Few tales are as astonishing as that of Frank Abagnale Jr., an only child whose audacious acts of fraud and deception stunned both law enforcement and the general public. His story, immortalized in the movie Catch Me If You Can, showcases his meteoric rise as one of the most ingenious con artists of the 20th century.
Early Life of Frank Abagnale Jr.
Born on April 27, 1948, in Bronxville, New York, Frank Abagnale’s life seemed ordinary at first. The external facades of family stability, however, shattered when he became aware of his parent’s divorce. This emotional upheaval might have acted as a catalyst for the dramatic turn his life took in his teenage years.
While other teenagers grappled with the angst of youth, Frank Abagnale chose a different path. By the age of 16, he had embarked on a series of deceptive escapades that would make him one of the most sought-after criminals in the United States.
A Spectrum of Frauds: From Checks to Careers
One of Abagnale’s first ventures into the world of fraud was his manipulation of checks. He discovered that by manipulating the numbers on his own checks, he could overdraw. This opened the door to a much larger world: forging checks. Over the years, Abagnale forged bad checks worth millions, leading him to be chased by the authorities across multiple states.
But Frank Abagnale didn’t stop at bad checks. He assumed multiple identities, each more daring than the last. He posed as a Pan Am pilot, which he accomplished without ever stepping into a flight simulator, let alone an actual cockpit. His fake identity as a pilot allowed him to travel the world, hitching rides on flights, with the unsuspecting airline bearing his expenses.
Abagnale also posed as a pediatrician in Georgia, under the alias Dr. Frank Williams. He even secured a position as a sociology professor at Brigham Young University for a brief period. In Louisiana, he pretended to be a lawyer and managed to secure a position in the attorney general’s office, after actually passing the bar! He used public records, borrowed credentials, and played on people’s trust and lack of fact-checking.
Catch Me If You Can: The Chase
Behind the tales of his exploits was an intense game of cat and mouse. The FBI was onto Abagnale’s tricks, and Carl Hanratty, an FBI agent, made it his mission to apprehend him. The relentless pursuit by Hanratty and the FBI was significant in Abagnale’s story.
His ability to evade authorities was unusual. He used a series of deceptive practices, from altering his work schedule to ensure he was always a step ahead, to employing psychological tactics. On one occasion, while in Atlanta, Abagnale noticed agents outside his residence. Pretending to be an FBI agent himself, he convinced the police that he was an undercover inspector. This bought him time, and he evaded arrest once more.
However, every true crime story must come to an end. Abagnale’s ending came when he was arrested in France, at the age of 21. The French police, collaborating with the United States, apprehended him after recognizing him from a wanted poster. Following a brief stint in French prison, he was extradited to the U.S. Here, after facing trial, he was sentenced to 12 years in a federal prison.
Abagnale successfully deceived various banks and companies, swindling over $2.5 million through counterfeit check fraud. When the FBI finally caught him, he had circulated over 17,000 counterfeit checks in 26 different countries.
His story took another turn in the late 1960s. While in prison, Abagnale was offered a furlough by the U.S. government. In exchange for his release, he would assist the FBI, including Hanratty, by teaching them the tricks of his trade, effectively aiding them in preventing fraud.
Public Perception and Media Presence
The tale of a young con artist who duped society’s systems, from banks to airlines, became a sensation among journalists and the public. Abagnale’s story was splashed across newspapers, making him a household name. He appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where the host and audience were both intrigued and baffled by his tales.
His memoir, titled Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake, co-authored with Stan Redding, detailed his adventures. This book would later serve as the foundation for the movie.
Catch Me If You Can: The Film
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Catch Me If You Can was released in 2002. With a storyline just as intriguing as Abagnale’s, the movie was destined to be successful.
Leonardo DiCaprio was cast as Frank Abagnale. He brought the young con man’s charisma and intelligence to the silver screen, painting a believable picture of his escapades. Opposite him, Tom Hanks played determined FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, illustrating the agent’s commitment to capturing Abagnale.
The movie also boasted a stellar supporting cast. Christopher Walken played Frank Abagnale Sr., providing more insight into the emotional turmoil that might have factored in to young Abagnale’s decisions. The character of Paula Parks, played by Nathalie Baye, was a nod to Abagnale’s various romantic engagements. Brenda, played by Amy Adams, gave us a brief glimpse into a life of normalcy that Abagnale could have pursued.
A Cautionary Tale
From posing as a TWA flight attendant to faking his way into roles as a doctor, lawyer, and even a university professor, Abagnale’s life story is nothing if not extraordinary. In the end, Frank Abagnale’s story could be the greatest hoax ever pulled off by a teenager, or, a cautionary tale driven by trauma, desperation and ambition.