The Most Famous Thief of All Time, Ranked

Choose the thief you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 25, 2024 07:57
Throughout history, tales of cunning heists and shadowy figures have captured the human imagination, leaving us both amazed and perplexed by their exploits. By ranking the most notorious thieves through time, we gain a unique insight into the minds and methods that have swayed destinies and economies. This process not only satisfies our curiosity but also sheds light on the broader implications of their actions on society and justice. Here on this site, users have the power to cast their votes, influencing the ongoing rankings of history's most famous thieves. Each vote contributes to a live leaderboard that reflects the collective opinion of our audience. Engaging with this list offers a dynamic way to connect with history and the legendary figures that have left their mark on the world. Your participation helps paint a clearer picture of who the public views as the most impactful and intriguing among them.

Who Is the Most Famous Thief of All Time?

  1. 2
    26
    votes

    Jesse James

    American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla, and leader of the James–Younger Gang.
    • Era: Mid-Late 1800s
    • Location: United States
  2. 3
    11
    votes

    Frank Abagnale

    American security consultant known for his history as a former con man, check forger, and impostor between the ages of 15 and 21.
    • Era: 1960s
    • Location: United States
  3. 4
    9
    votes

    D.B. Cooper

    An unidentified man who hijacked a Boeing 727 aircraft in the northwest United States, in the airspace between Portland and Seattle, on the afternoon of November 24, 1971.
    • Era: 1971
    • Location: United States
  4. 5
    2
    votes

    Vincenzo Peruggia

    Italian thief, most famous for stealing the Mona Lisa on 21 August 1911.
    • Era: Early 20th Century
    • Location: Paris, France
  5. 7
    0
    votes

    Butch Cassidy

    American train and bank robber, and the leader of a gang of criminal outlaws known as the 'Wild Bunch' in the American Old West.
    • Era: Late 19th Century
    • Location: United States
  6. 9
    0
    votes

    Charles Ponzi

    Italian swindler and con artist in the U.S. and Canada, whose infamous scheme promised clients a 50% profit within 45 days.
    • Era: Early 20th Century
    • Location: United States
  7. 10
    0
    votes

    Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker

    Infamous American criminal couple who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression.
    • Era: Early 1930s
    • Location: United States

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous thief of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or thief is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3638 views
  • 102 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each thief once every 24 hours. The rank of each thief is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Famous Thief of All Time

Robin Hood
Rank #1 for the most famous thief of all time: Robin Hood (Source)
Throughout history, tales of infamous thieves have captured our imaginations. These stories often blend fact and fiction, creating legendary figures whose exploits seem larger than life. These thieves are often seen as clever, daring, and elusive. They outsmart authorities, execute bold heists, and vanish without a trace.

One common trait among these legendary thieves is their intelligence. They plan their crimes with great care, often studying their targets for months or even years. They know the routines of their victims, the layout of buildings, and the weaknesses in security systems. This meticulous planning allows them to strike with precision and efficiency.

Another hallmark of these famous thieves is their boldness. They do not shy away from high-risk targets. Instead, they often seek them out, knowing that the greater the risk, the greater the reward. This daring nature adds to their mystique, making their stories even more compelling.

These thieves also possess a certain charm. They often use their charisma to gain the trust of those around them. This charm allows them to blend in, to become invisible in plain sight. It also helps them recruit accomplices, who are often just as skilled and daring as they are.

The exploits of these thieves often involve elaborate schemes and high-stakes heists. They might break into heavily guarded vaults, steal priceless works of art, or make off with large sums of money. These heists are often executed with such precision that they seem almost impossible. Yet, the thieves manage to pull them off, leaving authorities baffled and the public in awe.

Despite their criminal activities, these thieves are often seen as anti-heroes. They operate outside the law, but they do so with a certain code of ethics. They might avoid violence, target only the wealthy, or give a portion of their spoils to those in need. This code of ethics sets them apart from ordinary criminals and adds a layer of complexity to their character.

The stories of these thieves often end in different ways. Some are never caught, their true identities remaining a mystery. Others are eventually apprehended, their careers brought to an end by a single mistake or a clever investigator. Yet, even in capture, their legend lives on, their stories retold and embellished over time.

The fascination with these legendary thieves endures because they represent a certain freedom and rebellion. They defy the rules, outsmart the system, and live life on their own terms. This makes them compelling figures, ones that we can't help but admire, even as we condemn their actions.

In the end, the tales of these famous thieves remind us of the thin line between right and wrong, and the allure of a life lived outside the boundaries of society. Their stories continue to captivate us, a testament to the enduring appeal of the rogue who dares to challenge the status quo.

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