I found it hard to play on iPad.
However, I never thought it was a scam. Considering how old the game is, and how many people actually play it, it would be very odd if it was indeed a scam and millions of people were actively in on it and paid to leave glowing reviews and make YouTube videos about the game.
I was recently given Paralives, and I can't play it. Probably something that's wrong with my computer, though. I would not automatically jump the conclusion that it's a scam, especially considering the amount of social media (especially YouTube) content there is of people playing.