

Both the con man and his victim are laid bare in this classic study of the intersections of psychology and crime.

Smith was first published in 1922, Confessions of a Confidence Man remains just as relevant today for its timeless observations on human nature. When accomplices are employed, they are known as shills.Ĭonfessions of a Confidence Man: A Handbook for Suckers By Edward H. Reporting about this arrest, a reporter of the New York Herald publicized Thompson by naming him the "Confidence Man".Ī confidence trick is also known as a con game, a con, a scam, a grift, a hustle, a bunko (or bunco), a swindle, a flimflam, a gaffle, or a bamboozle. A few people trusted Thompson with their money and watches.

Thompson was a clumsy swindler who asked his victims to express confidence in him by giving him money or their watch rather than gaining their confidence in a more nuanced way. Samuel Thompson (1821–1856) was the original "confidence man". The perpetrator of a confidence trick (or "con trick") is often referred to as a confidence (or "con") man, con-artist, or a "grifter". Confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, and greed.Ĭonfidence game, confidence scheme, ripoff, scam, and stratagem are some synonyms. Here is something that will help you be observationally astuteĪ confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust. I know you will agree with me that the world would be different if great people making an impact were in powerful positions. I believe that good people should learn to observe others and seek power. I'm a coach specializing in presence, power & influence based in Hong Kong coaching internationally.
