Actually the famous sale of Manhattan to the Dutch was the first recorded American scam. The Indians who got the payment didn't even claim the land. Unbeknownst to the Dutch it "belonged" to another tribe altogether.
Unbeknownst to the Dutch [Manhattan Island]
"belonged" to another tribe altogether. LOL! I hadn't heard that one. God, don't tell Russel Means! He'll be furious!
Talk about getting things off to a good start .....