Elliot Castro
Britains Boldest Fraudster, Introduced by the man who found him?
Elliot Castro in conversation with Neil Forsyth

In April 2005, Scottish journalist Neil Forsyth read a small article in The Scotsman newspaper. The article carried a few basic details of the capture of a 21-year-old Glaswegian credit card fraudster called Elliot Castro. Intrigued, Forsyth wrote to Castro in Wormwood Scrubs Prison and so began the process that led to Forsyth writing Castro’s astonishing biography.

When Other People's Money - The Rise and Fall of Britain's Boldest Fraudster was published in April 2007, it caused a considerable stir. The book was serialised by the Guardian and has been covered throughout the UK and international media with Castro appearing as a guest on programmes as diverse as This Morning and Newsnight, where Jeremy Paxman advised viewers to read more of Castro’s extraordinary story.

From the age of fifteen, Castro began his criminal life. He would progress from a petty thief to one of the most notorious credit card fraudsters in the world, stealing a seven figure sum through some an ingenious combination of knowledge of the card systems and old-school confidence tricks. The money was spent on an international pursuit of the high-life as Castro led a collection of national police forces, banks and credit card companies around the world in his wake.

He was finally captured thanks to the painstaking detective work of a Heathrow DC, months from retirement. Detective Ralph Eastgate fully co-operated with the book and he and Castro remain in touch.

It is little surprise that the film rights to Other People’s Money were recently bought by the producer of the Oscar-winning Last King of Scotland, and the book’s development into a movie is not under way.

The Presentation

The presentation begins with an on-stage interview between Neil Forsyth and Elliot Castro which brings out Castro’s story. From the early days in his native Glasgow, to the later years spent staying in world-famous hotels and flying First Class around the world, he describes his criminal techniques and the escalation of his illicit gains.

Crucially, Castro will relate the systems he used on both the card companies and individuals and demonstrate how human nature makes forms of manipulation so easy to achieve. Forsyth contributes with his experiences in writing the book and talks about the mysterious security departments of the world’s biggest banks, who are often better funded and organised than the police, but operate under incredible levels of security.

There is then an extended Q and A session where Castro will answer at length questions from the audience.

Additional

It is possible for bulk orders of Other People’s Money to be made from the publishers at a special discount price, and Castro and Forsyth are available to sign books if required.

‘I think Elliot Castro's incredible story, and the discoveries I made while writing it, would be of interest to any business that has human beings rather than computers making crucial identity decisions.’
Neil Forsyth, Journalist

‘For a period of my life I had more money than I could physically spend. I flew wherever I wanted, stayed wherever I wanted and had nothing to do but enjoy myself. It was while in prison for the final time that I began to turn my life around and I am delighted that I have now found happiness in an honest life. I now use the experiences of my criminal career to advise banks and the financial industry on how to improve security and guard against the inventive individual fraudster’
Elliot Castro, former fraudster.

‘I have never seen or heard of anyone who has been so effective with credit card fraud. It’s easy to think of him as a young guy who uses his genius in the wrong way, but he is one of the most successful credit card fraudsters of recent years. If you look at the amount of activity going on then you’d think it was the work of a well-organised gang. When you add in his age. Well, it’s unbelievable’
Detective Ralph Eastgate.

Quotes for "Other People’s Money – The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Boldest Fraudster"

"A fascinating and illuminating story" - Irvine Welsh

"An exhilarating Brit variation on Catch Me If You Can" - Arena Magazine

"A scintillating read" - Maxim Magazine

"An extraordinary tale" - Sunday Tribune

"A concise, self-critical memoir...with some welcome flashes of humour. – Daily Express

"An amazing tale...a great read" - FHM

Would you like to talk to us about this speaker?

If you have an enquiry about this speaker, or would like to check availability for your event, please complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible...

Speaker :	Elliot Castro
Your Name :
Company Name :
Tel No. :
Email :
Date of your event:
Comments/Enquiry :
Best time to call :
Please enter number shown:

| back to top |    | back to category listings |