TVI Express, a pyramid scheme operating since 2008, recently resurfaced in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Hundreds of citizens, including numerous railway employees, lost thousands of rupees in the operation. The scheme requires participants to pay approximately $200 USD for entry.
Members then join a reverse matrix system. Commissions are earned once enough new matrix positions are purchased, either by newly recruited members or by existing members repurchasing positions. Third-party travel offers attach to each position, but these have no connection to the MLM compensation plan or the commissions paid.
The TVI Express pyramid scheme initially launched in India. It soon exhausted the local recruitment market and shifted its focus to international expansion. The scheme spread to parts of Africa, where it was largely outlawed, and Australia, where authorities declared it illegal. It also had a brief presence in the United States. More recently, the scheme appears to spread across Asia, with the Philippines serving as a primary recruitment target.
The Times of India reported on its return to the Indian market. The newspaper noted, "Yet another investors' scam has surfaced in the city. Hundreds of citizens, including many railway employees, have lost thousands of rupees in the scheme run by TVI Express." Railway officials played a key role in luring new recruits.
The scam exposed links to certain Central Railway officials. These individuals used their influence to build a chain of investor-employees. Affected Central Railway employees stated that about 200 station masters and pointsmen from Ajni yard, plus an equal number of staff from other departments, became members. A few employees in the Divisional Railway Manager's (DRM) office reportedly controlled the entire operation.
The employees who invested did not receive the promised returns over the past year. They now seek their money back. South-East Central Railway (SECR) employees also lost funds. "By paying Rs 15,500 to the railway officer, who was an up line distributor, we were told to make two members to get back Rs 31,000 immediately," said Sushma Sutaria (name changed), a Central Railway victim.
The promised amount was not credited to their accounts even after they recruited two members. Victims learned they needed to recruit at least 14 members down the line to receive Rs 31,000, a goal they described as impossible.