• UOKiK warns consumers against systems operating on the FutureNet portal and the FutureAdPro advertising platform - these may be pyramid schemes.
• The President of the Office initiated the proceedings and levelled charges against companies that administer these portals.
• The District Prosecutor's Office in Wrocław is conducting its own investigation.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection suspects that FutureNet and FutureAdPro have systems that might be pyramid schemes. Consumers may lose their money. That is why we officially warn you: do not buy any products and do not invite your friends to join the system. We drew consumers’ attention to risky investments such as FutureNet and FutureAdPro already in 2017.

The websites mentioned above are administered by two companies: BCU Trading based in Dubai and FutureNet Ukraine with its registered office in Lvov. UOKiK instituted proceedings and brought charges against them. The District Prosecutor's Office in Wrocław is also interested in these portals and is currently conducting its own investigation under the reference number PO 2 Ds. 63.2016.

FutureNet and FutureAdPro promise “profits” for persuading others to buy participation packages that cost from USD 10 up to over 1 000 USD. Both companies make the profits dependent on whether their clients will recruit more participants. The system will no longer work when other people stop joining it. Usually in such schemes the money goes mainly to their authors, says Marek Niechciał, the President of UOKiK.

UOKiK’s proceedings regarding violation of consumers’ collective interests may end with a decision on imposing a fine of up to 10% of company’s turnover. The Office may also order the company to discontinue unfavourable practices and deal with their consequences.

What is a pyramid scheme?

This is how the pyramid scheme works: you pay the money in, then bring in other people to join the scheme and get paid for each successful recommendation. Your remuneration comes from payments made by people you directly and indirectly recommended. This way it is you, your friends and friends of your friends who finance the scheme. However, after some time, the system has to fail, because the money deposited is not invested in any assets and does not bring in profits. Your money goes to the scheme’s organizers and people occupying higher positions in the company’s hierarchy. The system works until more money is paid in than paid out. The condition is, however, that the number of people participating in the scheme increases dramatically but constant and rapid customer growth is simply not possible. As a result, the scheme fails, your money vanishes, and if you have introduced your friends or family to the scheme – their money is also lost. All of a sudden it is impossible to contact the company. Pyramid schemes are often called “program”, “investments”, “making money online”, “making money at home”, “advertising platform” to put the clients off. Report the scheme to law enforcement agencies (the police, prosecutor’s office).

Consumer warning

Pursuant to the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection, UOKiK issues a consumer warning when it has a reasonable suspicion that an enterprise uses illegal practices that may expose many consumers to significant financial losses or adverse effects. Warnings are posted on the Office's website.

Enterprises against which the President of UOKiK has issued a warning are: BCU Trading based in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and FutureNet Ukraine with its registered office in Lvov (Ukraine).

Contact for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone: +48 695 902 088
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL