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 .
Charles Ponzi was a real person who swindled investors in a postal scam . Ponzi pocketed millions and enjoyed life but a publisher was suspicious . Wall Street Journal 's Clarence Barron printed front page story slamming Ponzi . Ponzi served time , was deported and died in 1949 -- buried in a pauper 's grave .