The jury in the fraud trial of Michael Slamaj and Graham Halksworth were unconvinced by a conspiracy theory involving enormous amounts of Chinese gold and American money.
Halksworth and Slamaj were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday.
Slamaj was also convicted of possessing fake bonds.
During the 10-week trial the jury heard the defendants try to justify their crimes saying why an "urban myth" might be plausible.
The only thing that might make the myth seem plausible is that it is so complex and convoluted as to be nearly impossible to follow, as this article from the BBC makes clear.