Tips on Spotting a Con Man

Short for "Confidence Man," a "con man" is a highly adapted social predator, preying on a victim's emotions and greed. Con men come in many shapes, sizes and types, and a con "man" can just as easily be a woman. Con men are extremely sneaky and intelligent; Victor Lustig -- a con man of the 20th century -- sold the Eiffel tower twice. The key to not succumbing to the threat of a con artist is knowing what to look for. The first rule of thumb: If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

How a Con Man Packages Himself

• Con men tend to fit well in nearly any group, and they are often dressed extremely well. Although no one is free from the threat, con men generally target the wealthy; they must exude wealth themselves, so as not to draw suspicion. This makes looks important to con men, as well as where they appear to live, where they appear to work and what car they appear to drive.

  Con men tend to boast impressive credentials and are quick to volunteer information regarding their business, contacts and successes, all in an attempt to quickly gain trust and admiration.

How a Con Man Deals

• Clever con men specifically prey on their victim's insecurities and loneliness. Con men give the impression that they understand their victims better than anyone else can. Making their victims feel special, con men lavish targets with the exact feelings the victim desires. If done successfully, the victim will form some sort of emotional dependency. Alternatively, con men can draw on the sympathy and goodwill of the victim. A con can take place over the course of a few minutes or several months; some con men go for the quick, one-time hit, while others draw their victims out in an attempt for a larger score.

How a Con Man Talks

• Con men tend to be braggarts and self-centered by nature, meaning they will rarely miss opportunities for talking about their good and generous characters. A con man might brag about charity donations, material objects, spending habits and dating success. Once a con man gains a victim's confidence, special proposals are brought into the picture, usually only between the con man and the victim. Phrases in conversation might turn to "secret plans," "cash-only deals," "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities" or "last chance proposals."

What a Con Man Promises

• The scams vary, but all contain one thing at heart: Money. Pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes and other short-term investments that sound too good to be true should set you on alert. A con man's promise brings out the greed and ambition -- or sympathy and pity -- in his victims, ideally bypassing common sense and caution with the trust he's built. When attempting to spot a con man, look for "guarantees," such as being told that if the investment goes bad, you will be refunded.