Count Victor Lustig (1890-1947) was a notorious con man who famously “sold” the Eiffel Tower not just once but twice. He posed as a government official in 1925, convincing a scrap metal dealer that the tower was to be demolished. Lustig’s charm, wit, and attention to detail made him a master of deception.
Throughout his career, he developed a set of principles for successful cons and used over 47 aliases. His bold schemes included the Rumanian Box scam and even duping Al Capone. Despite numerous arrests, Lustig’s cunning enabled him to evade justice for years. His story is a captivating glimpse into the world of high-stakes deception.
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Victor Lustig was born in 1890 in Hostinné, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary (now Czech Republic). Ambition and cunning already marked his early life as he quickly developed skills that would shape his future as an infamous con artist. By the time Lustig was 19, he had already started his criminal life, venturing to Paris to try his luck at gambling.
In the City of Light, Lustig sharpened his deceptive talents, but not without consequence. A jealous boyfriend left him with a permanent scar on his face, reminding him of the dangerous world he had entered. But he was undeterred. Lustig utilized his wit and impressive language skills to initiate a life of crime.
Lustig’s ingenuity in crafting scams was nothing short of amazing. The “Rumanian box scam” was one of his early ventures, involving selling a device that supposedly duplicated currency. This clever ruse showcased his talent for exploiting people’s gullibility and greed.
As Lustig’s reputation grew, so did his criminal activities. He could adapt to different situations and deceive people, thus earning him recognition as a successful con man and setting the stage for even bolder schemes to come.
The Eiffel Tower Scam
Lustig’s criminal activities peaked in 1925 with what would become his most infamous scheme: selling the Eiffel Tower. He posed as a French government official to convince a scrap metal dealer that the iconic structure was nearing demolition. Lustig carefully faked government documents and stationery to add credibility to his claims.
The unsuspecting victim, André Poisson, fell for Lustig’s elaborate ruse. Lustig’s persuasive skills were so believable that led to Poisson believing the scam. Not only that, Poisson also paid a 70,000-franc bribe to secure the deal. Poisson was too embarrassed to report the fraud, so he unwittingly allowed Lustig to escape unscathed.
Lustig, emboldened by his success, returned to Paris a year later. He attempted to sell the Eiffel Tower once again. This time, however, his luck ran out when one of the targeted scrap dealers contacted the police, foiling his plans.
Lustig’s audacious Eiffel Tower scam solidified his reputation as one of the most proficient con artists of the early 20th century. His brazen ability to deceive even the most discerning marks made him a legend in the criminal underworld.
Rumanian Box Deception
The Rumanian Box scam demonstrated Lustig’s shrewdness in crafting elaborate props to con his victims. He designed a mahogany box adorned with brass knobs and dials. He claimed the box could duplicate any currency bill inserted into it. This clever device featured two slots for bills and paper, with fake mechanisms that gave the illusion of duplicating money.
One of Lustig’s first targets was a wealthy businessman named Herman Loller in Palm Beach, Florida. He demonstrated the box’s supposed capabilities, convincing Loller to pay $25,000 (equivalent to $240,000 today) for the device. Lustig’s strategy was to refuse to sell the box until the mark offered an exorbitant price, ensuring maximum profit from his deception.
The con artist’s success with the Rumanian Box deception wasn’t limited to Loller. He employed this scam on other victims, including a sheriff from Texas. However, this particular ruse eventually led to his arrest.
Lustig’s fastidious attention to detail in designing the box and convincing skills allowed him to execute this elaborate scheme successfully. He fooled even the most discerning and cautious individuals.
Counterfeiting Operation
The Rumanian Box deception was already impressive. However, Lustig’s most audacious and long-running scam was his counterfeiting operation. For five years, he orchestrated a complex network of couriers to distribute thousands of fake dollars into the U.S. economy monthly. The sheer scale of this operation was pretty impressive, flooding the market with counterfeit bills.
Lustig’s shrewdness was boundless — he even used the pseudonym Robert V. Miller on a death certificate to cover his tracks. However, as the amount of counterfeit money grew in circulation, it caught the federal authorities’ attention. The scheme collapsed when Lustig’s mistress, Billy May, turned him into the authorities.
The law finally caught up with Lustig, who was arrested for counterfeiting. He received a 15-year sentence in the infamous Alcatraz prison. But that didn’t end Lustig’s story. He attempted to escape from the Federal House of Detention, leading him to spend another five years behind bars. Lustig’s counterfeiting scam had finally ended, cementing his place in criminal history.
Conning Al Capone
Among Lustig’s most audacious schemes was swindling Al Capone, one of America’s most notorious gangsters. This risky move showcased Lustig’s legendary skills as a con artist and his boldness in targeting even the most feared and powerful criminals of the time.
Lustig’s approach to conning Capone involved:
- Convincing the gangster to invest $5,000 in a supposed business venture
- Promising to double Capone’s money within 60 days
- Returning the original $5,000 investment, claiming the deal had fallen through
- Impressing Capone with his honesty, leading to a reward
This fraud demonstrated Lustig’s expertise in sweet talking and manipulation, as he successfully conned one of the most fearsome figures in the criminal underworld. Capone didn’t even retaliate further, solidifying Lustig’s reputation as a formidable adversary in the world of con men.
While the Capone con wasn’t Lustig’s debacle, it remained one of his most extraordinary achievements in a criminal career filled with various scams. His ability to outwit even the most ruthless gangsters set him apart as a true deception expert.
Arrest and Imprisonment
In 1935, Count Victor Lustig was arrested in New York on counterfeiting charges. He played dumb and refused to give out information about a key that opened a locker containing $51,000 in counterfeit bills and printing plates. Lustig’s cunning didn’t end there; he managed to escape from the Federal House of Detention in New York.
However, law enforcement caught up with him just 27 days later in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By that moment, Lustig’s luck had run out. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in Alcatraz for counterfeiting, plus an extra 5 years for his prison escape.
Even behind bars, Lustig’s reputation foreshadowed him. Law enforcement officers described him as a “storybook character” during his time at Alcatraz. However, his life of deception ended when he died of pneumonia at 57 while still incarcerated. In a final twist of irony, his death certificate listed his occupation as a salesman – a fitting epitaph for a man who had spent his life selling lies.
Legacy and Influence
Count Victor Lustig’s legacy goes far beyond his criminal exploits. He has left a permanent mark on popular culture and the criminal underworld. His influence extends to:
- The world of fiction, where his exploits have inspired countless portrayals of clever con men
- The criminal playbook, thanks to his “Ten Commandments for Con Men”
- The annals of audacious scams, with his Eiffel Tower scam standing out as a pinnacle of deception
- The lore of charming rogues, described as “smooth as a young girl’s dream”
Victor Lustig’s legacy as the “Smoothest Con Man” continues to fascinate people today. His schemes across Europe and the United States showcase his knowledge of human psychology and the art of deception. Lustig’s methods still echo in modern-day fraudsters, who still use charm, wit, and attention to detail to dupe their marks. Despite his crimes, Lustig’s ability to reinvent himself and evade law enforcement for years has solidified his place among history’s most infamous swindlers.
Ten Commandments for Con Men
Victor Lustig’s knack for fraud wasn’t just innate talent – he also developed a set of principles to guide his cons. As a skilled con man who famously “sold” the iconic Eiffel Tower, Lustig created his own list of commandments for a smooth and successful deception.
You would emulate Lustig’s easy charm and impeccable dress sense well, as they make victims more likely to trust you. Never sleep with your mark, though – emotional attachment increases the risk of getting caught. Carry multiple aliases to maintain a mysterious aura, just as Lustig did when posing as a deputy director general. Research your target’s weaknesses, tailoring your scam for maximum effectiveness. Disappear fast after a successful con, vanishing like a puff of cigarette smoke.
Lustig instructed his apprentices to study their marks carefully, whether they were young girls dreaming of stardom or wealthy business people. He advised against revealing any political opinions to avoid alienating potential victims. Despite his precautions, Lustig was arrested multiple times throughout his career. However, his ability to manipulate even law enforcement agents pulled him out of tight spots repeatedly.
Notable Aliases and Disguises
Throughout his career as a con man, Lustig shrewdly crafted various personas to deceive his marks. He used over 47 aliases, including Baron, Count, and Robert V. Miller, and that feat alone was impressive. Lustig’s ability to seamlessly transition between various identities was the key to his success in perpetrating audacious scams across Europe and the United States.
To maintain his elaborate scheme, Lustig relied on:
- Dozens of fake passports to conceal his true identity
- Impersonations of government officials and aristocrats
- A dignified and charming demeanor to gain trust
- Multiple disguises to evade detection by law enforcement
Lustig’s mastery of aliases and disguises enabled him to fool even the wealthiest and most discerning targets on many occasions. He expertly manipulated his victims’ perceptions and exploited their trust by posing as various high-ranking individuals. Lustig’s smooth and chameleon-like capability to adapt his appearance and mannerisms to each new identity made him a formidable adversary for authorities and an exceptionally successful con artist. His exceptional talent for deception enabled him to execute some of the boldest and most infamous scams in criminal history.