Steps in a con game 7

Let's stick for a few minutes on the use of flattery to get the mark interested in the con and in the con game.

     As we discussed, most people like to think that they are part of some "secret" cabal or have access to "privileged" knowledge.  It's how cults keep their membership going and it is also how some people are led to believe that they can develop "super" powers.  Government agencies that clear people for Top Secret clearances have to be certain that the people who are cleared for such high-level work are psychologically balanced individuals since they will be gaining access to classified information.  They have to learn to separate themselves from the information (ah, yes, my younger days, when I had a Top Secret clearance and was working for the Federal Government....)

     Con artists know that many individuals will fall prey to this kind of thinking.  By making the mark believe that "this game or money making idea" is not for everyone BUT "you" are one of the chosen few, it is much easier to separate the mark from his money.  Just another psychological trick that can pay enormous dividends in the end.