Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Most Wanted Counterfeiter Reveals His Secrets! | The Art of Making Money
Jan 18, 2026
Arthur Williams Jr., a former most-wanted counterfeiter turned artist and author, delves into his tumultuous journey from a chaotic childhood to mastering the art of high-quality counterfeit currency. He shares fascinating insights on his criminal mentorship, innovative techniques for avoiding detection, and the risks of his operation. Arthur also discusses his spiritual transformation, challenges in prison, and eventual pivot to a legitimate art career, culminating in his success at high-profile events like Art Basel.
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Rough Upbringing Fueled Criminal Path
- Arthur Williams Jr. describes a chaotic childhood of travel, a grifter father, homelessness, and being dropped at a Salvation Army shelter before settling in Chicago projects.
- Those early traumas and exposure to crime shaped his entry into gangs and later criminal mentorships.
Mentored Into Counterfeiting At 15
- At 15 Arthur met a counterfeiter mentor called Da Vinci and worked in a clandestine print shop assisting on presses, plates, and inks for months.
- That early apprenticeship gave him the foundation to later combine old press techniques with new digital tools.
Security Upgrades Drive Counterfeiter Innovation
- The introduction of new banknote security (marker pen, watermark, strip) forced counterfeiters to innovate and changed the game.
- Arthur used library resources and the Treasury's documentation to reverse-engineer official production steps.