Charles K. Ponzi Website

The Remarkable Criminal Financial Career of Charles K. Ponzi

All materials except FIOA documents Copyright © 1996, Mark C. Knutson
Last updated 3/15/2007
I commend you to the results of my research into the 1920's Swindler Charles Ponzi.

Suggestions and corrections about my site are welcome and often get incorporated into the site. Thanks for all of the positive comments, and those few corrections.

I have had a number of requests from academic types, and other authors, asking permission to include this in course materials, which I grant as long as they credit me (You still have to ask, though).

I get a lot of questions from people who are wondering if some investment is a Ponzi scheme. Sorry, but I have only taken the time to research Charles Ponzi; I don't make pronouncements on other schemes. I do hope that reading about this one Ponzi Scheme helps people to be skeptical and use their own judgement when they think an investment or sales scheme may not have a sound financial foundation.

Another common question is do I have a Ponzi coupon myself? Regrettably, I do not. If anybody does, I would love to discuss buying it or getting a copy.


The Tale

  1. Preface: Difficile est Ponzi non scribere
  2. The Scheme: Early crimes; The postal coupon scheme
  3. The Run: The beginning of the end
  4. Bankrupt: Financial and criminal mop-up
  5. Epilogue: Further adventures of Ponzi

Tidbits