International Law

Don't Pitch to the Bitch

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Karen Blumenthal, writing at the WSJ, has a nice article entitled "Fraud Doesn't Always Happen to Someone Else."

"Scammers are very good at zeroing in on victims' weaknesses.

Con artists work to control the conversation, talking fast, using exciting statements, promising big returns and acting like the victim's friend.

One con artist in the Finra study told researchers that he spent the first 15 minutes of each call with one victim praying because he learned that she turned to God when faced with a decision.

James Vitale, who spent time in prison for peddling fraudulent business opportunities, says he learned to listen carefully to victims and then paint the picture they wanted to see.

Eventually, they're lulled almost into a stupor, "hearing exactly what they want to hear," he says.

Earlier this year, Mr. Vitale, now 42, told a Federal Trade Commission fraud forum that he preferred speaking with a man because "you can lather him up and push all the green buttons."

Women were more cautious and asked too many questions, he said, prompting an office maxim, "Don't pitch to the b--."

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on August 11, 2009 (boomark / email).