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50 Greatest Event Flops in History

FLOP No. 37 – Boston Office Frenzy: Ponzi I (1920)

GatheringPoint.new: The 50 Biggest Flops in History

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David Adler
Aug 26, 2025
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City Street Scene in the 1920s

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The Promise: Charles Ponzi promised a 50% return in 45 days. Crowds lined up outside his Boston office. It became a carnival of money-making energy.

What Happened: There was no investment—just redistribution. When the press exposed it, the crowds became a mob. Ponzi was arrested. The scheme’s name lives on.

What Failed: N…

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