Police are warning the public about a “deceptive” online employment advertisement, describing it as a pyramid scheme.

A spokesman said this afternoon that the Bermuda Police Service was recently made aware of the online ad appearing locally offering “an enticing commission” for sales.

“Detectives from the Organised and Economic Crime Department examined the ad offering temporary employment — for a business supposedly headquartered at 26 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, United States — as well as an included promotional video and determined that the part time job listing exhibited the characteristics of a pyramid scheme,” the spokesman said.

“Such schemes persuade interested individuals to invest by promising a larger, future return on their investment — which never occurs.

“The now removed posting, allegedly from employer ‘eCommerce Incomes’, offered opportunities as a marketing software system sales representative and claimed successful applicants could make $400 per sale with no experience required.”

The spokesman warned the public to be wary of engaging in any transactions with unknown business entities or individuals online, saying that scammers sometimes use local publications, along with ‘.bm’ and ‘.com’ websites.

He added: “Remember — don’t assume that just because an ad is published locally, or advertised on some of the more popular Bermuda websites, that it is legitimate.”