Victor Lustig was a con artist who became very famous for his scams in various countries. He is best known as "the man who sold the Eiffel Tower twice." He was America’s most dangerous con man. In his long criminal career, he had deceived many people with sleight-of-hand tricks and get-rich-quick schemes. He had sold Eiffel Tower twice just with his confidence. In 1935, he was captured by police after masterminding a counterfeit banknote operation which aimed at shaking the confidence in American economy.
1Lustig Was Very Attractive and Stylish, Spoke 5 Different Languages
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Lustig was very attractive and stylish. He dressed like a matinee idol and possessed a hypnotic charm. He was a girl’s dream man. He was fluent in speaking 5 languages and had the confidence to evade law like a figure from fiction. As per the New York Times: “He was not the hand-kissing type of bogus Count—too keen for that. Instead of theatrical, he was always the reserved, dignified nobleman.”
Lustig used 47 aliases and carried dozens of fake passports. He was successful in creating such a false perception about him that even today his real identity remains shrouded in mystery. He always projected himself as someone hailing from a long line of aristocrats who owned European castles. But, the findings have revealed that he had a very humble beginning. Victor Lustig was born in Hostinné, Austria-Hungary. He then headed to West.
Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
2 Lustig Claimed to Have rich Background But He Had Humble Beginnings
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During his criminal outings, Lustig used to describe himself as the son of Ludwig who was the burgomaster or mayor of the town. But, according to prison papers, he described his parents as the poorest peasant people who raised him in tough conditions.
As per Lustig, he used to steal only to survive and his target used to be greedy and dishonest. He had done all including being a panhandler, a pickpocket, a burglar and a street hustler.
Image Source: www.biography.com