The Incredible Story of Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation

Victor Lustig was a master swindler who captivated the nation with his audacious cons. He was born in Austria-Hungary in 1890 and began his career as a petty thief. But he soon realized that he had a talent for conning people, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the criminal underworld.

Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation

by Dean Jobb

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14158 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	353 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Lustig's most famous con was the sale of the Eiffel Tower. In 1925, he convinced a group of scrap metal dealers that he was a government official who was selling the tower for scrap. The dealers paid Lustig a large sum of money, and he disappeared with the cash.

Lustig's other cons included selling the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell. He was also a master counterfeiter, and he once printed millions of dollars in fake money.

Lustig was a charming and charismatic man, and he was able to win the trust of even the most skeptical people. He was also a master of disguise, and he could change his appearance at will.

Lustig's reign of terror came to an end in 1935, when he was arrested by the FBI. He was convicted of counterfeiting and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died in prison in 1947.

Victor Lustig was one of the most notorious con men in history. He was a master of deception, and he was able to swindle millions of dollars from people all over the world. His story is a fascinating tale of greed, ambition, and the power of persuasion.

Lustig's Early Life and Career

Victor Lustig was born in Hostoun, Austria-Hungary, in 1890. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a housewife. Lustig had a difficult childhood, and he often ran away from home. He began his criminal career as a petty thief, but he soon realized that he had a talent for conning people.

In 1910, Lustig moved to the United States. He quickly rose through the ranks of the criminal underworld, and he soon became one of the most notorious con men in the country.

Lustig's Most Famous Cons

Lustig's most famous con was the sale of the Eiffel Tower. In 1925, he convinced a group of scrap metal dealers that he was a government official who was selling the tower for scrap. The dealers paid Lustig a large sum of money, and he disappeared with the cash.

Lustig's other cons included selling the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Liberty Bell. He was also a master counterfeiter, and he once printed millions of dollars in fake money.

Lustig's Arrest and Death

Lustig's reign of terror came to an end in 1935, when he was arrested by the FBI. He was convicted of counterfeiting and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He died in prison in 1947.

Victor Lustig was one of the most notorious con men in history. He was a master of deception, and he was able to swindle millions of dollars from people all over the world. His story is a fascinating tale of greed, ambition, and the power of persuasion.

Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation

by Dean Jobb

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14158 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	353 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE