The ripple network is basically a transaction system. Just like our current financial system is based on debt, so is ripple (as far as I understand it).

So you can love it, hate it, whatever, but I wouldn't call it a scam, unless you believe that our current financial system is also a scam (which I wouldn't necessarily disagree with).

Those that would argue that ripple is just some fly-by-night scam operation have not been very convincing in my opinion.