title: Rip-Off: A Writer's Guide to Crimes of Deception (Howdunit)
author:  Fay Faron 
description: Something tells us we would be nave to believe this book would appeal solely to mystery writers. Detective Fay Faron, syndicated newspaper columnist ("Ask Rat Dog") and author of <I><a href="/exec/obidos/ASIN/089879790X/${0}">Missing Persons</a></I>, has written a primer sure to turn any novice (writer, of course) into a scam expert. <I>Rip-Off</I> removes the mystery from such cons as the pigeon drop, Latin lotto, Gypsy-sweetheart scams, guaranteed-prize mailers, charity scams, bait-and-switches, biz-op scams, the Texas twist, identity theft, carny cons, chain letters, psychic hotlines, three-card monte, Ponzi schemes, 809 phone numbers, and gambling stings. Faron's writing advice focuses on identifying the basic traits of perps and pigeons (60 percent of pigeons are seniors, but we're all susceptible), defining the lingo (drag broad, shaky mom, mish roll, etc.), and counseling writers to "tell the story from the point of view of the victim." <I>--Jane Steinberg</I>
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  **E** **VERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®**
  
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  **Copyright© 2020 Winter Sloane**
  
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  ISBN: 978-0-3695-0161-5
  
  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
  
  Editor: Audrey Bobak
  
  **ALL RIGHTS RESERVED**
  
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  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted
  work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically
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  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious.
  Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living
  or dead, is entirely coincidental.
  
    
  
  **DEDICATION**
  
  To my readers, I hope you enjoy Marco and Lila’s story as much as I loved
  writing it.
  
    
  
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  **CLAIMED BY THE CRIME BOSS**
  
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  _**Severin Family, 4**_
  
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  **Winter Sloane**
  
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  **Copyright © 2020**
  
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