The scammer who sold the Eiffel Tower (twice)
The story of Victor Lustig and his famous Eiffel Tower scam
Victor Lustig is a name that will forever be remembered in the annals of history as one of the most audacious and successful con artists of all time. Born in 1890 in what is now the Czech Republic, Lustig rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s for a series of elaborate scams that took in victims from Europe to the United States. Perhaps his most famous scheme was the “Eiffel Tower scam,” in which he convinced a group of scrap metal dealers that the iconic Parisian landmark was being sold by the City of Paris and that they had the opportunity to buy it.
The setup for the Eiffel Tower scam was masterfully planned and executed by Lustig. Posing as an official representative of the City of Paris, he approached a group of scrap metal dealers and told them that the Eiffel Tower was being dismantled and sold due to the high cost of maintenance. To support his claims, Lustig produced fake documents and arranged meetings with government officials, all of which were designed to give the impression that the sale of the Eiffel Tower was a legitimate and official transaction.
Despite some initial scepticism, the scrap metal dealers ultimately fell for Lustig’s scheme and agreed to pay him a large sum of money for the rights to dismantle and relocate the Eiffel Tower. However, their joy was short-lived, as the scam was eventually discovered and Lustig was arrested. He was sentenced to prison for his crimes, but even while incarcerated, he continued to engage in fraudulent activities. Eventually, he was deported back to Czechoslovakia, where he died in 1947 at the age of 53.
The Eiffel Tower scam is a cautionary tale that illustrates the dangers of being swayed by charismatic or persuasive individuals, the importance of due diligence and scepticism when faced with unusual business opportunities, and the need for effective regulation and oversight to prevent similar scams from occurring. While Lustig may have been a master of deception, his actions serve as a reminder that honesty and integrity are always the best policy.
Despite its status as a world-famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower has had a somewhat tumultuous history. Built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, it was originally intended to be a temporary structure. However, due to its popularity and the value of the patents for its construction, it was eventually made a permanent structure.
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower has undergone various renovations and improvements to keep it in good condition and make it more accessible to visitors. It has also faced several challenges, including being used as a radio antenna during World War I and almost being dismantled and sold for scrap in the early 20th century.
Today, the Eiffel Tower is owned by the City of Paris and is managed by the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a private company. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. While it may have been the target of a famous scam, the Eiffel Tower remains a symbol of French ingenuity and a testament to the enduring power of human creativity.
