The Most Famous Con Artist, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the con artist you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 17, 2024 08:07
In a world where trust can be as fleeting as a mist, the tales of con artists have often served as cautionary yarns. By recognizing and sharing stories about the most notorious tricksters, societies have been better equipped to guard against similar deceit. This list aims to shed light on the cunning schemes that rocked communities and made headlines around the globe.
Engaging with this list offers a unique opportunity to gauge public opinion on who stands out in the infamous world of trickery and deceit. Cast your vote and help determine the ranking of these master manipulators. Your participation not only contributes to a communal understanding of these figures but also aids in sharpening awareness about the intricate art of deception.
Who Is the Most Famous Con Artist?
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172votes
Frank_Abagnale.jpg: Marcus JB derivative work: SoWhy · CC BY 2.0He is known for posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer and successfully passing millions of dollars in fraudulent checks. He was portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie "Catch Me If You Can."Frank Abagnale Jr. in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous prison escapees
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249votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainBernie Madoff
Bernard MadoffHe orchestrated one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, defrauding thousands of investors out of billions of dollars. He is currently serving a 150-year prison sentence.The Bernie Madoff fraud was a massive Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Bernard Madoff, an American financier and former chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange. Madoff's fraudulent activities spanned several decades, eventually leading to one of the largest financial frauds in history.- Duration: Several decades
- Amount of fraud: Estimated $65 billion
- Victims: Thousands of individual investors, financial institutions, and charities
- Operational period: Approximately 1960s to 2008
- Method: Ponzi scheme
Bernie Madoff in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular fraudsters
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous grifter
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous liar
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous cheater
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338votes
Page from a 1935 Philadelphia newspaper · Public domainHe was a skilled con artist who successfully sold the Eiffel Tower twice to unsuspecting buyers in 1925. He also created a fake investment scam known as the "Rumanian Box" that made him a fortune.Victor Lustig in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous grifter
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417votes
The original uploader was Mgreason at English Wikipedia. · Public domainCharles Ponzi
Charles PonziHe is the namesake of the Ponzi scheme, a fraudulent investment scheme where returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital of new investors. Ponzi made millions of dollars in the early 1900s before being caught and jailed.The Charles Ponzi scheme is a type of investment fraud in which a non-existent investment opportunity is promised to investors, with returns obtained from using funds received from subsequent investors. The creator of this scheme was Charles Ponzi, an Italian-born swindler. Ponzi's scheme gained notoriety in the early 20th century and has since become synonymous with fraudulent investment schemes.- Origin: Developed in the early 20th century
- Promised returns: High returns in a short period of time
- Source of returns: Obtained from subsequent investors' funds
- Non-existent investment: No actual legitimate investment opportunity
- Pyramid structure: Dependent on recruiting new investors
Charles Ponzi in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular fraudsters
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous Ponzi scheme
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous grifter
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510votesHe was a confidence man and bank robber who was the father of Frank Abagnale Jr. He was known for posing as a doctor and a lawyer and was eventually caught and jailed.
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66votesHe was a Scottish soldier and adventurer who created a fake country in South America called "Poyais" and convinced hundreds of people to invest in it. When they arrived in Poyais, they found only jungle and no civilization.
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714votes
Police Dept. of Princeton, New Jersey · Public domainHe is a notorious con artist who posed as a student at several Ivy League universities and even competed on the cross-country team at Princeton. He was eventually caught and jailed. -
85votesShe was the leader of the "Bling Ring," a group of young people who burglarized the homes of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. She was eventually caught and jailed.
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94votesShe was a con artist who posed as a psychic and convinced people to give her money for "spells" and "cures." She was eventually caught and jailed.
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106votesHe was a master of impersonation who successfully posed as a surgeon, a monk, a prison warden, and a teacher, among other things. He was eventually caught and his life story was turned into a book and movie called "The Great Impostor."
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Ranking factors for famous con artist
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The complexity and audacity of their schemesHow elaborate were their cons and how much risk did they take?
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The amount of money and/or valuables stolenHow much financial damage did they cause?
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The length of time they were able to carry out their consDid they have a long-term and sustainable operation?
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The fame and notoriety they gainedDid they become a household name and were they able to perpetuate their reputation?
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The impact their cons hadDid their scams have a larger social, cultural, or political influence or leave a lasting legacy?
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous con artist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or con artist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2050 views
- 214 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each con artist once every 24 hours. The rank of each con artist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous con artist
Con artists have been around for centuries, using their charm and wit to deceive unsuspecting victims. From selling fake goods to elaborate Ponzi schemes, con artists have managed to swindle millions of dollars from their victims. Some of the most famous con artists of all time include Charles Ponzi, who gave his name to the notorious Ponzi scheme, and Frank Abagnale, who impersonated a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer to defraud people. Other well-known con artists include Victor Lustig, who sold the Eiffel Tower twice, and Bernie Madoff, who orchestrated one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. Despite their illegal activities, con artists have become the subject of fascination and even admiration for some, with many books, films, and TV shows based on their exploits.
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