Stuart Chris Engel

Clyde Hood, the 66-year-old electrician who persuaded gullible investors to send him millions of dollars by promising 5,000 per cent returns, has pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges in the United States. Hood pleaded guilty on April 10, 2001 to one count each of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and filing a false tax return.

One of the longest-running investment farces ever ended this month when 19 people were criminally indicted in relation to a so-called 'offshore trading program' known as Omega Trust and Trading Ltd. The scheme has been going on since at least January, 1994 and has raised at least $12.5 million, according to an indictment filed at the US District Court for the Central District of Illinois on August 18.