[ by Melanie Gretchen ] Imagine losing $10,000, $50,000, or $2 million, and then not getting anything back over the next 3 years.  That's the nightmare that victims of Allen Stanford's alleged Ponzi scheme have lived through.  And the prospects of ever receiving a dime seems to worsen each day - as SIPC fights 'tooth and nail' to avoid having any liability in this case.  FYI, the SEC is fighting to have the SIPC make payments to these investors. Prior to 'When Bernie Met Allen'. The 2 Ponzi operators - 1 a self-confessed criminal, the other currently on trial for the crime - have several things in common.  First, they've been living under the same roof at the Butner, NC, prison;  they reportedly have never met.  Second, they were taken into custody just over 6 months apart - Stanford in June 2009, and Bernie Madoff in December 2008.  Finally, both allegedly lost billions of other people's money, estimated at $7 billion for Stanford, and at $17 billion for Bernie. Beyond that, they are worlds apart, as are their alleged victims. 3 and $o. Perhaps what's most dramatic or troublesome about the Stanford Ponzi case is that none of the 21,000 alleged victims have received any money since the case opened nearly 3 years ago. A dozen or so went to Houston to attend Stanford's trial.  Angela Shaw, who heads the Victims Coalition - which claims to have 4,000 registered members from 48 states - organized a rally in Houston, and had hoped the group's 12 attendees could wear buttons bearing the phrase, “3 and $0.”  Judge Hittner didn't permit them to wear the buttons in the courtroom, saying they'd be too disruptive. Nevertheless, some victims managed to deliver their messages.  Ms. Shaw, whose own family lost about $2 million, was called to testify by the prosecution.  Another victim, Eccles, who said he lost his life savings to Stanford’s evil plan, traveled hours by bus to be there.  Another former Stanford client wrote “3" and “$0” on his palms, which he flashed at passersby. Invisible Victims. All in all, most of the 21,000 victims of Stanford's Ponzi scheme have been invisible to the public, and as such, have generated little sympathy or pathos.  Take the publicity in the 2 cases.  Prior to the start of Stanford's trial, little was written about the Stanford case, and less was written about the victims.  The trustee's efforts have been low key and, for the most part, not reported by the press or media.  Contrast that with the tremendous publicity generated by Madoff trustee Irving Picard and his Baker Hostetler legal team. Another invisible element of Stanford's Ponzi victims, is that for the most part, the 21,000 individuals are unexceptional, everyday people.  Their stories don't necessarily generate tantalizing gossip, and their everyday tribulations don't sell newspapers and magazines.  Contrast that with Madoff's victims, many of whom are institutional investors and wealthy individuals - which adds to the mystique of the Madoff's crime - i.e., how could he fool some of the world's most sophisticated investors?  And many of those victims were known to the media before the Ponzi scheme hit the news. And then there's a big difference in how Madoff and Stanford have played their cards.  Madoff quickly left the scene - turning himself in, pleading guilty and going off to prison with little delay.  Stanford, on the other hand, has grabbed all the headlines - pleading not guilty to all charges, protesting conditions in prison, inciting fellow inmates to beat him up, causing Stanford to claim amnesia.  Unfortunately, that type of behavior grabs people's attentions - more so than a "3 and $0" button. Third Anniversary and Counting. The situation for Ponzi victims remains troublesome, with few indications as to when or how they ever will recover any of their losses.  At present, the only reasonable thing for anyone to do is focus on Stanford, the attention grabber, and hope that justice prevails.  It may not speed the payouts to victims, but at least it will close a very large chapter in this case, and perhaps enable the spotlight to shine on those who need publicity most, the invisible Ponzi victims. [NY Post, 2/17/12]