The numbers don't lie-but the people presenting them do.When veteran investment manager Emma Gaul realises her "outperforming" wholesale funds are actually losing money despite their impressive 20 %+ IRR claims, she uncovers a web of mathematical manipulation that's costing Australian retirees billions. Her quest for honest performance reporting ignites a battle against an industry that profits from confusion, regulators who've been captured by the very entities they oversee, and a system where sophisticated investors somehow receive worse information than retail customers.A financial thriller that exposes the sophisticated mathematics used to hide simple deception. Ben Walsh is a seasoned financial services professional with decades of experience spanning asset management, private banking, and wealth management.His educational credentials include a Master's degree from Griffith University, a bachelor's from the University of New England and specialised programmes from overseas universities.With a curated network of over 5,000 financial services followers on LinkedIn, Ben has established himself as an industry thought leader, regularly contributing expert opinion pieces to Financial Standard. His unique perspective on the Australian financial services industry-combining deep technical knowledge with practical experience in institutional investment management-informs the realistic portrayal of investment practices and regulatory dynamics in The Return Deception.Ben is passionate about ensuring Australians have access to transparent, honest financial advice and expanding financial literacy across the community. He lives on the South Coast of NSW, where he continues his work improving transparency and standards in the Australian wealth management industry. However, he loves farming, motorbikes and exploring with his family. Forever curious, he can often be found researching his next article or exploring new ideas
