Are some classes of consumer-investors of collapsed pyramid and Ponzi schemes vulnerable? A multi-jurisdictional perspective

The assumption survives irrespective that precise empirical and quantitative data on the various classes of impacted consumer-investors often are lacking and thus neither the existence, nor the want of vulnerable classes of consumer-investors could conclusively be proven. Averting right at the beginning the accusation of not seeing the forest for the trees, a brief reminder that the greedy and gullible narrative might unduly narrow the ensuing elaboration’s focus is due. Ample empirical evidence is available from all over the world proving that often even the expert staff of various governmental bodies, from company registries, to consumer protection – and financial supervisory agencies has failed to realize what in reality was ongoing behind the façade. The sheer number of vulnerable consumers – often reaching tens or hundreds of thousands – harmed by fallen schemes is per se such a grave reason that does not allow for neglect of the topic.