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Ponzi scheme. Haba Yousif Lassal Inungu Joe Elian. Why you should care…. A ponzi scheme can target anyone It is vital to understand what it is and how it works How to avoid it Effect on our economy Government actions toward these scandals. WHAT IS A PONZI SCHEME?.
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Ponzi scheme Haba Yousif Lassal Inungu Joe Elian
Why you should care… • A ponzi scheme can target anyone • It is vital to understand what it is and how it works • How to avoid it • Effect on our economy • Government actions toward these scandals
WHAT IS A PONZI SCHEME? • Named after Charles Ponzi • Also known as a “Pyramid Scheme” • It is an investment fraud that promises high returns with little risk.
How a ponzi scheme works A B C D E F
How a ponzi scheme fails • Usually fails when there are no more investors. • Collapses under its own weight • Securities and Exchange committee discovers the Ponzi Scheme
IT’S ALL FUN TILL YOU get CAUGHT • Madoff pleaded guilty to all eleven felony counts. • Sentenced to 150 years in jail. • Madoff’s lawyer pleaded for 12 years. • The judge was particularly moved by one victim’s statement. • Source: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1907677,00.html
What about the investors? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f23GM8EZo8I&feature=related They are receiving… • Tax breaks • Payouts from the Securities Investor Protection Corp. • The tax breaks are helping out a lot of victims • Victims can recover a good 40% in their losses. • However, it is not helping everyone • http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704825504574584310679694216.html
After the Madoff SCANDAL… • Legislators and judges are ruling tough sentences on people using a ponzi scheme. • James Nicholson was sentenced to 40 years in prison for defrauding investors of $141 million. • Royster may be serving up to 10 years and pay a fee of $250,000 in prison for his $2 million ponzi scheme.
How to identify a ponzi scheme • High Profit Returns with Little or no Risk • Consistent Returns • Unlicensed Sellers • Unregistered Investments • Private and/or Complex Strategies • Issues with Paperwork