Business & Finance: Ponzi Payment

Glittering in the archives of financial fraud is the record of Charles Ponzi, duper extraordinary, personification of quick riches. The police description of him in 1926 was:

Age: 44. Height: Five feet two inches. Hair: Dark chestnut mixed with grey. Eyes: Brown. Occupation: Thief. Alias:

Charles Ponci, Ponzi, Carlo and Charles P. Bianchi.

In 1920 thousands of gullibles had a more ornate picture of him. He was then the shrewd, straight-eyed miracle man of Boston's Hanover Street. He promised his clients a 50% profit in 45 days. On especially busy days, six mounted policemen handled the crowds in the street, 14 kept the corridor...