# Is this a scam? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 8, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412 "2003-09-08T23:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412/1 "2003-09-08T23:37:10Z")
And if not, what the heck is it? I just traded links with this place, but if it’s a scam, I don’t want it linked on my site. [http://www.hook-ups.2ya.com/](http://www.hook-ups.2ya.com/) ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412/2 "2003-09-08T23:56:12Z")
Yes, specifically, it is a chain type scam. Just click on their “FAQ” link, which says the following: > [@](#): > > After purchasing our ebook suit [sic], you will be placed in the specified matrix list. The current person on top of the FULL MATRIX is the individual “Cycling”, meaning as soon as the matrix is full, the Cycling individual will receive their FREE Gift. For Example, based on a 5 person matrix, the current cycling individual will receive their FREE Gift every time 5 new people join the matrix. Their site has some pretty abismal typos, doesn’t have its own domain, and is using a completely incorrect definition of “matrix.” ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2003, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412/3 "2003-09-08T23:59:13Z")
It looks very much the same as the stuff that is being peddled on eBay, which (as far as I know) is a scam (well, not really, more a sort of confidence trick) and you just get info on how to beg for review samples from manufacturers or some such. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412/4 "2003-09-09T00:06:55Z")
Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-scam/200412/5 "2003-09-09T00:10:37Z")
So the first person has to wait for five people to join; the second person (who has already been waiting for four people) has to wait for another five - totalling nine, the third person (who has already been waiting for eight people), has to wait another five, totalling thirteen and so on… If you happen to be the 24th person to join, then you have to wait until 97 more people join after you before you get some crappy off-brand radio or some such. The number of people who must join after you to enable you to rise after the top of the list is ((your membership position)x4)+1