[Robert DeLong]

Interesting scam. Now that makes more sense, at least to a degree, because then she should have questioned his involvement with organized crime figures.

Was this information in the article, or was it in another article that you read?

[BlackVeil]

I watched a netflix documentary about this scammer - it was fascinating how he went on, and hooked so many women into his schemes.

I totally agree with you that the mark should have questioned his story, that he was being targeted by organized crime figures. In fact, his whole set up - if one took it as genuine - looked very much like organized crime rather than legitimate diamond trading - the armed bodyguard, the stories that people with guns were after him, etc. Real high level gem traders don't carry the goods around with them, or need high security.

But somehow he got these women in. It helped that he had people around him - all saying the same story - presumably paid to do so.