[Tijeras_Slim]

I heard Madoff’s returns were in the neighborhood of 2% a month. So let’s say $375,000 invested returns $7500 a month for 10 years. That’s nearly a million of other investor’s money they got.

I guess they’re victims.

[1Swashbuckler]

The retiree says: The trust continued to earn up to 16 percent each year, so we didn't question it much. And then this year, we thought, how can he still be making 10 percent in this tumultuous market? We were amazed and thanked Dad's memory every time we saw income and not a loss.

+++ They never questioned their earnings, even when they were "amazed" at the returns. The original investment was $400K.

[gieriscm]

I heard Madoff’s returns were in the neighborhood of 2% a month. So let’s say $375,000 invested returns $7500 a month for 10 years. That’s nearly a million of other investor’s money they got.

Two percent per month? Did these people even stop to think what kind(s) of legal investments can generate that kind of return, year after year, for ten years? Or were they just so blinded by greed that they didn't care?

FWIW greed isn't necessarly a bad thing. Greed that pushes you into illegal acts - or even turning a blind eye to them - is the real problem.

[steve86]

That’s nearly a million of other investor’s money they got.

I haven't read the whole thread but those are ill-gotten gains and a court will order that they be returned to a trustee (few will be able to do that).