The Dark Side of Finance

In this week’s episode of The Dark Side of Finance, CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group, Darryl Lyons, tells the astonishing story of Chimene Van Gundy, a woman who rose from extreme poverty and foster care to amass a multi-million-dollar fortune flipping mobile homes. However, her success story takes a dark turn as she becomes embroiled in a financial scandal that left hundreds of investors in financial ruin.

Key show highlights include:

• The incredible rags-to-riches story of Chimene Van Gundy, who built a $2 million fortune flipping mobile homes.

• An exploration of the lucrative but ethically murky mobile home industry and the financial strategies Chimene used to grow her empire.

• The unraveling of her scheme, leading to an $18.5 million fraud case that devastated 600 investors across the country.

• Insights into how deceptive practices and misrepresentations tricked investors into believing in a secure and profitable venture.

• Tips on how to avoid falling prey to high-return investment scams that target everyday people.

Tune into this week’s episode to uncover the dramatic rise and fall of Chimene Van Gundy and gain the knowledge necessary to protect your financial future. Keep your head on a swivel, and let’s navigate this dark side together. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a family member or a friend!

References:

Investors allege San Antonio-area woman — the ‘Queen of Mobile Homes’ — is running a Ponzi scheme (expressnews.com) 

SEC Sues New Braunfels’ “Queen Of Mobile Homes” for Fraud (therealdeal.com) 

Prefabricated Facts: SEC Charges "Queen of Mobile Homes," Others for Years-Long Scheme | Insights | Holland & Knight (hklaw.com) 

Chimene Van Gundy, Outstanding Real Estate Solutions, Inc., Michael Trofimoff, Santos Kidd, and Maria Tosta (sec.gov) 

PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions 

Join Darry Lyons as he tells the heartbreaking story of Paul and Sue Rosenau, winners of the $180 million Powerball in 2008. What started as a life-changing win for a humble, small-town couple quickly spiraled into a tale of financial deceit, predatory practices, and devastating consequences.

Key show highlights include:

*The incredible story of Paul and Sue Rosenau’s $180 million Powerball win.

*An explanation how their financial advisor knowingly mismanaged their assets, leading to significant financial losses.

* Details of the legal battles the Rosenaus fought to reclaim their lost money.

*A look into the tragic consequences of greed, culminating in the financial advisor’s eventual discharge and ruin.

Tune into this week’s episode as we explore the dangers of trusting the wrong professionals and the severe consequences of unchecked greed. Keep your head on a swivel, and let’s navigate this dark side together. If you found this episode insightful, be sure to share with a family member or loved one.

Resources:

A Couple Won the Powerball. Investing It Turned Into Tragedy (msn.com) 

Minnesota lottery winner wins judgment over his charitable foundation’s money (startribune.com) 

A Couple Won the Powerball. Investing It Turned Into Tragedy. - WSJ 

Principal Ordered to Pay $7.3M to Medical Research Foundation | ThinkAdvisor

In this week’s episode of The Dark Side of Finance, CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group, Darryl Lyons, explores a chilling "pig butchering" scam that tragically ensnared a 75-year-old retiree. Through gripping narratives and detailed analyses, he reveals the psychological manipulations and deceptive tactics used by today's financial criminals to build trust and manipulate their victims into devastating losses.

Key show highlights include: 

*A detailed examination of the "pig butchering" scheme, where scammers build trust and manipulate victims into investing large sums of money.

*The heartbreaking story of a 75-year-old retiree who fell victim to a financial scam, thus losing his life savings in the process.

*An explanation of the psychological tricks and emotional manipulations scammers use to gain their victims' trust and exploit their vulnerabilities.

* Practical tips and strategies to safeguard your finances and protect your loved ones from becoming victims of financial crimes.

Tune into this week’s episode and join us on this journey to uncover the truth behind financial crimes and arm yourself with the knowledge to stay safe. Keep your head on a swivel, and let's navigate this dark side together. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to share with a family member or a friend!

Resources: 

‘She Hooked Me’: How an Online Scam Cost a Senior Citizen His Life’s Savings - WSJ

Welcome to The Dark Side of Finance, where we uncover the hidden world of financial crime, revealing the deception and schemes used to prey upon unsuspecting individuals. Hosted by Darryl Lyons, CEO and co-founder of PAX Financial Group and a seasoned expert in the financial industry, this podcast explores the intricate and often insidious methods used by financial criminals to manipulate and deceive. 

Key show highlights include:

*An explanation of the mission behind The Dark Side of Finance podcast.

*Personal stories and insight from Darryl Lyons that reveal the origin of his interest with financial crime.

*A historical look at the origin of the Ponzi scheme, tracing it back to Charles Ponzi and drawing parallels to modern-day schemes.

*The value of having practical tips and advice on how to identify potential financial scams.

*Emphasis on the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those who may be more trusting or less financially literate.

In the world of finance, staying informed and alert is your best defense against fin-crime. Keep your head on a swivel, and let's navigate this dark side together. Tune into this week’s podcast and be sure to share with a friend!

Resources:

https://biblehub.com/esv/proverbs/4.htm 

https://www.spring.org.uk/2022/07/grifters-con-artists-7.php 

https://home.barclays/insights/2024/04/barclays-urges-action-as-investment-scams-rise-by-29-per-cent---/