The Money Box Man

Smooth-Operator

      Notorious Con Man

Person of Interest: Victor Lustig born Jan. 1890

“Count” Victor Lustig was famous for being one of the smoothest con men in history, but his most impressive stunt was when he convinced six scrap metal dealers to bid on the Eiffel Tower

ME: Wait! The EIFFEL TOWER really.....How in the Heeeeeeell

Here's the story: Lustig got the idea when he read an article about how the Eiffel Tower was rusting, and the high cost of its maintenance and repairs. Since the tower was only suppose to stand for 20 years. Not one to miss an opportunity, Lustig devised a plan to convince the city’s biggest scrap-metal dealers that he was a government director charged with the discreet task of selling off the Eiffel Tower’s scrap metal. He rented limousines and gave tours of the landmark, and insinuated not only that this was very hush-hush government business, but that he could be bribed into accepting the winning bid. 

One dealer was convinced, and paid Lustig $20,000 in cash plus an additional $50,000 to make sure his was the winning bid. Once he had the money, Lustig raced off to Austria to lay low while the story broke — but it never did since the dealer was too embarrassed to report Lustig’s scam. 

Lustig later returned to Paris and gave it another try, but was worried one of the scrap dealers had notified the police. He fled to the U.S. where he was ultimately caught.

Me: How did he get caught? Being GREEDY! Make a long story short he tried the same trick again and someone got suspicious and called the authorities.

Talk about smooth operator though...

Not to mention this is just 1 one if his sneaky moves that he was able to pull off......Google his name for more.

10 Commandments for Con Men

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

·         Never look bored.

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

·         Let the other person reveal religious views, then have the same ones.

·         Hint at sex talk, but don't follow it up unless the other person shows a strong interest.

·         Never discuss illness, unless some special concern is shown.

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

·         Never boast - just let your importance be quietly obvious.

·         Never be untidy.

·         Never get drunk.

Share with ya Later Boo's!