Throughout history, wherever there have been laws, there have been people trying to break them. While it’s often said that crime doesn’t pay, some people have managed to profit from it—at least until they get caught. But remember, breaking the law is never a good idea! In this article, we’ll explore some fascinating stories of individuals who chose a life of crime, from different parts of the world.
Before we dive into the stories of specific criminals, let’s talk about crime in general. There are countless ways people have committed crimes, and some of the cleverest methods were recorded by a Chinese writer named Jong Yinu during the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s. His book, “The Book of Swindles,” includes 24 types of swindles and 47 intriguing stories. Some of the chapter titles are quite amusing, like “A Buddhist Monk Identifies a Cow and His Mother” and “Pretending to Steal a Goose to Pilfer Green Cloth.”
One particularly interesting story from Jong Yinu’s book is “Swindling the Salt Commissioner.” It tells the tale of Tang Yin, a talented scholar, and his friend Zuo Yumin. They came up with a plan to trick the local salt commissioner by pretending to be priests in need of funds for temple repairs. The commissioner was so impressed by their story that he authorized a withdrawal of silver, which they cleverly obtained. Although the commissioner eventually realized he had been tricked, he was so impressed by their cunning that he didn’t try to get his money back.
During the late Ming period, when Jong Yinu wrote his book, China was going through rapid economic and social changes. The rise of trade and a wealthy merchant class attracted many con artists looking to take advantage of the situation.
Another infamous figure was Kusi Mosami Veron from India. He was involved in various illegal activities, including poaching and smuggling, in the forests of Southern India. Born in 1952 in Tamil Nadu, Veron started his criminal career at a young age and became notorious for poaching elephants and smuggling sandalwood. Despite his crimes, some people saw him as a Robin Hood-like figure. After a long pursuit, he was finally captured by a special task force.
In China during the 1920s and 30s, Big Ed Yong, also known as Big Ear Du, was a notorious mob boss. He became incredibly wealthy and formed alliances with political leaders, which helped him expand his criminal enterprises. His story is closely linked with the chaotic political scene in China during that time.
In France, James Mine, known as the “Man of a Thousand Faces,” was a famous criminal. He was a bank robber who used disguises to avoid capture and even kidnapped a judge. His criminal activities spanned several countries, and he became a symbol of rebellion against the authorities. Despite his illegal actions, he managed to create an image that resonated with many people.
Thank you for reading! If there are other historical criminals you’re curious about, feel free to explore more stories. Remember, learning about history can be both fun and educational!
Imagine you are a character from Jong Yinu’s “The Book of Swindles.” Choose one of the swindles and create a short skit with your classmates. Focus on the cleverness and creativity involved in the swindle, and perform it for the class. This will help you understand the historical context and the ingenuity of these stories.
Design a poster that highlights the importance of staying away from crime. Use examples from the article, such as Tang Yin or Kusi Mosami Veron, to illustrate the consequences of criminal activities. This activity will encourage you to think critically about the impact of crime on society.
Choose a notorious criminal from history, either from the article or another source, and research their life and crimes. Prepare a short presentation for the class, focusing on their methods, motivations, and eventual capture. This will help you develop research and presentation skills.
Using inspiration from “The Book of Swindles,” write your own short story about a modern-day swindle. Think about how technology and current events could influence the plot. Share your story with the class to explore how crime has evolved over time.
Participate in a classroom debate on the topic: “Does society create criminals, or do criminals shape society?” Use examples from the article and your own research to support your arguments. This activity will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Ever since there have been laws, there have been people willing to break them. They say crime doesn’t pay, but it seems to, at least until you’re caught. I’m not suggesting you go out and commit crimes—please don’t do that! History is filled with individuals who have turned to a life of crime: gangsters, thieves, and forgers. In this episode of Nutty History, we’ll explore some of their stories from around the world.
Before we dive into individual criminals, let’s discuss crime in general. There are many ways to commit crimes, and some of the most clever methods were documented by an obscure Chinese writer named Jong Yinu, who lived during the Ming Dynasty in the early to mid-1600s. His book, “The Book of Swindles,” contains 24 categories of swindles and 47 entertaining stories. Here are a few chapter titles: a Buddhist monk identifies a cow and his mother, a foiled alchemy scam leads to a poisoning, coaxing a sister-in-law into adultery to steal oil and meat, and pretending to steal a goose to pilfer green cloth.
One story titled “Swindling the Salt Commissioner” is particularly interesting. It features a man named Tang Yin, a talented scholar who, along with his friend Zuo Yumin, devised a plan to swindle the local salt commissioner. They dressed as priests from a temple and approached the commissioner with a fabricated story about needing funds for repairs. Impressed, the commissioner authorized a withdrawal of silver, which they then tricked the vice magistrate into handing over. They returned to their city lifestyle, and although the commissioner eventually discovered the deception, he was so impressed by the swindle that he never sought to recover his money.
During the late Ming period, when Jong Yinu wrote this book, China was experiencing rapid economic and social changes. The 16th to 17th centuries saw a significant expansion of trade and the emergence of a wealthy merchant class, which also attracted con artists looking to exploit the situation.
Another notable criminal was Kusi Mosami Veron from India, who had a diverse portfolio of illicit activities, including poaching and smuggling. Operating in the forests of Southern India, he was involved in a crime spree that lasted three decades. Veron was born in 1952 in Tamil Nadu and began his criminal activities at a young age, eventually becoming notorious for poaching elephants and smuggling sandalwood. Despite his criminal behavior, he was viewed by some as a Robin Hood figure. He was finally apprehended by a special task force after a long pursuit.
Big Ed Yong, also known as Big Ear Du, was one of China’s most notorious mob bosses in the 1920s and 30s. He became incredibly wealthy and formed alliances with political leaders, which allowed him to expand his criminal enterprises. His story is intertwined with the tumultuous political landscape of China during that era.
James Mine, known as the “Man of a Thousand Faces,” was a notorious criminal in France. He was a bank robber who used disguises to evade capture and even kidnapped a judge. His criminal career spanned several countries, and he became a symbol of rebellion against the establishment. Despite his criminal activities, he cultivated an image that resonated with many.
Thank you for watching! If there are other criminals throughout history you’d like to learn about, let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more Nutty History!
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This version removes explicit references to violence and criminal acts while maintaining the essence of the stories.
Crime – An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law. – In ancient Rome, theft was considered a serious crime and was often punished severely.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Studying history helps us understand how past societies have shaped the world we live in today.
China – A country in East Asia with a rich history that includes ancient dynasties, cultural developments, and significant contributions to world civilization. – The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous landmarks built during the Ming Dynasty.
Criminals – Individuals who have committed a crime or have been legally convicted of a crime. – During the Middle Ages, criminals were often punished in public to deter others from breaking the law.
Trade – The action of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services between people or countries. – The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that connected China with the Mediterranean, facilitating cultural and economic exchange.
Social – Relating to society or its organization, including the interactions and relationships between individuals and groups. – The Industrial Revolution brought about significant social changes, including urbanization and the rise of a working class.
Changes – Alterations or modifications that occur over time in societies, cultures, or environments. – The Renaissance was a period of great cultural changes in Europe, marked by advancements in art, science, and thought.
India – A country in South Asia with a diverse history that includes ancient civilizations, colonial rule, and a rich cultural heritage. – The Mughal Empire was one of the most powerful empires in India, known for its architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal.
Stories – Narratives or accounts of past events, often used to convey historical information or cultural values. – Oral stories have been a crucial way of preserving history and traditions in many indigenous cultures.
Economic – Relating to the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth, or the management of resources in a society. – The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that affected millions of people in the 1930s.
