Some mention the increased risk for fraud, while others fear that unaccredited investors will lose money while investing in unproven business models.

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Alfonso, a 46-year-old chef from Malaga, arrived in Cardiff last autumn after his online business began to lose money and offers of work in local hotels dried up.

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Four will go bankrupt, six will stay in business but lose money, six will make a modest return, three will do well and one will scoop the jackpot.

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Countless government agencies have shown they can lose money year after year and still stay in business, haven't they?

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And Rakoff said courts for good reason do not allow lawsuits based on indirect damages, such as the losses of investors who were only able to lose money with Madoff because he was still in business due to earlier investments by others.

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Brokers, who like CNL-style REITs for the fabulous 7% fees a sale generates, argue that private REITs won't lose you money--an assertion that assumes these things will stay in business and assumes that if you get in line at the exit door you will eventually be permitted to leave.

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Once in a business, Mitsubishi companies stay put (unless they lose money as fast as Mitsubishi Electric has managed to do in semiconductors).

ECONOMIST: Mitsubishi