Victor Lustig was a notorious con artist born in 1890 in what is now the Czech Republic. He is best known for his audacious scheme of selling the Eiffel Tower as scrap metal, convincing several unsuspecting buyers of its supposed value. Lustig's charm and intelligence allowed him to execute elaborate scams, making him one of the most infamous swindlers of the early 20th century. Lustig's criminal career included various fraudulent activities, such as counterfeiting and swindling wealthy individuals. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison in the United States, but his cunning nature and ability to escape capture made him a legendary figure in the world of crime.