That is pretty much history. Unless history isn't seen as some sort of conspiracy theory it is hard to understand why anyone should be surprised. What is sometimes hard to understand is why there are so many "co-conspirators". The little people that enable the rich and famous. When you say that the rich are criminals that often means they have the personal ambition to do what most people are afraid to do. A lot of people follow along to be part of the action at a somewhat safe distance blending into the crowd. The same personality traits that allow the rich to do what others will not do is also why they want control. It takes a good deal of ego to step out of the crowd. To want to control the crowd not be part of it. The same kind of personality that we associate with criminality. Someone who doesn't play by the rules and isn't afraid of the consequences. A Trump for example. What makes Trump unique is that he bends the rules he doesn't break them. He negotiates instead of subverting. His egotism is no greater than most successful people he just doesn't hide it. For that he is seen as crude and unimaginative. You could see it as honesty if you were generous. The more "sophisticated" types of egotist are never completely honest.