It was a quiet Tuesday evening when my phone pinged – a message: ”hey hun, have you ever thought of joining Monat?” – yet another MLM text

I’m not sure if there’s a sticker on my head that says “Scam me!”, or if it’s my blonde hair that gets all the MLM babes so attracted to me, but it’s definitely one or the other because this isn’t the first time I’ve been targeted by yet another MLM (or, let’s be honest, pyramid scheme) business.

“Victim” might be a big word here, so let the record show: I’ve never actually gone through with any of them. Meaning, I’ve never paid any joining fees or become part of a group that actively scams people.

But there it was, a Tuesday evening, when I got a message from a woman. And this is where my story starts.

First order of business – befriend them

This said woman followed me on Instagram about a month or so ago. I had a scroll through her profile, as one does, and decided to follow her back – she looked quite cool and and fun.

A couple of days later, she left a comment on a rather old photo of mine, saying she thought my hair was gorgeous. I mean, I can spot a lie when I see one, but still – who doesn’t like to be flattered now and again? Funny thing is, my hair in that photo looked fried.

But her comment did make me think she seemed lovely, and honestly, maybe even someone I could be friends with.

And this is how they get you.

Next up: give them a few days and then go all in

Another couple of days later, she messages me!

”Hi Caroline, I hope you’re okay? I just wanted to say thank you so much for the follow. Your content is literally amazing. Are you making money from your socials right now? I just ask because I think you’d be amazing at my business! Are you open to hearing more about it?”

And this is when I clocked it. Another quick, but this time, a deeper look, through her socials and there it was. She was a Monat babe.

What is Monat?

To put it quite bluntly, it’s a haircare scam for those at the bottom of the pyramid. It’s not as obvious as an “I’m going to take your credit card and max it out” scam, but it’s a (more nuanced) scam nevertheless. A quick Google search will confirm that MLM’s are known for preying on vulnerable people, or those who dream of leaving their office jobs behind to start their own business.

Only… this will never be your business. Monat is a private company, and you’re not getting a seat at the board table. Not that you’d want one, considering all the lawsuits they’re facing. After all, pyramid schemes are illegal, and MLM is just another word for that.

Monat claims to be the world’s number one haircare brand focused on scalp health. Or at least, that’s what they say they are. I’m not sure how you manage to squeeze two lies into one sentence, but here we are: Monat is certainly not the world’s number one haircare company, and their products can actually damage your hair and scalp.

So, with that being said, I of course had to hear more about this amazing opportunity, because who in their right mind wouldn’t want fried hair and a chance to make someone else rich?

Joining Monat: The pre-recorded Zoom call

Shortly after this woman briefs me on joining Monat and all the opportunities that come with it, she sends me a link to a 20-minute pre-recorded Zoom call. In it, two girls talk about things like financial freedom, company cars, amazing work trips all over the world, a community of supportive and friendly people, and, of course, the tricks they’ve got to make it all oh-so easy for you.

The only thing I’d need to do to unlock this dreamland? Purchase their products, use them on my hair, share my journey online, and start counting the millions I’m making.

Introducing Monat packages

There are two packages I could get. The first one includes their shampoo, conditioner, growth serum, black shampoo, rejuvenating oil, and split end mender – all for the bargain price of nearly £200.

The second package (for if you’re poor or something) includes shampoo, conditioner, a styling product, and the split end mender. This one is £139.

Hmm. So far, it seems that by purchasing these, I’d actually be losing money – surely? But no, the woman on the other end of my Instagram DMs explains all this potential profit incredibly well to me.

How do you actually make money by joining Monat?

I mean, you don’t, but here’s her rationalisation.

You don’t have to stock-buy the products; you only need to purchase the starter kit so you can show it all off to your social media followers. The sending out and shipping of the products? Monat does that for you. How convenient!

Once you’ve embarrassed yourself by begging your friends, family, and people you haven’t spoken to in ten years to buy Monat products, you’ll earn 15% commission on each sale. And if you decide to build a team (as this woman is clearly trying to do now), you get leadership payments too – which apparently adds up to five paydays a month.

Apparently, all products have a point value too. So, the more points you collect, the more money you make. Of course, you making more money isn’t exactly in Monat’s best interest… so, good luck collecting those points!

Why joining Monat is dangerous

Naturally, one gets paid more once they recruit more people. Isn’t that the whole concept behind a pyramid scheme?

In reality, there’s no real money to be made with Monat. Well, at least, not any life-changing money. And to be quite frank, working for Monat (or any other MLM, for that matter) will have you hustling harder than you would in any regular office job. Only here, you’ll make so little that it’ll never be worth it. And that’s what makes it a scam.

There’s a reason MLMs target vulnerable people. If you’re a single mum trying to make ends meet, if you’re out of a job, if you’re young and vulnerable, or old and gullible – they will target you, because it’s easier to sell a dream to people who are desperately looking for one.

So, the moral of this op-ed? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t fall for it.

Oh, and will you ever make that Monat starter kit money back?

You will not.

Bye-bye.