The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower—Twice
The True Story of Victor Lustig’s Audacious Scam
Victor Lustig was the con artist who managed to sell the Eiffel Tower not just once, but twice, using elaborate deception and his sharp wit. This remarkable feat stands out in the history of scams for its audacity and detailed execution. Lustig’s legendary swindle in 1925 shocked even seasoned authorities and cemented his place among the most notorious fraudsters.
The story draws attention because it involves one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and reveals just how far a master con man could go. Readers are invited to explore how Lustig convinced prominent businessmen that he actually had the authority to auction off the Eiffel Tower for scrap metal, fooling them not just once, but on two separate occasions.
The Real Story Behind The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower—Twice
Victor Lustig gained notoriety as "the man who sold the Eiffel Tower" through two audacious scams a decade apart. His schemes relied on deception, forged documents, and a keen sense for targeting the right victims in Paris.
The 1925 Incident
In 1925, Victor Lustig arrived in Paris with a bold plan. At the time, the Eiffel Tower required expensive maintenance, leading to public rumors about its possible sale. Lustig used this context to his advantage.
He forged government documents and posed as a French official, arranging private meetings with prominent scrap metal dealers. Lustig claimed the city wanted to secretly sell the landmark for scrap. His pitch targeted André Poisson, a businessman eager for success.
The scheme worked: Poisson handed over a large bribe and a substantial payment, believing he’d purchased the Eiffel Tower. After receiving the money, Lustig immediately disappeared from Paris. Despite his loss, Poisson was too embarrassed to report the scam to the police, so Lustig avoided exposure.
The Second Attempt in 1935
A decade after his first success, Lustig tried the Eiffel Tower scam a second time. He returned to Paris and once again presented himself as a government official. Using a similar tactic, he contacted another group of scrap dealers with the same forged paperwork.
Lustig nearly succeeded, but the second group grew suspicious and alerted the authorities. By the time the police investigated, Lustig had already fled the country. This escape did not end his criminal career, but it did close the chapter on his audacious Parisian scams. The repeated attempt highlighted both his confidence and understanding of human psychology, as well as the limits of how far he could push his luck.
Victor Lustig: A Master Con Artist
Victor Lustig became infamous for selling the Eiffel Tower twice, but his background, criminal skills, and shifting identities paint a broader picture of deception and fraud. His life began in Austria-Hungary, where he developed skills that would later make him one of history’s most well-known swindlers and con men.
Early Life in Austria-Hungary
Victor Lustig was born in 1890 in Hostinné, a town then part of Austria-Hungary. He came from a middle-class family and received a good education, which later aided his criminal pursuits.
Even as a youth, Lustig exhibited intelligence and charm. He learned to speak several languages fluently. These abilities helped him mingle with Europe’s elite and travelers.
By his late teens, he started dabbling in petty scams. Growing up near the borders of different countries, he quickly adapted to new cultures and rules, which was crucial for a future career in cross-border fraud.
Rise as a Swindler and Conman
Lustig’s work as a con artist took him across Europe and eventually to the United States. He grew adept at using sleight of hand, charm, and elaborate stories to deceive businessmen, politicians, and criminals.
One of his most famous scams was convincing scrap metal dealers in Paris that he was authorized to sell the Eiffel Tower for demolition. Using forged documents and a rented suite in a luxury hotel, he exploited the dealers’ greed and secrecy to close the deal.
Lustig also swindled notorious figures, including American gangster Al Capone. His scams covered a range from counterfeit money to false investments, making him a name associated with deception and fraud for decades.
Notorious Aliases and Identities
To evade arrest, Lustig used over 40 aliases during his criminal career. These included “Count Victor Lustig,” a fake aristocratic title meant to impress and lower his victims’ defenses.
He possessed expertly forged identification papers and tailored his appearance to match each new identity. Lustig often presented himself as a diplomat, businessman, or nobleman, depending on his target.
His mastery of different languages and cultures enabled him to blend into high society or criminal circles with ease. This adaptability made law enforcement’s efforts to track and capture him especially challenging.
The Eiffel Tower Con Explained
Victor Lustig orchestrated one of history’s boldest scams by exploiting trust, presenting official pretenses, and employing calculated psychological manipulation. His scheme involved targeting scrap metal dealers, operating from a luxury hotel, and relying on persuasion and bribery to sell the Eiffel Tower under false pretenses.
Selection of Scrap Metal Dealers
Lustig began by researching Parisian scrap metal dealers. He chose only those with solid financial backgrounds and established reputations.
This careful vetting was essential to ensure his targets would not only believe the scheme but also have the resources to entertain his offer. By presenting himself as a government official with insider knowledge, Lustig framed the sale as a secret government project, making the dealers eager for the privileged opportunity.
He sent invitations on official-looking stationery to a small, hand-picked group. This exclusive approach added legitimacy and urgency to his proposition. The dealers were instructed to meet at a prestigious location, increasing the operation's credibility.
Use of the Hotel de Crillon
Lustig hosted the dealers in a private setting at the renowned Hotel de Crillon, a landmark of Parisian luxury located near the Place de la Concorde.
The hotel, with its opulent decor and reputation, provided an air of authority to the meetings. Lustig booked a private room and rented it under a fake government department, further reinforcing the illusion of official business.
Using props like government letterhead and forged documents, he reinforced the authenticity of his story. The sophisticated venue made the dealers less suspicious, convincing them that such an important deal would require absolute secrecy and a setting befitting a state transaction.
Bribery and Deception Tactics
To close the deal, Lustig relied heavily on bribery and deception. He hinted to the scrap metal dealers that government officials needed discreet "fees" to move the transaction forward.
This suggestion preyed on industry norms, where bribery to expediate deals was not uncommon. Lustig played the role of a disgruntled bureaucrat, subtly encouraging one dealer to offer a bribe, which he accepted as a sign of commitment.
Lustig then produced forged paperwork and provided plausible explanations for high secrecy. Through detailed trickery—including fabricated signatures and fake authorizations—he persuaded the selected dealer to part with substantial money, believing it was payment for the rights to dismantle and sell the Eiffel Tower’s iron.
Victims and Accomplices
Victor Lustig’s schemes targeted particular individuals and depended heavily on carefully chosen accomplices. He manipulated personal ambitions, taking advantage of their positions and vulnerabilities to carry out the high-profile Eiffel Tower scam.
André Poisson’s Involvement
André Poisson, a relatively unknown scrap dealer in Paris, became the main victim in Lustig's first Eiffel Tower con. Poisson was approached by Lustig under the pretense that the French government intended to secretly sell the Eiffel Tower for scrap to erase maintenance costs. Poisson’s desire to climb the ranks in Parisian business made him susceptible to the proposal.
Lustig presented himself as a high-ranking government official, complete with forged documents and staged meetings in luxury hotels. He convinced Poisson that the bidding process was confidential and urgent. Poisson paid a substantial bribe, believing his success depended on bribing officials to secure the deal.
After the transaction, Poisson discovered the fraud but felt too humiliated to alert the authorities immediately. His silence allowed Lustig to attempt the scam a second time, targeting a new set of victims.
Role of the Deputy Director General
During the operation, Lustig often claimed he was acting on behalf of a so-called Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs. This official position did not exist in the context he described but lent credibility to Lustig’s pitch. Lustig used carefully forged credentials and official-looking stationery to reinforce his story.
By referencing this authoritative-sounding deputy, Lustig convinced Poisson and others that the transaction was both urgent and sanctioned at the highest level. The inclusion of this fictional character made government involvement seem legitimate and thus lowered the skepticism of the intended victims.
Lustig’s use of the Deputy Director General also allowed him to shift blame or deflect suspicion, making it difficult for targets to investigate the deal or challenge his authority. This strategic use of invented accomplices increased the effectiveness of his fraudulent scheme.
Consequences and Arrests
Victor Lustig’s criminal enterprise eventually collapsed under intense scrutiny. His fraudulent activities drew the persistent attention of law enforcement across both Europe and the United States.
Legal Pursuit and Arrests
Lustig’s series of high-profile frauds placed him on the radar of multiple law enforcement agencies. He orchestrated scams in both Paris and in various U.S. cities, often using different aliases and false documents to evade capture.
Despite escaping Paris after the first Eiffel Tower scam, Lustig’s continued criminal operations—including an extensive counterfeit banknote scheme—eventually caught up with him. In 1935, he was finally arrested by authorities who had tracked his movements and collected substantial evidence of his crimes.
Lustig faced trial for his counterfeit activities. The court found him guilty of large-scale fraud, leading to his sentence of 20 years in the infamous Alcatraz prison. His conviction marked the end of a notorious era of con artistry.
Interaction with Federal Agents
The investigation into Lustig’s schemes reached the highest levels of federal law enforcement. U.S. Secret Service agents became involved primarily due to his involvement in producing and distributing counterfeit currency, which threatened the nation’s financial stability.
Lustig’s apprehension resulted from meticulous undercover work and surveillance by federal agents. They infiltrated his operations and documented transactions, building a case strong enough to lead to his conviction.
At the time of his arrest, Lustig was operating under several aliases. He attempted deception even during interrogations, but federal agents ultimately uncovered his real identity. His subsequent imprisonment was the culmination of years of pursuit by both local and federal authorities.
Lustig’s Life After the Eiffel Tower Scam
Victor Lustig continued his criminal career following the Eiffel Tower scam. He interacted with major underworld figures, engineered new schemes, and faced significant legal consequences.
Relationship with Al Capone
Lustig gained the confidence of infamous gangster Al Capone in Chicago by proposing an investment plan, claiming he could double Capone’s money within two months. Rather than invest it, Lustig simply kept the money in a safe deposit box, eventually returning it untouched with an apology that the operation failed. Capone, impressed by Lustig’s apparent honesty and courage, gave him a $1,000 reward.
Lustig’s ability to earn Capone’s trust demonstrated both his skill at manipulation and his understanding of criminal psychology. This relationship protected him from rival gangsters for a time but also tied him closer to dangerous circles in the underworld.
Lustig’s dealings with Capone did not keep him from pursuing further criminal activity elsewhere. After their interaction, he traveled frequently between cities, moving quickly to avoid law enforcement.
Money Box and Counterfeiting Schemes
Lustig became notorious for his invention of the so-called “Rumanian money box”, a small cedar device that he claimed could duplicate currency. The box featured brass dials and rollers, adding to its impression of legitimacy. Lustig’s demonstration always produced real notes, but once he made the sale, the buyers discovered it was worthless.
He made considerable sums from this scam before shifting to large-scale counterfeiting operations. Lustig collaborated with skilled counterfeiters to print high-quality $100 bills, which circulated through luxury liners, hotels, and nightclubs across the United States. This counterfeiting ring gained national attention and drew the scrutiny of federal authorities.
Lustig’s counterfeiting operation was among the most extensive of the era. The Secret Service designated him a top target and invested significant resources in his capture.
Jail Sentencing and Alcatraz Imprisonment
Lustig was eventually arrested for counterfeiting in 1935 after a tip-off from his girlfriend. He attempted a daring escape from jail but was recaptured after several weeks.
He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Due to concerns about further escapes, Lustig was transferred to Alcatraz, the maximum-security prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay. He spent most of his remaining years incarcerated there.
Lustig’s health deteriorated in prison, leading to his transfer to the prison hospital. He died in 1947 while still serving time, his criminal legacy firmly established.
Legacy of a Legendary Scammer
Victor Lustig’s schemes, particularly his sale of the Eiffel Tower, have had a lasting impact on the perception of con artists. His elaborate scams continue to be referenced as benchmarks in criminal ingenuity and deception.
Media Portrayal and Popular Culture
Victor Lustig’s life and work have been featured in numerous books, documentaries, and articles. His story appears in crime history retrospectives and is used as a case study on classic scams targeting ambitious businessmen.
Popular media often depicts Lustig as both daring and inventive. His ability to assume false identities and orchestrate intricate frauds, like the infamous Eiffel Tower scam, has cemented his reputation as one of the most creative con artists. Documentaries depict his exploits with straightforward detail, focusing on how he exploited trust and official-looking documents.
Lustig’s persona has inspired fictionalized criminals in films, television, and literature. He is cited in crime podcasts and biographies as a symbol of white-collar deception. Unlike some infamous fraudsters, Lustig’s methods were characterized not by violence, but manipulation and psychological insight. This distinction shapes his portrayal and legacy in media.
Influence on Modern Scams
Lustig’s methods, such as faked government credentials and persuasive, confident approaches, serve as a blueprint for contemporary con artists. Elements of his scams, like exploiting bureaucracy and targeting those seeking profit, persist in modern financial fraud.
Current scam tactics—advance fee frauds, phishing emails, and real estate schemes—use similar psychological manipulation and exploitation of opportunity. For example:
Classic Scam Tactic Modern Equivalent Faked official documents Email spoofing, forged credentials Social engineering Phishing, bait-and-switch scams Impersonation Deepfake videos, fake social profiles
Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts study Lustig’s cons to better understand the roots of social engineering. His legacy is evident in both the adaptability of new scam methods and the countermeasures designed to stop them.
