From Ponzi schemes to romance scams, from rigged investments to falsified identities, the world has never been short on con artists. These individuals—often charming, persuasive, and strategically manipulative—don’t wear masks or skulk in alleyways. Instead, they might look and sound like your neighbor, a successful entrepreneur, or even a trusted friend. What separates con men and women from the average person is not just their willingness to deceive but the distinct psychological traits that drive them to do so.
This article explores the core character traits that most con artists possess, drawing from behavioral psychology, law enforcement insights, and academic research. The aim is to better understand what makes these individuals effective manipulators—and how to recognize the warning signs before becoming a victim.
A defining trait of many con artists is an overwhelming degree of charm. Not just surface-level likability, but a calculated, strategic use of charisma that enables them to gain trust quickly. They know how to make others feel seen, heard, and valued. In many cases, they mirror the behaviors, values, or emotions of their target, creating a false sense of connection.
This charm is rarely accidental. It is deployed like a tool, often refined through trial and error. It allows con artists to penetrate social, romantic, or professional circles with ease, bypassing natural skepticism and planting the seeds of manipulation.
Lying comes naturally to con artists—not just occasionally, but compulsively. Experts often describe their dishonesty as “pathological,” meaning they lie habitually and without remorse. Their lies can be about trivial details or the central elements of their fabricated identity. Over time, they may even begin to believe their own fabrications, blurring the line between deception and delusion.
What makes their lies effective is not just their content but the delivery. Con artists lie with confidence, rarely flinching under pressure or scrutiny. They control their tone, facial expressions, and posture to make their stories more believable. In fact, many seasoned con artists are skilled enough to pass lie detector tests.
Con artists typically display a stark absence of empathy. They are capable of committing emotional, financial, or psychological harm with little or no remorse. While they may feign concern or affection, this is often an act—a means to an end.
This trait aligns closely with antisocial personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder in some cases, though not all con artists meet the clinical criteria for these diagnoses. Regardless, their inability—or unwillingness—to empathize with others allows them to exploit people without emotional hesitation.
Another hallmark trait of con artists is their acute sense of opportunity. They are skilled at identifying vulnerabilities in people, organizations, or systems—and exploiting them. Whether it’s a grieving widow, a lonely retiree, or a bureaucratic loophole, they know where and when to strike.
This opportunism is coupled with keen situational awareness. Con artists are often excellent listeners and observers, quickly learning the routines, relationships, and soft spots of their targets. They use this information to customize their schemes and manipulate effectively, tailoring their pitch to each individual mark.
Con men and women often exude confidence that borders on arrogance. This can be mistaken for self-assurance, leadership, or even genius, especially when cloaked in designer clothes, a convincing backstory, or a LinkedIn profile full of fabricated achievements.
This exaggerated self-image is sometimes a sign of narcissism. Narcissistic individuals not only believe they are exceptional but also that they are entitled to special treatment. In the mind of a narcissistic con artist, the rules don’t apply to them, and their superiority justifies the manipulation of others.
Contrary to popular belief, not all con artists are highly intelligent in a traditional or academic sense. However, many possess a form of street-smart intelligence—cleverness, social savvy, and strategic thinking. They are often excellent improvisers, capable of thinking on their feet and adapting their stories when challenged.
They also tend to have strong verbal skills, which they use to dominate conversations, distract from inconsistencies, or spin doubt back onto the victim. This cognitive flexibility makes it difficult to pin them down with hard evidence or inconsistencies—until it’s too late.
While some scams are fast-moving, many cons unfold over weeks, months, or even years. Con artists often display extraordinary patience. They’re willing to cultivate relationships slowly, knowing that the long con can yield a far bigger payoff than the short one.
This patience is often paired with remarkable emotional control. They know how to keep their emotions in check, maintain composure under stress, and shift tactics when confronted. Their ability to stay calm and recalibrate makes them difficult to expose in real time.
When caught or challenged, con artists rarely accept responsibility. Instead, they pivot to deflection, denial, or even counterattack. They might claim the victim is overreacting, misremembering, or misunderstanding. In more extreme cases, they accuse the victim of dishonesty or attempt to discredit them entirely.
This tactic not only stalls investigations but often sows doubt in the minds of victims or their support systems. Some victims are even gaslit into believing they were complicit or foolish, adding shame to their loss and making them less likely to report the crime.
Most con artists don’t rely on a single scam or identity for long. They shift gears as needed—changing names, occupations, or even entire backstories. This fluidity makes them difficult to track and allows them to reappear under a new guise in a different town, industry, or social circle.
Their adaptability also allows them to exploit trends. In the digital age, this might mean pivoting from in-person scams to online fraud. Romance scams, crypto investments, fake charities—con artists evolve alongside their environment, always hunting for the next vulnerable target.
It’s important to note that any one of the traits listed above can exist in ordinary individuals who are not criminals. Many successful salespeople, politicians, or public speakers share traits like charm, confidence, or strategic thinking. What distinguishes a con artist is the combination of these traits with malicious intent and the willingness to exploit others without remorse.
Understanding the psychology of con men and women is not about fostering paranoia but promoting awareness. They don’t always look the part. They may not be wearing a trench coat or speaking in cryptic riddles. More often than not, they are articulate, likable, and seemingly trustworthy.
But behind the mask is someone who views human beings not as people, but as opportunities.
As technology evolves and the modern world becomes increasingly interconnected, the tactics of con artists will continue to change—but their core character traits remain strikingly consistent. Recognizing them is the first step toward protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your community.
Have you ever encountered a con? Recognizing it might be the only thing that stops the next one.