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Unconventional Ventures: Making Money by Sharing the Secret

Key Takeaway: A clever scheme from the 90s involved enticing people to send $10 for a secret to easy money, only to reveal that the secret was to replicate the same scheme, creating a cycle of cash flow.


In the annals of entrepreneurial history, there exist tales of ingenuity that border on the absurd. One such story hails from the 1990s, featuring a man who devised a scheme that turned the conventional notion of making money on its head.

The Setup: A Classified Conundrum

Picture this: a simple classified ad nestled among the pages of a newspaper, promising untold riches for a mere $10. The ad beckons readers to send cash to a designated address in exchange for the elusive secret to easy money.

The Ingenious Twist: Pay to Learn, Learn to Earn

What sets this scheme apart is its devilish brilliance. Those who took the bait and sent their $10 received a surprising revelation: the secret to making easy money was to replicate the very same classified ad, instructing others to send $10 for the secret.

The Endless Cycle: Cash Flowing in Circles

And so, the cycle perpetuated itself, with each participant becoming both seller and buyer in a never-ending loop of monetary exchange. What began as a seemingly innocuous offer transformed into a self-sustaining mechanism for generating income.

Lessons Learned: The Power of Creativity and Persuasion

While the scheme may evoke amusement or incredulity, it offers valuable insights into the power of creativity and persuasion in the realm of commerce. By tapping into people’s desires for quick wealth and offering a tantalizing proposition, the entrepreneur behind the ad demonstrated a keen understanding of human psychology.

Ethical Considerations: Balancing Innovation with Integrity

Of course, the ethical implications of such a scheme are open to interpretation. While it may be viewed as a harmless exercise in clever marketing, others may question its moral standing, particularly in light of the potential for exploitation or deception.

Conclusion: A Curious Chapter in Entrepreneurial Lore

In conclusion, the tale of the classified ad for easy money stands as a curious chapter in the annals of entrepreneurial lore. It serves as a reminder of the boundless creativity and resourcefulness of the human spirit, as well as the importance of ethical considerations in the pursuit of profit.


While the classified ad scheme may have faded into obscurity, its legacy endures as a testament to the art of persuasion and the enduring allure of the promise of wealth. Whether viewed as a stroke of genius or a dubious ploy, it remains a fascinating footnote in the history of unconventional moneymaking ventures.