A cult leader convinced followers their money was going to heaven, and they gave away $10 million.

Myth Busters (@MythBusters)

Krishna Venta founded the Self-Realization Fellowship in 1940s California, convincing followers he was Jesus reincarnated. He promised money donated to the church would earn 'divine interest' in heaven. Followers liquidated assets, gave money, and waited for returns that never came. When Venta died in 1958 (murdered by followers' family members), the cult had accumulated $10+ million—a fortune in 1950s dollars.

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