From Wall Street to eBay

New York: A Bernard Madoff disaster-recovery kit is among the items up for auction on eBay Inc's website as sellers look to turn a quick buck after the money manager was accused of masterminding a $50 billion (Dh183.66 billion) Ponzi scheme.

A flashlight and backpack, as well as the employee emergency kit, are among items on eBay carrying insignia of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities Llc. Bids for the flashlight, currently at $100, began last week for $20.

"Own this notorious piece of Wall Street history," wrote "emom1013," who is auctioning a black fleece vest bearing the logo of the New York-based investment firm. Bidding on the item, which the seller claims was among those given to Madoff's employees as a holiday gift last year, climbed to $103 from $50 in three days. Madoff, 70, was arrested December 11 after telling his two sons and federal investigators that he had been using money from new investors to pay off old ones in what may be the biggest such swindle in history.

Con man

A Madoff-branded tote bag, beach chair and opera glasses are being auctioned by "smoothgriffon," who claims to know Madoff, describing him as a "refined man but behind the scenes a con man". Bidding on the items increased to $128 from $50 within five days. "Madoff didn't spare any expenses when it came to gifts for their clients that did a great deal of business with them," the seller of a Madoff jacket said. It has drawn one $75 bid.

If brand owners dispute authenticity of an item, eBay will investigate and take the posting down, Jose Mallabo, an eBay spokesman, said. "If an item breaks our offensive items policy we'll investigate it," he said.

Some entrepreneurs are hawking original merchandise. T-shirts with a picture of Madoff framed by the slogan "Trust Me" are selling on eBay for $27.95.

Another shirt, for $34.99, matches Madoff's image with the words Weekend at Bernie's, a reference to the 1989 movie.