Swamp Scam
Less than three years into his sentence, Ponzi was released on bail while he appealed his conviction. Rather than stick around to fight the appeal, he absconded to Florida and set up a new money-making scheme. He founded Charpon Land Syndicate and tempted investors to buy tiny areas of swampland on the promise of receiving 200% returns in 60 days.
Unsurprisingly, Ponzi was soon caught and convicted by a grand jury. He was sentenced to one year but managed to eventually serve seven after appealing, being released once more on bail, and trying to flee the country. It would be 1934 before Charles Ponzi became a free man again. Even then, authorities would still be trying to untangle the finer details of all his schemes.
