Is running a Ponzi scheme hard work?

How does Bernie Madoff's firm not execute a single trade, employ numerous people, and not one other person but he knows it's a sham? That's just not possible!

What did they do all day? What did the employees do?

Public Comments

1. well - he abused the position and trust, then he likely just couldn't stop the stream of easy dirty money and likely thought is rater others greed than his lies to send him the fortune

2. They would go into bars and country clubs, wearing the best suits they had, claiming they were uber official businessmen with very successful businesses, offering people "opportunities to get rich" -- basically, offering them nothing for their money.

Rich people love when their money makes more money, especially if its some small investment, like say $50K. Just the thought of coming out on top was enough for these Yacht owners and Club members, and thus the poor became rich as well.

3. Running a ponzi scheme is the opposite of hard work. It is what people do when they are too lazy or dishonest to do hard work. Unfortunately people who did work hard and smart ended up losing their money to a fraud.