Who’s fooling who?
Just off a 10-minute expert segment on Morning Wave in Busan, I dove into the world of con artists and their psychological tactics. These modern-day illusionists blend a mix of confidence, social skills, and an air of authority to build trust and credibility. They skillfully exploit cognitive biases to connect with their targets, often using the Barnum Effect to make us feel understood on a personal level.
Gaslighting and conning, while different in approach—one destabilizes, the other deceives—both play on our vulnerabilities. Our emotional needs and life transitions can make us prime targets for their schemes. Yet, with awareness and skepticism, we can fend off these deceptive advances.
Here’s the video interview:
Knowledge is our best defense. Stay sharp, stay skeptical, and keep questioning.