Can we please stop using these terms interchangeably? They're totally different scams. The pyramid scam can be quasi-legal since it doesn't necessarily involve lying to the new members, just hoping they're gullible enough to think they are near the top of the pyramid. A ponzi scheme only has ONE person/group at the "top" and works by convincing members that the scam is a legitimate investment, and is definitely illegal.

TOTALLY DIFFERENT IDEAS

another little secret: Michigan has a business team (yes, team as in many members and its own command structure) that courts that industry help. Most of the other teams don't have the manpower or organization to do that.