Can you imagine someone offering to sale the National stadium Abuja to you? And you actually fall for it? Well, here is the story of the worlds 'smoothest' con man to ever live.
Ever heard of Count" Victor Lustig?
This guy actually sold the Eiffel tower in Paris at two separate occasion to two separate would-be owners. He was a con man of considerable note. Born in 1890, at age 40 years (1930s) he was already wanted by approximately 45 law enforcement agencies worldwide. He had 25 known aliases and spoke 5 languages.
He actually cunned the almighty Al Capone, themost dreaded American gangster of his time of$5,000 and he was even appreciated for his honesty in the money doubling deal (which he never did) by the lord gangster. He actually convinced Al Capone to invest $50,000 in a stock deal. Lustig kept Capone's money in a safe deposit box for two months, then returned it to him, claiming that the deal had fallen through. Impressed with Lustig's integrity, Capone gave him $5,000. It was, of course, all that Lustig was after.
Can you imagine this guy? in 1925, Count Lustig(as he was popularly known) posed as a government official in Paris, took five businessmen on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, and then "sold" it to one of them as 7300 tonnes of scrap metal; the con went so well, he tried it again soon after.
He was so good at his 'trade' he was actually admired by the secret police. Playing on the wealthy's greed, he actually sold a phony money box to many rich folks on most of his 'fake' trips on sea liners. He had convince themto buy the money box for as much as $10,000 and more, assuring them, they can use it to print money of the highest denominations.
On10 May 1935, out of jealousy, his mistress Billy May made an anonymous call to the federal agents, where Lustig was arrested on charges of counterfeiting. ­ She (his mistress) actually became jealous when she learned of the romance between him and one of his accomplices mistress named Marie.
Though the day before his trial, he managed to escape from the Federal House of Detention in New York City, but he was eventually recaptured 27 days later in Pittsburgh. Lustig pleaded guilty at his trial and was sentenced to 20 years in Alcatraz Island, California.
He contracted pneumonia on March 9, 1947, and died two days later at the Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. Onhis death certificate his occupation was listed as "apprentice salesman"
Interestingly, he enjoyed his trade so much, he actually wrote the 10 commandments for aspiring con men.

(1) Be a patient listener (it is this, not fast talking, that gets a con-man his coups).

(2)Never look bored.

(3) Wait for the other person to reveal any political opinions, then agree with them.

(4) Let the other person reveal religious views, then have the same ones.

(5) Hint at sex talk, but don’t follow it up unless theother fellow shows a strong interest.

(6) Never discuss illness, unless some special concern is shown.

(7) Never pry into a person’s personal circumstances (they’ll tell you all eventually).

( Never boast. Just let your importance be quietlyobvious.

(9) Never be untidy.

(10) Never get drunk.

NB.
Was just wondering if i can find some Lustig out their to con out some wealth from these stingy nigerian wealthy men/politicians, who had rather spend over N300,000 on beer, wine, hotel accommodation, ashawo settlement, meat/fish and tips over a weekend at Sheraton Hotels, Nicon hotel etc. every weekend. While, their family homes still carry thatch roofs and VIP latrines.

Here I was thinking they learnt scamming from Nigerians

Victor lustig was the greatest con man ever with Weil the "yellow kid" coming a close second. When i first read about him through some excerpts in Robert greene"s "48 laws of power" i was amazed and went online to dig out more info about him. It is amazing how he managed to sell the Eiffel tower twice and pocketed the money. In the end crime does not pay, he should have used his knowledge of human psychology and exceptional IQ to fight crime.

so you think. i am a con artist. go ask goodluck jonathan.. if he knows my name musiwa..

statement or comment?

musiwa23: so you think. i am a con artist. go ask goodluck jonathan.. if he knows my name musiwa..

We have always known that. Musiwa we humbly request that you show us some satellite maps to validate this fact

Didn't read the article though, When I saw con I remembered James Sawyer from LOST

Inik:
We have always known that. Musiwa we humbly request that you show us some satellite maps to validate this fact

musiwa the validator

hornipipe: Didn't read the article though, When I saw con I remembered James Sawyer from LOST

the read jor

Robert Greene generously used him in many explanations in his book "48 laws of power". The sleek count

musiwa23: so you think. i am a con artist. go ask goodluck jonathan.. if he knows my name musiwa..

Mapomeji. Na who ask u dis one? Abi na u get d whole OLUWOLE for IBadan?

MapMaster. Yeye!!!

OP, google Soapy Smith

D guy had high level of IQ but emotional intelligent caught up with him.

spywareczar: the read jor

I don't think I have time for the epistle, I clicked on the thread cos I saw con.

hornipipe: I don't think I have time for the epistle, I clicked on the thread cos I saw con.

oya speed off b4 I change my mind

spywareczar: oya speed off b4 I change my mind