that's a pretty hard-core prank! Holy smokes, a lot of people would be PISSED if you did that to them. I hope you made it up to your friend somehow. ...bought him dinner or something.
You really don't get "it" do you? It's NOT about the money with the super rich. The money is just a way to keep "score".
Who has more honor Merckle or Maddog Madoff ? If Madoff has an ounce of decency in him he'd be long gone.
Merckle is a family business man and investor that turned into a super-leveraged speculator (or was exposed as being one by the markets) and blew up. From what I understand he used his own money (and loans collateralize by his assets) though; he didn't burn through money of investors. Madoff is a fraud and criminal. I wouldn't put the two in the same basket.
Thats just wrong. I know its funny for you but for a few moments he probably had great things flash through his mind of how he could help his family out and make their (and his life) better. The roller coaster of emotions is probably insane. I'm all for practical jokes, but this one was bordering on cruel.