Look Over Here! Find Out The Secrets of Misdirection from True Con Experts
In the Imposters After Show, learn how the art of distraction can be used for evil by con artists everywhere.
In this week's episode of Imposters, within about 30 seconds, Sally pulls off maybe one of the best cons yet. Simply using what's available to her at a drug store, Sally (Katherine LaNasa) got in and out with what she needed faster than you can say "Look over there!" And how did she do it? Distraction!
So for the Imposters After Show this week, host and My Favorite Murder podcaster Georgia Hardstark sits down with expert magician Joel Ward and homicide detective Michele Wood to get the secrets behind the tricks of the trade. And don't worry: this magician is revealing his secrets — well, some of them, at least. Ward does do one pretty amazing slight of hand that we may or may not have watched at least five times now.
Learn how he does it below and by watching the tricks above. And don't miss Georgia and Detective Michele dig into the distractions in Imposters Season 2 at the end of the episode.
1. Sometimes the tricks are simple.
Detective Michele and Joel are sure to remind the audience that it's not always big showy moves that pull your eye away; the simplest thing can draw your attention away from being conned. Of course, as Michele points out above, there are some telltale signs, like if you wear a ski mask. Hint: Michele might arrest you.
2. Con artists work in pairs.
It turns out that if you got your wallet stolen, most likely, it was a two-man job. And maybe a baby was involved. While someone is distracting you with their adorable baby, their counterpart is secretly stealing your cash! But don't worry: Georgia has the perfect solution above.
3. Watch your hands.
And watch the con artist's. You know how criminals steal people's watches so easily in movies? Well, apparently it's all in the hands. Magician Joel Ward explains that it's all about making you pay attention to another part of your body while they steal your cold hard cash.
Be sure to come back every Thursday for new lessons in conning with True Cons: The Tricky Business of Real Life Imposters.
