Today’s episode puts the spotlight on the smoothest conman that ever lived. Victor Lustig gained notoriety for attempting (successfully) to sell the Eiffel Tower, on two separate occasions. He amassed a fortune by scamming his victims using a “money box” that he claimed could duplicate $100 bills and even duped Al Capone, one of the wealthiest and most dangerous mobsters in America at the time.

Sources: 

1) Smithsonian Magazine (Jeff Maysh): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-sold-eiffel-tower-twice-180958370/

2) Smithsonian Magazine (Gilbert King): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-smoothest-con-man-that-ever-lived-29861908/