Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes like Forever Living Products (FLP) present themselves as business opportunities that promise easy income and personal freedom, but often end up exploiting individuals financially and psychologically. Forever Living Products, specifically, is framed by many former participants as a deceptive MLM that operates much like a pyramid scheme. MLM schemes like FLP typically lure participants with attractive offers of a substantial monthly income while working only a few hours a day. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the model relies heavily on recruitment, and not on actual sales of quality products.

FLP’s “onboarding” process often begins with multiple meetings where recruiters emphasize self-employment and financial independence, persuading new recruits to invest their own money upfront. The investment varies, but new members are required to pay a minimum of 7,000 to 30,000 INR to purchase FLP’s products. These products, such as aloe vera creams, toothpaste, and honey, are sold at disproportionately high prices, making them difficult to resell. For example, FLP sells a bottle of honey for 1,075 INR, a price that many feel is unrealistic given the alternatives in the market.

The business structure is designed so that once individuals buy their initial product package, they are then expected to recruit others to join, also through purchasing products. This recruitment-centric model fits the characteristics of a pyramid scheme, as participants make money not through direct sales but by continuously adding new members below them. The training sessions encourage recruits to aggressively market FLP’s products and business model to friends and family. In many cases, members are even advised to lie to their parents about the nature of the business to gain access to the investment funds.

Several participants have shared their negative experiences with FLP’s business model, pointing out that only a small percentage of people succeed financially, while the majority struggle to recoup their initial investment. For instance, one individual reported investing 35,000 INR into FLP, only to make 11,000 INR in four months of hard work. The scheme encourages participants to reach the “supervisor level,” which requires monthly purchases and recruitment to maintain a commission. Some participants noted that when they attempted to leave, their earned bonuses were revoked, and the process of obtaining refunds was time-consuming and complicated by additional administrative fees.

The excessive costs of FLP’s products are a common complaint. For many middle-class families, the prices are simply unaffordable, especially when it comes to daily necessities like toothpaste or soap. These products are marketed at around four times the price of comparable items available in regular stores. Additionally, FLP operates without traditional advertising or retail outlets, relying solely on its network of distributors for sales. This results in many members finding it difficult to sell products in a market where people are unwilling to pay such high prices.

The recruitment sessions, often hosted by young people who flaunt a lavish lifestyle, further lure participants by promising the dream of financial freedom. Testimonials from these recruiters paint an idealized picture of their own success, complete with luxury cars, international trips, and financial independence, which creates a false sense of achievable prosperity. Participants are persuaded to believe that they, too, can attain this lifestyle if they follow the same steps and recruit more people. Unfortunately, this sense of success is not the reality for most, as it requires continuous investments and a relentless recruitment drive to keep up with the promised rewards.

Several individuals reported that after making the initial investment, they were misled about the additional requirements necessary to earn a decent income. For instance, at the “assistant supervisor” level, members must invest a minimum of 30,000 INR in products each month or convince someone else to buy in. FLP’s scheme, like many MLMs, places a strong emphasis on motivational seminars that use emotionally charged language to reinforce the belief in the business model. These sessions encourage new recruits to view skepticism from family or friends as outdated thinking and suggest that financial success requires unwavering loyalty to the FLP system.

Participants have reported feeling mentally and emotionally drained, not only from the financial strain but also from the high-pressure tactics and guilt-tripping techniques used by their supervisors. The company also enforces restrictive policies that prevent members from quitting without losing their accumulated earnings. Participants who return products for refunds are subject to additional deductions, including taxes, administrative fees, and delivery charges, which can substantially reduce the refund amount. Furthermore, many former members noted the difficulty of obtaining a refund, having to contact customer service repeatedly before any progress was made.

Testimonials from former members consistently advise against joining FLP or any MLM without thoroughly understanding the business model. They argue that the reality of MLMs is that only a small fraction of participants ever achieve the financial rewards advertised, while the majority end up losing money. Unlike traditional employment or business ventures, MLM schemes like FLP lack transparency and rely on recruiting vulnerable individuals with promises of a better life. Young people, students, housewives, and individuals from economically struggling backgrounds are often targeted, as they are more likely to be drawn in by the appeal of quick, easy money.

In conclusion, MLMs like Forever Living Products exploit the desire for financial freedom, but often leave participants worse off than when they started. The pressure to continuously recruit new members and make large monthly purchases means that very few people earn a sustainable income from this model. For those considering joining, the consensus advice from past participants is to invest time and money in building real skills and pursuing legitimate job opportunities rather than relying on the empty promises of MLMs. The experiences of former FLP members highlight the importance of thorough research and a critical approach to any business opportunity that requires an upfront investment with little to no guarantee of returns.