Originally Posted by
nej
The entire forum population seems to now be split into pro-BM and anti-BM camps. With many more in the anti camp than in the pro camp. I don't believe this is neccessarily correct. To paraphrase what Hasse said in response to one of my posts in another thread: Most are seeing in black and white, yet there are shades of grey here as well.
Before I start this probably lengthy post, let me state my position. I firmly believe Marek did the right thing (those who accuse him of now causing the death of 10x5/Pips are, frankly, stupid). I firmly believe BM was wrong to deceive. I firmly believe that BM has not acted in a proper fashion with regard to his postings to Marek. BUT, and this is important, I DO NOT believe this is conclusive proof of him being a conman.
FACT - PIPS was raided by BNM and is under investigation.
FACT - BM has since then lived a difficult existance. I realise many members have also.
FACT - We were all told not to "Loan" more than we could afford. Those who did so have to take some responsibility for their own hardship. Sorry, but it's true.
FACT - Until BNM finish their investigation WE DO NOT KNOW if there is any money or if we were lied to. Therefore WE CANNOT JUDGE THIS YET.
UNKNOWN - The reason why HALotto disappeared. We do not know for sure if it was pulled by BNM, if BM closed it because he received threats, or if he took the money and ran. Closing a program a few days after opening does not seem like a good way of stealing money. He would surely have got more by waiting a few weeks.
OUTCOME - We cannot accuse BM of stealing this money because WE DO NOT KNOW YET.
FACT - BM starts 10x5 (plus MechCash and maybe others) under pseodonyms. The reasons for doing this are obvious. If he started something under his name, it would attract a lot of bad attention and would fail. It seems 10x5 was doing fairly well. This probably would not have happened had it been under BM's name. Plus, he would have had to field difficult questions about HALotto, which may be out of his control legally. WE DO NOT KNOW.
FACT - BM was WRONG to lie and deceive. This is perhaps illegal (obtaining money through deception?), but I understand his reasons. However I do not condone them. One possibility (and it is only that) is that he was acting out of a kind of desperation rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive. His mistake was launching 10x5 at all. This should not have launched.
FACT - BM was RIGHT to lie to Marek initially. Well, maybe not "right", but my take on this is that had he told Marek he was Barry James from the start, Marek would have been in an untenable position. It was better for Marek and the rest of the Rolclub team that they were not aware.
FACT - BMs response to Marek was not very "mature". But again, I understand why. He was angry and embarrassed. I might have acted the same way myself. Hopefully, should BNM give good news, the air can be cleared between these two men and their friendship resumed.
FACT - BM should have updated members on Pips. Even if he had no more news, a quick "Hi, sorry, no news as yet" would have been enough. However we know from past experience that Bryan does not have the best communication skills.
So.... what do we have? A con-man trying to steal our money through lies and deception? Or the actions of a desperate man, trying to improve his meagre existance and perhaps help others at the same time?
The ONLY thing that will tell us the TRUTH, is the results of the investigation by Bank Negara Malaysia. Until then, WE SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW.
Should BNM give the thumbs down, then BM will have his come-uppance and will probably face jail. He will pay the price for what he did. Should they give the thumbs up, how many of you currently pouring vitriol will quietly slink back to Pips to get to your accounts?
People should reserve their judgements until then.
Let the flaming begin....
-Neil.
