Paramvir Cheema sold his Samsung Corby to repay pyramid scheme debt
Synopsis
Long before playing a character caught in a financial trap, Paramvir Cheema lived one — selling his Samsung Corby phone to repay debts from a real pyramid scheme. His candid confession at the promotions of 'The Pyramid Scheme' on Prime Video adds a striking layer of authenticity to a show that is already striking a chord with audiences.
Key Takeaways
Paramvir Cheema revealed he fell victim to a pyramid scheme and sold his Samsung Corby phone to repay creditors.
The disclosure was made during promotions for 'The Pyramid Scheme' , now streaming on Prime Video .
Cheema argued that social media has made it easier to influence large numbers of people quickly.
He cited India's economic conditions and a widespread desire for shortcuts as factors that keep such schemes alive.
The show is produced by The Viral Fever , created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey and Ashish R Shukla .
Actor Paramvir Cheema has revealed that he once fell victim to a pyramid scheme early in his life, ultimately having to sell his Samsung Corby phone to repay the money he owed. The disclosure came during the promotional circuit for his recently released streaming series 'The Pyramid Scheme', now available on Prime Video.
The Personal Backstory
Speaking at a promotional event alongside co-stars Ranvir Shorey, Shreyansh Pandey, and Shekhar Suman, Cheema recounted how someone from his locality lured him in with promises of easy money. 'Someone from my locality came to me and told me that this is how it is. And you will earn money sitting at home,' he said. 'You just have to talk to people. You have to tell them that this is the product, they will sell it and you will get the money. And I got into it.'
The scheme eventually left him unable to meet his financial obligations. 'I still remember at that time, I had this phone Samsung Corby. And after some time, I had to sell my phone to pay off some people that I don't have money for. So earlier, it was easy for such schemes,' he added.
Con Artists in the Digital Age
Cheema was candid about whether the internet has made it harder for fraudsters to operate. He argued that the medium has, in some ways, made mass deception easier. 'It depends on which dream you are selling. And if you crack the right thing, then it is very easy nowadays. Social media is such a thing, when we feel that all the youth have started following this thing,' he said.
He noted that the viral nature of social platforms can cause people to adopt trends or movements without scrutinising their origins — subtly referencing the emergence of the Cockroach Janta Party, an Indian satirical political movement. 'My friend is following this thing, even I am going to do it. This has happened because of social media,' he observed.
Why India Remains Vulnerable
Cheema offered a broader societal lens on why pyramid and get-rich-quick schemes continue to find traction in India. 'It is very easy to influence people in India because everybody is looking for a shortcut. A lot of the population is below the poverty line. So you can see that everyone is after it,' he said. He also noted that conmen will always find willing subjects — the key variable, he argued, is what dream or product they are peddling.
About the Show
'The Pyramid Scheme' is produced by The Viral Fever, created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey, and also directed by Ashish R Shukla. The series is currently streaming on Prime Video and has been receiving positive audience response, particularly for Cheema's performance.
Point of View
His observation about social media accelerating mass influence deserves scrutiny: India's fraud landscape has migrated online, and regulatory frameworks have struggled to keep pace. The Cockroach Janta Party reference, however lightly dropped, signals that the line between political mobilisation and manufactured virality is growing thinner. Whether the show translates that cultural anxiety into compelling drama will determine if it outlasts its promotional cycle.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What pyramid scheme did Paramvir Cheema fall for?
Paramvir Cheema has not named the specific scheme, but described it as a classic multi-level marketing trap where a person from his locality promised easy income by recruiting others to sell a product. He ended up selling his Samsung Corby phone to repay the people he owed money to.
What is 'The Pyramid Scheme' on Prime Video?
'The Pyramid Scheme' is a streaming series produced by The Viral Fever, created and co-directed by Shreyansh Pandey and Ashish R Shukla. It stars Paramvir Cheema, Ranvir Shorey, Shreyansh Pandey, and Shekhar Suman, and is currently available on Prime Video.
Does Paramvir Cheema think pyramid schemes are harder to run today?
Cheema believes it depends on the scheme and the dream being sold. While awareness has grown, he argued that social media has made it significantly easier to influence large numbers of people rapidly, particularly among younger audiences who follow trends without questioning their origins.
Why does Cheema think India is especially vulnerable to such schemes?
Cheema pointed to widespread poverty and a cultural tendency to seek financial shortcuts as key factors. He said a large portion of India's population is below the poverty line, making the promise of easy money particularly effective as a lure.
Who are the other cast members promoting 'The Pyramid Scheme'?
The promotional events have featured Ranvir Shorey, Shreyansh Pandey, and Shekhar Suman alongside Paramvir Cheema. Shreyansh Pandey also serves as creator and co-director of the series.
