United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Technology a fraudster’s best friend, says reformed con artist Frank Abagnale
As con artist turned anti-fraud expert, Frank Abagnale, has a unique perspective on the fight against fraud and cybercrime.
A man who infamously tricked his way on to numerous flights as a fake off-duty airline pilot while still a teen, Abagnale concedes charisma and well-honed acting skills are no longer a pre-requisite for the would-be confidence trickster.
Technology, Abagnale says, makes it much easier to pull off a scam, both in its simplicity and scale.
“What I did 50 years ago as a teenage boy is 4,000 times easier to do today because of technology. Technology breeds crime. It always has and always will,” Abagnale said.
He cites technology advances through the prominence of the sharing economy and social media as a tool to easily create false identities with few personal details that can be verified.
Most major fraud nowadays is perpetrated without any human contact as it can all be done remotely online from the other side of the world.
This is especially true in the travel industry sharing economy where trust still plays a key role.
Abagnale, taking time out recently during a visit to London to speak with government officials about the fight against fraud, says although huge sums of money are being invested in cybersecurity, people will always be the biggest risk.
“The technology works but we’re always dealing with that weakest link, the human beings.”
He has written numerous books on his short but very successful life of crime, helps develop anti-fraud software, and speaks regularly on fraud issues at conferences.
Abagnale achieved folk hero status after his exploits were made into the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie ‘Catch Me If You Can,’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Since the 1970s he has been working with the FBI to combat the growing menace of fraud, and has seen at first hand how the landscape has changed.
Where Abagnale himself used to pass off dud checks to fund his globetrotting lifestyle, now all it takes is a little creative criminal intent and a click of a mouse.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled