Friday, 22 January 2021, 10:39 am Ngā Tāngata Microfinance (NTM) is calling for tougher penalties for those caught promoting pyramid schemes. Such business models are illegal under the Fair Trading Act 1986. This call comes after the Commerce Commission issued a ‘stop now’ notice to a serial pyramid scheme promoter undertaking the illegal activity via social media channels in New Zealand. The Commission is currently investigating what is known as ‘the Lion’s Share scheme’ and warning people against joining the scheme or buying into it while the investigation takes place. "The pyramid model is a ‘theft’ model" says Dr M. Claire Dale, founder and chair of Nga