Con artists and artful dodgers have been around for centuries. They are experts at manipulating people and situations to their advantage.

In today’s world, con artists have taken their game to the digital space, making use of technology to pull off scams that can leave their victims high and dry. In this article, we will explore the creative and sometimes bizarre ways con artists use to get money and explore just how to protect yourself from becoming their next victim.

The Ponzi Scheme

A Ponzi scheme is one of the oldest con games in the book. It involves using new investor’s funds to pay returns to earlier investors.

The con artist usually promises high returns on investments to attract more people and then uses the new money to pay off earlier investors. The scheme eventually becomes unsustainable, and the con artist walks away with the money, leaving the investors with nothing. This scam is named after Charles Ponzi, who orchestrated a massive fraud in the early 20th century.

The Nigerian Prince Scam

The Nigerian Prince scam is one of the most popular and persistent scams on the internet. It involves an email or letter from a person claiming to be a wealthy Nigerian prince who needs help to transfer a large sum of money out of the country.

The email usually promises a percentage of the money to whoever will help with the transaction. Those who respond to the scam are asked to provide sensitive financial information, which the con artist then uses to steal their identity and money.

Online Dating Scams

Online dating scams are increasingly common on social media and dating websites. Con artists usually create a fake profile and use it to engage with unsuspecting victims, who are often looking for romance or love.

The con artist usually develops a rapport with the victim before asking for money, claiming they need it for medical bills, travel expenses, or other emergencies. Victims are often left heartbroken and financially devastated, while the con artist disappears, cutting off all contact.

Phishing schemes

Phishing schemes are prevalent on the internet and are designed to steal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.

The con artist usually creates a fake website or email that looks legitimate and then asks the victim to provide sensitive information. Phishing scams can also involve sending malware or viruses disguised as legitimate files.

The Pretender

The Pretender is a more advanced con artist who uses charm, bluster, and guile to manipulate their victims.

They often impersonate wealthy or influential people to get what they want, such as invitations to exclusive events or introductions to powerful people. The Pretender relies on their charm and confidence to convince their victims to trust them, often leaving their victims in a vulnerable position.

The Door-to-Door Scam

The Door-to-Door scam is a classic con game where the con artist goes door to door, selling a product or service. They usually use high-pressure tactics and charm to convince the homeowner to make a purchase.

Once the con artist has their money, they disappear, leaving the homeowner with a useless product or service. The Door-to-Door scam can also be used to gain entry into a home, where the con artist will steal valuable items or convince the homeowner to provide sensitive information.

The Catfish

The Catfish is a type of online dating scam where the con artist creates a fake profile using someone else’s pictures and information.

They usually lure their victims in with flattery and compliments, often claiming to be a successful businessperson or celebrity. The Catfish will engage with their victim for weeks or months before asking for money, often claiming they need it for medical bills or other emergencies.

Victims of the Catfish scam are often left embarrassed and humiliated, having fallen in love with someone who doesn’t exist.

The Lottery Scam

The Lottery scam is another classic con game where the con artist claims the victim has won a large sum of money in a lottery or sweepstakes. They usually ask the victim to pay an upfront fee or provide sensitive information to claim their prize.

Once the con artist has their money or information, they disappear, leaving the victim with nothing. The Lottery scam can also involve sending a fake check to the victim, which they are then asked to deposit, often leading to their bank account being drained.

The Grandparent Scam

The Grandparent scam is a type of phone scam where the con artist calls an elderly person and claims to be their grandchild in trouble. They usually claim to have been arrested or been in an accident and need money to get out of their situation.

The con artist will often use the victim’s willingness to help their grandchild to convince them to send money. The Grandparent scam can be devastating for elderly people who are often on fixed incomes or have limited financial resources.

The Investment Scam

The Investment scam is similar to the Ponzi scheme; it usually involves the con artist promising high returns on investments or offering to invest in a ‘sure thing.’ The victim is usually asked to invest a large sum of money, which the con artist then disappears with. The Investment scam can be hard to spot, as the con artist often appears to be trustworthy and legitimate. Victims can lose their life savings and be left with nothing.

How to protect yourself from Con Artists

Protecting yourself from con artists can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself:.

Be wary of unsolicited emails or phone calls.
Never give out sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers.
Don’t be pressured into making quick decisions.
Do your research on the company or person before investing money or time.
Use a reputable dating site and be wary of anyone asking for money or personal information.
Trust your instincts and be skeptical of anything that seems too good to be true.

The Bottom Line

Con artists and artful dodgers will always be around, using creative and sometimes bizarre ways to get money from their victims. It’s up to us to be alert and protect ourselves from falling prey to their schemes.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.