Police probe claims of $1.3m pyramid selling swindle

Police are investigating claims by 28 people yesterday that they were cheated out of a total of $1.3 million after being persuaded to join an alleged pyramid selling scheme. They said they had invested sums ranging from $6,800 to $380,000 to join the plan, set up by a Yau Ma Tei company.

A spokesman for the 28 said each of them was given a water filter and issued with gift coupons that could be exchanged for medicine. He said the value of the filter and coupons were well below the amount invested. Seven of them went to the company's offices yesterday but failed to get refunds.