What is long con?

A long con is a type of scam or confidence trick that involves a complex and often elaborate scheme to deceive and defraud the victim over an extended period of time. Unlike short cons, which might only involve a few interactions or transactions, a long con can go on for months or even years, with the con artist building trust and creating a false sense of security with the victim before ultimately tricking them out of their money or other valuable assets.

Long cons typically involve multiple stages or phases, with the con artist gradually escalating the stakes and moving the victim through a series of carefully-planned steps. This might involve building a false identity, creating a convincing backstory, and even enlisting the help of other accomplices or "buffers" who can vouch for the legitimacy of the scheme.

Examples of long cons might include investment scams, romance scams, or Ponzi schemes, among others. In some cases, the con artist may even establish a legitimate business or organization as part of the long con, using it as a means to gain the victim's trust and extract funds over time.

Overall, long cons are typically characterized by their complexity, sophistication, and the amount of effort that goes into planning and executing them. They can be extremely damaging to the victims involved, both financially and emotionally, and often require significant resources and expertise on the part of law enforcement and other authorities to investigate and bring to justice.