Frankensteins of Fraud

This book is the Pantheon of White Collar Crime. Yes, the title is goofy and yes, the cover image is so arresting that you figure that the whole thing is a lark. However, the ten case studies that make up this book are utterly fascinating. This is partially due to the personalities of the fraudsters and is partially due to the way in which each of them were able to game relatively complex financial systems. Here's some blurbage from the dustjacket... "Financial frauds are the wave of the future and they show now signs of slowing down. Each financial scam featured in this book, though very different, has one common element: fiendishly intelligent individuals committed the frauds." "This book follows the dynamism and personalities of the top ten white-collar criminals of the 20th century, and you will see what allowed each of them to carry out such mind-boggling scams. The stories will hold your attention while raising awareness about fraud in the public arena." Author Wells is a CPA, a CFE, and a former FBI agent investigating white collar crime. He is also Chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (whatever that may be...) BOOK DETAILS Oversized hardback in dustjacket, cloth over boards with a sewn binding; 2 pounds, 386 pp. With an Afterword and an 8 page Bibliography. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Charles Ponzi, Father of the Ponzi Scheme Few people enjoy the distinction of having a crime named for them. But Charles Ponzi, who arrived from Italy with $2.50 in his pocket, pursued the title with a diabolical fervor. In the summer of 1920, he conned thousands of working people out of 20 million dollars. Booted from America, Ponzi next offered his services to the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. 2. Cassie Chadwick As the illegitimate daughter of Andrew Carnegie, Cassie Chadwick stood to inherit $400 million. Bankers in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New York City flung their doors wide open for Cassie, offering to loan her big money at outrageous rates of interest. The poor souls were unaware they were trying to bilk "the most notorious woman of her time." 3. Ivar Kreuger, the Swedish Match King Ivar Kreuger made billions from manufacturing penny matches until he was burned in the stock market crash of 1929. The Match King's colossal swindle found victims--and collaborators--throughout the world. 4. Philip Musica, aka F. Donald Coster, M.D., Ph.D. Behind the mask of Dr. F. Donald Coster, the much admired CEO of McKesson and Robbins Pharmaceuticals, lurked Philip Musica, bootlegger, government snitch, and swindler. While the kindly Dr. Coster was courted for the US presidency, he was living a secret life and bleeding McKesson and Robbins for million of dollars. 5. Robert Vesco When Bob Vesco was charged with SEC violations for his handling of a mutual fund, he decided to become a fugitive. Among his cohorts in a 30-year crime spree Vesco counted former President Richard Nixon and the drug lord Carlos Lehder-Rivas. But Bob hadn't counte

Had to get this for a grad class, but is actually a good read and hits the high points for many famous frauds.