Victor Lustig’s Daring Double Sale of the Eiffel Tower
Victor Lustig, a masterful con artist of the early 20th century, achieved unparalleled notoriety by attempting to sell the Eiffel Tower—twice. In the annals of deception, Lustig's audacious exploits stand out as a testament to his ingenuity and cunning.
The Elaborate Ruse
In 1925, under the alias "Count Victor Lustig," he crafted an elaborate scheme convincing potential buyers that the iconic Eiffel Tower was slated for dismantling and sale as scrap metal. Armed with forged government documents and a silver tongue, Lustig spun a narrative that appealed to the greed and gullibility of his targets.
The First Sale
Lustig's first attempt at selling the Eiffel Tower occurred in Paris, where he successfully convinced a group of scrap metal dealers to make a substantial "down payment" to secure...
