Download Swindlers and Con Artists

Bell Ringer
10/22/2013
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Who are crime Victims?
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Briefly identify who they are and who
they assault.
Swindlers and Con Artists
Swindlers and Con Artists
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Con games can vary from small
schemes that take a few dollars from
schoolchildren up to elaborate plots to
steal large sums from the rich.
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“There’s a sucker born every minute”
P.T. Barnum
Con Artist Characteristics
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Tend to be:
Bright
 Articulate
 Clever Actors
 Patient at waiting for the right moment to
strike.
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Characteristics of Cons
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Usually work in groups
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Starts with a “shill”
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Seems to be innocent bystander who
begins the process fo drawing the victim in.
Can involve “cappers”
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Other who also appear to be innocent.
Con Game Characteristics
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Con games rely on the victim’s desire to get
something for nothing

Con men basically use the same old schemes,
time after time, and they still work.

If it seems to good to be true, it almost
certainly is!
Pigeon Drop
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Draw victim in by claiming to find
MONEY.

Victim is asked to show good faith by
putting up own money in order to share
find.
Ponzi Scheme
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Bunco promises huge investment return.
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Pays some dividends to get more
investments.
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Skips town with all of the money
Bank Examiner Swindle
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Bunco ask victim to help trap dishonest
bank employee by withdrawing large
amount of their own money.
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Have Capper pick up money at victims
house to check information. Never get
money back.
Phony Prize or Sweepstakes Offers
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Victim contact and told that they have
won a prize.
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To claim prize must pay taxes up front.
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Wire money and never get the prize.
Other Telemarketing Scams
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Schemes to fix bad credit or obtain Credit
Phony offers of educational for fee
Magazine subscriptions
Work at home offers
Fake offers of loan for fee paid in advance
Phony travel and vacation offers
Fake calls from bank and credit card
companies to get personal information
Internet Fraud
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Auctions
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Phishing
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Nigerian money scam