"A true con artist is all about giving the mark confidence. Its nice to let the mark think he's got something up his sleeve. But always, always make sure you've got something up yours." [Ash Morgan Series 5 Episode 6]
Series Overview
Hustle follows a group of con artists who specialize in long cons - a con that is perpetrated over an extended period of time. They con from the amoral and the undeserving, the rich and the greedy. It's not just about the money. Their first rule of the con is you can't cheat an honest man, because an honest man doesn't want something for nothing.
The only way this works is if you want something for nothing. So in return they give you nothing for something.
As The Roper, Albert's role is to identity potential marks. He is a member of every gentleman's club in London under different names, he's also in touch with concierges of all major hotel and they let him know when all the high rollers are in town. And occasionally some marks just fall in his lap. The Roper otherwise known as the 'Outsideman' is the man who identifies with 'the mark' to gain their confidence. Usually playing the part of an ex-serviceman or a retired banker.
After roping the mark Albert introduces the mark to the inside man, who tells the tale and sets up the con. 'The first step is to create the world, lay the bait and draw them in.' Once the tale is told and the bait is given this is when The Fixer comes in. The Fixer confirms the tale, 'he makes sure where ever the mark looks your story holds up.' So everything has gone according to plan the mark took the bait and now the convincer is given.
Giving the mark a convincer allows the mark to make a substantial profit on the first scam therefore removing any doubt the mark may have. And in the process of removing any doubt they gain his/her trust. This convincer, convinces them that a larger investment will work equally well. The convincer is the weakest point, this is the only point they are in a negative position, the mark has the upper hand.
After the convincer is given a sting is set - at this point the team always gives the mark an out. But by now their greed has been fed from the substantial profit they made from the convincer. You sting a mark by convincing him to play outside the rules.
The only way this works is if you want something for nothing. So in return they give you nothing for something.
As The Roper, Albert's role is to identity potential marks. He is a member of every gentleman's club in London under different names, he's also in touch with concierges of all major hotel and they let him know when all the high rollers are in town. And occasionally some marks just fall in his lap. The Roper otherwise known as the 'Outsideman' is the man who identifies with 'the mark' to gain their confidence. Usually playing the part of an ex-serviceman or a retired banker.
After roping the mark Albert introduces the mark to the inside man, who tells the tale and sets up the con. 'The first step is to create the world, lay the bait and draw them in.' Once the tale is told and the bait is given this is when The Fixer comes in. The Fixer confirms the tale, 'he makes sure where ever the mark looks your story holds up.' So everything has gone according to plan the mark took the bait and now the convincer is given.
Giving the mark a convincer allows the mark to make a substantial profit on the first scam therefore removing any doubt the mark may have. And in the process of removing any doubt they gain his/her trust. This convincer, convinces them that a larger investment will work equally well. The convincer is the weakest point, this is the only point they are in a negative position, the mark has the upper hand.
After the convincer is given a sting is set - at this point the team always gives the mark an out. But by now their greed has been fed from the substantial profit they made from the convincer. You sting a mark by convincing him to play outside the rules.