The Crawford Inheritance - 19th Century Paris

In 1898 a nearly bankrupt French banker named Girard decided to contact the woman with whom he had invested his life savings. He was abruptly told there was no money left, and after begging for some was refused. Girard in his despair took his gun and shot himself... 

 Theresa Daurignac grew up a peasant. But despite her lowly start in life she was charming and adept at lying and manipulation. She claimed she was of noble blood, convincing her first cousin and son of prominent French mayor to marry her.

 The happy couple moved to Paris, and to be around better society. She told peers that she once saved the life of an American millionaire named Robert Crawford after a train accident, and he had left her all his money in his will.

 Gaining their trust and using against this fake capital she began to borrow money from rich friends. Her husband eventuallly becoming her accomplice in order to keep up the appearances of their new expensive lifestyle. 

 Theresa then decided to launch a fraudulent insurance company which promised large returns for regular small investments. It started with a small number of people she knew and then it grew. 

 The suicide of Girard caused the  authorities to investigate but it was eventually her creditors who exposed the fraud. They decided to combine their efforts to catch her. 

 By the time it legitimately went to court Theresa and her husband had escaped abroad. The couple were arrested in Madrid and extradited to Paris.

 They were sentenced to five years hard labour.

Theresa eventually moved to Chicago and died penniless in 1918.