How to spot a con artist

I thought it would be appropros to link to the Secretary of State website of Georgia and warn people about how to spot a con artist. The Secretary of State website is warning people about investments but if they're visiting here, they must have an interest in the incredible adventures of our man, Joe Cafasso aka a million aliases we can't even keep track of. So I've paraphrased some of the tips given there.

Rule Number 1: Con Artists Do Not Like To Be Found

Con artists know that being themselves hurts business. Effective con artists must disguise their true motives. Whether your first contact with the con artist is through an unsolicited email or telephone call or a stranger ringing your doorbell, the con artist takes great pains to look, sound and speak like you or me. Often, con artists like to blend in with others in your group whether that group is political, community (such as the local senior center), religious or other. They quickly get to know a lot of people in the group so they can count on this common bond to spread the word about their questionable investments and reel in unsuspecting investors and/or victims for whatever schemes they're cooking up.

Rule Number 2: Con Artists Dress For Success

Even though con artists would like you to believe that they are "just plain folk," they are smart enough to realize that this alone will not sway you to part with your money or heart. They work very hard to come across as smooth, professional and successful. They might even talk about having a clipper ship at Bannister's wharf! Con artists may dress like they are wealthy and make it appear as though they work out of impressive looking offices or Universities. If your only contact is by email, it may bear a prestigious sounding address. Often, this is nothing more than a email like hotmail. So be careful when Cafasso uses a capital police email address that's at hotmail! Use your brains! Your best bet is to look behind the surface and do some serious investigating before you befriend this individual, and particularly if he's asking you to part with any money.

Rule Number 3: Con Artists Often Appeal to the Dreamer

Never give someone control over your purse strings or credit cards, even if he says the FBI is going to pick up the tab.

Con artists appeal to the dreamer in you. Many people secretly believe that Horatio Alger’s rags-to-riches story can become a reality for them -- if only they get the right break. Con artists will only sabotage your dreams. They promise you the chance of a lifetime without giving you any meaningful written information, will promise you the moon and the stars, only to disappear with your valuables in a short period of time in a puff of smoke.

Rule Number 4: Con Artists Bring Out The Worst In You

Skilled con artists can bring out your worst traits, particularly greed, fear, and insecurity. Fear comes into play when the con artist warns you that you're "rocking the boat." The worst possible line you can fall for is 'trust me'. Con artists try to make you feel inadequate if you don’t believe them. In addition, con artists know how to make you believe that if you lack confidence in them, this is a personal slight to their abilities. If you find yourself making any decisions based only on your emotions, watch out!

Rule Number 5: Con Artists Are Fair Weather Friends

Before you get to know them, con artists are very friendly and can be very charming. They take a personal interest in you out of the blue. They call back when they promised they would. Each time, they tell you even more good things, which could be completely made up. You may feel you’re being pressured. You are. Face it. Despite his or her kind words, the con artist will do anything in his or her power to make a sale. Too often, contact with the con artist dwindles and then stops altogether, once he's squeezed what he wants from you. If you cannot get answers to your questions, this may signal danger. Always be careful. Always ask questions and expect straight forward answers.

Rule Number 6: For Every Silver Lining, There Is A Cloud

And that is true with the world of Joe Cafasso; no matter what alias he is using at the moment. Be careful of a guy with an eyepatch, an Indiana Jones hat, a cane, or any combination. Be careful of a guy who complains about physical ailments and needing an operation; that might be the signal that he's about to split on you. And most of all, don't fall for the line that he's dying, because all he's really dying for is his next mark!