Frank William Abagnale Jr. is an American security consultant. Frank is famous for his record as a confident trickster, a check forger, an impostor, and an escape artist. According to the latest estimates, his net worth stands at $10 million.
Frank ranks among the most famous impostors ever. Over the years, he created eight identities including an airline pilot, a doctor, a U.S. Bureau of Prison’s agent, and a lawyer. He was born on 27th April 1948. Abagnale was born in Bronxville, New York and spent 16 years of his life there. His mother Paulette was originally French and father Frank Abagnale Sr. was an affluent local. However, his parents separated when Frank was just 16 years of age.
He was already in and out of jail twice before he was 21 years old. He was in jail once for taxiing an airliner, and the second time was for a U.S. penitentiary. His first con victim was his own father who entrusted Abagnale with a gas credit card in order to help him save money. After ‘buying’ car-related merchandise he would ask money for the products in return from the attendants. Eventually, he ran up a bill of several thousand dollars which his father was ultimately responsible for.
Abagnale also committed bank fraud by writing personal checks to his overdrawn account. The bank started to ask him to pay back the cheques but instead he opened many accounts and created new identities. He wanted to fly around the world for free, and so he started impersonating pilots. Between 16 and 18 years old, he had flown over 1,000,000 miles on over 250 flights to 26 countries.
Thankfully, Abagnale opted to work for the FBI after spending more than 5 years in jail. He works as a lecturer and consultant for the FBI. The story of his life and work has been the inspiration for the Hollywood movie “Catch Me If You Can”.
Earnings & Financial Data
|
Date |
Category |
Description |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2002 |
Box Office Sales |
Worldwide box office sales of the movie Catch Me If You Can as a French police officer taking Leonardo DiCaprio into custody |
$352,110,000 |
|
1998 |
Salary |
Estimated salary as a consultant and lecturer at the FBI Academy and FBI field offices throughout the United States |
$50,000 |