Maybe these people were probably offered a different job at first, but when they got to the actual work, it turned out to be a scam. They probably can’t leave anymore because there’s a big syndicate behind it. The pattern seems familiar, kind of like the scenario with POGO here in the Philippines.
It gives me so much concern when I find out that most people still fall victims of scams and fraudsters left alone they are mrant to understand the cunny charades they throw at then but I think they are being manipulated and lured and at the same time they either loose what they've started so it's high tine one be wise enough to take charge over such matter.