<p>In the early 19th century, amid the fevered dreams of empire and fortune, one man orchestrated one of history's most audacious frauds. Gregor MacGregor, a Scottish adven-turer and self-proclaimed "Cazique of Poyais," convinced hundreds of hopeful settlers and investors that he ruled over a prosperous new land in Central Americaa nation that did not exist.<br><br>With masterful deception, MacGregor fabricated maps, official documents, and even ...