We are Ponzi scheme and investor fraud litigation attorneys. Maderal Byrne & Furst PLLC represents victims when they have losses because of fraudulent investment schemes.
If you have been a victim, contact us now to discuss your case. Our attorneys for Ponzi schemes and investor fraud will use all skills and resources at our disposal to protect your legal rights and seek justice.
When you or your business are the victim of fraud, the feelings of shock, anger, or betrayal can be powerful and overwhelming. Your hard earned money has been stolen from you. Your future plans may be at risk, whether that plan be retirement, taking care of your employees, or providing for family members.
Ponzi schemes and investor fraud are not new. But scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to go about cheating innocent victims. Electronic records and on-demand communication have made it easier than ever before to betray the trust of hardworking people. Our attorneys can investigate what happened to you and pursue your legal rights.
At Maderal Byrne & Furst, our lawyers are uniquely positioned to seek recoveries on your behalf. During our time as federal prosecutors, we prosecuted complicated fraud and Ponzi scheme cases. And, in private practice, we’ve represented Ponzi scheme victims. We have pursued and obtained asset recovery on behalf of our clients.
Why choose Maderal Byrne & Furst when you are the victim of investor fraud?
Here are some reasons people choose the Maderal Byrne & Furst team when they need legal help:
- Highly skilled litigators handling complex claims, including those involving detailed financial information
- Many trials conducted, we know how to prepare a case for trial
- Knowledge of financial regulations and laws pertaining to fraudulent investments
- Over 30 years of combined experience
- Leaders in litigation with groundbreaking and record-setting results for our clients
- We have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of those we have represented
- Founder Frank R. Maderal served as a Department of Justice attorney in multiple, successful white-collar prosecutions, involving billions of dollars
- Founder John R. Byrne is a former federal prosecutor and appellate law clerk with extensive knowledge of federal law, evidence rules, and procedure
The Maderal Byrne & Furst attorneys have the specialized knowledge and skill to succeed in highly technical claims involving financial fraud and Ponzi schemes. People who run these scams can’t be counted on to admit what they have done. Your rights must be protected. Count on Maderal Byrne & Furst to fully pursue your case.
Understanding Ponzi Schemes
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scam where earlier investors are paid off with the cash of later investors rather than with returns from an actual investment. The funds are never invested. When investors attempt to cash out, or when new influxes of cash stop, the scheme collapses.
Why are they called Ponzi schemes?
Ponzi schemes are named after Charles Ponzi. He scammed investors in the 1920s by offering high returns on sales of international postage coupons. He used the money from new investors to pay earlier investors. Ponzi’s fraud cost victims $20 million before being exposed approximately one year after it began.
Ponzi served time on both federal and state charges. His name became synonymous with the type of investment fraud we know today as the Ponzi scheme.
Signs of a Ponzi scheme
- Promises of high returns
- Downplaying risks, guarantees of success
- Confusing and complex business plans, not getting details of the investment in a way that you can understand
- Lack of transparency
- Delays when an investor requests information
- Unregistered transactions, unlicensed sellers
- Returns that are always the same or similar, or more consistent than should be expected
- Paperwork that seems forged, copied, or unusual in appearance
- Prior disciplinary actions or complaints against the person offering the investment
- Discouragement from cashing out
- Evasive answers to questions
If you suspect that an investment may be a Ponzi scheme, it’s important to get more information. Don’t ignore your intuition. Investors should provide information and answer questions in a way that you can understand. No investment comes without risk. Promises of high returns without risk should be met with skepticism.
Talk to a lawyer about a potential Ponzi scheme
Do you have concerns about your investments? We invite you to contact our Ponzi scheme and investor fraud attorneys for a confidential review of your situation.
Can You Sue for a Ponzi Scheme?
If you have suffered losses because of a Ponzi scheme, you can bring a lawsuit to seek compensation. Your rights are in addition to any action the government might take to hold wrongdoers accountable.
Broker liability
Brokers may be liable for Ponzi scheme and investor fraud losses. A broker is an intermediary and facilitator for investment transactions. They may buy or sell an investment on behalf of a client.
A broker may be liable for fraud, aiding and abetting the Ponzi scheme, and regulatory violations. These cases are factually dependent. Significant research and investigation must take place to prove what occurred, legal duty to the victims, and wrongdoing. Our lawyers can conduct in-depth discovery to build the evidence and prove your case.
Consultations Available – Get Legal Advice Now
Learning that you may be the victim of a Ponzi scheme can leave you angry, worried, and wondering what to do. We invite you to call our law firm for a consultation about your case.
We enjoy talking with prospective clients, and we want to help in any way that we can. Contact our Ponzi scheme and investor fraud attorneys today to talk about your case and begin.
