Its a result of the times in manny ways. To me it seems partly to be a result of a rising trend that others are riding the wave of, in hopes to capitalise on it. Althou there is likely manny factors, among what you pointed out in your text. As yes this is an issue in most places where you find manny who claim to be som form of guru that wants to teach you something. But you need to pay or become a member of the group. Becasue the individual wants to feel in power and higher. In so doing creating himself to become what he claims to be by attracting unwiting followers. And how I see it, this is not to be enlightened, whatever that term actually means. It ins very much as you say one of the traps of the ego. But also a ressult of individuals seeking outside for what cant be found there, so some deside to fill that need with a false image. Maybe this is how some religions started?