This episode is brought to you by Famous Fates, a Parcast Original. For more episodes like this one, subscribe to Famous Fates exclusively on Spotify. 

Nearly a century before Bernie Madoff stole billions, Charles Ponzi was the dapper Italian con artist who laid the foundations for his scam: the Ponzi scheme. By 1920, Ponzi’s fall would be painful. But it was a fitting end for a man who scratched and crawled his way to the top.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices