Perpetrator
Gregor MacGregor
- Born
- 24 December 1786
- Died
- 4 December 1845, aged about 59
- Record
- Wikidata Q330882 · Wikipedia
Perpetrator in The Poyais Scheme
Scottish soldier who invented the country of Poyais and styled himself its Cazique; acquitted of fraud in Paris in 1826.
1821–1826 · London and Edinburgh; Black River, Mosquito Coast · Acquitted
Gregor MacGregor sold bonds, land and passage to Poyais, a Central American country that did not exist. Most of the settlers who sailed there died. Read the case.
Dated events
Gregor MacGregor is born in Scotland.
MacGregor abandons his troops at Rio de la Hacha in New Granada.
The Miskito king signs a land grant to MacGregor on the Mosquito Coast.
MacGregor reappears in London as the Cazique of Poyais.
The first survivors arrive back in London; MacGregor has left for Paris.
MacGregor's associates are arrested in Paris after the French scheme is uncovered.
MacGregor himself is taken to La Force prison.
The retrial opens in Paris; MacGregor is acquitted and only Lehuby is convicted.
The last recorded attempt by MacGregor to sell Poyais land certificates.
MacGregor dies in Caracas and is buried with military honours.