FALL OF DECI PYRAMID SCHEME BREEDS ANGER, UNCERTAINTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DAR ES SALAAM 000348 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JLIDDLE; INR/RAA FOR FEHRENREICH, AF/EPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV TZ SUBJECT: FALL OF DECI PYRAMID SCHEME BREEDS ANGER, UNCERTAINTY ¶1. Summary and Comment. In April, the GOT shut down an alleged pyramid scheme, the Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (Deci),which had attracted approximately 700,000 Tanzanian investors and USD 10 million since 2006. The government closed Deci offices nationwide and froze its assets after a series of news reports alleged that the enterprise had been operating illegally. The scheme promised members 200 percent returns on investment in as little as 8 weeks, but never revealed its profit-making formula. Citing affiliation with the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania, Deci claimed its strategy was "not of the human mind, but was established using the wisdom of God." Until the recent government intervention, Deci members were happily pocketing returns and the number of members was growing steadily. Subsequently, as investigations indicated that Deci's holdings were insufficient to repay investors, many Tanzanians lined up at Deci offices anxiously awaiting final word on repayment. Investors expressed anger at GOT intervention in what, from their perspective, was a legitimate and profitable enterprise. ¶2. The Deci scandal will almost certainly result in devastating financial losses for many already impoverished Tanzanians. It will also mean a loss of confidence in the Government of Tanzania by investors who blame the GOT either for interfering in a successful poverty alleviation program or for not protecting them from a predatory and illegal enterprise. Further, the Deci debacle highlights the risk in any financial dealings in Tanzania. Lack of education along with limitless trust in religious and other leaders led 700,000 Tanzanians to invest their savings in a scheme with no obvious profit-generating mechanism. Despite a very similar scheme in neighboring Kenya just one year prior, the GOT either failed to notice Deci altogether or was unwilling to intervene sooner. A recent news article asserted that the Bank of Tanzania is currently investigating a number of potential pyramid schemes, suggesting increased attention to the matter. It remains to be seen, however, whether these investigations will lead to punitive or preventive actions. The Deci case also shows that Tanzania's free press and investigative reports can move the reluctant and sometimes inattentive government to action. Investigative reports in local media have increased more than seven-fold since 2007 following intensive USG efforts to train hundreds of journalists in responsible investigative reporting techniques. End Summary and Comment. The Rise and Fall of Deci Tanzania -------------- ¶3. In 2006, members of the Assemblies of God Pentecostal church in Dar es Salaam received fliers informing them of a promising investment opportunity. The Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (Deci) of Tanzania, run by the Jesus Christ Deliverance Church, announced a "poverty eradication initiative" to foster entrepreneurship and offer access to finance to the poorest of the poor - those without access to the traditional banking sector. Investment in Deci promised a 200 percent return in 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the size of the initial investment. Tsh 10,000 (currently approximately USD 7.70) would double in as little as 8 weeks while Tsh 120,000 would mature to 240,000 in 4 months. ¶4. Deci Tanzania set up its headquarters just down the road from the Assemblies of God church in Mabibo, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. Over the next three years, Deci offices sprang up in 18 regions nationwide and attracted an estimated 700,000 members. Cleverly leveraging both biblical and agricultural terminology, Deci asked members to "sow" their "seeds" in order to "harvest" or "reap" the rewards. Most individuals began by sowing small amounts - 10 to 20 thousand shillings - but, as they harvested regularly (all the while leaving their initial investment deposited),they gained confidence and began sowing increasingly large amounts, sometimes six months to a year's worth of income. Many also reinvested their earnings. Simultaneously, members' success in harvesting rendered them advertisements for the Deci brand and new members flocked to branches to take advantage of the scheme. ¶5. In March 2009, local newspapers began reporting that Deci might be a pyramid scheme and was rumored to not be properly registered and licensed through the Tanzanian government. Within weeks, the story was making front page news daily. During the first week of April, the Bank of Tanzania issued warnings that the scheme was illegal and bound for collapse. Prime Minister Pinda also denounced the scheme claiming that Deci had collected Tsh 14 billion (USD 10 million) since beginning operations but had less than 2 billion in the bank. Deci leadership worked to counter the accusations, claiming their operations were sanctioned by the Bank of Tanzania and the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA),and noting that Deci had created more than 400 jobs in Tanzania, reached more than 700,000 members and had paid taxes amounting to Tsh 120 DAR ES SAL 00000348 002 OF 004 ¶1. Summary and Comment. In April, the GOT shut down an alleged pyramid scheme, the Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (Deci),which had attracted approximately 700,000 Tanzanian investors and USD 10 million since 2006. The government closed Deci offices nationwide and froze its assets after a series of news reports alleged that the enterprise had been operating illegally. The scheme promised members 200 percent returns on investment in as little as 8 weeks, but never revealed its profit-making formula. Citing affiliation with the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania, Deci claimed its strategy was "not of the human mind, but was established using the wisdom of God." Until the recent government intervention, Deci members were happily pocketing returns and the number of members was growing steadily. Subsequently, as investigations indicated that Deci's holdings were insufficient to repay investors, many Tanzanians lined up at Deci offices anxiously awaiting final word on repayment. Investors expressed anger at GOT intervention in what, from their perspective, was a legitimate and profitable enterprise. million. ¶6. Despite the controversy, members continued to deposit and collect funds during the first weeks of April. Deci members rallied around the enterprise. At a 2,500 person rally at a fairground in Dar es Salaam, members held placards condemning Government efforts at subverting a legitimate and profitable enterprise. Some pastors urged a moderate approach, requesting that the government not close down Deci but work with its leadership to ensure its legality and survival. While Deci claimed it was supported by the Bank of Tanzania, the Bank, in turn, argued that it was registered as a microfinance institution and could legally lend but could not take deposits. [Note: It remains unclear what Deci's legal status was or is. BoT officials have not released any documentation. End note.] ¶7. Amid growing fears either of Deci's imminent collapse or a government intervention, members started withdrawing funds. On April 15, Deci closed its offices nationwide. As members waited in long lines outside of closed offices, some low-level violence occurred when frustrated members roughed up a Deci employee and several journalists. Days later, Deci officials announced that they would soon begin refunding money. Almost immediately, however, reports confirmed that repayments could not begin as the Bank of Tanzania has frozen all Deci assets. Deci reportedly had only one official bank account containing less than Tsh 2 billion while other money was being siphoned into the personal accounts of Deci leaders. On May 9, the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs announced that no deposits would be returned and no accounts unfrozen pending further investigation by the Government. Newspapers report that a Task Force was set up to conduct the investigation; however, it is unclear what the status of its report is and when Deci members might recoup their investments. The Poor Get Poorer -------------- ¶8. Speaking with Econoff at the Assemblies of God Church near Mabibo, a group of five women, all Deci members, revealed that they had each deposited somewhere between Tsh 500,000 and 800,000 with Deci, amounts that accounted for approximately six months income or several years of savings. None of the women had begun investing until 2008 or 2009 because, at first, the scheme sounded too good to be true. However, after witnessing their friends and neighbors build houses, send children to school, and start small businesses with Deci earnings, they became convinced that their fears were unfounded and that they were losing out. Ironically, being the most recent investors who have had little or no chance to harvest, they will become the biggest losers if, as expected, Deci is unable to make repayments. Investment Secret, Divine Intervention -------------- ¶9. From the beginning, Deci's profit-generating mechanism was shrouded in mystery and prevarication. Quoted in local newspapers, Deci leadership argued that they could not reveal the scheme's "formula" and attributed its success to the fact that it was not conceived of the human mind but, rather, was established and run using the wisdom of God. When asked if they knew how Deci was making such impressive profits so quickly, the Deci members in Mabibo shook their heads and responded that they didn't know but had heard various rumors. One woman said she heard it was through work with "foreign investors," while another said she heard that the seeds planted by very rich individuals were gaining interest enough to pay the harvests of everyone else. Not understanding exactly how the scheme worked did not seem odd to them at all - they placed trust in those who they thought "knew better." As the first news of the miraculous scheme came via the Christian community - even from some DAR ES SAL 00000348 003 OF 004 ¶1. Summary and Comment. In April, the GOT shut down an alleged pyramid scheme, the Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (Deci),which had attracted approximately 700,000 Tanzanian investors and USD 10 million since 2006. The government closed Deci offices nationwide and froze its assets after a series of news reports alleged that the enterprise had been operating illegally. The scheme promised members 200 percent returns on investment in as little as 8 weeks, but never revealed its profit-making formula. Citing affiliation with the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania, Deci claimed its strategy was "not of the human mind, but was established using the wisdom of God." Until the recent government intervention, Deci members were happily pocketing returns and the number of members was growing steadily. Subsequently, as investigations indicated that Deci's holdings were insufficient to repay investors, many Tanzanians lined up at Deci offices anxiously awaiting final word on repayment. Investors expressed anger at GOT intervention in what, from their perspective, was a legitimate and profitable enterprise. religious leaders - an element of blind faith has been intermingled with the Deci brand from the outset. Deci officials were unavailable for comment. Reverend Jackson Mutaresi, a Deci Board Member and the official who the Mabibo residents referenced as representing Deci interests in their community, has reportedly been arrested. ¶10. Even Deci employees were not privy to the secret. Dominica, a middle-aged mother of four who worked as a "promoter" for Deci, said she was never told how the scheme worked and was almost never asked the question by any of her recruits. Her promotion materials included only registration forms and a sample schedule of payments. She herself was satisfied that it was through the "vision of the Deci leadership" that the money was growing. As a recruiter, Dominica was paid 2.5% of every investment she brought in. Pleased with her new work, she found jobs for both of her daughters as tellers at Deci branches. As tellers, her daughters did not know Deci's secret formula, but were aware of the need for discretion. Dominica shared the contents of one of her daughters' Deci employment contracts which read, "While with us always be LIP-TIGHT. Please be advised to abstain from releasing any information which will be detrimental or dangerous to our operations." Second Time's the Charm? -------------- ¶11. This is not the first time that East Africa has heard of Deci. In 2007, a similar scheme called Deci Kenya collapsed owing investors USD 7.8 million. While a connection between the two schemes has not been proven, their similarities - such as an association with the church, the name, and the stated mission of poverty alleviation - suggest they are related. It is unclear whether GOT officials knew of Deci Kenya's collapse. Our GOT contacts would not discuss Deci, nor has the press elicited GOT comment about why Deci was permitted to remain in operation for so long. In any case, the majority of Tanzanian investors in Deci had not heard of Deci Kenya until local newspapers broke the story. Those who had heard of it - like Dominica - had been assured that Deci Kenya failed because its members were not "faithful before God." Government Takes Blame -------------- ¶12. Although all indications point to Deci Tanzania's being a Ponzi scheme, among investors the most controversial issue surrounding Deci is the GOT's decision to close it down. Some theories propounded by unhappy investors include that Tanzanian leadership was angry that traditional banks and investment opportunities would lose out to Deci; and that the Government was angry because it was a Christian, and not Muslim, organization. [Note: Although Deci claims affiliation with the Pentecostal church, members in Mabibo claimed it was not unusual for Muslims also to be members.] ¶13. Like the women in Mabibo, the majority of Deci members are poor individuals with limited education who belong to a community of faith. Even though they may have had their doubts about Deci at first, having witnessed the success of others, having been assured by Deci leadership that the venture was sanctioned by the Government of Tanzania, and having been encouraged to invest by local religious leaders, their hesitations were allayed and the desire to take part in a seemingly miraculous scheme won out. Now, as the "harvests" have come to an abrupt stop, most Deci members are focusing their anger at the Government rather than at Deci leadership. They argue that Deci had been in operation for nearly 3 years and that, if it were going to collapse, it would have done so already. Explaining to the women in Mabibo the rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul nature of such ventures, Econoff was met with wide-eyed stares and shaking heads. DAR ES SAL 00000348 004 OF 004 ¶1. Summary and Comment. In April, the GOT shut down an alleged pyramid scheme, the Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (Deci),which had attracted approximately 700,000 Tanzanian investors and USD 10 million since 2006. The government closed Deci offices nationwide and froze its assets after a series of news reports alleged that the enterprise had been operating illegally. The scheme promised members 200 percent returns on investment in as little as 8 weeks, but never revealed its profit-making formula. Citing affiliation with the Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania, Deci claimed its strategy was "not of the human mind, but was established using the wisdom of God." Until the recent government intervention, Deci members were happily pocketing returns and the number of members was growing steadily. Subsequently, as investigations indicated that Deci's holdings were insufficient to repay investors, many Tanzanians lined up at Deci offices anxiously awaiting final word on repayment. Investors expressed anger at GOT intervention in what, from their perspective, was a legitimate and profitable enterprise. In that case, they said, the Government is still to blame because it failed to protect them from the outset. ANDRE