Con Men

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Every once in awhile we’ll catch the story of a con man on one of the crime shows. It’ll be about a guy who swindles money from well-to-do women or elderly people. 

The schemes are usually elaborate and involve tremendous detail. Then when the guy is caught there’s absolutely no remorse. 

The penalties don’t seem all that much either and the guy usually gets out and moves to another city and starts over.

It’s crazy.

Of course, there have been great cons pulled off right in our faces these last four years, but this ain’t about him.

A few months back I was introduced to a new supervisor on one of the jobs. I only spoke with the man for about three minutes, but after he walked away I asked, the guy I knew well:

“Something off about that dude?”

“Maybe,” he said. “He has been talking a lot about God. He wanted to set up a prayer circle. He asked one of the laborers, who was a little dirty, if he wanted to use the shower at his hotel to clean up. The guy was a little weirded out.”

So, I forgot about the guy.

Went back to visit the site again. Inquired about the new guy who wasn’t around.

“Oh, he’s gone. Look what we found out.”

He was one of those con men!

A laundry list of fraud charges.

In cities all around the country. Some of the cons involved felony sized thefts. There were aliases listed. 

Even a couple of quotes in the newspaper as the story was written.

“His favorite saying is, ‘Would I lie to you?’ He said it so honestly and sincerely that it often bought him time to get away.”

Fascinating because I can’t imagine the energy it takes to live such a life.

All the lies to remember.

All the trouble.

But zero guilt. Guys like that don’t have a conscience.

Company is lucky to be rid of him, but he’ll show up again.

Would I lie to you?

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