Kauai officials warn of pyramid schemes using women empowerment

Kauai County officials are warning the public about a pyramid scheme known as “Women’s Gifting Circles” or “Women Empowering Women Circles.”

Prosecutor Justin F. Kollar said the schemes appear to be enjoying a resurgence in recent months.

“These schemes are marketed as a way to entice women through a tiered investment model, often using language that speaks in terms of ’empowering’ women spiritually or financially,” Kollar said. “The people at the top of the pyramid collect money from those at the bottom of the pyramid, plain and simple. The people at the bottom are promised future rewards that are based on recruiting additional followers to start new circles. These schemes are illegal and are designed by predators to extract money from people who trust them.”

Anyone with information on gifting circles on Kauai can contact the prosecutor’s office at 241-1888 or through email at prosecutor@kauai.gov.