The man and his company have been put into receivership in federal district court in Tennessee because enough customers and potential customers finally caught on to their essential dishonesty. And the resolution of an $80-million class-action suit against Bates and FAMC still hangs over them like the sword of Damocles.
But still, heartbreaking news continues to stream in of more individuals that Bates managed to cheat before his business reached its just end.
I'll share two stories here that broke my heart. There was a woman who contacted me recently after her father died. While setting her mother's affairs in order, she stumbled upon some invoices from FAMC dating back to 2009.
Without a word to their kids, this couple had actually gone ahead and provided Bates' business a half-million bucks. They purchased that value of gold from FAMC, but up to the present time, they have actually not received any of it.
All they got for their money was a handful of gold coins as proof of their acquisition. Although one could squabble about the fact that they did ask FAMC to store the gold, I discovered that FAMC shows no proof of holding it in safe-keeping for them.
The other story is of a woman who cares for her quadriplegic son who was awarded a large sum of money from an accident that injured him for life. They sent several hundred thousand dollars to Bates back in 2008 and have yet to receive their metals.
These two rip-offs alone amount to a staggering total of $4 million.
By this point, it is probably becoming abundantly clear to you that the entire business model of FAMC is comparable to the infamous Ponzi scheme pulled off by Bernard Madoff. Although Bates' clients were scammed in lots of ways, what really upsets me is the front he used as a Christian financial planner and service, a deliberate ploy to appear to be someone of the Christian faith who could be trusted.
Today I continue to feel horror as I listen to these stories of disaster. There is raw sin here. It all reminds me of another entrepreneur, also claiming to be a Christian, who took half-a-million dollars, as well as the ministry that I ran with Jay Trimble, my life partner. This happened 20 years ago and is recounted in my biographical book, Faith Through the Flames."
But still, heartbreaking news continues to stream in of more individuals that Bates managed to cheat before his business reached its just end.
I'll share two stories here that broke my heart. There was a woman who contacted me recently after her father died. While setting her mother's affairs in order, she stumbled upon some invoices from FAMC dating back to 2009.
Without a word to their kids, this couple had actually gone ahead and provided Bates' business a half-million bucks. They purchased that value of gold from FAMC, but up to the present time, they have actually not received any of it.
All they got for their money was a handful of gold coins as proof of their acquisition. Although one could squabble about the fact that they did ask FAMC to store the gold, I discovered that FAMC shows no proof of holding it in safe-keeping for them.
The other story is of a woman who cares for her quadriplegic son who was awarded a large sum of money from an accident that injured him for life. They sent several hundred thousand dollars to Bates back in 2008 and have yet to receive their metals.
These two rip-offs alone amount to a staggering total of $4 million.
By this point, it is probably becoming abundantly clear to you that the entire business model of FAMC is comparable to the infamous Ponzi scheme pulled off by Bernard Madoff. Although Bates' clients were scammed in lots of ways, what really upsets me is the front he used as a Christian financial planner and service, a deliberate ploy to appear to be someone of the Christian faith who could be trusted.
Today I continue to feel horror as I listen to these stories of disaster. There is raw sin here. It all reminds me of another entrepreneur, also claiming to be a Christian, who took half-a-million dollars, as well as the ministry that I ran with Jay Trimble, my life partner. This happened 20 years ago and is recounted in my biographical book, Faith Through the Flames."
About the Author:
Discover the profitable world of precious metal investing. Take a moment to visit our website where you can find out all about the benefits of gold and silver investing.