New York, Nov 7 (IANS): Did you come across the "secret sister gift exchange" on Facebook recently? The message claims you can buy a gift for $10 or more, add your name to a list and then receive a bounty of 36 gifts.

People say it is the old pyramid scheme being run online now on the social network.

"I've seen it on Facebook. This is a typical pyramid scheme. We are just seeing this on Facebook this time instead of the old way of using letters, and Facebook allows it to spread a lot faster," University of South Florida mass communications instructor Kelli Burns was quoted as saying by wfla.com.

The biggest problem with the post is it's illegal. the US Post Office regulations are very clear about pyramid schemes, and these gifts are being sent through the mail.

It is also dicey because your personal information is posted on Facebook.

"It's against Facebook's terms of agreement. So there's the potential that Facebook, if they got wind of this, could block your account," Burns said.

But people are being lured to it, especially when they see their friends doing it and being invited to join in. But in reality, the chances of your getting 36 gifts are very slim.