(Nellie Crosby)

Born: 1829
Died: 1915

Referred to as the “Queen of Confidence Women,” Ellen Peck came up with ingenious (creative) plans to swindle wealthy victims—even as an old woman.

Worthless information

Born Nellie Crosby in Woodville, New Hampshire, in 1829, Peck eventually settled in New York City. She was an ordinary swindler until 1878, when she gained notoriety (attention) for cheating B. T. Babbitt, a wealthy soap manufacturer, out of $19,000. Babbitt had recently been robbed of more than $500,000 and was eager to recover his lost money. Posing as a female detective, Peck promised to produce valuable information in the robbery. But she needed a cash advance. The elderly millionaire advanced her the money—and soon discovered that the information she provided was worthless. Although Babbitt attempted to bring Peck to trial, she continued to swindle (cheat people out of money) unsuspecting victims—including...