S'pore content creator Tyen Rasif nearly joined Nanning pyramid scheme, was asked to invest S$18,000

Singapore content creator and personal trainer Tyen Rasif recounted her near encounter with a suspected pyramid scheme in Nanning, China, in a September 10 video post on social media. Rasif, then 23 years old, was invited by a friend to Nanning, the capital of Guangxi region, with the promise of a trip to document the initiation process.

Upon arrival, she was taken to homes and cafes where residents explained the opportunity to invest in Nanning's development. The majority of attendees were Singaporeans, which Rasif noted in her video. She was asked to invest approximately S$18,000 and then recruit two new members, who would each bring in more recruits, earning a commission from the new members.

Rasif was skeptical about the scheme and raised concerns about starting a business in China without the right connections. The scheme's organizers convinced her that it was difficult to establish a business without connections. Rasif, however, found it suspicious that she needed to put down a deposit to secure a membership spot.

She also noticed a deserted luxury shopping mall during her visit, further raising her suspicions. The organizers eventually stopped trying to persuade her, but Rasif knew that many others had already invested thousands, believing the promise of building a better future in China. She hoped sharing her story would warn others against falling for similar scam schemes.

Rasif expressed surprise that the scheme was still active and had grown larger, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.