The best scams are built around conspiracy theories. They afford the ultimate shell game.

Why?

Because it gives the scam artist "cover." It fortifies him with an automatic defense against his critics. It exonerates him from past failures. And, importantly, it provides an excuse for future delays, gives him time to run for cover when everything collapses. In other words, it creates the perfect stage setting from which to operate.

Overall, a well-developed conspiracy theory is a great rallying theme. It blends like minds, mutual resolve, shared purpose, goals. It breeds collective paranoia. There is, therefore, a set of basic rules the scam artist follows in producing this highly-desired atmosphere of "communal harmony" to embellish his "pitch. Accomplishing this enables him to fully exploit his con game in all of its ramifications. Hence, these are those rules-of-the-game he follows, rules to watch for, in order to protect yourself to the fullest.

1. Get your sucker-audience to focus on some elaborate conspiracy, one dedicated to stomping on courageous visionaries like yourself--you, the con man, being the one who is able to cut through the enemy's monopoly and use his investors' funds wisely to bestow benefits upon them--earn money, save money, awards, merits, fame--never before dreamed possible. If the victims fully subscribe to your hogwash, they will earn Brownie points along the way. Good mind game.

2. Now, get your foot in the door. Light a fire under your sucker-audience. Get them, as a group, ready to go bear hunting with a stick. Talk about your valiant battles with some government bureaucracy or private organization Get them stomping mad and eager to join you in your crusade against "them."

3. Dispensing learned counsel in rapid-fire bursts, talk bravely about your battles with the bad guys trying to steal, or bury, your ideas. Fearlessly claim that you will shred, obliterate, destroy your records before you will permit the indignity of allowing these to fall into "their" hands. Whip them into a frenzy, figuratively ready to chase a tornado in a convertible with the top down.

4. In addition to your "base" enemy, faceless government agencies of many types also make good whipping boys. These must also be made out to be "the enemy" you must bravely fight. Cite examples of their misdeeds. Cite the Law of Bureaucracy they follow: Nothing is ever accomplished by being reasonable.

5. Don't fear investors who defect. There will always be some. Most will feel they've been suckered, and be too embarrassed to make a lot of noise about their misfortunes (of dealing with you). With the few who will protest too loudly, call them agents of the "Big Conspiracy" operating against you. ("Do you see how they infiltrate?" you will ask of your remaining, loyal followers.)

6. Bury all attacks against you in a wave of minutia. Create enough distractions to mesmerize these people, put them to sleep over endless, meaningless detail. Tire them to the point where they will do anything to avert further debate, if only to stay awake.

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