Given that this site is dedicated to those in the trade, I do hope that the people involved in this discussion do not represent this sector. I do not think that anyone's clients would appreciate harsh remarks on how 'smug' or 'greedy' they are, and lets not forget that you owe your income to these people. As someone with close personal ties to both the investor and clients in this case I am appalled at the assumptions being made. The majority of people who invested are hardworking and family orientated, many of them have built business from scratch and trusted their 'friend' with his advice and money-perhaps not due to greed but naivety. As you all should know, regulated officials are able to advise and someone in the building trade for instance, may not realise that promised returns are too good to be true-it is not their expertise.
As for the ludicrous comments being made about the residents of Frinton and in particular the members of Rotary, I would be interested in the perpetrators coming forward on their locations so that I can throw ridiculous stereotypes around and in particular the methods that they use to raise huge amounts for well deserved charitable causes.
It is fairly obvious whom one of you are, and without assumption I can clarify that you do not belong at any 'clubs' wether it be memorial, golf or Rotary and there are good reasons for that of which I am sure are clear from your threads.
I wish you a Christmas gift of compassion and pray that nothing like this ever affects your family or loved ones.