Pyramid scheme Photo: VCG

A former pyramid scheme leader has persuaded over 500 people away from scams in eight years as a way to complete self-redemption.

Chen Xin (pseudonym), was brainwashed by his friends after college graduation and started scamming people in order to earn quick money. Chen became a leader of his team within three years, and he then realized that what he had done was wrong. He left the scheme and embarked on a new journey.  

Since 2013, he started to help people to avoid scams. "In the process of anti-pyramid selling, each successful rescue would reduce my feeling of guilty, it was like a self-salvation," he told the media.

Chen keeps all the train and air tickets as a reminder of how many places he has traveled to "help" those in need. 

Chinese netizens have called for more supervision and crackdown on pyramid schemes.