I can understand what are they tolding us that article which you are mentioned.
But I don't think it is SCAM. It is manupilative, not decentralized and not good for me too but they are not SCAM! They are working well and they are trying to create a new method based on blockchain.
As far I know, Ripple coin used for banking transaction and i dont think its a scam because Ripple Network used by many banks in the world. Ripple is good coin and have big community with huge daily transaction volume, and i think its about our perspective on Ripple
Everybody is blindly repeating after Ripple executives that Baks are using RippleNet protocol and their additional products like xVia, Xcurrent.
Like the author said this is not confirmed and there is a suggestion in the article that Ripple pays them to do it.
I don't know what is the truth right now and that is why asked community for an opinion and discussion.