Electerrific Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I don't mean the TV programme with that trio doing pub tricks etc, nor Roger Cook in a beard. In the national news we hear every so often about serious conmen who pretend to be MI5 agents etc, and con hundreds of thousands out of many victims, some are intelligent professionals, and make them do awful things etc as 'loyalty tests'. A lot of people say it wouldn't/couldn't happen to them as they'd 'see it coming', but victims and others say that these slimy gits 'creep up' on you over months with a subtle mixture of kindness, charm, sob story and half-truth? A constant drip, like water torture? Is it possible for these fraudsters to spot a potential victim from afar, like a lion with an antelope? Or are their targets just gullible and dumb? And could it happen to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSmith Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I don't mean the TV programme with that trio doing pub tricks etc, nor Roger Cook in a beard. In the national news we hear every so often about serious conmen who pretend to be MI5 agents etc, and con hundreds of thousands out of many victims, some are intelligent professionals, and make them do awful things etc as 'loyalty tests'. A lot of people say it wouldn't/couldn't happen to them as they'd 'see it coming', but victims and others say that these slimy gits 'creep up' on you over months with a subtle mixture of kindness, charm, sob story and half-truth? A constant drip, like water torture? Is it possible for these fraudsters to spot a potential victim from afar, like a lion with an antelope? Or are their targets just gullible and dumb? And could it happen to you? Yep :):) Con artists play on of people’s greed, kindness or fear but the victim needs to be gullible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadingNorth Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 The more confident you are that you couldn't be taken in by a fraud, the easier it is for them to dupe you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerrific Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 The more confident you are that you couldn't be taken in by a fraud, the easier it is for them to dupe you. Yeh. If someone is intelligent, not gullible, street aware and emotionally balanced, they're far less likely to be ripped off etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Yeh. If someone is intelligent, not gullible, street aware and emotionally balanced, they're far less likely to be ripped off etc. Actually their arrogance makes them a prime target. Con artists can trick anyone, they just need to know which buttons to press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinfoilhat Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Depends on the con and the Mark. I've no doubt the man from talk talk would have convinced a little old lady he was "checking the line" before getting her to change suppliers without her knowing. No doubt at all. These boiler room scams surprised me though. Anyone with 20k kicking about would surely see a con coming but it was surprising how many they got. Some high pressure sales can have you signing before you know where you are but are they cons as such ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerrific Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Good question, tin. Yes it's a form of con, perhaps lower than the scale than the Crown Court cases of MI5 'agents'? Which couldn't con anyone who's switched on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tradescanthia Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I had a newsagents shop, therefore I had cash in the till, no switch, credit cards etc. Every week we had a few conmen try it on with all sorts of scams, confusion over change, bent forged notes, dodgy pound coins. Then you got the 'we can save you money' types, every one a comedian. You have to be on your toes ALL the time. I had various ways of getting rid of them including a very large nasty dog !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 I see no end of people who've been conned by these crooks. People are told they've won the lottery or inherited some money, and asked to send a fee to 'claim' their payment. Sadly some people do part with their money despite the fact they'd never entered the lottery/been related to the person who'd died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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