Madoff – Who Else Has Been Scorched by Madoff?
As reported in the Sunday Times last December, for many people, Bernard Madoff’s investing activities have ruined the lives of countless thousands of investors world-wide. If you were one, now is the time to make sure your mental strength is at its maximum, as although you have suffered a traumatic loss; believe me, money is NOT the be all and end all.
I should know, because I had lost over $5,000,000 by getting involved in one of the UK’s biggest property frauds (as was exposed in the same Sunday Times edition in an article on ‘Buy To Let Property Fraud’ the weekend before Christmas). Not only had we needed all of our mental resolve to get to grips with the actual losses, but as whistle blowers on the whole affair, my wife and I had to fight a High Court Writ for Defamation and Libel, not to mention various death threats!
Also, for the last two years, until we obtained retribution, what with threats, intimidation, illegal bugging, we have been living a James Bond lifestyle, but while being supported by State benefits! On top of that, we have been acting as head of a ‘support service’ for hundreds of similarly affected investors, many of which had lost nowhere as much as us, but were still traumatized, and in many cases, needed a shoulder to cry on.
My advice is that as well as taking legal action, you should try and form localized support groups, as in many cases, just talking to like-affected ‘victims’ can be a real help. I know you are probably a ‘high net worth’ individual, but talking to similarly minded people can often be the catalyst to new and exciting investment opportunities. One thing that still puzzles me is how Madoff, a highly respected individual, can have seemingly gone so badly off the rails, and for such a long time. Obviously a major flaw in the checks and balances in law surrounding regulated investments.
The other thing I see as amazing is that for a regulated investment, how everybody has been raving over 10 – 15 % annual returns! In an effort to get our finances rebuilt, we have been looking at unregulated investments where average returns in the region of 5% PER Month are achievable, and also TAX FREE. When I lay my hands on $100,000 of ‘free to play with’ money again, rather than put it into property, or regulated funds, I am going to break this down into $10,000 chunks, and invest in ten or so same or different unregulated investments, looking for an average of 5% monthly tax-free gains. Why? Just in case one doesn’t work out too well – You have already seen and felt the problems with the Madoff single basket of investments!
Don’t forget, if you can average a compounded monthly growth of 5% on capital employed, that adds up to around 80% annually! Of course, for the more cautious amongst you (understandably now) you could take out 50% of the growth every month, and still end up with thirty grand in your pocket AND an increase on your capital of over 30%. But, as an unregulated person, I am not allowed to give you any actual advice on how to do this.
Having said that, Madoff’s regulatory credentials were supposedly perfect! However, these investments are out there, and it’s down to you to go and search them out. We did, and it helped Jane and me to overcome some of the biggest obstacles, both mentally and financially, that we could ever imagine!
Obstacles are either Stepping Stones to Success, or Murderous Millstones around Your Neck.
How you picture them will depend on your mental resolve.
Be strong – be financially secure again.
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