Ponzi schemes up this year

I just read an interesting AP article detailing the almost-quadruple increase in the number of Ponzi schemes being investigated in the U.S. this year.
We've seen in Lake County how an alleged Ponzi scheme can hurt investors. Here, investors translated into our friends and fellow valley residents who lost thousands. The Cornerstone Financail investigation by the state alleges more than 100 investors lost upwards of $14 million.
The article highlights the Madoff case, which alleges BILLIONS lost. It says "tens of thousands of investors" lost more than $16.5 billion this year.
It's sad and scary news. Experts quoted in the article say the recession scared investors, and dried up new investors, so the schemes collapsed.
The Montana Auditor's officials who are investigating Cornerstone told me their case load has increased five times this year.
Bob Congond and Keith Kovick, Cornerstone owners, are named in the MT state action, which also points out it could be the largest Ponzi scheme in state history. A hearing is set for April (but already delayed twice).
Congdon maintains his innocence.

Here's a link to the entire article PONZI SCHEME