sales scam there are abounding rumors that pyramid sales scams are associated with the marketing of the lampe berger line of catalytic lamps in the eastern hemisphere malaysian investors reportedly have been easily bilked via get rich quick schemes the lamp itself is not a scam the principle of catalysis has not changed in years the ceramic stone does need to be cleaned or replaced periodically leaving the lamp filled unused for more than a few days will make it very hard to light most fuels have a fragrance oil added which in time will leave residue on the stone fuel today's lamps may be used exactly as were the originals with straight isopropyl alcohol as fuel soaking rinsing the stone and wick in this alcohol for hours usually revives it typically ml of any good quality fragrance oil is added to ml of isopropyl alcohol common not rubbing alcohol