The Brooklyn Bridge Scam

Even though this scam may be among the most well-known ever, it's strange to assume that anyone has ever fallen for it. The Brooklyn Bridge was sold by George Parker. Over and over. Additionally, he sold the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grant's Tomb, and the Statue of Liberty. The individual was exceptionally skilled in his field. Some of his victims attempted to erect toll booths in order to profit from their recent acquisition.

Paker eventually succeeded in extracting as much as $50,000 from his customers, which was a sizable sum of money in the late 1800s. Other times, he was content with just $75. According to some estimations, he may have sold the bridge twice a year for 40 years using fraudulent deeds to market his fake assets. He was accused of fraud in 1908 but managed to escape punishment by stealing the coat and hat of a police officer. He wouldn't actually be taken to Sing Sing until 1928, and he passed away there 8 years later.