gullible enough to believe that a "spirit" created the universe in 7 days and had a baby with a married woman through "immaculate conception" (a baby whom later in life would be killed and then come to rise from the dead)...oh, oh, and then promised all do-gooders that they will go to a supercool awesome place to meet him after they die...

Then why can't women believe it's okay to give a "gift" to another women so that they'll get a gift 8 times bigger?

LOL, and I was raised catholic...aahhh yes, good times!

Too funny!!! Both concepts are ridiculous if you ask me, but to each their own!!!

I'm sorry, that was a bit crude.

I'm not against religion in any way...I was just trying to find something equally as "blind-faith" as the other!

Hope I didn