The art of the con: history's most infamous scammers
Convicted fraudster Anna Sorokin joins the new season of 'Dancing with the Stars'
LIFESTYLE Crime
There are many kinds of criminals out there. Some succeed through ruthlessness, violence, and intimidation. Con artists, on the other hand, are known for being quick-witted and charming. With con artists becoming the subject of movies and shows like 2022's 'The Tinder Swindler' and 'Inventing Anna', we're becoming more and more aware of just how easy it is to scam and be scammed.
After her story was portrayed in the Netflix drama 'Inventing Anna', Anna Sorokin went from posing as a fake German heiress to becoming a contestant on 'Dancing with the Stars'. Still under house arrest for grand larceny, the former con artist will attempt to win public approval through her participation in the reality competition show, all while wearing her ankle bracelet monitor.
We're often told things like "fake it 'til you make it" or "walk in there like you own the place." To get what we want in life, whether it's a job, a loan, or a lease, it often comes down to our ability to inspire confidence. Some people are better at this than others, but those who excel often end up as captains of industry or con artists. The skill sets are surprisingly similar!
These scammers channeled their vast intelligence and charisma into perfecting the art of the con. Click through the following gallery to learn about history's most notorious con artists.