The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is warning Facebook users not to fall for this online gift-giving scheme.
A Facebook post has been recirculating online asking social media users to send a gift worth $10 or more to a “secret sister” with a promise of 36 presents in return.
“Anyone want to join in on this fun?” one post read, according to CBS. “You have to buy one gift valued of at least $10 and send it to your secret sis. (Hello, Amazon!) you will then receive 6-36 gifts in return.”
The scam also asked users to comment “I’m in” for more information.
The USPIS first warned about the pyramid scheme in 2015 when it spread like wildfire on Facebook. The law enforcement arm of the US Postal Service said most people won’t receive anything for their contributions and will just be out of cash.
“The people at the top of the ‘pyramid’ benefit most — and might actually receive the items promised,” the USPIS wrote on its Facebook page. “However, for everyone to receive what they’ve been promised, each layer of the pyramid must attract new recruits. It’s mathematically impossible to sustain.”
According to the Better Business Bureau, these pyramid schemes on social media are illegal.