The baby in the pram

A mother goes into a fur shop with a pram. She tries on a really expensive fur coat. All of a sudden, she claims she has to run out because her husband has just arrived with the car. She leaves the pram in the shop with the "baby" inside. Of course, there is no baby in the pram and the woman never returns to the shop.

The badger game

This is a blackmail scheme. It involves taking photos of a married man in a compromising position with another person. The man is then threatened with public exposure unless money is paid.

The get-rich-quick scam

The victim is offered a book on how to get rich quick or how to cure something with a miracle drug. The perfect way for the con artist to get rich quick himself.

The bottle drop scam

The con artist will bump into the victim and drop a package containing broken glass (he broke the glass previously). The con artist will then claim that the contents of the package (an expensive bottle of wine, or an ancient vase) were broken by the clumsiness of the victim, and demand money to replace them.

This con was famous in New York City and was often used against Japanese tourists.

The deceptive contest scam

The victim enters a writing competition. A few weeks later, the victim receives a letter saying that he/she has won and that the story will be included in a book. The victim is then encouraged to order the book (at a very high price, of course).

The fiddle game

A pair of con men work together on this scam. One of the con artists (con artist number 1) dresses up as an elderly man in shabby clothes. He has a meal at the restaurant. All of a sudden, he claims to have left his wallet at home. As collateral, he leaves his only possession: a violin. After he leaves, the second con

the bill'. The writer has used part of a Third Conditional construction ("would have added"). Complete the following sentences with your own ideas. "If l had known_

1. ...you were so rich, I wouldn't have...

2. ... it was going to be hot today, I wouldn't have...

3 .. .you were going to be here, I would have...

4. ...she was going to say that, I wouldn't have...

Discussion

1. If you had an unlimited amount of money to spend, what would you buy?

2. Are you careful about how you spend your money? How? Why?

3. Do you think there should be a more equitable distribution of wealth? Why? Why not?

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 752