To provide for themselves, people are forced to work. Below is a list of the most high-profile scams in the history of mankind.
10. Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan - a duet who can't sing
The duo Milli Vanilli was created in 1988. Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan were very popular, they received many awards, their songs often fell into the tops. In 1990, the group was awarded a Grammy in the nomination "Best New Artist". At that time, very few stars managed to reach such heights. In 1989, the band performed in Bristol. Then the phonogram of their song “Girl You Know It’s True” began to jam. Nobody attached much importance to this, but already then rumors began to circulate about this group. These were not rumors at all. The duo producer Farian created the project, found great vocalists. But they did not fit the format of the group, they were already over 40, and the duet was positioned as a youth. So Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan became stars. In November 1990, Farian was forced to admit that the voices of other artists really sound on the records. The group was presented with 26 claims, they had to return the Grammy Award.
9. Medical fraud by John Brinkley
Fraudster John Brinkley began his career in Greenville. There he treated men who doubted their masculinity. An injection that restores male power cost $ 25. Instead of a miracle cure, they injected ordinary water. But the business did not last long, 2 months. After some time, John began to help men by transplanting the goat's gonads. The first client was so pleased that the rumor of a miracle doctor was blazing fast. Wishing there were a large number. Those to whom the operation did not help were silent. Brinkley argued that in low-intelligence men, goat eggs would not take root. Soon, the business reached universal proportions. He brought John a fortune of $ 12 million. Then a medical license was taken away from Brinkley, and patients began to complain. He closed his clinic and declared himself bankrupt.
8. Criminal artist Mikhail Tsereteli
Tsereteli was born, although in a princely family, but very poor. Michael wanted a lot of money, he was attracted by a beautiful life. He began to engage in petty fraud, but ended up in jail. When he left, he returned to criminal activity. For many years he was engaged in financial scams. He withdrew money from banks using fake or stolen documents and did a great job with the roles of princes and princes. He easily changed his appearance and brilliantly played wealthy worthy people. Tsereteli acted, not only in Russia but also abroad. In 1915, Mikhail was caught.
7. Frank Abignail
He began his criminal activity at the age of 16. Counterfeiting checks and cashing them became his main source of income. Over five years, checks worth $ 2.5 million were in circulation in 26 countries. He managed to transform so that no one could catch him. He tried on the role of pilot, professor, doctor. In 1969 he was caught, he served time in different countries. 12 countries demanded his extradition after detention. He later opened his own agency providing financial security advisory services.
6. Christopher Rockancourt - Fake Rockefeller
Christopher Rockancourt was born into a dysfunctional family. At 5 years old, he went to a shelter. And when he grew up, he began to engage in robbery and the manufacture of counterfeit money. Got in jail. After he decided to change his occupation. He made false documents and sold someone else's real estate. He presented himself as different people, deceived many wealthy people, luring money from them. Even Jean Claude van Damme fell for his bait. Often presented as a member of the Rockefeller family, advertised himself in the media. He even wrote a biography where he ridiculed the people he had deceived. According to unconfirmed reports, the damage from his activities is $ 40 million. In 2001 he was arrested.
5. MMM - Sergey Mavrodi
Sergey Mavrodi is the founder of MMM's largest financial pyramid. He was born in a prosperous family, studied at the institute, worked for 2 years in a closed research institute. He began to engage in illegal activities at the institute. This was the distribution of illegal videos. In 1989 he founded the company MMM. Until 1994, she was engaged in trade and finance. And in 1994, the company began to issue shares. People bought them, invested all their savings. And Mavrodi, meanwhile, made plans to create such pyramids in America, and then around the world. On August 19, 1994, Sergei was arrested. Investors demanded to pay them money and release Mavrodi, they still believed him. Nevertheless, people failed to return the savings. But after arrest and a quiet reclusive life, nothing prevented Mavrodi in 2011 from creating a new pyramid, already on the Internet.
4. Charles Ponzi
Charles Ponzi is another creator of the financial pyramid, more ingenious and original. Born in Italy. In 1903, Ponzi went to the USA, borrowed a small amount from a friend and created a company. The company was engaged in securities. Its founder promised for every $ 1,000 invested, to issue 1,500 in 90 days. The company has existed for a long time. Part of the funds went to investors, part of Charles appropriated to himself.
But due to the lawsuit of one of the investors, the company had to stop. People ran to return their money. The company was declared bankrupt, and Charles was sentenced to 5 years. After serving his term, Charles continued his fraud. Soon he was deported to his homeland.
3. Martin Frenkel
Since childhood, Martin was a child prodigy. He even went to university, but quit. The young man was attracted by finance and investment. In 1991, Frenkel creates a fund, he buys insurance companies. Their insurance reserves were used to purchase new insurance, as well as a luxurious lifestyle of a fraudster. To cover up their illegal activities organizes a charity fund. So Martin divert the attention of the authorities from his business. But over time, the insurance empire was still interested. Frenkel fled, taking with him a huge fortune, but after 4 months he was caught by the FBI. Dozens of insurance companies were left with nothing, and could not explain to their customers where their money went.
2. Scam 419 or Nigerian letters
This is the most popular form of financial fraud. During the advent of the Internet and email, it became even more widespread. Although the first time he appeared long before the invention of the Internet. Mailing began in 1980 in Nigeria. Recipients were asked for help, promising victims a great reward. There were many options for deceit, but most often I needed help in transferring the fortune from Nigeria to another country. The letters were from kings, presidents of other dignitaries who were allegedly persecuted in their homeland. People bought, sent money, opened accounts and lost everything.
1. Sale of the Eiffel Tower
Victor Lustig is rightly considered the most unique fraudster. Still, this man sold the Eiffel Tower. May 1925, the press publishes information that the Eiffel Tower is in terrible condition and is in need of repair. Then, Victor, introducing himself, organized a meeting of large businessmen involved in recycling. There he announced that they were going to demolish the tower and sell the scrap metal at a closed auction. The buyer was Andre Poisson. Not wanting to be considered a fool, he did not tell anyone about this situation. After some time, Lustig again came to France. Surprisingly, he repeated this trick - he sold the Eiffel Tower again. But this time, luck turned away from him, the buyer turned to the police. Lustig fled to the United States, but was soon arrested.