It is not official whether the AIJ debacle is a ponzi scheme (using new investor capital to create above market income returns to existing investors) but with talk of both pooling of investor capital along with massive amounts missing, this does seem to have Madoff style ponzi written all over it.

The loss at AIJ is staggering at close to $2.6 billion.

Japan probes asset managers after AIJ loss

Money Fund in Japan Told to Halt Operations

And some smart commentary from CFA

AIJ Investment Advisors: Made (off) in Japan