15. Cassie Chadwick — The Fake Carnegie Heiress
Cassie Chadwick, born Elizabeth Bigley in 1857, was a Canadian con artist who defrauded banks out of millions by claiming to be the illegitimate daughter and heiress of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. She convinced bankers of her fabricated lineage, securing substantial loans and living a lavish lifestyle. Her scheme collapsed in 1904 when the truth was exposed, leading to her arrest and conviction. (en.wikipedia.org)
