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Charles Ponzi, (March 3, 1882 – January 18, 1949) was an Italian-born businessman and con artist in the U.S. and Canada. His aliases include Charles Ponci, Carlo and Charles P. Bianchi. Born in Italy, he became known in the early 1920s as a swindler in North America for his money making scheme. He promised clients a 50% profit within 45 days, or 100% profit within 90 days, by buying discounted postal reply coupons in other countries and redeeming them at face value in the United States as a form of arbitrage. In reality, Ponzi was paying early investors using the investments of later investors, a practice known as "robbing Peter to pay Paul." While this swindle predated Ponzi by several years, it became so identified with him that it now bears his namesake. His scheme ran for over a year before it collapsed, costing his "investors" $20 million.

 

Ponzi was probably inspired by the scheme of William F. Miller, a Brooklyn bookkeeper who in 1899 used the same scheme to take in $1 million. 

To learn more about Charles Ponzi, visit these links:

Wikipedia

Biography.com

 

Our game is intended for entertainment purposes only,

but con artists like Charles Ponzi still exist today. 

Charles Ponzi

One of the world's most infamous superduper dupers.

Criminals and con artists like Charles Ponzi do exist in today's world (just ask those who invested in Bernie Madoff's or Marc Dreier's funds). Always take precautions and do thorough due-dilligence anytime you are asked to invest real money in any type of investment vehicle, even those offerings from supposedly reputable people or companies. Always invest responsibly!

 

Ponzi, the game was designed for entertainment purposes only. By playing Ponzi, you and all other particpants in a Ponzi Pyramid acknowledge and accept that Ponzi was designed so that those participants at the bottom level of each game will lose points, and that receiving points for playing is not guaranteed. Please read our terms and conditions here.

In real life, don't get duped!  

Where even losing is a lot of fun. 

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