Police Seek Help Investigating Scam

Coeur d’Alene police still are investigating a 1994 pyramid scheme and are asking that anyone who hasn’t received their money back to call authorities.

The scam, known as the Unconditional Giving Matrix, swept through Coeur d’Alene in April 1994.

To take part in the scheme, people paid $1,500 to the person at the top of a 15-space pyramid matrix. For that money, they got a spot at the bottom of the pyramid.

They were then supposed to recruit others to join the pyramid. As the pyramid’s spaces were filled, the person at the top was to receive $12,000. Participants were told they, too, eventually would rotate to the top of the pyramid and rake in thousands of dollars.

But the scheme, which is illegal, tends to make large profits for those first to join while leaving those who join later without their money or any profits.

Police believe more than 400 people participated in the pyramid scheme, which finally crumbled after news spread that it was illegal.

Prosecutors have focused their attention on prosecuting people who did not give the money back to other participants after finding out the scheme was illegal.

Lt. Don Jiran asked Friday that anyone who did not receive their money back or who requests prosecution to call him at 769-2291. , DataTimes