Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, scams, frauds.
by Les Henderson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Les HendersonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-05-17
ISBN: 0968713300
Number of pages: 436
Publisher: Coyote Ridge Publishing
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780968713303
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, scams, frauds.
Book Review: The World's Second Oldest Profession?
Summary: 4 Stars
"Imagine then, a worthless item covered in gold dust so fine that while appearing lustrous, a simple puff of wind or breath reveals its true value." p.5
I own the first edition (2000). I believe Les both wrote and published it himself. There is so much raw data here, I think an editor would have provided some measure of control. That's one explanation for the book being over 600 pages long. Another culprit is the large font size. I suppose one justification for that might have been the anticipated readership, i.e., senior citizens who might be scam targets (and who I suppose have bad eyesight!).
Still, the author is to be commended for tracking down these scam artists. If the book is not as attractive as one from a major publishing house, so be it. The message is still valid, and the cost of purchasing "Crimes of Persuasion" must surely pale in comparison to the potential for lost life savings.
After all, it is easier than ever to get scammed and we must always remain vigilant. Is an offer too good to be true? Then it probably is. While not advocating paranoia, I believe a healthy degree of skepticism will prevent criminals from taking your money easily. As well, there is a responsibility to keep an eye on our elderly relatives who are, it must be said, ripe for the picking. Many older people have a trust and respect for their fellow citizens which can be exploited. They also may be unable to fact check or do due diligence online.
"Offenders routinely include an element of urgency in their pitches, stressing that the prize, investment, or other item being offered will not be available unless you send the required funds quickly." p.13
This book covers many variations of scams, some popular, some less encountered. Pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, chain letters, Nigerian 4-1-9 ("The manufacture of impressive stamps and letterhead is now supported by a huge infrastructure funded by the huge success of this industry." p.522), lottery and sweepstakes, medical billing, money clubs, affinity fraud, and much, much more. Even other ways of separating yourself from your money, such as boiler room telemarketing, or face-to-face street scams like the pigeon drop.
Ever received a series of calls (or newsletters) accurately predicting market trends or even specific stock movement? Here's the magic behind the curtain:
"The scammer began with a calling list of 200 people. In the first call, he told 100 that the price would go up and the other 100 were told it would go down. When it went up, he made a second call to the 100 who had been given the "correct forecast." Of these, 50 were told the next price move would be up and 50 were told it would be down. The end result: Once the predicted price decline occurred, he had a list of 50 persons eager to invest." p.90
In addition to the concerns I mentioned at the outset, only five pages of "Solutions" at the very end of the book seemed light. The pagination as it relates to the Table of Contents was also askew. Hopefully the 2nd edition (2003) remedies these issues, and is more readable. I'm guessing so at least on the latter point, since it is listed at a slimmed down 436 pages.
Once you are prepared with the knowledge and insight to repel scammers, you can watch late-night Get Rich Quick informercials just for the fun of it.
"The unnaturally happy and enthusiastic audience is paid to applaud and look dumbfounded as each new feature is revealed." p.482
Further reading might include License to Steal and The Big Con:
License to Steal : The Secret World of Wall Street and the Systematic Plundering of the American Investor
The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man
Summary of Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, scams, frauds.
In-depth fraud coverage of computer crimes such as pyramid schemes make this crime library of internet crimes the cyber crime location for the schemes and scams that con artists perpetrate.
White collar crimes such as prime bank fraud, pyramid scams, internet fraud, phone scams, chain letters, modeling agency and Nigerian scams, computer fraud as well as telemarketing fraud are fully explained.
This crime report on organized crime topics include credit card fraud, check kiting, tax fraud, money laundering, mail fraud, counterfeit money orders, check fraud and other who's who true crimes of persuasion.
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