Frank Abagnale, the infamous con man, had everyone on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson stunned with his stories of deception and fraud. Abagnale’s short but illustrious career as a con man involved impersonating a co-pilot, faking as a lawyer on the state attorney general’s staff, pretending to be a pediatrician in a Georgia hospital, and even passing himself off as a college professor. But perhaps the most shocking part of his conning activities was cashing seventeen thousand bad checks, amounting to an astonishing two and a half million dollars.
When Abagnale appeared on The Tonight Show, host Johnny Carson couldn’t help but joke about how his impressive criminal skills would make him a great fit for NBC. But behind the humor and charm, Abagnale shared the reasons behind his life of deception. At the age of 16, facing emotional turmoil due to his parents’ separation, Abagnale ran away from home and ended up in New York City with no job and no money. To survive, he had to be resourceful and find ways to make more money than what typical jobs offered.
Abagnale’s ability to impersonate different professions was impressive. He adopted different names and occupations, including an airline pilot, where he would fly in the cockpit to enjoy free flights and accommodations. To pull off this charade, Abagnale obtained a pilot’s uniform by deceiving Pan American Airlines into thinking he was a pilot in need of a replacement uniform. His attention to detail was remarkable, as he even went as far as buying a model plane and using its decals to create an authentic-looking identification card.
But Abagnale didn’t stop at being an airline pilot. He also posed as a doctor, supervising interns and making crucial medical decisions without any medical training. And let’s not forget his stint as a lawyer on the state attorney general’s staff, winning cases and fooling everyone into thinking he was a legitimate legal professional.
While Abagnale’s exploits may sound glamorous, he admitted that his life as a con man was far from it. Constantly on the run and living in fear of being caught, Abagnale experienced a lonely and despairing existence. Eventually, the law caught up with him in a small town in France.
After serving time in various prisons, Abagnale turned his life around and now uses his expertise to help prevent fraud. He works as a consultant, advising large corporations, banks, and department stores on how to protect themselves from scams and cons.
During his appearance on The Tonight Show, Abagnale shared some tips on how to detect bad checks, including feeling the edges to check for perforations, looking for the correct code number, and recognizing the use of magnetic ink. His insights shed light on how individuals and businesses can protect themselves from financial fraud.
While Abagnale’s criminal activities were illegal and wrong, his story of redemption and his contributions to preventing fraud are truly remarkable. From being a master con man to becoming an advocate for security, Frank Abagnale‘s journey is a testament to the power of transformation and second chances.
Originally aired on April 6, 1978
