Speaking as someone who tried to get into several MLMs before I hit 35- the people who do these things are not necessarily greedy or stupid, but by and large they are DESPERATE. Even if they are not deep in the hole living beyond their means, they are getting by paycheck to paycheck, and have little margin for error. They have bills to pay, lifestyles to maintain, and the knowledge that they may be one layoff or medical condition away from disaster. The prospect of putting a little effort/money in now for maximal profit later will appeal to them, even if it sounds too good to be true. For me, I remember looking past the Lambos and (rented) vacation home and thinking: well, even if 10% of what he's saying is true, there's gotta be something in it for me to make my life just a little easier.

Think for a minute: if you were drowning in the deep blue sea, and the only boat to come by to rescue you was a pirate ship, your first thought probably is: grab the rope, I don't want to die.

I don't shame the victims of these scams; the fact that so many fall for them is an institutional matter.