ponzi scheme

At 19, Ian Bick owned a nightclub and ran raves featuring some of the world's biggest acts. By 21, he was facing prison for defrauding investors out of nearly $500,000.

VICE investigated the Swissindo World Trust International Orbit, a cult that's convinced its followers it can wipe away debts—even though critics, prosecutors, and bankers say it's all just a Ponzi scheme.