The Tinder Scam is a 2022 documentary that has already made the top 10 films in 92 countries, according to Netflix. The topic of scammers and their tricks is always entertaining — for those who are in the role of spectators, and not victims, of course. We all remember Ocean’s many friends well, the charming DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can and the mesmerizing Illusion of Deception. We present our selection of other films and series on this topic.
Films
The Stephen Glass Affair (Billy Ray, 2003)
What if you are a beginner journalist, but really want to break through and make a career? Lie! Stephen writes poignant material about American politicians, giving free rein to his imagination. Career went uphill … But the young psychopath gets in the way of the editor, and the truth comes out. The film is also based on real events.
«Best Offer» (Giuseppe Tornatore, 2012)
Italian psychological thriller. A renowned auctioneer (Geoffrey Rush) is invited to appraise and sell an unusual antique collection. Her new mistress, an heiress, suffers from a mental disorder and behaves very unusually. Her whims irritate the restrained snob, but individual artifacts from the collection arouse excitement in the art critic…
Moonlight Magic (Woody Allen, 2014)
One of Woody Allen’s best films is a kind comedy in which a famous illusionist (Colin Firth) comes to the Cote d’Azur to expose a fraudster. The girl is allegedly able to communicate with the dead and won the trust of an elderly widow and her son, a wealthy heir. Other relatives are seriously concerned and hope that an experienced illusionist will help bring the charlatan to clean water. The action takes place in 1928.
The Big Game (Aaron Sorkin, 2017)
A drama based on the autobiography of Molly Bloom, the owner of a closed poker club that included Hollywood stars, crime bosses, the Russian mafia and billionaires of all kinds. It is not difficult to guess that with such a composition of guests, Molly runs into trouble. And in order to get out of them, stay alive and not go to jail for the rest of her life, a woman will have to play her dangerous game.
«Good Liar» (Bill Condon, 2019)
American drama starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. A middle-aged swindler and a rich widow: he wants to rob, but suddenly realizes that a special feeling is emerging in his soul … A classic plot? Undoubtedly. But every scene and dialogue of the characters is worth watching the film to the end and find out how this story will end.
TV series
«Virtuosi» (Tony Jordan, 2004-2012)
Perhaps one of the best modern series about scammers, filmed in the UK. Heroes — swindlers of the highest suit, work together and turn the most unexpected machinations. Along the way, they tell the camera why only dishonest scoundrels become their victims. Each episode has an unexpected ending.
«God’s Gift Enterprise» (Stephen Conrad, Jim Whitaker, 2019)
Noir tragicomedy in the best traditions of the Coen brothers and Tarantino. The swindler James with an unresolved psychological trauma and the sly Paul decide to rob the church treasury, for which, as it turned out, Paul’s parents, Pastor Brown and his wife, are responsible. The scammers come up with a complex «multi-move», but the clergy turn out to be not so simpletons.
«Lupin» (George Kay and Francois Ouzan, 2021)
A modern version of the story about the famous French swindler Arsène Lupine. The action takes place in our days in Paris, the main character is a Senegalese immigrant (Omar Sy). Revenge, love, cunning transformations, clever kidnappings — the whole «gentleman’s set» for an exciting viewing.
«Inventing Anna» (Shonda Rhimes, 2022)
A new mini-series that came out on Netflix with a disclaimer: “This whole story is the absolute truth. Except for the bits that were completely made up.» The plot is based on the real story of Anna Delvey. Born in Domodedovo near Moscow, the girl becomes her own among the representatives of the New York high society, pretends to be the heiress of a German millionaire and deceives rich and influential friends for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Classic
Finally, let’s recall a few bright films about scammers from the classics of world cinema.
How to Steal a Million (William Wyler, 1966)
An old romantic comedy from 1966 with the inimitable Audrey Hepburn and the blue-eyed handsome Peter O’Toole. The daughter of an art forger decides to steal one of his works exhibited in Paris to save her father from exposure…
Scam (George Roy Hill, 1973)
The action takes place in 1936. Street swindlers randomly choose the most unfortunate victim for themselves — a small fry from a mafia group. Now they themselves become objects of hunting, and one of them dies at the hands of gangsters. Revenge is a dish best served cold. his friend decides and, together with an experienced swindler, begins to develop a cunning plan … The film, where Paul Newman and Robert Redford played brilliantly, received seven Oscars.
«Bluff» (Sergio Corbucci, 1976)
Italian comedy with Adriano Celentano and Anthony Quinn. The swindler hires the protagonist to get the old swindler out of prison, with whom the woman has long-standing scores … Further presentation of the plot is meaningless, everyone is deceiving each other every minute, and they do it with amazing ingenuity and grace.
«If Tomorrow Comes» (Jerry London, 1986)
Four-part film based on the book by Sidney Sheldon. A sweet and modest girl is going to marry a rich and beloved man. But suddenly everything turns upside down: the groom betrays her, the girl is accused of a crime and put in jail. From there, she comes out as a completely different person — a clever fraudster and a talented bank robber. Rumors about her «exploits» reach an experienced fraudster who has gathered to rest …
The Thomas Crown Affair (John McTiernan, 1999)
The first film was made in 1968. The remake is 30 years later and, according to many critics, it turned out to be even better. A jaded and bored financier (Pierce Brosnan) steals a fabulously expensive Monet painting from a museum. A talented female insurance company investigator (Rene Russo) is looking for him. Each of them is cunning and calculates the steps of the opponent in advance. Who will win in a gambling fight?
«Trap» (John Amiel, 1999)
The genre of the film is defined as an action adventure, but it could just as well be called a love drama and a story about a big scam. An insurance company investigator (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is about to catch an experienced thief (Sean Connery). She has a cunning plan ready to ingratiate herself with the inveterate criminal. But, perhaps, he is playing his own game …