Though the state’s consumer fraud claims will proceed to trial, Roblox was granted reprieve from having to face Section 230 claims accusing the gaming platform of lacking moderation and addictive gameplay.
DES MOINES, Iowa (CN) — A lawsuit by Iowa’s attorney general against gaming giant Roblox will move forward after an Iowa state judge said Thursday that the platform can’t exempt itself from Iowa consumer protection law by claiming it isn’t “merchandise.”
While Polk County District Judge Celene Gogerty did dismiss some of the state’s claims over insufficient content moderation and addictive gameplay in her 12-page ruling, she found claims under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act could proceed.
The act forbids unfair or deceptive practices “in connection with the lease, sale, or advertisement of any merchandise.” Roblox argued that its games are not “merchandise” within the meaning of the…
THE BHI TRUST PONZI SCHEME (SOUTH AFRICA)
Date: Ongoing updates through February 2026 Perpetrator: Craig Warriner (Principal), with alleged co-conspirators
Case Description: The BHI Trust scandal remains one of South Africa’s most devastating financial crimes, involving the loss of between R1.9 billion and R3 billion. Craig Warriner, the “genius trader” behind the trust, turned himself in during late 2023, but the legal and recovery battles reached a fever pitch in 2025 and 2026. Warriner operated the trust as a textbook Ponzi scheme, utilizing “Old Boy” networks and high-profile brokers to lure in pensioners and high-net-worth individuals with promises of 20% annual returns.
In early 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) faced heavy criticism for “provisionally withdrawing” charges against alleged co-conspirators Michael Haldane and Sona Pillay. However, civil recovery efforts by joint trustees have continued into 2026, aiming to claw back hundreds of millions in “fictitious profits” from early investors to redistribute to those who lost everything. The case is a masterclass in the failure of fiduciary duty; the FSCA eventually banned several advisors for up to 30 years for peddling the unlicensed scheme despite clear red flags, such as the lack of a website, the absence of regulated financial reports, and a fee structure that was triple the industry average.
Link to Original: Moneyweb – BHI Trust Scandal Deep Dive