Alexander Day (con artist)

Alexander Day was an American con artist active primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known for a variety of elaborate schemes, often targeting wealthy individuals with promises of lucrative, but ultimately fraudulent, business opportunities.

Day's most famous con involved posing as a representative of a fictional mining company, frequently presenting forged documents and "salted" mine samples to entice investors. He would solicit large sums of money for supposed mining ventures, disappearing with the funds before any actual work commenced. These scams often focused on gold or silver mining claims in the Western United States, particularly in areas where genuine mining booms were already underway.

Day's success stemmed from his persuasive demeanor, meticulous preparation, and ability to exploit the get-rich-quick mentality prevalent during the era. He was reportedly charming and well-spoken, which allowed him to gain the trust of his victims. He also frequently employed accomplices to lend credibility to his scams, using shills to vouch for the legitimacy of his ventures.

Law enforcement records indicate that Day was arrested and prosecuted on multiple occasions, but he often managed to evade conviction or receive lenient sentences due to the difficulty of proving fraudulent intent and the reluctance of some victims to publicly admit they had been swindled. Despite facing legal challenges, Day consistently returned to his confidence schemes, demonstrating a career-long dedication to his illicit activities. He is considered a notable figure in the history of American con artistry.