Fakers: An Insider´s Guide to Cons, Hoaxes and Scams by H.P.Wood illustrated by David Clark

 

I am often reading and writing about scams - particularly dating ones, especially set in our times - but there is nothing new under the sun. As the book Fakers: An Insider´s Guide to Cons, Hoaxes and Scams by H.P.Wood illustrated by David Clark shows, the temptation to manipulate others (mostly) for financial purposes existed since time immemorial. 

Midfair tricks, Ponzi schemes, palm and psychic reading, medical hoaxes, just to name few of the most frequent occurences, people were always robbed in heinous ways. The victims were definitely not guilty and the argument of limited intelligence didn´t stand. We may just admit that some people are able to use their charm and intelligence for evil purposes. 

The author organised her material with humour - the illustrations definitely helped - gathering examples from various historical periods. However, I may not include military deception among the topics covered by the book as they rather belong to a completely different area. 

If things were never different, just tools and medium changed, how one can be covered against being a scam victim, for instance? I dare to answer referring to the closing remarks of the book: by using the weapon of skepticism and common sense. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review