My Experience With a Multi-Level Sales Scam Disguised as a “Career Opportunity”

About a year ago, I went through a job situation that I later realized was a scam built on manipulation, false promises and unethical business practices. The company was called Total Success California Inc, and while it seemed professional at first, it eventually showed clear signs of being a hoax. I’m sharing my experience so others can recognize the warning signs and avoid falling into something similar.

How It Started

At the time, I was applying for many jobs so when this company called me, I assumed it was one I applied for. Later, I realized I never sent them any of my information at all. Since I really needed a job, I ignored the red flags.

The first interview was over the phone and felt normal. However right after it ended, they said I “passed” and scheduled a second interview 30 minutes later with another manager. After this 2nd call they told me to come in the next morning for a final in person interview even though I still had no idea what the actual job was. Every time I asked questions, they avoided them and said, “We’ll explain that in person.”

The In-Person Interview

When I arrived, the office didn’t feel like a real workplace at all. Loud music was blasting, people were playing pop-a-shot basketball and groups of applicants were being placed in different rooms with no explanation. The CEO interviewed us and asked the exact same questions from the phone interviews. He told us we’d make $19 an hour and work as third-party AT&T sales reps inside Costco which made the job sound legitimate.

I had no idea how wrong I was.

How the Scam Worked

1. Extremely Long Hours
   We had to be at the office by 7 AM, and most nights I didn’t get home until 10 or 11 PM. When I was promoted to leadership, they required six days a week or you’d be fired.
2. Misleading Pay Structure
   They said it was hourly plus commission, but later we learned it was actually whichever amount was higher at the end of the week, not both. Commission checks were often wrong and promised gas and mileage reimbursements never came.
3. A Fake Career Ladder
   They claimed you could become an “owner” by selling enough, hiring a team, and opening your own corporation inside Costco. But only a tiny percentage ever actually made it, and even those people were losing money. One owner accidentally showed his company’s finances, and it was in the negatives.
4. Psychological Pressure
   Many leaders had psychology backgrounds. They used hype speeches, loud music and motivational tactics to keep people excited so they wouldn’t question anything. If you doubted the system, they called it “getting negged out.”
5. Unfair Commission Split
   For every phone we sold, the owners made around $400, while we earned only about $60.

When Everything Fell Apart

After six months, they told me I was “ready for ownership,” but then said I was suddenly too young and needed to wait a year despite my friend the same age already being incorporated. When I started asking questions, my boss turned against me and eventually fired me and two of my coworkers even though we were among the top sellers.

Later, I learned hundreds of people across the country had similar experiences. Communities like r/DevilCorp explain how this multi-level sales scheme works and how many lives it affects.

How I Could Have Seen the Red Flags

Looking back, it was obvious:

• No clear job description 
• Rushed interviews 
• Party-like office environment 
• No honest explanation of pay 
• Promises of huge income 
• Extremely long hours 
• Owners who were actually broke 

Legitimate companies don’t hide basic information.

Final Thoughts

This experience taught me to always research companies, ask direct questions and avoid any job that promises fast money. A company can look professional from the outside and still be built on lies. I’m thankful I got out and I hope my story helps someone else recognize these warning signs.