Victor Lustig, a name synonymous with audacious scams, stands out as one of history’s most notorious con artists. Born on January 4, 1890, in Hostinné, a small town in what is now the Czech Republic, Lustig’s life was a series of incredible frauds, each more daring than the last. Among his many schemes, the most infamous was his successful sale of the Eiffel Tower—an event that has cemented his place in the annals of criminal lore.

Lustig’s early life was marked by a restlessness that saw him dabbling in various small-time cons across Europe. Fluent in multiple languages and possessing an uncanny charm, Lustig used his wits to climb the criminal ranks. His travels took him to the United States, where during the 1920s Prohibition era, he pulled off numerous scams, including his notorious “Rumanian Box” trick, which allegedly printed flawless counterfeit money.

However, it was in Paris, in 1925, that Lustig’s most audacious scheme unfolded. The Eiffel Tower, then around 36 years old, was seen by some as an eyesore and a costly upkeep for the city. Leveraging this sentiment, Lustig concocted a plan to sell the monument. He forged government stationery and invited six major scrap metal dealers to a confidential meeting, posing as a government official. Lustig convinced them that the city wanted to discreetly sell the tower for scrap, citing high maintenance costs.

Among the dealers, André Poisson showed the most interest. To seal the deal, Lustig exploited Poisson’s ambition to rise in the business world and hinted at the necessity of a bribe to secure the contract. Poisson fell for the ruse, paying Lustig both the bribe and a substantial sum for the “rights” to the Eiffel Tower. By the time Poisson realized he had been duped, Lustig had fled to Vienna with the money.

Remarkably, Lustig’s confidence and cunning led him to attempt the same scam a second time. He returned to Paris weeks later and tried to sell the tower again, but this time the target became suspicious and alerted the police, forcing Lustig to flee.

Despite this close call, Lustig continued his criminal career, evading law enforcement with a combination of intelligence and sheer audacity. He was eventually arrested in the United States in 1935, where he faced charges of counterfeiting. Convicted and sentenced to 20 years in Alcatraz, Lustig’s life behind bars was a stark contrast to his flamboyant criminal exploits. He died in 1947 from pneumonia, but his legacy as the man who sold the Eiffel Tower remains legendary.

Victor Lustig’s story is a testament to the power of persuasion and the extremes of human audacity. His life serves as both a cautionary tale and a fascinating glimpse into the world of high-stakes cons.

Article by Prague Forum