Chapter 8 - Specialists in Lying and Deception

Imposeurs

Are people who retain most of their own personal identity but fabricate key elements

• Military Imposeurs

• Illness stories 

• Crime stories

Imposters

Are people who purposefully enacted a false persona designed to fool others, and they worry about getting caught 

• Have longer and more elaborate deceptions

• Create new identities/names

Identity Thieves

criminals who use someone else’s personally identifying information to commit fraud or other crimes

• FINANCIAL IDENTITY THEFT

• CRIMINAL IDENTITY THEFT

• MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT

• CHILD IDENTITY THEFT

FINANCIAL IDENTITY THEFT

occurs when someone steals another person’s personally identifiable information and commits a crime that results in a financial injury to a victim

CRIMINAL IDENTITY THEFT

Criminals falsely identify themselves to police as other people at the point of arrest

MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT

occurs when someone seeks medical care under the identity of another person

CHILD IDENTITY THEFT

occurs when a minor’s identity is used by another person for impostor’s personal gain

Cons

designed to take the target’s money without a weapon, made possible because, in addition to inspiring confidence and trust, the con appeals to the target's needs, desires, or greed

• Asking for money immediately 

• Asking for personal information 

  • TYPES: 

  • The big con - promise big things and aim for big scores, which is why they often involve land and landmarks and involve a number of players

  • Internet scams 

  • Street cons 

  • Sales and Investments 

  • Faith Healers 

Hoaxes

Are meant to fool people, usually designed for large audiences and the payoff is less likely to be financial. People create them to make a point, to gain notoriety for an idea, to further their reputation and career, or simply because they enjoy playing practical jokes.

Who are likely to get scammed?

• The Lonely - People who are socially isolated are often older. 

• In a hurry - People who have important needs to satisfy and little hope of doing so. 

• Emotional or greedy - People who have a strong visceral response to the subject of the scam. 

• Egotistical - People who strongly believe they can’t be conned because they are too smart.

• Unquestioning - People who, without questioning, easily attribute expertise to others and defer to their judgment. 

Con artists

Charismatic, confident, narcissistic, smart, well-dressed