I find it curious that some people appear to think it OK to rip off people of means.

Not making a judgement - it's just curious. If I was going to break into a house I would certainly try for a big house in an affluent neighborhood rather than a double-wide with K-Mart furniture but here we're talking about face-to-face transactions.

Life insurance salesmen and financial advisors prey on people of modest means who might be considered, by some, to be affluent. Not everyone can master all areas so would that make the victim responsible if some sleazebag sold them some high-cost poorly-performing funds?