In the 1920s, the Eiffel Tower was a prominent symbol of Paris, attracting numerous tourists. However, Victor Lustig, a cunning swindler from what is now the Czech Republic, saw an opportunity to exploit its fame. In 1925, he crafted a fraudulent scheme by impersonating a French government official and inviting scrap metal dealers to a secret meeting. He claimed the government was looking to sell the Eiffel Tower due to overwhelming maintenance costs, presenting forged documents to lend credibility to his story. Among those lured into his trap was Andre Poisson, a naive scrap merchant who paid a bribe to increase his chances of winning the supposed contract. After receiving Poisson's payment, Lustig vanished, leaving Poisson too embarrassed to report the fraud. Encouraged by his success, Lustig returned to Paris to attempt the scam again but was soon met with suspicion and fled before authorities could apprehend him. Lustig's audacious scheme remains a remarkable example of confidence tricks, showcasing his ability to manipulate the wealthy with fake papers and social engineering.