The thing that's amazing about a con artist is that he puts a lot of work into it and could do very well in a legitimate endeavor...but something in his nutty personality actually makes him enjoy the thought that what he's doing is wrong, illegal, immoral and fraudulent, and I think it even makes him enjoy the risk of getting caught. We're talking crazy, after all; functional, but crazy.
I'd never been all that trusting, especially regarding money. He didn't get me for all that much. A few airline tickets via frequent flyer miles and $600.00, which was a lot to me at the time. It was then that I finally saw what he was. The rationalizing, he'd pop up with a new leather coat, things like that, still owing me. "I didn't spend your money on this, your money went for business expenses just like I told you, and you'll be repaid many times over for your kindness and for having faith in me," he said.
I came close to beaning him on the head with a telephone, and did get my money back. I don't know of anyone else who has. I've seen the crazy and the vindictiveness, but never directed at me. To the people I tried to warn away, it was explained away as "sour grapes," I was just being childish over a small loss.
When it was all said and done, I didn't really cause him any problem at all. So, we're still "friends" and I do socialize with him and his longtime girlfriend on odd occasion, whenever they're having some event or get together. I think he thinks I lend him credibility, lol.
He's going to cross paths with someone just like himself one of these days, and I'm not at all certain whether it'll be twice the trouble or they'll end up killing each other. He's beyond my ability to reach. But, again, very pleasant, great company, fantastic storyteller, the best of everything, their parties lack nothing and are very enjoyable.