This brings the total returned to almost $2 billion. : The Department of Justice has distributed an additional $695 million to investors who lost money in the largest known Ponzi scheme in the world to date, orchestrated by Bernard "Bernie" Madoff, the agency announced Thursday. This third installment, just before the 10th anniversary of Madoff's arrest, brings the total amount distributed to almost $2 billion, according to the Justice Department. "These funds will be sent to over 27,000 victims across the globe, bringing their total recovery to 56.65 percent,” the Justice Department said in a statement.