R. Paul Wilson Discusses Strategies for Reinventing Classic Scams
In the annals of con artistry, few tricks have stood the test of time like the "Miracle Purse Con," originally known as "The Lucky Pocketbook." This two-person scam, though not breaking the mark's bank or making the con artists a fortune, was simple enough to fleece thousands of victims.
The game begins after a night of poker or an evening at the bar, when someone leaves a small purse behind. The con artist, playing the role of a good loser, casually picks up the purse and, upon opening it, a scene unfolds. The mark, upon opening the purse, is more than certain that the coin inside will have a different date. But when he reads "1880" on the coin, he is utterly dumbstruck.
The purse owner claims that the penny inside the purse is from the year he was born. The group, not satisfied, asks to see the coin, but before the purse owner can open it, his secret partner stops him and claims that no pennies were struck in 1880 due to a copper shortage. The mark, believing he has been had, collects his cash, demands the return of his lucky penny, and storms off, never to return.
Over the years, the "Miracle Purse Con" has evolved to fit new circumstances, cultural shifts, and technology. In modern adaptations, online marketplaces and social media platforms are used to reach potential victims remotely. Digital counterfeit methods like fake payment apps, QR codes, or digital wallets replace physical cash. Sophisticated storytelling via texts, emails, or calls reinforces trust, while targeting trends and desires such as luxury counterfeit goods sold via Instagram or WhatsApp groups remain popular. Mobile and cashless payment manipulation allows hustlers to quickly extract funds before victims realize the scam.
For instance, J.N.'s version of the con game involved leaving his wallet on the floor, containing a two-dollar bill with his birthday in the serial number. His partner would convince someone to replace the two-dollar bill with two singles. The flap inside the wallet, originally designed to conceal large bills, was the perfect hiding place for a single two-dollar bill. The con artist might accuse the person who replaced the original penny of not checking the coin he replaced it with. The two con artists manipulate the crowd by tempering their performance according to the reaction of their marks.
While recent case studies or reports from 2025 specific to the "Miracle Purse Con" may be scarce, the general trends suggest that hustlers continue to evolve cons like the Miracle Purse Con to fit the current era. For more detailed or recent information, a focused search on law enforcement reports, fraud prevention sites, or latest scam trend analyses may be necessary.
- Some modern adaptations of the "Miracle Purse Con" are conducted online, using platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp to sell luxury counterfeit goods, while exploiting trends such as gambling-trends, sports-betting, and casino-and-gambling.
- Digital counterfeit methods, such as fake payment apps, QR codes, and digital wallets, replace physical cash in updated versions of the "Miracle Purse Con."
- The original "Miracle Purse Con" has been modified to include casino-games, as the scam can now take place in casinos or through online casino-games, manipulating the beliefs of unsuspecting victims.
- In some iterations of the "Miracle Purse Con," the con artists use sports, like poker, to create an atmosphere of camaraderie before executing their cons, ensuring they maintain an air of trust with their marks.
