By definition, a con artist is a manipulator who cheats, or tricks, others through persuading them to believe something that is not true. Through deception, they fool people into believing they can make easy money when, in fact, it is the con artist who ends up taking the victims money.

Are con artists born or made?

—the truth is that real con artists arent simply born. They are, as is usually the case, made as well. As the popular saying among scientists goes: Genes load the gun; the environment pulls the trigger. The exact same traits could easily be put to use in more or less devious ways.

Can anyone be conned?

You can be conned. We all can. Con artists exploit basic human need and desire. For them, its a game of belief.