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Any good books that explore the thinking methods of con men? (25)

08-06-2017 12:19 PM #1 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)
Any good books that explore the thinking methods of con men?

Any good books that explore the thinking methods of con men?

I'd really love to learn more about how their thought patterns work, and how they solve problems using their conny ways.

Thanks

08-07-2017 12:06 AM #2 cmdeal (Veteran Member)

I would start with Jim Steinmeyer, Maria Konnikova, Simon Lovell as well as two great screenplays/films by David Mamet: House of Games and Glengarry Glen Ross.

08-07-2017 11:13 AM #3 27hendford (Member)

Sure Frank Abagnale (subject of the film 'Catch Me If You Can') will have an autobiography.

Hope you are well Attila.

Mike

08-07-2017 07:06 PM #4 vortex (Senior Moderator)

https://www.amazon.ca/Love-You-Phill.../dp/0786869038

I haven't actually read the book, but have watched the movie and also read multiple interviews and other articles written about the man. I'm the type of person that can't help stammering even when telling a white lie (anything beyond white lies are just inconceivable), so I find it fascinating that anyone could so convincingly pull off so many deceptive stunts.

Last I heard, the guy is serving life in prison, in solitary confinement under a 23-hour lock down (with one hour of shower + exercise etc.) I'd like to see if he could manage to get out of this one, and if so, how.



Amy

08-10-2017 03:21 PM #5 Mr Green (Administrator)

^^ His story sounds insane!

08-10-2017 03:43 PM #6 arjun (Member)

Not a book, but Imposter on Netflix is a proper watch
https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/70228012

08-11-2017 12:10 PM #7 matuloo (Legendary Moderator)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
Any good books that explore the thinking methods of con men?

I'd really love to learn more about how their thought patterns work, and how they solve problems using their conny ways.

Thanks
Changing business focus? )

08-11-2017 12:20 PM #8 robert-e (Member)

Its concerning when people read these...brushing up on some skills?

08-11-2017 12:53 PM #9 cmdeal (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by robert-e View Post
Its concerning when people read these...brushing up on some skills?
Haha, OP has been busted!

08-11-2017 09:10 PM #10 Mr Green (Administrator)

"Sour Grapes" is a great documentary about a wine con artist.

08-11-2017 09:22 PM #11 ad2convert ()

Quote Originally Posted by Mr Green View Post
"Sour Grapes" is a great documentary about a wine con artist.
Crazy documentary !! Much recommended

08-12-2017 12:33 AM #12 MrClean (Senior Member)

What Makes Sammy Run

Business Classic on Ruthlessness. Check it.

https://www.amazon.com/What-Makes-Sa...akes+sammy+run

08-12-2017 12:34 AM #13 johna5150 (Senior Member)

Robert Greene's books are highly recommended on this subject-- he actually addresses the mindset and thinking of several con men in them. 48 Laws of Power, 33 Strategies for War, The Art of Seduction, and Mastery are all must read...Greene's an excellent writer too, so they are highly entertaining.

08-12-2017 12:35 AM #14 MrClean (Senior Member)

Also American Greed TV show is amazing. You can learn about all types of illegal scams that'll put you in jail for a long time.

08-12-2017 12:38 AM #15 anglewhiz (Member)

Pimpology: The 48 Laws of the Game

("
Star of the HBO documentaries Pimps Up, Ho's Down and American Pimp, Annual Players' Ball "Mack of the Year" winner Ken Ivy reveals the unwritten rules that took him from the ghetto streets to the executive suites.

The names change, but the game remains the same. In Pimpology, Ken Ivy pulls a square's coat on the unwritten rules that took him from the ghetto streets to the executive suites. Ken's lessons will serve any person in any interaction: Whether at work, in relationships, or among friends, somebody's got to be on top. To be the one with the upper hand, you've got to have good game, and good game starts with knowing the rules.

If you want the money, power, and respect you dream of, you can't just "pimp your ride," you need to pimp your whole life. And unless you've seen Ray Charles leading Stevie Wonder somewhere, you need Ken's guidelines to do it. They'll reach out and touch you like AT&T and bring good things to life like GE. Then you can be the boss with the hot sauce who gets it all like Monty Hall.


")

08-12-2017 09:20 AM #16 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by robert-e View Post
Its concerning when people read these...brushing up on some skills?

Nope, doing some research for a new blog post I am working on exposing the endless BULLSHIT artists, aka that KILL IT 24/7 and never ever have slow phases, or phases where they are depressed due to the crazy toll affiliate marketing has on most people.

I want to understand how they can be pathological liers, and smile all about it and yea, doing some research into the whole persona these people have to better understand it.

08-12-2017 09:21 AM #17 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by Mr Green View Post
"Sour Grapes" is a great documentary about a wine con artist.
watched it a year ago or so, it's amazing what that guy pulled off!

08-12-2017 09:45 AM #18 Mr Green (Administrator)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
Nope, doing some research for a new blog post I am working on exposing the endless BULLSHIT artists, aka that KILL IT 24/7 and never ever have slow phases, or phases where they are depressed due to the crazy toll affiliate marketing has on most people.

I want to understand how they can be pathological liers, and smile all about it and yea, doing some research into the whole persona these people have to better understand it.
You don't believe that some people are doing solid numbers year round without being depressed?

Obviously it's extremely rare to grow your numbers every month. Having "slow phases" could translate to lack of growth, or a little dip. But lack of growth still doesn't mean that your numbers aren't solid.

08-12-2017 10:10 AM #19 iAmAttila (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by Mr Green View Post
You don't believe that some people are doing solid numbers year round without being depressed?

Obviously it's extremely rare to grow your numbers every month. Having "slow phases" could translate to lack of growth, or a little dip. But lack of growth still doesn't mean that your numbers aren't solid.
There always is the 1% yes that are always killing it 24/7. But most people, the majority all experience downfall, and slow times in the world of affiliate marketing. Offers going down, new policy killing a vertical they were doing well in, losing all of their accounts because of new algo update, and the list goes on.

I blog for the majority, who are normal people and experience the rollercoaster ride, not the 1%. For these, there are gurus that have always the perfect screenshots, and talk about nothing other than scaling methods 24/7.

08-12-2017 10:11 AM #20 manu_adefy (Veteran Member)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
Nope, doing some research for a new blog post I am working on exposing the endless BULLSHIT artists, aka that KILL IT 24/7 and never ever have slow phases, or phases where they are depressed due to the crazy toll affiliate marketing has on most people.

I want to understand how they can be pathological liers, and smile all about it and yea, doing some research into the whole persona these people have to better understand it.
1. There's always a difference between the online persona and the actual private person - some people are just naive and don't think of this.
2. Cause and effect might not go only in the way you suggest - just from the few things I know about depression, people generally tend to overcompensate on the outside and can seem extremely motivated, ambitious, happy, etc.

I think if your goal is to understand this type of person in general, you are be better off reading about psychology in general, at least at first. The focus in most documentaries and books is on the scam(s) they pulled off, not on what makes them tic. Simple social psychology books and experiments where regular folks are made to act like psychopaths, in circumstances that are not too uncommon in day to day life, tell much more about the human psyche and what could make people be con artists.

08-12-2017 01:54 PM #21 Mr Green (Administrator)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
There always is the 1% yes that are always killing it 24/7. But most people, the majority all experience downfall, and slow times in the world of affiliate marketing. Offers going down, new policy killing a vertical they were doing well in, losing all of their accounts because of new algo update, and the list goes on.

I blog for the majority, who are normal people and experience the rollercoaster ride, not the 1%. For these, there are gurus that have always the perfect screenshots, and talk about nothing other than scaling methods 24/7.
If the screenshots are faked, that's not good. If they blatantly lie when questioned about their success or lack of, that's not good either. But, I don't understand the issue around people talking about purely their successes. It's their personal choice?

08-12-2017 07:12 PM #22 matuloo (Legendary Moderator)

Quote Originally Posted by iAmAttila View Post
Nope, doing some research for a new blog post I am working on exposing the endless BULLSHIT artists, aka that KILL IT 24/7 and never ever have slow phases, or phases where they are depressed due to the crazy toll affiliate marketing has on most people.

I want to understand how they can be pathological liers, and smile all about it and yea, doing some research into the whole persona these people have to better understand it.
Going on with your anti-GURU crusade, ain't you?

08-12-2017 08:31 PM #23 cyberbrowski (Member)

I would come at it from a different angle. Rather than how they did it, why did it work? Check out Bernays, Lippman and LeBon.

08-14-2017 12:09 AM #24 cmdeal (Veteran Member)

https://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Lies-B.../dp/1250007437

made also into a movie with Robert de Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer and directed by Barry Levinson

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1933667/

08-14-2017 06:45 AM #25 falcon (AMC Alumnus)

This is old an a classic, but "Winning Through Intimidation" talks about real life business con men, and how to deal with them.

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