The Green Goods Scam

Con artists would lure their prey (they usually targeted immigrants) with flyers promising "genuine" counterfeit currency for sale, a tantalising offer that seemed too good to be true.

Eager victims would make their way to the scammers' den where they were shown real cash, masquerading as phony money. The victims would agree to buy this "counterfeit" cash at a bargain price. But wait, the plot thickens! During the exciting transaction, our swindlers would deftly switch the bag full of real cash with one containing nothing more than worthless paper or scrap. Before the victims could realize the switcheroo, they were left holding a bag of butt wipes.

In a final twist of irony, the duped victims, fearing legal repercussions for their attempts to purchase counterfeit money, would refrain from reporting the fraud. It was a perfect catch-22, ensuring the success of the Green Goods Scam and cementing it as one of the most audacious cons of the 19th century.

PS: This is just one of the delicacies I keep stumbling across while doing background research for the next Kronberg instalment. Counterfeit cases and the Irish mob are what I'm digging though right now. Much of the upcoming background research updates will be accessible for paid subscribers only.