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The Daily Insight Hub

What is the central idea of how Bernard Madoff did it?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on January 11, 2026

A central idea in “How Bernard Madoff Did It” is that the public is “morbidly fascinated” with the Madoff crime.

How did Madoff get away with it?

How Madoff Got Away with It for So Long. Madoff’s apparently ultra-high returns persuaded clients to look the other way. In fact, he simply deposited their funds in an account at Chase Manhattan Bank—which merged to become JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Who was Bernie Madoff and what did he do?

Bernard Lawrence Madoff (/ˈmeɪdɔːf/ MAY-doff; April 29, 1938 – April 14, 2021) was an American fraudster and financier who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, worth about $64.8 billion. He was at one time chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Why would the scheme The video outlines not make a profit?

Why would the scheme the video outlines not make a profit? There would be no profit because you aren’t using the money to buy anything; you’re just giving it back.

Why did Madoff’s investors not act on their suspicions?

Why did Madoff’s investors not act on their suspicions? They thought that he was breaking the law “at someone else’s expense” and chose to stay quiet.

What is the name given to the classic trick Madoff used to make his payments?

 A Ponzi scheme is the classic trick Madoff used to make his payments.

How did Fairfield Greenwich make its money?

How did Fairfield Greenwich make its money? They set themselves up exclusively to invest with Madoff. Madoff did not charge Fairfield Greenwich any fees; therefore they were able to make approximately 100 million dollars a year in fee income alone.

Who are some of the victims of Bernard Madoff?

Ilene Kent (L) co-founder of Madoff Survivors Group, Richard Friedman (C) and a woman who did not want to be identified clap after lawyer Howard Elisofon (not pictured) spoke on behalf of victims of Bernard Madoff June 24, 2009 at the law offices of Herrick, Feinstein in New York.

Why are there so many stories about Madoff?

For more on Madoff: 10 Years Later, subscribe to American Greed on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. The discrepancy is the result of the formula adopted by Picard — and upheld repeatedly in court — for distributing recoveries to victims.

Why did the judge give Madoff 12 years?

In his decision, the judge dismissed Madoff’s lawyer’s plea for a lighter sentence of 12 years and disputed suggestions that the victims in the fraud were seeking mob vengeance. “The fraud here was staggering” and losses from the scam “off the chart,” he said, justifying a sentence that sends a message.

Who are the net losers in the Madoff case?

The discrepancy is the result of the formula adopted by Picard — and upheld repeatedly in court — for distributing recoveries to victims. Customers like Greenberg, who kept their funds invested in their Madoff accounts only to have them consumed by the bankruptcy, would be considered “net losers,” first in line for recoveries.