The Rise & Rise of the Modern Bond Villain

During the global economic boom they amassed fortunes, power and influence beyond imagination. They (in many cases) came from nowhere but through opportunity and application of knowledge and skills they changed the world's perception of itself and were called the "super rich". They own whole industries, super yachts, multiple palatial properties but somehow claim residency in states that levy no tax. They own English football clubs, massive companies and as always some of the most beautiful girls in the world. They provided the world with the ultimate fantasy: wealth without limit!

During the last couple of years however, there has been a slightly more sinister twist to the fairy tale and things have begun to look more like a film based on an Ian Flemming novel than reality. What I am in fact talking about is the emergence and rise of the real-life James Bond Super Villain. You remember the chaps who lived on an tropical island with a secret underground bunker (presumably in a tax free location), owned super yachts and gadgets only slightly inferior to those used by MI6 and always had a plan and scale model for world domination which usually involved total monopoly on a vital industry which upon which the world is completely dependent....oh yeah and did I forget to mention they usually dated some of the most beautiful girls in the world.

Sir Allen Stanford is the latest in a long line who fits into this category nicely I think (although one must question the reality of global dependence on international 40/40 cricket). After ripping of thousands of people through dodgy investments he has disappeared. He has gone to ground and scarpered. To where will be a matter for press leaks and whether the place to which he has absconded will accept his bribes and remain silent. I believe he has property in the Caribbean so he shouldn't have any difficult finding officials there to buy. However, the big problem I feel at the moment is that if he or any of his ilk decided to hold the world to ransom, in reality our "00"chaps would be in serious schtum. They would be seriously out-gadgeted by the baddies because they are seriously under funded. Makes me worry a bit when considering the resources available and power which is yielded by some of those I consider to be a bit of a worry.