Sunday, 3 February 2013

A con man 'sold' the Brooklyn Bridge twice a week to tourists!




George Parker is one of the most notorious con men in American history. He became infamous for repeatedly selling New York’s public landmarks to unsuspecting tourists. His personal favorite was the Brooklyn Bridge, but he also routinely sold Madison Square Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty. In fact, he was so convincing that tourists would often attempt to erect tolls to collect money after they made a “purchase” and had to be removed by the police! So how did he trick people into buying a bridge?
He would sometimes pose as the original owner’s grandson or set up a fake office and seem legitimate. He was so incredible at forging documents that even educated travelers thought they were real. Parker was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison, where he was extremely popular among the guards and criminals who loved to hear his outlandish tales!
(Source)

Read more at http://www.omg-facts.com/Fun+Facts/A-Con-Man-sold-The-Brooklyn-Bridge-Twice/55622#tpbLmchQAQ0566os.99

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