Classic Schemes · Street classic — 1900s to today
The Lucky Watch
A well-dressed stranger in a bind offers his gold pocket watch as collateral for a small loan he swears he'll repay by morning. The watch is brass, the man is gone, and the loan is the con.
The Big Con
David W. Maurer
Now broadcasting: The Lucky Watch
Warning Signs
- A stranger pressed for cash offering something 'valuable' as security.
- A hard-luck story designed to trigger sympathy.
- Any deal that asks you to lend now and trust later.
Protect Yourself
- Never accept personal property as collateral from a stranger.
- Real lenders are banks and pawnshops — not sidewalks.
- Sympathy is the lever every long con pulls first.
Read Deeper
The Big Con
David W. Maurer
The classic 1940 field study of American grifters — inspired The Sting.
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More Classic Schemes
Street classic — 1900s to today
THE PIGEON DROP
"A stranger 'finds' a wallet or envelope stuffed with cash and offers to split it — right after you put up a little 'good faith' money of your own."
c. 1580 – present
THE SPANISH PRISONER
"A wealthy stranger writes from a foreign jail, begging a small favor to unlock a great fortune. Four centuries later, the same letter still arrives — now by email."
Ancient Greece – street corners today
THE SHELL GAME
"Three cups, one ball, and the promise of easy money. The ball is palmed before your eyes and the crowd cheering you on is in on it."