Victor Lustig (1890–1947) was a con artist known as "the man who sold the Eiffel Tower twice."

In 1925 Paris was having problems maintaining the Eiffel Tower (built for the 1889 Exposition and not intended to be permanent) which was in poor condition.

Lustig invited six scrap metal dealers to meet at the Hotel de Crillon to discuss a possible business deal, introducing himself as the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs. He explained that they had been selected on the basis of their good reputations and told them that the upkeep on the Eiffel Tower was so outrageous that the city wanted to sell it for scrap. Due to the certain public outcry the matter was to be kept confidential and Lustig had been given the responsibility to select the right dealer.

Lustig took them in a limousine to inspect the tower; he asked for bids to be submitted the next day, although he already knew which dealer was the most gullible. To allay suspicion, Lustig arranged another meeting with him, and then 'confessed'. As a government minister, Lustig said, he did not make enough money to pursue his lifestyle and needed to find ways to supplement his income: his dealings needed a certain discretion. The dealer understood immediately: he was dealing with another corrupt government official who wanted a bribe. That put his mind at rest: he was familiar with this sort of deal.

So Lustig not only received the funds for the Eiffel Tower; he also collected a large bribe!

More Info: en.wikipedia.org