On July 8, 1907 one of the most shocking and brazen crimes in history was discovered. The Manchester Evening news reported, incredulously: "On the eve of the departure of the King and Queen on a state visit to Ireland comes the startling news that the Jewels of the Order of St Patrick, valued at 50,000 pounds, have been stolen.”
Gregor MacGregor's fraud has been widely described as one of the most brazen in history.