The Infamous Con Artists Who Deceived Nations
The Impact of Intelligence on Society
Being intelligent alone does not guarantee the betterment of a country or society. It is essential for intelligence to be directed positively. When guided correctly, intelligence leads to constructive and beneficial outcomes. Conversely, when misdirected, it results in destructive actions and wrongdoing.
Notorious Con Artists
Today, we will explore the lives of several individuals known for their intelligence, yet their cunning minds led them to become some of the world's most infamous con artists. These tricksters managed to deceive people to the extent of selling properties like the President's residence, amassing millions in the process. They excelled at fooling others, and we will discuss five such con artists, including some from India.
Charles Sobhraj
Charles Sobhraj, a character portrayed by Randeep Hooda in the film 'Main Aur Charles,' is said to have inspired the famous dialogue from Amitabh Bachchan's film 'Don'—'The police of 11 countries are waiting for the Don.' Born in Vietnam, Sobhraj became a legend in the criminal underworld, facing over 20 murder charges across India, Thailand, Nepal, Turkey, and Iran. Despite being labeled a serial killer, he was not convicted of any crime until August 2004. Known for his ability to disguise himself 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, whose real name was Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, is regarded as India's most significant con artist. He famously tricked people into believing he could sell iconic landmarks, including the Red Fort, Parliament House, and even the Taj Mahal, defrauding them of millions. Despite being arrested eight times, he always managed to escape. His life inspired several films in the Hindi film industry, and he even sold the President's residence using forged signatures. Initially, he worked as a lawyer and also held a position as a land revenue officer.
Thug Bahram
Thug Bahram 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 by his yellow handkerchief and led a gang of around 200 members who would ambush and rob entire caravans. Bahram became a significant headache for British authorities, who spent a decade trying to capture him.
George C. Parker
George C. Parker is a world-renowned con artist who managed to sell famous American landmarks and then vanished with the money. He made deals for notable sites like 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
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1890, Victor Lustig was exceptionally cunning and multilingual. He famously sold the Eiffel Tower. In 1925, after reading about the tower's needed repairs, he posed as a government official and contacted six scrap metal dealers, convincing one to buy the tower with the promise of transporting it to Austria. Lustig also managed to swindle $40,000 from the notorious gangster Al Capone through a stock deal.