What is Deceptive Practices in MLM (Multi-Level Marketing)?

Ans: Deceptive practices refer to actions or strategies that are intended to mislead or trick individuals, often for personal gain or to the detriment of others. In the context of business, commerce, or marketing, deceptive practices can take various forms.

Here are some common examples:

• False Advertising: Making false or misleading claims about a product or service in advertisements. This can include exaggerating product benefits, making false guarantees, or providing inaccurate information about a product's features. Example "you become richest person in next 5 years" or "you became international business consultant" etc.
   
• Bait-and-Switch: Advertising a product or service at a low price to attract customers, but then substituting it with a different, usually more expensive, product or service once the customer is interested.
   
• Misleading Product Labels: Providing false or misleading information on product labels regarding ingredients, nutritional content, or other relevant details.
• Pyramid Schemes: Promoting a business model where participants earn money primarily by recruiting others rather than through the sale of actual products or services. This can be deceptive, as it creates a false impression of sustainable income.
   
• False Endorsements: Falsely claiming that a product or service is endorsed or recommended by a reputable person, organization, or authority when it is not.
• Hidden Fees: Concealing additional charges or fees associated with a product or service until after a consumer has committed to the purchase.
   
• Identity Theft and Phishing: Deceptive practices that involve stealing personal information, such as through fraudulent emails or websites, with the intent to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
   
• Pricing Deception: Manipulating prices or creating a false sense of urgency through tactics like false discounts, fake limited-time offers, or artificial scarcity.

Deceptive practices are generally considered unethical and, in many cases, are illegal. Laws and regulations exist to protect consumers from deceptive business practices, and businesses engaging in such practices may face legal consequences, fines, or other penalties.

In the legal context, it's essential to be aware of and adhere to relevant consumer protection laws and regulations to avoid engaging in deceptive practices.

Written By: Robinsh K Singh, Advocate