Police in Canada have claimed the masterminds of the Banners Broker advertising website, which netted 12,000 investors here, were operating a pyramid scheme which "evolved into a straight Ponzi scheme".

Investigators tracking down the assets of the suspected pyramid scheme, Banners Broker, have successfully moved to Canada in a bid to recover money for investors in the internet marketing product.

With just $6m apparently available for creditors and the many Irish investors seeking the return of their investment, the affairs of liquidated Banners Broker promise to be messy despite assurances from some at the top, writes Investigative Correspondent Conor Ryan

Thousands of Irish investors have been left counting the cost after the company behind Banners Broker, a suspected online pyramid scheme, was wound up owing millions.