Frank Abagnale was a youngster who learned at a very early age, crime DOES pay -- for awhile.  Frank had the uncanny ability to swindle just about anybody he met.  He created his own background numerous times by becoming a TWA pilot, a doctor and a lawyer.  Through his life he swindled millions of dollars by passing both bad check and bad payroll checks to unsuspecting banks.  He even went as far as recruiting a small flock of young ladies into believing they were trainee stewardesses and having them pass the bad checks on his behalf.