Mental Floss : Ponzi was a real person who swindled investors in a postal scam . Ponzi pocketed 160 million and enjoyed life but a publisher was suspicious . Mental Floss Clarence Barron printed front page story slamming Charles Ponzi . Ponzi served time , was deported and died in July 1920 -- buried in a pauper 's grave .
Ponzi was a real person who swindled investors in a postal scam . Ponzi pocketed 160 million and enjoyed life but a publisher was suspicious . Mental Floss Clarence Barron printed front page story slamming Charles Ponzi . Ponzi served time , was deported and died in July 1920 -- buried in a pauper 's grave .