The World's Wildest Cons: Incredible True Tales of Hustles, Frauds and Swindles

by Duncan McKenzie

The World’s Dumbest Criminals meets Inventing Anna, The Tinder Swindler and Catch Me If You Can

Con artists all have one thing in the audacity.

This compelling collection brings you true stories of con men and women who charm their way into all kinds of hijinks. We’re all familiar with Frank Abagnale (of Catch Me If You Can fame), Charles Ponzi (of . . . well, the Ponzi scheme), Anna Delvey (of Netflix’s Inventing Anna) and Bernie Madoff (who made off with the money). But they’re just the ones you've heard of. This collection offers not only tons of stories of actual cons, it also digs into the way cons have evolved to incorporate technology or adapt to cultural differences over time and around the world. Some cons just keep on giving, changing their stripes to work time and time again. From impostor doctors to gambling swindles to selling the Eiffel Tower for parts, McKenzie takes you on a wild ride through cons of all shapes and sizes.

From funny to stupid to diabolical, The World’s Wildest Cons will captivate you—because when it comes to a con artist, we just can’t look away.

Genres: Nonfiction, Ebooks, Humor

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick thumbnail sketch of some of the ways that humans have been swindling one another, past and present. I did wish that there were a bibliography or some references to sources, but honestly this book was exactly what I anticipated--a good light read, nothing earthshaking.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm gonna go out on a limb & say they're nothing like the wildest cons in history, but they're diverting enough. A collection of little stories, three-four pages tops, grouped in loosely thematic chapters. A good thing to have around if you need something to read but only for ten or fifteen minutes.

[Jen Juenke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short tales book about the cons, scams, and deceptions scammers use to get money.

Some of the stories were insane, especially the tale of Mare antoinette and the selling of the Eifel tower.

I wish that there had been some references though

[Taylor Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book wasn’t to bad at all
Lots and lots of good stories
Some better than others
In my opinion it’s dry in times and really interesting others was a solid read just not for me

Read while at work on Tanker Damia Desgagnes ⚓️

[Enid Wray]

DNF

[Rosie Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read.