Mandalas de femmes, tisseuses de rêves…: la nouvelle arnaque qui piège les femmes

Understanding the Mandala Scheme

The so-called 'Mandala of Women' or 'Dream Weaver' groups are recruitment-based pyramid schemes. They operate by having new members pay an 'entry fee'—often hundreds or thousands of euros—to a person at the top. While framed as a gift or an act of solidarity to help someone realize their dreams, it functions mathematically as a pyramid: the system relies on a constant influx of new members ('fresh meat') at the base to pay for those at the top. Participants are promised that they will eventually reach the top and multiply their investment eightfold, but this is unsustainable and mathematically impossible for the majority.

The Dangers and Manipulation Tactics

These groups use sophisticated psychological tactics to hook members. By co-opting feminist values like sorority, empowerment, and ancestral wisdom, they create an atmosphere of trust. When members are hesitant, they are told to 'burn their fears' regarding money, implying that questioning the scheme is a sign of personal emotional or spiritual blockage. The groups often involve amateur 'personal development' exercises that are actually designed to pressure members into recruiting others. This can lead to significant financial loss, social isolation, and strain on personal relationships.

Why It Persists and How to Protect Yourself

These schemes remain attractive because they offer a sense of community and the seductive hope of quick wealth. However, experts and authorities, including the French MIVILUDES, warn that these are classic predatory practices. The author advises avoiding these movements entirely. Instead of risking money in a pyramid, she recommends supporting genuine charitable associations, practicing group solidarity through free initiatives, and managing personal finances through traditional savings and budgeting. If an opportunity seems too good to be true and requires recruiting friends to function, it is almost certainly a predatory scheme.