“60 Minutes” presents a special hour with two stories featuring hidden cameras that capture conmen at work.
A man who cheats or tricks someone by gaining their trust and persuading them to believe something that is not true.
Oxford Lexico Dictionary
[singular] a trick; an act of cheating somebody
- The so-called bargain was just a big con!
- (British English) a con trick
- The scheme was all a big con.
- It was all one big con trick.
Oxford Learners Dictionary
‘A con man simply inspires confidence in himself and his promised abilities and then uses that to exploit his audience.’
‘He represents, not so much a political or ideological trend, as a definite social type: the cynical con man or hustler.’
“A Conman” is a term that typically refers to an individual who engages in fraudulent or deceitful behavior to gain advantage or personal benefit at the expense of others. The key points associated with a conman can include:
Deception: A conman is skilled at deceiving others by using manipulative tactics, lies, and misrepresentations to gain the trust and confidence of their victims.
Exploitation: A conman seeks to exploit the vulnerabilities of their victims, such as their emotions, greed, or naivety, to extract money, information, or other valuable resources from them.
Charisma and charm: Conmen often possess charismatic and charming personalities, which they use to create a favorable impression and establish rapport with their victims.
Confidence tricks: Conmen use various confidence tricks or scams, such as Ponzi schemes, investment frauds, romance scams, or fake charities, to defraud their victims.
Manipulation: Conmen are skilled at manipulating the emotions, beliefs, and behavior of their victims to further their fraudulent schemes. They may use psychological tactics, such as manipulation, persuasion, and coercion, to achieve their goals.
Criminal behavior: Conmen engage in illegal activities by using fraud, forgery, identity theft, or other illicit means to carry out their scams and defraud their victims.
Lack of remorse: Conmen often lack remorse or guilt for their actions and may continue their fraudulent activities even after being caught or facing legal consequences.
Financial gain: The primary motivation of a conman is typically financial gain. They may target individuals, businesses, or even entire communities to extract money or other valuable assets.
Victims: Conmen prey on unsuspecting individuals who may be vulnerable or trusting, and their actions can result in financial loss, emotional distress, and other negative impacts on their victims.
Legal consequences: Engaging in fraudulent activities is illegal in most jurisdictions, and conmen can face legal consequences, including fines, restitution, and imprisonment, when caught and convicted.
It’s important to note that engaging in fraudulent activities is illegal and unethical, and conmen prey on the vulnerability and trust of others for their own gain. It’s essential to be vigilant, skeptical, and cautious when dealing with unfamiliar individuals or financial opportunities to avoid falling victim to conmen. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have been a victim of a conman, it’s important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities for investigation and potential legal action.
1 – “60 Minutes” Presents: 21st Century Cons
2 Is this Australia’s most dangerous conman? | 60 Minutes Australia
25 jun. 2020
There’s no nice way to put it: Goran Markovic is a con artist. He’s very good at being very bad, and no one should ever believe or trust him. For 40 years he has been perfecting his nasty craft, lying his way around Australia and the world, fleecing almost everyone he encounters. From millionaire businessmen to unsuspecting women – anyone it seems is a potential target. Even police, tasked with trying to bring Markovic to justice, have been mocked and taunted by this elusive “catch-me-if-you-can” crook. But in a special 60 MINUTES investigation, the tables are turned as the con man gets stung by two of his victims. Goran Markovic is finally caught and it’s all on camera.
For forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Allison Langdon, Tara Brown, Charles Wooley, Liam Bartlett and Sarah Abo look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.
3 Secret recordings expose Australia’s most notorious con man Peter Foster | 60 Minutes Australia
22 jun. 2020
Here’s a tip worth remembering. Under no circumstances should anyone stand between Peter Foster and his ill-gotten gains. For three decades Foster has been scamming his way to millions and millions of dollars of other people’s money. He’s Australia’s best – correction, worst – con artist, but until now the real impact of his crimes has often been diluted by ridiculing the gullible victims who were duped by his fast-talking and dodgy schemes. The truth though is simple: Foster is a hard-nosed criminal, and as you’re about to see – and hear – he’ll stop at nothing to get to his loot. On assignment for 60 MINUTES, Karl Stefanovic reports on explosive new allegations involving Australia’s most despicable conman and the cop who finally beat him, in an epic battle that gets downright dirty.
For forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Tom Steinfort, Tara Brown, Liam Bartlett and Sarah Abo look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.
4 The photocopier salesman accused of stealing half a billion dollars | 60 Minutes Australia
6 mrt. 2022
6 Here’s What ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Ex-Con Said About Leo’s Oscar Nom | Fortune
7 Conman or Confidence-man? | Patrick Lyons | TEDxUTAustin
23 mei 2019
8 The Superpower of the Conman | Alexis Conran | TEDxBerlin
25 jul. 2019
As a charismatic and engaging keynote and after-dinner speaker, Alexis employs his knowledge of the dark and deceptive world of hustling, pickpockets and con-artists to speak candidly on the risks and security threats constantly faced by businesses, and to deliver important messages on the shrewdest ways to protect against the ever-increasing number of scams. His recent clients include IBM, the RSA Security Conference, Experian, RBS, Halifax, Aviva, Facebook, Porsche, VISA, The Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police Fraud in Action Unit.
Alexis currently hosts his own weekly show, The Radio Hustle on Talk Radio and co-stars in the new Dave show THE JOY OF TECHS, alongside his best friend, comedian, actor and satirist, Marcus Brigstocke. He also contributes to ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio 4 and 5Live, and was crowned champion of Celebrity MasterChef 2016.
Website: www.alexisconran.com This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
9 The Cunning Genius Who Fooled The Art World | Conmen Case | Real Crime
5 apr 2022
The first episode investigates the story of John Myatt, a painter who produced forged works of art for dealer John Drew. Lifting the lid on one of the 20th-century’s biggest contemporary art frauds, it reveals that Myatt painted around 200 forgeries while Drewe managed to con esteemed experts in some of Britain’s prestigious art auction establishments
The story of a German conman | DW Documentary
2 apr. 2020
10 Billionaire Boys Bust: American Greed’s Biggest Cons
12 aug. 2020
️ For this reason, jails shouldn’t have available phones for their inmates, and if they do they should be able to record every conversation. In other words, this wouldn’t happen or at least make it more difficult for the cons to make any deals in the future. Furthermore, for those who say well that goes against their constitutional rights well they lost that when they committed their crime and went to jail.
13 Frank Abagnale – FedTalks 2013
14 Ireland Con Man former barrister Patrick Russell scammed victims out of millions documentary
25 nov. 2020
Ireland Con Man former barrister Patrick Russell scammed victims out of millions documentary
FORMER barrister Patrick Russell scammed at least 20 people out of more than €8m, according to a new investigation.
Patrick Russell – a former advisor to ‘Black Widow’ Catherine Nevin – was caged for three years for swindling €235k from a businessman in 2015.
Patrick Russell was jailed earlier this month after pleading guilty to theft of €215k in 2015
Marian Franklin and Margaret Wilson -Lumsden, whose sister Esther gave money to Russell to invest
In the course of the investigation, investigators spoke to over 60 men and women that Patrick Russell defrauded of more than €8million. At least 20 victims reported Patrick Russell to Gardai.
A taxi driver from Wicklow, a shop fitter from Meath, a drinks company, two banks, a builder, the Revenue Commissioners all took Russell to court to try to force him to pay a combined sum of around €800,000.
Patrick Russell also defrauded Westmeath musician Paud Griffin, who hired him as a tax advisor. He took the life savings, €580,000 of Mr Griffin, who died in 2019.
Russell conned another entertainer, Declan Nerney, out of over €900,000 and took €800,000 from an Offaly businesswoman.
He took another €500,000 from a doctor in the midlands. In a property scam he took €400,000 from pro golfer Damien McGrane and €100,000 from a Dublin-based barrister.
PHANTOM INVESTMENTS
Esther Wilson, who suffered life changing injuries following a road accident, tells how Russell persuaded her mother to part with €150,000 from her compensation settlement for a phantom investment.
Esther’s sister Margaret Wilson – Lumsden told Investigators: “This money was to provide for her for the rest of her life and to keep her hopefully in a comfortable lifestyle.”
It took the family, who grew up beside Russell in Dublin’s West Finglas and trusted him, a 14 year legal fight before they finally forced Russell to repay what he had owed.
Marian Franklin, another sister of Esther, said “There was no grey area. He knew what he was doing, he took advantage of a vulnerable person.”
The family of Esther Wilson were aghast in 2001 when Patrick Russell qualified as a barrister, while they were still battling for him to repay them monies owed.
Ms Franklin said: “This man has judgments against him and he’s actually practicing law, I couldn’t believe it, I found that very, very difficult.”
LEGAL PRESTIGE
Russell, a former Sinn Fein activist, exploited the prestige that his barrister position gave him to con people.
David McDonald is another victim who hired Russell as a tax advisor, with the rogue barrister taking €775,000 from his companies that was supposed to be handed to the Revenue Commissioners.
Russell supplied fake receipts on Revenue-headed notepaper to David McDonald including a letter acknowledging that the money received was in full and final settlement of all tax liabilities.
The relief was short-lived however as three months later David Mc Donald received liquidation papers in the post informing him Revenue was applying to the High Court to wind up one of his companies, for unpaid tax liabilities.
Mr McDonald says: “How could a barrister defraud you?”
Eleven years after he qualified Russell became the first barrister in the history of the state to be disbarred. He was disbarred for “professional misconduct.”
According to the decision of the Kings Inns he had “lied” to a client and engaged in continued “deception.”
Barrister & Conman – The Patrick Russell Story
Evil is as evil does. 
15 Victor Lustig: The King of Con Men who Sold the Eiffel Tower
16 Gregor MacGregor: The Most Successful Conman in History
17 How con-artist Anna Sorokin ripped off the New York elite and became a star | 60 Minutes Australia
18 apr. 2021
The audacity of Sydney con woman Melissa Caddick was as breathtaking as it was calculated and cruel. She swindled more than $20 million from her family and friends before disappearing. Caddick is now presumed dead, but to understand why people like her think they can get away with their crimes, Anna Sorokin provides many of the answers. In an elaborate scam, this 30-year-old woman convinced New York’s rich and famous she was a German heiress about to inherit a US$60 million fortune, and then used her lies to live the high life on their money. She copped three years in prison for her fraud, but as Liam Bartlett found out in an extraordinary interview, the enigmatic Sorokin is totally unrepentant. She boldly believes there’s nothing wrong with making it by faking it.
For forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Tom Steinfort, Tara Brown, Liam Bartlett and Sarah Abo look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.
18 Conman: The life and crimes of Mark Acklom
Conman Pretends To Be Part Of The Rothschild Family | Conmen Case Files | Real Crime
31 mei 2022
The Conman Who Faked His Death to Avoid Bankruptcy | Fakes, Frauds & Scammers
27 mrt 2023
How did a seemingly innocent photo expose one of the UK’s biggest cons?
This is the story of a British prison officer who drowned in a dramatic canoeing accident but then reappeared five years later after he walked himself into a police station.
VICE World News speaks to Fmr. Superintendent Tony Hutchinson and journalist David Leigh, who investigated one of Britain’s most sensational scandals and tracked down a con artist couple who almost got away with the perfect crime.
19 The Devil wears Dior: Where is Melissa Caddick and the missing millions? | 60 Minutes Australia
31 jan. 2021
20 Major twist in the Melissa Caddick mystery: following the money trail | 60 Minutes Australia
7 mrt. 2021
Full Episodes: https://9now.app.link/uNP4qBkmN6 | The Money Trail (2021)
The macabre discovery of Melissa Caddick’s decomposed foot on a beach 400 kilometres from where she was last seen in Sydney has done little to quieten speculation about the accused 49-year-old con-woman. Despite forensic examination confirming the body part is hers, some people continue to believe she is still alive and living a life of luxury, financed by the estimated $25 million she is alleged to have fleeced from hapless investors. Reporter Tom Steinfort has been investigating Caddick’s disappearance since soon after she went missing in November last year. On 60 MINUTES he reveals startling new evidence gathered after following the extensive money trail. It’s information that is sure to provide another major twist in this already intriguing case.
21 EXPOSED: Is this alleged Ponzi scheme Australia’s biggest financial scandal? | 60 Minutes Australia
6 jul. 2021
24 Just Hang Up – Scams Against Seniors, Part 1
25 Just Hang Up – Scams Against Seniors, Part 2
27 An online love scam that jailed a mum for five years — An Innocent Abroad: Pt 2 | Australian Story
28 The Fake Professor Who Completely Duped His Family | Conmen Case Files | Real Crime
24 mei 2022
30 Police Partners Become Romantic Rivals
25 sep. 2020
Welcome to the world-famous Just for Laughs Gags, we’ve been playing silly pranks on unsuspecting people in public and capturing hilarious reactions with hidden cameras.
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