In Drake’s Fortune (2002), Richard Raynor tells the story of what may be the greatest long con in history.
Depression-era con man Oscar Hartzell convinced thousands of Midwesterners that he was the executor of 16th century English explorer Francis Drake’s estate. Hartzell and his minions allowed them to buy shares of the untold wealth that would result, just as soon as he was able to work through some legal formalities in England.
The near-religious fervor of the “Drakers” was such that even after he was caught, tried and imprisoned, many still believed in him. That’s one good con, and one effective con man.
Read a review from the San Francisco Chronicle.