The Dark Side of Intelligence: Notorious Con Artists Through History
Introduction to Notorious Con Artists
Being intelligent alone does not guarantee the welfare of a nation or society. It is essential that intelligence is directed towards constructive purposes. When guided correctly, it leads to positive and creative outcomes. However, when misdirected, it can result in destructive actions. Today, we will explore the lives of several individuals who, despite their intelligence, became infamous con artists due to their misguided intellect. These fraudsters managed to deceive people to the extent of selling properties like the President's residence, amassing millions in the process. They excelled at tricking others, and we will delve into the stories of five such con artists, including some from India.
Charles Sobhraj
Charles Sobhraj
Two years ago, the film 'Main Aur Charles' featured Randeep Hooda in the lead role, who claimed that the famous dialogue from Amitabh Bachchan's film 'Don'—'The police of 11 countries are waiting for the Don'—was inspired by Sobhraj's life. Born in Vietnam, Sobhraj became a notorious figure in the criminal world, facing over 20 murder charges across countries like India, Thailand, Nepal, Turkey, and Iran. Although labeled a serial killer, he was not convicted of any crime until August 2004. Known for his ability to change appearances and target young women, he earned nicknames like 'The Serpent' and 'The Bikini Killer.' Sobhraj often escaped from prison or bribed officials for better conditions.
Natwarlal
Natwarlal
Natwarlal, whose real name was Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, is considered one of India's greatest con artists. He famously sold landmarks like the Red Fort, Parliament House, and even the Taj Mahal, defrauding people of millions. Despite being arrested eight times, he always managed to escape. His exploits have inspired numerous films in the Hindi film industry, and he even managed to sell the President's residence using forged signatures. In his early career, he worked as a lawyer and also held a position as a land revenue officer.
Thug Behram
Thug Behram
Behram was notorious not only for his cons but also for his brutal killings. It is believed that he was responsible for the deaths of over 900 individuals. Born in 1765, he was executed in 1840. He was recognized for his distinctive yellow handkerchief. His gang, consisting of around 200 members, would ambush entire caravans to rob them. Behram became a significant headache for British authorities, who spent a decade trying to capture him.
George C. Parker
George C. Parker
Parker is a world-renowned con artist who deceived people into buying famous American landmarks and then vanished with their money. He made deals for iconic locations such as Madison Square Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grant's Tomb, and even the Statue of Liberty. His most infamous transaction involved selling the Brooklyn Bridge multiple times.
Victor Lustig
Victor Lustig
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1890, Lustig was exceptionally cunning and multilingual. He famously sold the Eiffel Tower. In 1925, after reading about the tower's need for repairs, he posed as a government official and contacted six scrap metal dealers, convincing one to buy the tower under the pretense of transporting it to Austria. Lustig also tricked the notorious gangster Al Capone into investing $40,000 in a stock deal.