These characters are out there and lack any sense of morality. Google 'Music Ground' if you want another example of dodgy dealings by people who should know better.
These days I try hard not to get too attached to physical objects, preferring to value an item's utility rather than its intrinsic desirability. There's a psychological burden that accompanies the ownership of stuff that I'm no longer comfortable with. It's difficult to be a Gandhi in this materialistic society though, and I admit I'm not always successful. There is considerable cultural pressure to acquire ever more possessions.
Although I really like my bicycle, I doubt it's monetary value is much more than £100, which suits me fine. I neither want or need anything more exotic or expensive. It does everything I ask of it, so throwing another £1500 at the problem wouldn't actually achieve anything useful.
Steve