The Man Who “Discovered” a Non-Existent Country

In the 19th century, an American adventurer named Gregor MacGregor pulled off one of history’s greatest scams. He convinced investors that he was the prince of a country called “Poyais” in Central America—a land of riches, fertile soil, and gold. The problem? Poyais didn’t exist. Dozens of people even tried to move there, only to find an uninhabited jungle. MacGregor escaped punishment and continued his cons, making him one of history’s most notorious fraudsters.

What’s the most unbelievable scam you’ve ever heard of?