It's not only greedy bastards who get taken in by conmen.
A successful conman (often a sociopath) has the ability to push the correct button for each victim.
Sometimes (but not always) the button is greed.
Fear can also be a useful tool, "you know your wife might be really disappointed that you didn't take this chance to get in at the start and make some good money for your family.
Another ploy is to appeal to the good nature of the victim " this is a great opportunity for you to really do something to help the environment.
I've been a salesman (got fired for taking the customers side!) and you would be amazed how easy it is to trap people into a commitment before they even realise its happened. The "assumed close" is a great one.

You should read Firepower by Gerard Ryle
Hundreds of people got taken for millions of dollars and they were not all greedy or stupid.

My campaign is aimed at getting the authorities (in particular ASIC)
to enforce the law or even change the law so that the presumption of innocence does not apply to conmen.

These bastards usually have previous form which can easily be found online.
If I could find out about Greg Watson's previous exploits (which also include the failure of MicroByte Solutions directed by Watson)never mind the SMOT nonsense.
Even after they were tipped off by me they failed to act.
Likewise the SEC in America.


"Now all the criminals in their coats and their ties
Are free to drink martinis and watch the sun rise"

Ain't it the truth?