Frank W. Abagnale Jr.

Brief History Criminal AccomplishmentsCrime Prevention Accomplishments Between the ages of 16 and 21, he successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, a college professor and a pediatrician Cashed $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in every state and 26 foreign countries. Known as one of the world's most famous confidence men. Escaped custody on more than one occasion. Audemars Piguet—designed the anti- counterfeiting technology incorporated in one of the world’s most luxurious watches. Author of three books on white collar crime and identity theft—“The Art of the Steal”, “The Real U Guide to Identity Theft”, and “Stealing Your Life” ADP—designed their current payroll check issued more than 800 million times a year for the payrolls of thousands of corporations. Safechecks, Inc.—designed the SuperCheck and SuperBusiness Check considered to be the most secure checks in the world In the past 31 years Mr. Abagnale has worked with 65% of the Fortune 500 Companies in America.

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Hypothesis The majority of people who are aware of Frank Abagnale only know him to be a superior conman. In this paper I argue that his criminal activities are an immediate result of his family’s dysfunction and impersonating professionals was his way of escaping his troubles.

Sub Claims I also argue that since he was convicted as a youthful offender he was given a second chance and he took advantage of his rare opportunity by becoming an asset to the criminal prevention field.

Other Arguments Had he not committed the crimes as a youth, he would not be in the position he is in today. Abagnale is a unique criminal because he was given a second chance and now he works to prevent the very crimes he committed and he is working with some of the most prestigious companies in the world.

Warrant My reason for writing this paper is to show that what he did as a criminal is easily over shadowed by what he has done in the past 35 years to help prevent crimes of theft. This is important because when people think of Abagnale they think of the criminal and not what he has done to improve society.

My Results From Research Abagnale had a troubled youth that led him down the path of criminal activities He was not proud of what he did and this is exactly why he began to work with the FBI and other organizations to prevent white-collared crimes. Although there is a movie about his criminal activities the director, Steven Spielberg is quoted saying, "I did not make this film about Frank Abagnale because of what he did.. but because of what he has done with his life the past 30 years."

"Frank Abagnale is an extraordinary human being, brilliant, compassionate, honorable and a past master at his craft. The word genius is overused, but here it applies.” David Cid Former Assistant Agent in Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation