by Moises Naim
First published 2025
Global affairs experts Moisés Naím and Quico Toro examine the modern epidemic of deception that spans from traditional snake oil peddlers to contemporary figures like Donald Trump. The authors argue that today's fraudsters exploit identical cognitive vulnerabilities that have made humans susceptible to con artists throughout history. They demonstrate how digital platforms and social media have transformed charlatanry into a global enterprise of unprecedented reach and profitability. Modern deceivers follow predictable patterns: they build trust, claim exclusive expertise or knowledge, then systematically exploit their victims. Whether examining health gurus promoting bogus treatments or cryptocurrency promoters running elaborate Ponzi schemes, Naím and Toro reveal the common tactics these manipulators use to rapidly build worldwide followings online. The book shows how these digital hucksters can quickly fleece victims while traditional institutions lag behind in their response. The authors provide practical guidance for recognizing and avoiding these deceptive schemes, offering readers tools to protect themselves from this expanding global threat.
Genres: politics, social-issues, non-fiction, 21st-century, deception, academic
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: deception, exploitation
336 pages · Hardcover · Basic Books