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An alert from OPSEC.

A confidence trick is an attempt to defraud a person or group by gaining their confidence. A confidence artist is an individual operating alone or in concert with others who exploits characteristics of the human psyche such as dishonesty and honesty, vanity, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility, naivety and greed.

Terminology[link]

A confidence trick is also known as a con game, con, scam, grift, hustle, bunko, bunco, swindle, flimflam, gaffle, or bamboozle. The intended victims are known as marks. The perpetrator of a confidence trick is often referred to as a confidence man or woman, con man or woman, con artist or grifter. When accomplices are employed, they are known as shills.

In David Mamet's film House of Games, the main con artist gives a slightly different description of the "confidence game". He explains that, in a typical swindle, the con man gives the mark his own confidence, encouraging the mark to in turn trust him. The con artist thus poses as a trustworthy person seeking another trustworthy person.

History[link]

The first known usage of the term "confidence man" in English was in 1849. It was used by American press during the United States trial of William Thompson. Thompson chatted with strangers until he asked if they had the confidence to lend him their watches, whereupon he would walk off with the watch. He was captured when a victim recognized him on the street.^[1]

Vulnerability to confidence tricks[link]

Confidence tricks exploit typical human characteristics such as greed, dishonesty, vanity, honesty, compassion, credulity, irresponsibility, desperation and naïveté. As such, there is no consistent profile of a confidence trick victim, the common factor is simply that the victim relies on the good faith of the con artist. Victims of investment scams tend to show an incautious level of greed and gullibility, and many con artists target the elderly, but even alert and educated people may be taken in by other forms of confidence trick.^[2]

Shills, also known as accomplices, help manipulate the mark into accepting the con man's plan. In a traditional confidence trick, the mark is led to believe that he will be able to win money or some other prize by doing some task. The accomplices may pretend to be strangers who have benefited from performing the task in the past.

A greedy or dishonest mark may attempt to out-cheat the con artist, only to discover that he or she has been manipulated into losing from the very beginning.

See also[link]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Bell, J. Bowyer; Whaley, Barton (1982). Cheating and Deception (reprint 1991). New Brunswick (USA), London (UK): Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-88738-868-X. http://books.google.com/books?id=ojmwSoW8g7IC. 
• Blundell, Nigel (1984) [1982]. The World's Greatest Crooks and Conmen and other mischievous malefactors. London: Octopus Books. ISBN 0-7064-2144-2. 
• Dillon, Eamon (2008) [2008]. The Fraudsters: Sharks and Charlatans - How Con Artists Make Their Money. Merlin Publishing. ISBN 978-1-903582-82-4. 
• Ford, Charles V. (1999) [1999]. Lies! Lies!! Lies!!!: The Psychology of Deceit. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.. ISBN 978-0-88048-997-3. http://books.google.com/books?id=_FSc5C2bFYUC. 
• Henderson, Les (2000). Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, scams, frauds. Coyote Ridge Publishing. ISBN 0-9687133-0-0. http://books.google.com/books?id=-aJ8d_oewg8C. 
• Kaminski, Marek M. (2004). Games Prisoners Play. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-11721-7. http://books.google.com/books?id=YIGzIaNmokgC. 
• Maurer, David W. (1999) [1940]. The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man and the Confidence Game (reprinted). New York: Bobbs Merrill / Anchor Books. ISBN 0-385-49538-2. http://books.google.com/books?id=xJUOAAAACAAJ. 
• Maurer, David W. (1974). The American Confidence Man. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. ISBN 0-398-02974-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=W6twAAAACAAJ. 
• Smith, Jeff (2009). Soapy Smith: The Life and Death of a Scoundrel. Juneau: Klondike Research. ISBN 0-9819743-0-9. http://www.soapysmith.net/id50.html. 
• Sutherland, Edwin Hardin (1937). The Professional Thief (reprint 1989). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-78051-1. http://books.google.com/books?id=muZuPt327pwC. 

External links[link]

• "Arrest of the Confidence Man" New York Herald, 1849
• Dateline NBC investigation 'To Catch a Con Man'

Robert Vadra
Born	Robert Vadra
Nationality	India
Occupation	Businessperson

Robert Vadra is an Indian businessman notable as the husband of Priyanka Vadra and also a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family by marriage. He was born to Rajinder and Maureen Vadra on 18 April 1969. Rajinder Vadra hails from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh and Maureen was of Scottish origin (maiden name: McDonagh).^[1]

Family[link]

His brother Richard Vadra was found dead in September 2003 at his Vasant Vihar residence, and his sister Michelle died in a car accident in 2001. His father Rajinder Vadra committed suicide^[2][3] on 2 April 2009.

Controversies[link]

Vadra has been exempted from frisking at airports when travelling with 'other SPG protectees^[4] presumably his wife or other family members. The list of such VIPs was compiled and forwarded to the concerned authorities by the Government of India on 26 September 2005. Others on the list include the President, the Prime Minister, former Presidents and PMs and SPG protectees.^[5][6] This move has come under scrutiny since more important entities on the warrant of precedence. BCAS Commissioner S. R. Mehra declined comment.^[7]

His bodyguard was prevented from carrying a pistol into Parliament.^[8]

Robert Vadra publicly disowned his father Rajendra Vadra following claims of misuse of Robert's proximity to the Gandhi clan.

Subramanian Swamy, an Indian politician claimed through his tweet that Vadra has migrated to Dubai and settled in a Rs. 50 Crore mansion.^[9]

Businesses[link]

• He owns, Artex, a small company specialising in jewellery and handicraft exports.
• His companies have received unsecured loans from DLF Limited, India's largest real estate conglomerate.^[10]
• Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd (owned by Vadra and his mother Maureen Vadra), is a partner in a firm that owns Hilton Garden Inn in the South Delhi business district Saket. As on March 2009, Sky Light Hospitality had received unsecured loans amounting to 25 crore from DLF Ltd.
• Blue Breeze Trading Pvt Ltd (aircraft chartering)
• North India IT Parks Pvt Ltd
• Real Earth Estates Pvt Ltd
• Sky Light Realty Pvt Ltd.
• India Today weekly has reported that he has a partnership and wide-ranging transactions with the country's biggest realty firm, DLF Limited.^[11]

Politics[link]

Robert Vadra has said that he will join politics at the "right time for the right cause" with the consent of his family and that his wife Priyanka Gandhi should also enter public life.

In an interview to Zee news, Vadra said just as in his case he would not be pushed, Priyanka's entry into politics will be decided according to the need to do so at a particular point in time.^{[citation needed]}

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sonpath, Rediff India
• The Rediff Interview with Rajinder Vadra, Rediff United States
• Don't know if I'll join politics, but I can win from anywhere, The Times of India, Oct 20, 2010.

Prakash Javadekar (Hindi: प्रकाश जावडेकर) (born January 30, 1951) is a Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha and a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was elected to Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra in 2008. He is the official spokesperson of the BJP.^[1]

Early life[link]

Prakash Javadekar was born in Pune in the family of Shri Keshav Krishna Javadekar and Ranjani Javadekar, a school teacher. He studied B.Com. from Pune. He was associated with ABVP from student days.

He worked with Bank of Maharashtra for 10 years from 1971– 1981. He also worked in Rural Development Dept. Sick Unit Cell, Employment Promotion Pragramme of the Bank.

His father Keshav Krishna Javadekar was a senior leader of Hindu Maha Sabha and even lead its Pune unit as its President. His father was friend and follower of Veer Savarkar. He worked as joint editor of Marathi Daily started by Lokmanya Tilak - Kesari before having stints with some other newspapers like Tarun Bharat, Kaal as journalist. He still occasionally writes his thoughts in some newspapers. His mother is from Konkan region and was one of the first educated women from her area. Nowadays she conducts free classes of Vedic education for women.

Positions held[link]

Present[link]

• Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India
• National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party
• President, GLOBE India (Global Legislators Organisation for Balanced Environment
• In-Charge, BJP Economic Forum and Cells related to Economy
• President, NOINO (National Organisation of Insurance Officers)
• President, KCKU (Khadi Commission Karmachari Union)^[1]

Committees[link]

• Member, Press Council of India
• Member, Public Accounts Committee
• Member, Standing Committee on Human Resources and Development
• Member, Consultative Committee for Ministry of Power
• Member, Committee on Subordinate Legislation
• Member, Committee on Wakf

Previous posts held[link]

Executive President, State Planning Board, Maharashtra (1995–1999) Member of Legislative Council - Maharashtra from Pune Division Graduate Constituency for 12 yrs (1990–2002) Chairman, Task Force on IT, Govt. of Maharashtra (1977–1999) Chairman, Working Group on "IT for Masses" Govt. of India (2000)^[1]

Political Work[link]

• Led Student Movement under ABVP in various capacities (1969–1977)
• Organised Satyagraha against Emergency Rule and imprisoned (1975–1977)
• Elected Senate Member of the Pune University for 12 years (1975–1987)
• National Secretary and General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (1984–1990)
• Full-time worker of BJP since 1981
• State Secretary and Campaign Chief of Bharatiya Janata Party, Maharashtra (1989–1995)
• Produced 6 video and 10 audio Films/Music Cassettes for BJP Propaganda
• Spokesman of BJP, Maharashtra (1994-1996 and 2002-2003)^[1]

Emergency days[link]

Prakash Javadekar was a student activist and worked for ABVP during days of emergency. He was arrested during emergency for leading a Satyagraha in Pune. While in jail he was diagnosed with major problem in heart but government was not willing to give permission for operation. All the political activists arrested in jail went on fast and finally government budged in. He was operated upon and came out from jaws of death as during those days survival rate of heart surgeries was abysmally low.

Complaint in Coal Mining Scam[link]

On 31 May 2012 based on his complaint about various irregularities in coal mining, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) directed a CBI enquiry. Reacting to this he said, "We have made a formal complaint to CVC because there were so may glaring lacunae which needed to be probed. If the inquiry has been ordered, it's good."^{[2] [3]}

Personal life[link]

Prakash has a sister who is MA BEd and is working as a school teacher and one brother who is BCom working in central bank.

His wife is Dr. Prachee Javadekar who is a former Director of Indira Institute of Management, Pune and a leading Education Consultant. He has two sons. First Dr. Ashutosh Javadekar is a Dentist and Artist. Second Apoorva Javadekar is B.Com., CA, FCA and MA (Econmics), DSE MSC Financial Engineering, London and Pursuing PhD in Economics from Boston University.^[1]

Achievements[link]

• "Sir Purshottam Das Thakur Memorial" National Award, for research Papers on "Rural Development & Banks role in Co-ordinated approach".
• Led delegation to Boston to Negotiate Media Lab Asia Project (2000)^[1]

References[link]

[1]

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Gopinath Munde (born December 12, 1949)^[1]) is an Indian politician. He is a senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Early life[link]

Gopinath Munde was born in Nathra Village, Parali, Beed, Maharashtra, India, in a farmer's family in rural Maharashtra. According to him, his parents "struggled against heavy odds and did not spare any efforts to provide education for him". Gopinath also mentions on his website that his primary education was in his village which, at that time, did not have a school building and remembers having "trodden a long stretch of 12 km to appear for the examination with a swollen foot".

For secondary education, he moved to Parali town to attend the Zilla Parishad school. After passing matriculation, he joined college in Ambejogai for graduation in commerce. It was here that he was drawn to politics. He claims to have ensured the victory of members of his group. It was also believed that he met his wife Pradnya, sister of Pramod Mahajan.

Recent political career[link]

Gopinath is the former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra state in India. He is member of 15th Lok Sabha (2009–2014) and represents Beed. He was Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha from 12 December 1991 to 14 March 1995,^[2] after which Shiv Sena - BJP alliance government come in power during 1995-1999. During this time he held the position of Home Minister of Maharashtra state. He carried out controversial encounters of mafia, that is why there became one slogan that time "Maharashtra ke do gunde Joshi-Munde"

He is the general secretary and prabhari of maharastra state of Bhartiya Janata Party. In December 2009, he was appointed as the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.He is former Chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of 15th Loksabha from 6 jan. 2010 to 31 march 2010.

External links[link]

• Gopinath Munde presents `Salman tape' to Government
• [1] Gopinath Munde : Profile : Government of India site

References[link]

1. ^ "Childhood". gopinathmunde.com. http://www.gopinathmunde.com/childhood.htm. Retrieved 2010-09-18. 
2. ^ "PDF". http://www.legislativebodiesinindia.nic.in/STATISTICAL/Maharashtra.pdf. 

[[He is very talented person] ]

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