FRANK ABAGNALE

You may have seen the film 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002), based on the real story con artist Frank Abagnale. Between the ages of 16 and 21, he successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a college professor and a pediatrician, in addition to cashing $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in every state and 26 foreign countries. Apprehended by the French police when he was 21 years old, he served time in the French, Swedish and U. S. prison systems. After five years he was released on the condition that he would help the federal government, without remuneration, by teaching and assisting federal law enforcement agencies. After five years he was released on the condition that he would help the federal government, without remuneration, by teaching and assisting federal law enforcement agencies. Here's the movie trailer:



Mr. Abagnale has been associated with the FBI for over 30 years. He lectures extensively at the FBI Academy and for the field offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is a very entertaining speaker, as this clip shows:


Mr. Abagnale felt the need to make a few clarifications when the film was released. You can read them here.

Frank W. Abagnale is one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. Surely it's a good idea to take his advice seriously. Read this piece about cheques and credit cards.