Get-rich-quick schemes promise high rates of return for a small investment. Most such schemes promise this high rate of return whilst at the same time promising that they are legal and risk-free. Most get rich schemes also promise that little skill or effort is required. They often assert that wealth can be obtained while also working at home. Legal and quasi legal get-rich-schemes are frequently advertised on infomercials and in magazines and newspapers. Ones that are illegal or scams are often advertised on the Internet through spam or through cold calling.

Legal get-rich-quick schemes

- Multi-level marketing is potentially highly profitable for those who first start the scheme. However, it is mathematically implausible that all the participants in a multi-level marketing scheme will all become rich from selling to one another. Usually, the lowest tiers of the scheme end up losing money.

- Work at home tasks such as stuffing envelopes or assembling trinkets. Essentially cottage work only small fees are paid per piece, and to make real money vast quantities of work are required.

- Training courses, many get-rich-quick-schemes offer training courses in areas such as real estate, estate auctions, rare coins, or gemstones. Generally they promise that the trainees, after purchasing educational materials costing several thousands of dollars, will be able to locate cheap or discounted items that can then quickly be resold at great profits.

- Gambling software, get-rich-quick schemes often sell software programs for betting on horse racing or other for of betting, promising that if run properly they will pick winners. They rarely do and most users lose money. This software normally sells for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

- Selling "miracle products" over the Internet, telephone or to friends and neighbours.

- Selling "how to get rich" books or ebooks over the Internet or by phone. See this as an example.

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