Stamps of Disapproval

Investment is a sore subject in Dosbarrios, an agricultural village 60 km south of Madrid. Even though tractors rumble through the dusty streets and strangers are met with open stares, the town learned last month that it's not as isolated as it seems: half of Dosbarrios' 2,400 residents have put their money into an allegedly fraudulent stamp investing scheme that has rocked Spain. "Before, our economic health was very good," says Mayor Juan Bautista Martínez. "Now, it's so-so."

Dosbarrios residents are closely watching the unfolding investigation into Afinsa Bienes Tangibles and Forum Filatélico, two investment companies that [an error occurred while processing the directive]