True or False - The World of Counterfeiting and Forgery

Author: Brian Innes
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: They live by lies, deceive people, and are completely illegal?? But they are also attention-grabbing, sometimes even astonishing. Counterfeits and forgeries—and the people behind them—captivate our attention and draw immense focus. This eye-opening book delves into the captivating and dizzying details of some of the world's most famous and notorious cons. Here, you'll find the behind-the-scenes stories of why con artists commit their crimes and how they succeed; the convincing lies they craft to defraud; the methods they use to create forgeries; and new perspectives on how these con artists evade detection for long periods. Through photographs and "Forger Profiles," this book introduces perpetrators, their schemes, and the consequences, telling untold stories behind these incredible cons, bringing them vividly to life before the reader. Why not open this book and read the stories of counterfeits and forgeries of all kinds! These include: ancient coins, modern paper money, government bonds, and even stamps—whether using engraving or computers, these counterfeiters always develop clever methods ahead of the law. Artworks—from Michelangelo forgeries to modern paintings, sculptures, prints, and porcelain fakes. There's also an in-depth exploration of how experts use modern technology to detect forgeries and authenticate suspicious artworks. Documents—one of the oldest forms of crime. Presidential signatures, books, maps, and diaries are all targets for master forgers. Prehistoric Forgery—In this area, forgers' motivations are often complex. These incredible stories include the story behind the Piltdown Man and other infamous archaeological frauds. Personal Identity—from harmless con artists who fake academic credentials to serious criminals who completely assume others' identities. Here, you'll find the motivations, methods, real cons, and the victims of these con artists. Whether seeking wealth, attention, or followers, the counterfeiting and forging activities of con artists have produced many astonishing stories—reading this book is both captivating and enlightening.