Daniel Crouch, a dealer of rare books, maps, and atlases, acquired a 19th-century map depicting the fictional Central American monarchy of Poyais created by Gregor MacGregor. Despite not existing, MacGregor successfully convinced hundreds of people to invest in the Scottish colony, selling fake government bonds and land. Crouch is fascinated by maps as tools for world-building and has an extensive collection of fictional maps. MacGregor’s elaborate con involved creating a flag, currency, and guidebook for Poyais. His audacious scheme led to his success as a legendary con artist, deceiving even 250 Scots into embarking on a doomed journey to the nonexistent paradise.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/gregor-macgregor-map-of-poyais