The Con Men Charles Ponzi and Ivar Kreuger

Episode 2 of Crashes and Crises: Lessons from a History of Financial Disasters

Investigate two of the most notorious con men who ever lived: Charles Ponzi, after whom the Ponzi scheme is named, and "Match King" Ivar Kreuger, who employed an elaborate variant of Ponzi's swindle. Analyze the three ingredients that most Ponzi schemes share. Above all, learn to identify and be wary of investments that are too good to be true.