How to outsmart a scam: Strategies from a legendary con man | Frank W. Abagnale | Big Think

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  • Опубликовано: 18 янв 2025

Комментарии • 133

  • @bigthink
    @bigthink  5 лет назад +1

    Want to get Smarter, Faster?
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  • @Kasaix
    @Kasaix 5 лет назад +152

    Today I learned that 'con man' was short for 'confidence man'.

    • @joshn2342323
      @joshn2342323 5 лет назад +10

      I tell this to people pitching MLM schemes and most of the time it goes straight over their head. "You're a really good confidence man." is my way of saying "f*** you, scammer!"

    • @Kasaix
      @Kasaix 5 лет назад +2

      @@joshn2342323 Haha! That's brilliant.

    • @austinkelly1
      @austinkelly1 5 лет назад +2

      Is that true or is he just being a conman

    • @doctaflo
      @doctaflo 5 лет назад +3

      Austin Kelly, we need your Social Security number to unlock that answer for you.

    • @europeansovietunion7372
      @europeansovietunion7372 5 лет назад +1

      I've learn it watching Lost.

  • @barpsoon3031
    @barpsoon3031 5 лет назад +3

    Beware of this scam. A couple, I do not know why they did this, pretend to lose something and play out this scenario in front of me. I was sitting down playing solitaire on my phone. They said that their phone/s was out of credit and needed my WiFi hotspot to secure an Uber ride home. After a little thought I said ‘no, you two look like scammers’ and without a rebuttal within seconds they had disappeared. In this scam once they connect to your hotspot they hack your phones contents-bank account details, passwords etc.

  • @ZEUSAIMIGHTY
    @ZEUSAIMIGHTY 5 лет назад +56

    Title: How to outsmart a scam
    Answer: Be taught all of the scams

    • @fahmyboy1
      @fahmyboy1 5 лет назад

      Not what he said

    • @TheDavid771
      @TheDavid771 5 лет назад +3

      @@fahmyboy1 literally what he said.

    • @DavidTaylor-es1bt
      @DavidTaylor-es1bt 5 лет назад

      @TheDavid771 and Nick Athan The key to outsmarting a scam is to be aware of the two red flags. If they ask for money right now or personal information like bank account numbers then you assume it's a scam. If that's not enough of an answer for you then you need to sober up or become a ward of the state, whichever applies.

  • @ShawnRavenfire
    @ShawnRavenfire 5 лет назад +18

    I found out (years later) that when I was little, a child psychologist told my family that I "would never fall for a scam." In retrospect, I think what he should have said is "this kid is chronically paranoid."

  • @suleiman1520
    @suleiman1520 5 лет назад +28

    Yeah Frank, let's bring back the glory days of scamming when con men like you had a heart. Frank "Saintly Scammer" Abagnale

    • @lazarovaliente6222
      @lazarovaliente6222 5 лет назад +3

      This guy is legit trying to defend his old ways, so scamming but in a certain way

  • @DUSAbruddah
    @DUSAbruddah 5 лет назад +70

    oh my god..This speaks so much to me as I was recently scammed out of my throne in Nigeria. Please donate to help me get my kingdom back and I will reward you when im king again ten fold!

    • @voodoochild3859
      @voodoochild3859 5 лет назад +3

      ALP7A oh how unfortunate sir king. Please provide me with contact information and I will arrange for as much help as I can.

  • @benb3316
    @benb3316 5 лет назад +2

    My Mom just got a call from probably Jamaica -combination of IRS, Social Security, threats to jail right now... She hung up - in part thanks to this video and me showing it to her. But was trembling. With chronic back pain due to an injury...
    Thanks for this video to help in a nutshell show what to absolutely avoid. Due to it she knew it was absolutely a scam and hung up. Still even as impersonal as intellectually it was still was scary.
    Another thing to put out:
    "If the Government or some big company/agency really thinks you are scamming them, your paperwork is bad, etc. They aren't going to call you and ask money. They are going to have a SWAT team bust down the door and shoot the Frichon Biche (Not a poodle) Robocop 80s style in front of you and take you away. Or the agency will stop payment and let you call THEM to find out. No warning. Remember the 60s and decades after when they spent $3 million in taxpayer money to go through the garbage of old Hippies hoping for a pot clipping? They ain't going to let him off for $300 in bitcoin"...

  • @TarunAgarwalavenger
    @TarunAgarwalavenger 5 лет назад +6

    He just sold his book to so many people. That's a real con man.

  • @TheAlabamboo
    @TheAlabamboo 5 лет назад +10

    Fun story about Frank Abagnale, when he was younger, at least, the square in his suit pocket was usually a pair of women’s underpants. Not a joke. The man told me himself in NY in like 1988. As a kid I thought it was amazing. Nice guy.

    • @IndianaJoe0321
      @IndianaJoe0321 5 лет назад +2

      So why would the pocket square have to be girls panties?

  • @RogerWazup007
    @RogerWazup007 5 лет назад +7

    Everyone in MLMs should watch this (and also see the FTC's detailed report on why those "businesses" leave most people with lost money they'll never see again).

  • @MarkoKraguljac
    @MarkoKraguljac 5 лет назад +11

    Introduction to marketing and advertising.

  • @darian2332
    @darian2332 5 лет назад +18

    He just tricked us into believing that he was not Jon Lovitz

  • @cindot2520
    @cindot2520 7 месяцев назад +1

    I understand the psychology scammers use. I'm looking for information regarding the psychology of the scammers. How do they sleep at night? Is the apathy personal or cultural? I have sooo many questions!

  • @NoahNobody
    @NoahNobody 5 лет назад +7

    That police scam was pretty smart. Intuitively though, my first thought was to say that I would come down to get him myself though, and pay at the station.

    • @fabled.
      @fabled. 5 лет назад +1

      Yeah, who ever thought giving credit card information on the phone was a good idea? It's like entering it on an http website you received by email from a certain prince.

  • @Brazza324
    @Brazza324 5 лет назад +32

    How do I know this isn't a scam?

    • @purplemonkeydishwasher9818
      @purplemonkeydishwasher9818 5 лет назад +2

      Derik Costa listen, just tell me your date of birth and mother’s maiden name and I can figure that out for you.

    • @xandercorp6175
      @xandercorp6175 5 лет назад +2

      He didn't ask you for money or information.

    • @eddiew2325
      @eddiew2325 5 лет назад

      Derik Costa Derek its me Eddie Spaghetti god I love you so much

  • @Itchyback
    @Itchyback 5 лет назад +2

    One thing that keeps con men/women far away from me is that I'm not greedy.

  • @gibransaliba8801
    @gibransaliba8801 5 лет назад

    Thanks Frank for the heads up

  • @yozzcta
    @yozzcta 5 лет назад +2

    The state. Best scam artist EVER

  • @Mr3344555
    @Mr3344555 5 лет назад

    I always though con in conman stood for convict, bit now I know it's confidence man!

  • @tj6544
    @tj6544 5 лет назад +4

    Haha even when my partner ask me for money I think she wants to scam me.

  • @SoorajBeniwal
    @SoorajBeniwal 5 лет назад +12

    I saw his biography on biograpics
    Doctor lawyer pilot
    And what not 😂

    • @malcolmthebear
      @malcolmthebear 5 лет назад +2

      He's the subject of the film "Catch Me If You Can" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.

  • @flibbernodgets7018
    @flibbernodgets7018 Год назад

    1:35 Man, he's still doing it! He just got you to believe his actions were justified, I bet.

  • @janwilliams579
    @janwilliams579 5 лет назад +2

    My mom would have gone for child or grandchild spending the weekend in jail to learn not to drive DUI.

  • @rontheoracle
    @rontheoracle 5 лет назад +5

    Or
    "How to get conned by Frank to watch his story in the cinema."

  • @1p6t1gms
    @1p6t1gms 5 лет назад +1

    I am involved in what I deem to being scammed for the past few years by US companies, and the most recent one involved is the mobile phone company I let go. And what I think is the common process many of these US companies use, is that you’ll be to busy to contest any false charges or undermining offers because of the lack of legal information and personal time. I would expect that most of the country is not able to afford legal representation for these types of issues and others types of legality as well. In the closing stages the outcome personally seems inadequate when you do give effort because of cost, monetarily and personal. I guess it’s just a part of doing business in the US with a deficient ending in response, and after great lengths of time, is, “oh, my mistake.”
    There is another tactics smaller business have used on me, and that is a smile upfront, and then ignore your issues, there’s more than this although, you‘re in proficient company Frank. It seems to me you are an expert business man.

  • @TheTaskmaster
    @TheTaskmaster 5 лет назад

    I'm a fan of Crime Prevention Unit 001

  • @davidbrenese
    @davidbrenese 5 лет назад +2

    The one that inspired Catch Me If You Can

  • @MarAwanaDISPOCO.
    @MarAwanaDISPOCO. 9 месяцев назад

    Taking money is compassion because money is not real. And when people realize that there being scammed by getting money, that was never even real in the first place. And then thinking that someone took something that was never even there in the first place

  • @Chadilacn
    @Chadilacn 5 лет назад +1

    Being a struggling Narcissist, Big Ego, I once sold a Car that the test Driver, listened to me and ended up getting a nudge and about 2500 damage. I still sold it, and even had them upgrade, Im not proud. Now I take them to task, I use my OSINT and other intelligence techniques to find them, then it gets really fun. You do not bullshit a bullshitter. Nor do you threaten someone who will actually dig two graves. I essentially fear nothing which I do not control. What I do control is me, if you threaten me, I don't care if you live in a cave in Afghan, or at the top of a tall mountain. With the tools at my disposal, I will find you and then Ihave to make a choice, HOW much time do I want to allot, so that by the time we are done, you are no longer smiling and will look out your window FOREVER. However sometimes I do not know if I am slaying the Dragon to save the Princess or to Take its place, dropping your narcissism is about as hard as dropping your eyes from your head, Frank, I have always respected your wisdom, it takes a real man to make the choices you have made, it truly does. Anyone who has made these choices understands the HELL you enter before you feel even the smallest emotion which you can trust. then its still a battle. I dont recommend trying to go it alone, It either will Kill you or Cure you and you wont know until you accept one or the other. God Bless

    • @MDKE114
      @MDKE114 2 месяца назад

      You sound bitter. You need to get used to the fact that having empathy and kindness for others is not the same as going through life with your eyes closed. Narcissists lack empathy, but it might be possible to learn. I don't know; a psychologist would know. The first step is to observe your own thoughts as if they're the thoughts of someone else.

  • @levaidaniel
    @levaidaniel 5 лет назад

    Oh wow, so educational...

  • @MrJeanBaguette
    @MrJeanBaguette 5 лет назад +1

    « How to Outsmart a scam « then u get an ad for mindvalley before the video starts LMAO

  • @x3ICEx
    @x3ICEx 5 лет назад

    So I must have a deceptive mind, then... Because no matter what anyone might want from me, I always consider whether it is a scam first.

  • @gaspodewb
    @gaspodewb 5 лет назад +1

    it's worse than that - scammers are an industry not a single Russian sipping coffee in house apartment.

  • @InterKELLar
    @InterKELLar 5 лет назад +3

    An ex-scammer with a heart giving us viewers tips on how to spot scams. When will the video "How to tell if your president is a conman" be uploaded?

  • @AZANlA
    @AZANlA 5 лет назад +1

    love this channel

  • @Derpster2493
    @Derpster2493 5 лет назад +1

    The confetti man is in it for the treats.

  • @garfunky2
    @garfunky2 5 лет назад +3

    In the first minute when he says "all scams involve the scammer immediately asking for something" tells me he doesn't know what he's talking about. Take cat fishing as an example. It's a long term game to gain trust and eventually ask for money. Why are the police and FBI being trained by someone who is probably too old to be in touch with the modern day scams? This is quite concerning...

  • @medsmthng5781
    @medsmthng5781 5 лет назад +1

    What's the second red flag?

  • @rupeshtashildar
    @rupeshtashildar 5 лет назад

    another red flag is that you get conned after every scam xD

  • @drkmattrchscake4237
    @drkmattrchscake4237 5 лет назад +2

    Has anyone fallen for the “turn $100 to 1500” thing?

  • @tomislavrastovac2127
    @tomislavrastovac2127 5 лет назад +6

    I'm a compassionate guy ill only steal some this guys money, not like KIDS NOWADAYS stealing ALL the money. Totally different

  • @patrickjensen6688
    @patrickjensen6688 5 лет назад

    The problem is if it's a popular scam even if horrible scam.

  • @TheSofiv
    @TheSofiv Год назад

    I got scammed from neighbored it’s could be even your best friend , so always think twice

  • @youngsamuel1
    @youngsamuel1 5 лет назад +2

    Save 5 mins. Don't give money to anyone asking for it.

  • @MarAwanaDISPOCO.
    @MarAwanaDISPOCO. 9 месяцев назад

    That is just future money. So the more that you have now, the more money you will eventually have

  • @anuragmishra8484
    @anuragmishra8484 5 лет назад +2

    Catch him if you can

  • @SteveO21M
    @SteveO21M 5 лет назад

    So...equities?

  • @kurobakaito9418
    @kurobakaito9418 5 лет назад

    So this video is about a former scammer teach people how to not getting scammed by other scammer

  • @bruceliu1657
    @bruceliu1657 5 лет назад

    I specialize my emails. So they cannot get to my money. or passcodes.

  • @SupreethDT
    @SupreethDT 5 лет назад

    Caught you!!!

  • @drftrkjhguvgggfd
    @drftrkjhguvgggfd 5 лет назад

    Actually I am here as a real compassionate and I want to tell you that everything is not a scam. I am thinking about using tdcs to help people with depression and fatigue. Next time you think about helping someone, think if you could stop someone from killing themselves, if you could improve someone's life, would you do it?

  • @Steven-wv3qm
    @Steven-wv3qm 5 лет назад +2

    That Nigerian prince needed my money!

  • @ubuntu2551
    @ubuntu2551 5 лет назад +1

    Im always broke so there is nothing to scam

  • @mcdonaldg2908
    @mcdonaldg2908 5 лет назад

    I just won the lottery in Nigeria!!!!! Give the money back to the people of Nigeria..

  • @1966human
    @1966human 5 лет назад +1

    So obviously scamming is legal

  • @PaperRaines
    @PaperRaines 5 лет назад +1

    I mean I love this talk, Frank was very.... well, frank lol. But that was some good spin at the end sticking up for gullible people. There's nothing noble about being ignorant, feeble, non vigilant, and lazy. If you reach the age of seventy and still can't tell s*** from shinola then you deserve to get ripped off
    And I completely reject the notion of "Because it happened to a former FBI director it can happen to you" defense. I've learned over the past couple of years that almost any a**hole can head up a government agency in America

  • @jpgrumbach8562
    @jpgrumbach8562 5 лет назад

    When people on yt do the right thing, that is telling how they were scammed the common reaction is often:
    How stupid. Never not me.
    These are the types of fools who might fall when moment and mood come together.

  • @yashjuma9168
    @yashjuma9168 5 лет назад

    is bitcoin a scam ?

  • @HaleyMedley
    @HaleyMedley 5 лет назад +5

    Jokes on them I have no money to take

  • @laloweed
    @laloweed 5 лет назад

    Today I won $2k worth of vacations in Mexico, Bahamas, and Caribbean where I can stay at some hotels for free.

  • @nicola-socialmediasuccess8687
    @nicola-socialmediasuccess8687 5 лет назад +1

    I think that anybody have been scammed in order to avoid it in the future

  • @MarAwanaDISPOCO.
    @MarAwanaDISPOCO. 9 месяцев назад

    Who is the biggest criminal in the world? Would you say????

  • @MM-zw8sm
    @MM-zw8sm 5 лет назад +1

    That's the reason smart people don't pose their entire lives on social media.

  • @siddharthchowdaryvunnam525
    @siddharthchowdaryvunnam525 5 лет назад

    I wonder how he turned into a Ben Franklin wannabe..? 🤔

  • @erichvonmolder9310
    @erichvonmolder9310 5 лет назад

    How do we know this Jon Lovitz looking man is not setting us up for a scam? Don't you hate to be this way? Social Media is so social it can be downright unsocial.

  • @jonijokunen3542
    @jonijokunen3542 5 лет назад

    Let's play a drinking game: Drink every time he says "scam"

  • @msizingubane7348
    @msizingubane7348 5 лет назад +1

    This sounds like a scam

  • @ronaldorivers236
    @ronaldorivers236 5 лет назад +1

    The Trump campaign has a lot of data on the people who have contributed financially also the guy who created a gofundme for the wall. They should be an easy target easy to scam them.

  • @DaddyBLUE90S
    @DaddyBLUE90S 5 лет назад

    So what's the difference between a con man and your average sales guy lol nothing against sales guys because he all sell on daily basis.

  • @markkravitz4678
    @markkravitz4678 3 года назад

    👋 Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”! My top entrepreneur @evenkingsfall (his insta) stresses you have to THINK BIG to WIN BIG! Always keep that mindset! Onwards and upwards 🖤

  • @ChubbyChecker182
    @ChubbyChecker182 5 лет назад

    He's not as good looking as Leo DeCrapio' is he ?

  • @lucash8234
    @lucash8234 5 лет назад +2

    Why would you take an acknowledgement con man's advice on anything, even how to avoid a scam?

    • @rhijulbec1
      @rhijulbec1 5 лет назад +6

      Because who better than a con man to tell you how to avoid being conned?? It's the same with hackers~who better to learn from? Or a break and enter artist about how to avoid being burgled?
      Learning from the masters is extremely valuable, because they've been on both sides of the law, so know both the approach not to get caught as criminals, and teachers of those not wanting to be victims of people like them. Makes perfect sense.

    • @lil10dot
      @lil10dot 5 лет назад +1

      What kinda thinking is this, you can learn shit from virtually anyone

    • @lucash8234
      @lucash8234 5 лет назад +2

      @@rhijulbec1 But how do you know you're being taught information that will prevent harm to yourself rather than cause it?

    • @rhijulbec1
      @rhijulbec1 5 лет назад +2

      @@lucash8234
      Because those who do a 180 and become model citizens ~like the man in this video~will want money to tell you! I'm sort of joking, but, in a way, it's true. These guys usually make their honest living by holding talks, paid for with tickets you buy, to tell you how to avoid people like him.
      I'm not talking about some stranger you meet telling you how to avoid getting played~they ARE the cons (confidence persons~because it isn't all men). Cons will make you trust them. Whereas this fellow will say simply "If it sounds too good to be true? It. Is!"
      My motto is "There's no such thing as free. There's always a price."
      Hope that helps explain. I'll try to answer if you have other questions.

    • @rob4419
      @rob4419 5 лет назад +1

      @@rhijulbec1 lol "burgled"