They bid on Bahamian islands. They negotiated for an island off Liberia. They explored a Honduran island about a week after the federal indictment was issued in March. Krebs also found letters from investors pleading for their money back. One man needed help covering his mother's funeral expenses.
Individual losses run from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.
Some people went deep into debt to invest, accepting Greater Ministries' repeated boasts that money with them was safer than in a bank. The group also encouraged people to borrow money to invest, telling them that 18 percent interest payments on credit cards mean little when Greater Ministries could return 100 percent. The two sold their business and property to get in. Greater Ministries denies conning anyone. Sign-up sheets clearly say any money sent in is a gift to the ministry with no guarantee of return.