Very few people need to be in on any conspiracy.
One thing that we can all agree on is, there has been and certainly always will be shenanigans going on behind our backs and even in front of our faces. Some barely warrant a head turn and others warrant serious questioning.
The problem with questioning stuff, is the fact that it will always have arguments against it and not just by people with agenda's but by people who trust official lines, as well as other conspiracy theorists that have alternative ideas as to what's going on.
It sort of categorises people into groups.
Having said that, it also works (in my opinion) with the people who are part of any supposed mis-info put out.
All it needs is a group of people to instigate a scam. They then use contractors to supply and build whatever they require.
Let's say for instance they tell us they have invented a fusion bomb. They get people to build a casing and build parts. Those people are told that the parts are for the bomb.
They can then pretend that the special ingredients used is top secret and only the top scientists know what it is and how it's employed.
In reality those at the top simply have to sit and drink coffee- smoke cigars etc, while the rest of the work force are all compartmentalised; all believing that they are building some part of this fusion bomb.
When it's finished it's rolled out; and voila, all the workforce cheer and feel chuffed for having a part in it.
Anything more complicated that requires more people is simply compartmentalised on a bigger scale and a need to know basis scenario.
It's not hard to keep the scammers to a bare minimum, while the rest are only taking part in it because they believe it's as true as we do, or many of us do.