The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower Twice | S17E9

He had forty-five aliases. He spoke five languages. And on his death certificate, under profession, someone with a twisted sense of humour wrote: apprentice salesman.

They weren't wrong.

Victor Lustig had spent decades crossing between Europe and America, swindling anyone who crossed his path. He charmed wealthy businessmen into investing in Broadway shows that didn't exist. He sold a phony currency-duplicating machine to marks who genuinely believed they'd found a device that printed money. He talked his way into boardrooms, parlours, and back rooms, and out of every trap law enforcement tried to set for him.

But nothing, prepared the world for what would do in Paris in 1925.

His inspiration came from a newspaper article about the enormous cost of maintaining the Eiffel Tower each year. So he forged government credentials, assembled five of the city's most prominent scrap metal dealers, and offered them the chance to purchase one of the most recognisable landmarks on earth. The winning bidder paid up, and before the man dared go to the police, Lustig was already gone.

But the crazy part is that he came back and did it again. This is the life of Victor Lustig. The man who sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.

Tune in to find out more.

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