The Con plot reveals the anatomy of a confidence scheme, usually from the criminal perspective. Less action-oriented than TheCaper; while having some action, the main focus is on how TheMark becomes the victim of his own desires.

May contain an ATeamMontage or AvengersAssemble sequence. Commonly uses a BigStore setting at some point. See TheTale and ShortCon for descriptions of particular schemes, which may be an EigenPlot.

See also ImpossibleMission, TheInfiltration, OneBornEveryMinute.

The book ''The Big Con'', by David Maurer, is recommended to the casual reader. An anthropological study of the ConMan, it served as partial inspiration for the original ''MissionImpossible'' TV series.
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Components:
* BigStore
+ ConMan
* TheMark
+ TheTale
++ ShortCon

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!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Film ]]

*''CatchMeIfYouCan''
*''The'' classic movie example is ''TheSting''.
** And its spiritual remake ''{{Confidence}}''.
* ''MatchstickMen''
* ''DirtyRottenScoundrels''
* Many works by DavidMamet.
* ''NineQueens'' and its 2004 American remake, the generically named ''{{Criminal}}''.
* ''BrothersBloom'' shows three cons, one after the other. The last one gets complicated.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Live Action TV ]]

*''{{Hustle}}'' is an entire series of this.
** Followed up by ''TheRealHustle'', a "consumer" show detailing what to look out for and how to avoid falling for TheCon.
*''{{FX The Series}}'' was similar, about a special effects crew tricking criminals into situations where they revealed information about their crimes.
* The fifth season two-part ''RockfordFiles'' episode, "Never Send A Boy King To Do A Man's Job".
* ''MissionImpossible'' was initially conceived by Bruce Geller as a [[TheCaper caper]] series where the "criminals" were on the side of the ''good'' guys, but within a few episodes they became classic confidence men.
* ''{{Hawaii Five-0}}'' featured one episode where a gang of criminals pull a ''MissionImpossible'' con on a businessman by imitating members of the main cast and having the required perfect replica of the real office in an [[BigStore abandoned building]].
* Several Sawyer-centric episodes of ''{{Lost}}'', especially "The Long Con."
* ''{{MacGyver}}'' episode "Jenny's Chance'".
* [[{{Psych}} Shawn Spencer]] is a con man ''extraordinare''. Fortunately, he only uses his powers for good. And the occasional pick-up line.

[[/folder]]

[[folder: Radio ]]

* Many episodes of ''TheLivesOfHarryLime''.

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