are five high-profile convicted fraudsters who used stolen or illicitly obtained funds to finance or start businesses:
1. Bernie Madoff
• Fraud: Ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding investors of over $65 billion.
• Business: Madoff Investment Securities was presented as a legitimate investment firm but operated largely as a front for the fraud.
2. Allen Stanford
• Fraud: Orchestrated a $7 billion Ponzi scheme via certificates of deposit through Stanford International Bank.
• Business: Funded a network of real estate, cricket sponsorships, and banking ventures using fraud proceeds.
3. Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos)
• Fraud: Convicted for defrauding investors in a health-tech startup based on false claims about a blood-testing device.
• Business: Theranos raised hundreds of millions of dollars through misrepresentation, although not theft in the classic sense, it was funded by fraud.
4. Jordan Belfort (“The Wolf of Wall Street”)
• Fraud: Ran Stratton Oakmont, a pump-and-dump scheme defrauding investors out of approximately $200 million.
• Business: Used stolen money to support a lavish lifestyle and fund the firm’s operations and promotions.

5. Eddie Antar (“Crazy Eddie”)
• Fraud: Engaged in massive securities and accounting fraud in his electronics retail chain, Crazy Eddie.
• Business: Used falsified earnings and manipulated stock prices to grow the business fraudulently.

By A Correspondent | Mudiwa Charamba, a British-Zimbabwean man, has been exposed for scamming over £62,000 from victims in a UK visa sponsorship fraud. Targeting vulnerable immigrants, he promised fake work visas in exchange for large payments, only to disappear with the money. Many victims, mostly from Zimbabwe and other African nations, were left stranded, some facing legal troubles due to invalid immigration documents.

Instead of facing justice, Charamba reportedly fled to Rwanda, where he invested the stolen funds into Laurus Travel, a tourism and travel business capitalizing on Rwanda’s growing hospitality industry. The company’s sudden establishment with questionable financing has raised red flags, with victims and activists calling for investigations into its origins.

UK authorities are under pressure to track Charamba’s financial trail, while Rwandan officials face scrutiny over whether proper due diligence was conducted before allowing his business to operate. Fraud experts warn that such scams prey on desperate job seekers, urging stricter regulations on visa sponsorship schemes.

Charamba’s case highlights the risks of immigration fraud and the need for international cooperation to track down scammers who exploit legal loopholes. As victims seek justice, questions remain over whether his Rwandan business will face consequences for its alleged ties to illicit funds.

— Always verify job and visa offers through official government channels to avoid falling victim to similar scams. (300 words)