Ok, I have an interesting story related to this topic. Relevant information: In the 1970s my parents were in one of the original pyramid schemes and I think they even made a little money on it. I was young (8-10ish), but I remember hearing them talk about it and I remember hearing on the news that they were making them illegal. I think I may have even asked my parents about it and they gave me a vague understanding of the issue because I was worried they were going to get in trouble.
It is now 1984, I am just graduated from high school and looking through the PennySaver for jobs. I see an ad for a sales job and call the number. They tell me to come in for an interview and give me a time and address. I show up and there are several other applicants there, maybe 15 people. We are herded into a conference room where we are told about some great product and how we can buy in with our starter kit and get other people to sell to make more money, etc. Now, all this is triggering my memory of the pyramid scheme, just with a product attached, so when the presenter asks for questions, I raise my hand and asked "Isn't this kinda like a pyramid scheme?" Now, I was fully expecting him to have a good explanation as to how this was NOT a pyramid scheme, however, what he said was "you can leave, NOW" and pointed to the door. As a naive and somewhat shy 18 year old, I was very embarrassed and shocked to be so abruptly told to leave, and I remember sitting in my car very shaken for a while before being able to drive home. Afterwards, I realized that I had basically unmasked their scam and that is why he was so angry, but that was definitely not my intention at the time. I am glad that I dodged that bullet though.
I guess they have just gotten better at it since then.