High Yield Investment Programs - has anyone tried these at all?

No. I'd not heard of them until now.

Google on the phrase and you'll see that it's not a good idea. Most of the references involve the likes of the Police and Financial Services Authority warnings against them and/or actions against those running them: For example:

http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/warnings.htm

Remember the old rule. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is

Thanks for the info, I know a lot of these are cons and they are highly risky, but wondered if anyone had tried them.

save your money reverand - a mate tried it with £100 and never saw his cash again, aganst all the advice.

they are a modern day pyramid scam - if you could serisouly get the 10% to 500% interest back on thier claims, you would borrow money from the bank at 6% and do it yourself, not let everyone else get the benefits.