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Original poster

This is a scam isn’t it?

137 replies

Namechabgeforthissss · 26/10/2025 09:11

I’m pretty sure it is but I’m actually quite surprised by the tone of the messages now. I moved into a lovely neighbourhood and one of the neighbours same age kids as mine, same profession as mine too so we had a lot in common. I thought she was a lovely person with a lovely family so I wanted to get to know her more.

It started off with just a simple text asking if I wanted to make extra money on the side which I said I don’t have time right now as I’m still settling into new home and new job. Few weeks later another one and to be polite I asked details and she said I just need to give her £800 to become her partner on the business and then sign up at least 4 more people and I can earn £1200 a month! I told her again really politely I don’t have time do I won’t sign up. She’s messaged me again a few more times including this morning at 6am! Saying she really wants me to have this opportunity as it won’t come again. I obviously know it’s a scam but it’s put me off getting to know her better. Our kids are in same school so I wanted the kids to get friendly but I’m feeling like completely blanking her now. It’s such a pity as I think it would have been nice for the kids. Am I right to avoid her?

husband said it’s a pyramid scheme. I obviously will not be giving her any money on any grounds or signing up to some weird partnership

OP posts:
NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 26/10/2025 10:11

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 26/10/2025 10:07

You just need to give her £800. Right. And people really fall for this?

Don’t even become friends with her.

People "fall for it" often because like the OP they are ignorant of such schemes or are separate for money or are chronic people pleasers.

Some might just be stupid but there are several other reasons sadly

MyDeftDuck · 26/10/2025 10:11

Tell her firmly but politely, NO!
But I would be curious to learn how many more neighbours she has approached, successfully or unsuccessfully. And now I’m itching for the OP to find out 🤭

BeRoseSloth · 26/10/2025 10:09

Utilita Energy maybe. We got an approach from someone I vaguely know whilst both visiting my sick relative.

Gowlett · 26/10/2025 10:08

Your mistake was engaging & trying to be polite.
Done now, she caught you off guard. It’s a tactic.

Next time, a straight “no thanks” & stop messaging.

Whammyammy · 26/10/2025 10:07

It's clearly a pyramid scheme. Like juice plus, younique etc

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 26/10/2025 10:07

You just need to give her £800. Right. And people really fall for this?

Don’t even become friends with her.

Freebus · 26/10/2025 10:05

nomas · 26/10/2025 10:00

You’ve got your head switched on OP but I feel bad for the people who are vulnerable enough to get sucked into this, or feel intimidated by her into complying.

We have a UW ‘salesman’ on our local , I challenge him and get accused of being mean.

I agree , at the time the people I knew who had signed up were the skint people desperately hoping for an income boost. They ended up with a stash of crappy products they couldn't flog.

Twiglets1 · 26/10/2025 10:04

It’s very obviously a scam. I would confide in her you have no money and she will lose interest fast!

pikkumyy77 · 26/10/2025 10:01

Namechabgeforthissss · 26/10/2025 09:23

Thank you all. Yes it’s so bloody cheeky. I feel she targeted me as I was vulnerable (moving to new city, new home, new job etc) I really wanted to get to know my neighbours better but she’s put me off. I really felt at ease talking to her and usually I’m shy and awkward. But now I’m thinking it was her way to make me feel at ease. What a horrible person!

Well now you know that you should wait and focus on other shy people. The first people to welcome and fuss over you are usually crazy/predatory/outcasts—that is why they target you. You can approach people sliwly and gently and find your people.

Freebus · 26/10/2025 10:01

Years ago a colleague tried to get a group of us signed up for a pyramid scheme. I politely declined. At the time I thought if I wanted to be a salesperson I would apply for sales jobs..

nomas · 26/10/2025 10:00

You’ve got your head switched on OP but I feel bad for the people who are vulnerable enough to get sucked into this, or feel intimidated by her into complying.

We have a UW ‘salesman’ on our local , I challenge him and get accused of being mean.

Alondra · 26/10/2025 10:00

I frankly don't understand your problem. It doesn't matter if it's a scam, saying to her "Thank you for the info, but I'm not interested" should end the drama.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 26/10/2025 09:58

It’s a scam and she’ll be desperate to sign people up b cause she’s obviously handed over her £800 and been scammed herself and the only way for her to make anything back is find others to part with their money. If she doesn’t stop asking I’d block her, is a shame but it’s unlikely you’ll ever be able to be friends with her as she’s always just going to see you as a way for her to get out of the financial hole she’s dug for herself.

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 26/10/2025 09:58

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 26/10/2025 09:54

‘Sorry, X, but I really don’t have the time or spare cash for this, so please don’t ask me again.’

Don’t be sorry!

TeaRoseTallulah · 26/10/2025 09:57

BarbieKew · 26/10/2025 09:50

You definitely need to be firm with her, tell her you do not have the money or any way of raising it and are not interested.

However, don’t write off a potential friendship. One of my friends got sucked into UW and it didn’t last too long. Once she realised I was not going to play she reverted to her normal self with me. She’s quite embarrassed by the whole thing now.

Yeah, one of my oldest friends did too, it was really awful at the time but didn't last long .

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 26/10/2025 09:57

rolandsrat · 26/10/2025 09:48

Time to be blunt.

I am not interested. Please do not message me regarding this again.

if she does, block.

I wouldn’t bother with the ‘please’

BMW6 · 26/10/2025 09:57

Fuck Off should do it.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 26/10/2025 09:54

‘Sorry, X, but I really don’t have the time or spare cash for this, so please don’t ask me again.’

Steeleydan · 26/10/2025 09:54

Namechabgeforthissss · 26/10/2025 09:11

I’m pretty sure it is but I’m actually quite surprised by the tone of the messages now. I moved into a lovely neighbourhood and one of the neighbours same age kids as mine, same profession as mine too so we had a lot in common. I thought she was a lovely person with a lovely family so I wanted to get to know her more.

It started off with just a simple text asking if I wanted to make extra money on the side which I said I don’t have time right now as I’m still settling into new home and new job. Few weeks later another one and to be polite I asked details and she said I just need to give her £800 to become her partner on the business and then sign up at least 4 more people and I can earn £1200 a month! I told her again really politely I don’t have time do I won’t sign up. She’s messaged me again a few more times including this morning at 6am! Saying she really wants me to have this opportunity as it won’t come again. I obviously know it’s a scam but it’s put me off getting to know her better. Our kids are in same school so I wanted the kids to get friendly but I’m feeling like completely blanking her now. It’s such a pity as I think it would have been nice for the kids. Am I right to avoid her?

husband said it’s a pyramid scheme. I obviously will not be giving her any money on any grounds or signing up to some weird partnership

Sorry read further posts, it sounds like utility warehouse, didn't know you had to pay upfront for that, thought it was commission only

Neverflyingagain · 26/10/2025 09:54

It's a multi-level marketing thing. She has been given the script when she bought into it / fell for it, and it's a hard sell thing that makes some double glazing salespeople look like teddy bears!
If you recruit these four people who will all pay you £800 or whatever, probably half of that will go to her or even more. Then whoever is her 'boss' will get their cut and so on. She's not going to stop harassing you about it. Ever!!!
My neighbour is heavily invested in one of these and tried to suck a load of us in. It's changed her. She used to be a sensible sort of person with various interests etc now all you get is her business and how she can help you make money so you too can give up your rat race job. What she doesn't seem to have realised is her banker husband is making enough so she doesn't have to do a rat race job!
Block, move on, well done for spotting it.

Sassylovesbooks · 26/10/2025 09:54

My neighbour is part of the Utility Warehouse, and asks me periodically if she can 'save me money'. I always say that we're locked into our deal. There's not much she can say about that! She's never tried to 'recruit' me though. If your neighbour keeps on at you, then you need to be firm and if necessary...blunt! No need to be rude, after all you are neighbours, and have to live near each other, but firmness is needed, so she knows it's pointless in keep asking. It's one of those situations where you have to ask yourself 'If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is'.

ShesNeverSeenAShadeOfGray · 26/10/2025 09:53

'I'm not interested. Please don't ask me again.'
'I've said I'm not interested, please don't ask me again.'
'No. Stop asking.'

Phobiaphobic · 26/10/2025 09:52

I've seen intelligent people fall prey to these scams. There is no such thing as a free lunch or free money.

KathyDuck · 26/10/2025 09:52

Be firm. Reply to her - This isn’t for me and isn’t something I’ll ever be interested in doing. Enjoy your Sunday!

and repeat if needed

Steeleydan · 26/10/2025 09:52

Namechabgeforthissss · 26/10/2025 09:11

I’m pretty sure it is but I’m actually quite surprised by the tone of the messages now. I moved into a lovely neighbourhood and one of the neighbours same age kids as mine, same profession as mine too so we had a lot in common. I thought she was a lovely person with a lovely family so I wanted to get to know her more.

It started off with just a simple text asking if I wanted to make extra money on the side which I said I don’t have time right now as I’m still settling into new home and new job. Few weeks later another one and to be polite I asked details and she said I just need to give her £800 to become her partner on the business and then sign up at least 4 more people and I can earn £1200 a month! I told her again really politely I don’t have time do I won’t sign up. She’s messaged me again a few more times including this morning at 6am! Saying she really wants me to have this opportunity as it won’t come again. I obviously know it’s a scam but it’s put me off getting to know her better. Our kids are in same school so I wanted the kids to get friendly but I’m feeling like completely blanking her now. It’s such a pity as I think it would have been nice for the kids. Am I right to avoid her?

husband said it’s a pyramid scheme. I obviously will not be giving her any money on any grounds or signing up to some weird partnership

Sounds like selling Amway or juice plus, it's pyramid selling,tell her you've got no money spare for things like that, and be firm

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