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PREMISE |
It is difficult to resist being conned, despite a common feeling of immunity among those to whom it has not yet happened. New confidence crimes are invented every day. The majority of con games, however, are variations of classic confidence crimes that criminals use again and again. Education is one successful method of confidence crime protection. When we are shown the key elements of confidence crimes, we can help arm ourselves against confidence criminals.
OUTLINE |
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CON GAMES shows those key elements, featuring several of the most prominent classic confidence schemes in a memorable and realistic way. Spokesman Paul Ragonese takes us step-by-step through each confidence game in the video, and he gives further tips to avoid future victimization.
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IMPORTANT NOTE |
All "criminals" and "victims" you see
here are actors, and all names and specific crimes
discussed are ficticious. Note also that CON GAMES: PERSONAL STORIES and
this website are solely intended as crime-prevention information. Please
immediately report any alleged crime to law enforcement agencies.
MARGARET |
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In the first segment, we meet "Margaret," an elderly woman who thought she would be the last to be fooled by confidence criminals. She is intelligent, educated, and wary. "Margaret" illustrates vividly how con artists can change the elements of a classic confidence crime as it is being perpetrated, in order to lure the victim into the game.
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ANTONIO |
Confidence criminals and victims are not confined to any one age, ethnic, or economic group. In the second segment, we meet "Antonio," a wealthy businessman. The segment is in Spanish, with English subtitles. English-only speaking audiences report that "Antonio" is particularly gripping -- and easily understood. The crime scenario can be used almost anywhere, at any time, on anyone. "Antonio" also demonstrates how more than money can be lost in a confidence game.
ALEX |
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CON GAMES does not show criminals or their victims inside banks or at automatic tellers, but a problem does exist in that criminals do try to spot bank customers making large cash withdrawals. "Alex" demonstrates what can happen when a customer leaves the bank with large amount of cash. The criminal may use a ruse to gain a victim's trust and thereby distract him in some way, and those ruses can take many forms. Again, the game can be changed to suit the situation. "Alex" makes the strongest case for avoiding carrying large amounts of cash, and shows in shocking detail how that cash can be taken in a heartbeat.
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JOSE and MARIBEL |
"Jose and Maribel" demonstrates that things are not always what they seem. Here, after watching the previous segments of CON GAMES, the audience is given a chance to test its ability to spot the criminal in the group. "Jose and Maribel" stresses again the importance of avoiding making assumptions based on stereotypes.
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Mrs. McCULLOUGH |
The common perception is that the elderly are exclusively targeted by confidence criminals. Statistics imply that all groups are susceptible. "Mrs McCullough" emphasizes that more than street con games exist; that fraud is now perpertrated over the telephone, at your door, via the computer, and through the mail.
HOW TO USE THE VIDEO: In addition to the months of research completed prior to the creation of the video, the producers received input from law enforcement, crime experts and major banks. Their specific requests were addressed in order to ensure that the presentation is suitable for crime prevention seminars and venues for all audiences: the public, members of law enforcement, church and senior groups, banking personnel and customers, and on banking waiting lines. At safety seminars, we recommend the presence of a police officer or representative from the district attorney's office in order to answer questions and dispense local helplines and reporting procedures.
INTENDED AUDIENCE: While CON GAMES is ideal for senior groups, practice has shown that the video is of equal use to all ages. Findings suggest, for instance, that college students are a new target for confidence criminals. CON GAMES seeks to break down the resistance that most of us have towards admitting the crime to our family, friends, and to law enforcement. The video seeks forcefully to remove the social stigma of the crime. A police official said, after a screening exclusive to high-ranking career police personnel, "I didn't expect a group of sheriffs to be so open to the fact that they are at risk also, but they did, after seeing the tape."
INTENDED
PURPOSE: In order to increase reporting of confidence
crime, CON GAMES: PERSONAL STORIES seeks to stop the outmoded and counter-productive
blaming of a confidence victim, by himself and others. A victim who feels
foolish may not come forward. CON GAMES also seeks to increase understanding
on the part of law enforcement so that they become more sympathetic to confidence
crime victims. Higher reporting is needed to aid in getting the criminals
off the streets. For example, NYPD reports that if an alleged fraud victim
visits the Special Frauds Division to look at mug shots, three out of ten
alleged criminals are identified by their victims -- an amazing "hit"
rate.
SOURCES FOR OTHER INFORMATION: If you or someone you know would like further information regarding fraud, your local law enforcement may have information. One helpful website is the National Fraud Information Center at http://www.fraud.org.
(Contact Christopher Whalen at pdpictures@earthlink.net with additional links or organizations that you think should be added.)
CON GAMES: PERSONAL STORIES and this website
are solely intended as crime-prevention information.
Please immediately report any alleged crime to law enforcement agencies.
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Go to CON GAMES Main Page |
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Go to CON GAMES' Paul Ragonese |
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Go to CON GAMES Ordering Information |
Pat Dorfman Pictures, Inc. / TV Music &
Video, Inc.
38 Greene Street, Fifth Floor
New York, New York 10013
212-226-0960
718-729-8820 (fax)
e-mail: pdpictures@earthlink.net
