I agree with you skysod, and I'm sorry that you had to learn the hard way jolihokistix.
The sad truth is that pilots are considered to be easy marks for "financial advisers". I hasten to add that its not because you are any more gullible than the rest of the population, its just that in the Middle East you are earning good money and your job security is better that most, leaving you with disposable income available to put into a regular savings product.