Ponzimonium

Ponzimonium

Author: Bartholomew H. Chilton

Publisher: Us Independent Agencies and Commissions

Published: 2011-10-25

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13:

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True stories of crime and punishment that will inform and educate anyone who wants to find out how to identify and avoid becoming entangled in an investment fraud.


Ponzimonium

Ponzimonium

Author: U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2016-04-19

Total Pages: 101

ISBN-13: 1510707921

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Ponzimonium is a book chock-full of advice to educate investors on the scam artists ripping off America. The primary message is that investors should not spend on unregulated companies or individuals who trade unregulated markets—background checks are priceless. The book tells provocative stories such as that of Darren Potter, who cleverly categorized investments in his program as “loans” and ironically became a victim himself of a Ponzi scheme. There is an “Investor Bill of Rights” that pushes investors to question fund lock-up clauses and warns them to be careful of those who do not properly explain obligations and fund expenses, require additional investment capital at a future point in time, or have not appropriately disclosed all risks. Some of the red flags called out in Ponzimonium include a fund’s need for secrecy and whether there are abnormal methods of accepting investments or whether conducting independent research on the fund is difficult. This is a must-read for anyone new or old to investing and the pitfalls that could make or break your bank.


Ponzimonium: How Scam Artists are Ripping Off America

Ponzimonium: How Scam Artists are Ripping Off America

Author: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (U.S.)

Publisher: U.S. Independent Agencies and Commissions

Published: 2012-01-20

Total Pages: 16

ISBN-13: 9780160890802

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Fortunately, more than ever before, con artists are being apprehended and prosecuted. Federal, state and local law enforcement officials have reported enormous increases in tips and criminal activity since the economic calamity began in 2008. Cash redemptions are dangerous for Ponzi schemes, because when the money runs out, folks start talking. For example, at any one time, enforcement staff at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are investigating anywhere between 750 and 1,000 individuals or entities for various violations of the law. Increases in tips and fraud cases have also occurred at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in the states, and various localities around the world. The stories in this book are actual CFTC cases stemming from investigations that began with the economic downturn. These are real cases, real fraudsters, with unfortunately . . . very real victims. While, the fundamental nature of the writing in such files is, as you would imagine, very bureaucratic: this script is anything but bureaucratic. Commissioner Chilton has worked in public service for over a quarter of a century and has found that one of the most important things that can be done is to make government less puzzling and perplexing, less mysterious, and yes, less bureaucratic. While Commissioner Chilton can’t say there has been any monumental change in how folks see their government, over the years, Commissioner Chilton continues to try and do his part by communicating in a way that lets folks “in” on what is going on. This writing is an effort to continue that work. Commissioner Chilton hopes it will be a satisfying read, but more importantly, maybe some folks will avoid the tremendous tragedy that so many of our fellow citizens have endured.


The Politics of Ponzi Schemes

The Politics of Ponzi Schemes

Author: Marie Springer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-12-30

Total Pages: 324

ISBN-13: 0429869797

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In the space of three years, from 2009 to 2012 Bernie Madoff, Tom Petters and R. Allen Stanford were all convicted for running multi-billion dollar Ponzi schemes. These three schemes alone have had the largest financial take in U.S. history. But what role does the economy and legislation play in the occurrences of Ponzi schemes? What is the nature of Ponzi schemes and what are their tools and mechanisms? What can we know about Ponzi perpetrators? Unraveling the answers to these questions (and many more), Marie Springer provides the first representative portrait of Ponzi schemes, their perpetrators, and their victims. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, she begins by presenting an overview of different types of Ponzi schemes. She later explores perpetrators and victims of Ponzi schemes followed by a close examination of economic trends, regulatory changes, and the financial relationship with Ponzi schemes. Other key features include: • A non-technical overview of both offender based and offense-based approaches of studying this form of fraud. • Examples of Ponzi schemes and Ponzi schemers. • A wealth of descriptive statistics on known federal cases from the 1960s until the present to quantify this specific form of fraud. Broadening our understanding of Ponzi schemes as a form of white-collar crime, The Politics of Ponzi Schemes provides an excellent foundation for students and practitioners of public administration, banking, as well as investors, finance and accounting, law enforcement officers, legislators and regulators.


Consumer Survival [2 volumes]

Consumer Survival [2 volumes]

Author: Wendy Reiboldt

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2013-11-26

Total Pages: 1138

ISBN-13:

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Designed to empower readers to advocate for themselves and others, this wide-ranging encyclopedia reveals a surprising range of resources and options that consumers have at their disposal. The only book of its kind, this two-volume, alphabetically arranged reference covers a broad array of topics related to consumer rights, including those of interest to often-overlooked populations such as older adults, veterans, and the homeless. Specific entries address critical areas including food and product safety, housing, health care, the financial industry, the automobile industry, and telecommunications. The encyclopedia reviews the historical development of the consumer movement, examines beliefs and values that drive the movement, and identifies agencies and laws intended to safeguard consumers. Expert contributors discuss key current issues as well as those likely to arise in the future. Vignettes and case studies are used throughout, and various, sometimes contrasting viewpoints are shared to help readers better understand the content. Related topics are easily discovered through a "see also" list, and additional readings are provided at the end of each entry.


The Financial Crisis and White Collar Crime

The Financial Crisis and White Collar Crime

Author: Nicholas Ryder

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Published: 2014-05-30

Total Pages: 339

ISBN-13: 1781001006

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øThis timely book will be of great use to both teachers and students of financial crime relevant modules.ø It will also appeal to policy-makers in government departments, law enforcement agencies and financial regulatory agencies, as well as profession


Informants, Cooperating Witnesses, and Undercover Investigations

Informants, Cooperating Witnesses, and Undercover Investigations

Author: Dennis G. Fitzgerald

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2014-11-05

Total Pages: 560

ISBN-13: 1040083633

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This book covers every aspect of the informant and cooperating witness dynamic a controversial technique shrouded in secrecy and widely misunderstood. Quoted routinely in countless newspaper and magazine articles, the first edition was the go-to guide for practical, effective guidance on this tricky yet powerful tactic. Extensively updated, topics in this second edition include changes in the FBI's informant program, changes brought on by immigration reforms, recent high-profile cases, and the changing nature of compensation and cooperation fees. It also examines the management of informant-driven search warrants and challenges posed by fabricated information.


History of Greed

History of Greed

Author: David E. Y. Sarna

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2010-09-07

Total Pages: 418

ISBN-13: 0470601809

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The “greater fool” theory of economics states that it’s possible to make money by buying paper (securities), whether overvalued or not, and later, selling it at a profit because there will always be an even greater fool willing to pay the higher price. Many described in this book profited by peddling such worthless junk to foolish investors. But for some people—Bernie Madoff, Norman Hsu, Sholam Weiss, and “Crazie Eddie” Antar, aka the “Darth Vader of Capitalism”—overvalued securities were not enough. Outright fraud was their way of life. History of Greed is the compelling inside story of the names you know—Charles Ponzi, Baron Rothschild, Lou Pearlman—and the names you don’t—Isaac Le Maire, the world’s first “naked” short-seller. It’s also our story—why we ignore the lessons of the past and fall prey, most every time, to the promise of easy money. For thousands of years, alchemists unsuccessfully tried to turn worthless base metals into gold. Where science failed at turning nothing into something, business succeeded. Sometimes we praise the creators of derivatives, collateral debt obligations, subprime mortgages, credit default swaps, or auction rate securities as Wall Street’s new financial wizards, the creators of “magic paper.” Other times, we vilify and prosecute them as scam artists. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell who is who. History of Greed reveals the inside secrets of how the markets really work, and how scam artists abuse them to gain an unfair edge or to outright steal. It describes how luftgescheft (“air business”), wizardry, dishonesty, and fraud are used to swindle people. Along with a comprehensive bibliography, History of Greed also details: 400 years of financial fraud—from everyday fraud to the odd and unusual Accounting fraud (phantom sales), stock option fraud (backdating), auction rate securities, hedge fund fraud, Ponzi schemes, promotion fraud (pump-and-dump scams), and money laundering How to detect fraudulent schemes How government regulation only fixes yesterday’s problems If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. If they say you can’t lose, you probably will. History of Greed shows that there really is no such thing as a free lunch, while also detailing how not to become the “greater fool.”


Criminological and Forensic Psychology

Criminological and Forensic Psychology

Author: Helen Gavin

Publisher: SAGE Publications Limited

Published: 2024-02-23

Total Pages: 696

ISBN-13: 1529614473

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A truly modern approach to criminological and forensic psychology, this engaging text explores all aspects of the field, from defining forensic psychology, through the psychological explanations of crime and specific crime types, to the application of psychology in detection and investigation, the court room, and prison. This new edition has been fully updated to include more coverage of social and developmental factors impacting crime, female offenders, and crime in times of crisis, along with a brand-new chapter on stalking and harassment. The inclusion of topical issues such as white supremacy and the #MeToo movement places this book fully in the moment and explores issues that affect us all. With detailed case studies of real-life crimes throughout, this text is a perfect companion to your studies of forensic psychology at any level. Helen Gavin was, before retiring in 2023, Subject Lead in Criminal Psychology at the University of Huddersfield.


The Great Crash Of 2008

The Great Crash Of 2008

Author: David Llewellyn-Smith

Publisher: Melbourne Univ. Publishing

Published: 2009-10-01

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 052286001X

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As the world enjoyed the prosperity of an unparalleled boom, an economic earthquake was looming, and then struck abruptly. Bastions of finance collapsed, long-standing policy beliefs were abandoned, and governments charged into the rubble without time to watch their steps. But for those who were looking, the faultlines that ran beneath the boom had been apparent for years. In The Great Crash of 2008, Ross Garnaut and David Llewellyn-Smith take us through the imbalances that led to the global financial crisis, tracing the cracks that were appearing within the modern economy and presenting a whole-world view of reasons for the downturn. They assess the implications of the global financial crisis and offer hope for finding order in the wreckage, in restoring development and building a stronger and more sustainable world.