It is alleged that she killed herself after receiving several cruel messages, including one purporting to be from the fictitious 16-year-old boy - named Josh Evans saying the world would be better off without her.

BBC: Myspace website

Another example, in a study published last year: Students in an experiment where they were given the same information about a fictitious company and asked to estimate its value.

FORBES: Hidden Explanations for Unethical Company Behavior

Every year they received detailed statements showing the gains and loss and interest and dividends from the fictitious investments that Mr. Madoff was pretending to make for them.

FORBES: Madoff Investors Receive New Jersey Tax Refunds