A confidence trick or confidence game, also known as a con, scam, swindle, grift, bunko, flim flam, or scheme, is an attempt to swindle a person or persons (known as the "mark") which involves gaining his or her confidence. (For confidence tricks dealing with information theft or computers see social engineering.) History The first known usage of the term "confidence man" was in 1849; it was used by the press during the trial of William Thompson. Thompson chatted with strangers until he asked if they had the confidence to lend him their watches, whereupon he would walk off with the watch; he was captured when a victim recognized him on the street.Karen Halttunen, Confidence Men and Painted Women, p 6 ISBN 0-300-02835-0 Vulnerability to confidence tricks Persons of any

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