Hi, be honest I don't like masternode and miningn too. But if the coin like Dash then the masternode definitely not scam and should be profit but if other coin scam and masternode of this coin scam.

Masternode and mining are managble by money. If you have lot of money you can influence to that coin. By creating more masternodes or buying mining equipment.

This is fondement problem of all crypto. Decentralization.
I think e.g. masternode should have kind of personal identification using biometric or biomarkers. Only one masternode per person or one mining farm for one humen passport. That would be more democratic way.