BOGOTA , Colombia ( CNN ) -- `` Easy money , fast and effective . '' Investors protest outside the headquarters of DMG , one of many companies accused of defrauding the public . That was the name of one of the businesses in which millions of Colombians deposited their life savings after being promised short-term returns of as much as 150 percent . But government officials say the businesses were pyramid schemes that raked in at least $ 200 million from 3 million people . The government has said it knows who most of those responsible are , but they have escaped . The government is tracking them down . Sergio Munoz is among those who lost their savings . `` That was for my children , '' he said . `` Now , it comes to light that they have robbed us . It was with complicity of the authorities who permit this -- knowing that it is illegal for it to be permitted . '' The government says the businesses defrauded the public by offering false promises of a sure investment . Wilson Rodriguez handed over the equivalent of $ 80,000 to a money man who offered him what he thought were assets in hotels and property in exchange . Now , he does n't know whom to approach . `` I do n't even have enough to care for my family , '' he said . `` I lent money and what I make from my salary goes to pay off debts . I have nothing . I lost everything . '' Infuriated investors have demonstrated outside the headquarters of several companies in question across the nation . Worried that the situation has already led to physical altercations and riots , President Alvaro Uribe asked that authorities act immediately to bring those responsible to justice . `` We are asking the public prosecutor to speed up the resolution of the cases , '' he said . `` The national police has handed to the prosecution the power to intervene in pyramids . '' Treasury Minister Oscar Ivan Zuluaga said the government is not to blame . `` The government had advertised all this time about the illegality of this operation , warning Colombians not to let themselves be defrauded , not to take their money to these illegal activities , '' he said . Meanwhile , some observers complain that , though the investors may shoulder some blame , the government could have mitigated their losses by moving more quickly . And , they note , some of the alleged pyramid schemes continue to stay in business .
Pyramid schemes robbed 3 million Colombians of at least $ 200 million , officials say . Many businesses promised returns as high as 150 percent . Treasury Minister Oscar Ivan Zuluaga says government warned against schemes . Score: 7