A panoramic view of Black River in the fictional territory of Poyais. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
In the early 19th century, a Scottish soldier named Gregor MacGregor pulled off one of the most audacious frauds in history. Styling himself the “Cazique” or prince of a fictional Central American nation, MacGregor seized upon the era’s feverish interest in colonial opportunity and foreign investment by convincing hundreds of people to invest in and even emigrate to a country that did not exist. His elaborate web of forged documents, fabricated maps, and persuasive lies led to the financial ruin of thousands and the death of over a hundred would-be settlers.
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The Poyais Scam: A Nation That Never Was
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