The promise of easy money is a siren song.
siren song
idiomAn enticing but dangerous appeal, especially a misleading one.
Origin
disputed originFrom the songs of the sirens in Greek mythology, whose bewitching song lured mariners to their doom.
He ignored the siren song of a quick promotion and stayed loyal to his original team.
The politician's populist rhetoric acted as a siren song, luring voters toward policies that would eventually destabilize the economy.