Frank Abagnale | Catch Me If You Can | Talks at Google

Reflective

Engaging

Informative

Cautionary

Inspirational

Serious

Personal

Frank Abagnale, the renowned security consultant whose life story inspired the movie "Catch Me If You Can," provides a firsthand account of his past as a teenage con artist. He details how he ran away from home at 16 following his parents' messy divorce and began a life of elaborate deception, including impersonating a Pan Am pilot to fly millions of miles for free, as well as posing as a doctor and a lawyer. Abagnale explains the methods behind his cons, his eventual capture and imprisonment, and his subsequent 41-year career working with the FBI, emphasizing his personal redemption through family and the importance of ethics.

Full Video

Shorts

Renowned security consultant Frank Abagnale introduces himself and begins to recount the true story of his past, starting with the unexpected and pivotal moment of his parents' divorce during his teenage years.

Step into the true life story that inspired "Catch Me If You Can." Frank Abagnale candidly shares the personal family event that irrevocably altered the course of his youth and set him on a trajectory he never expected. Discover the surprisingly emotional beginning of his extraordinary journey.

After leaving home, a young and resourceful Frank quickly learns to manipulate perceptions by altering his age to secure better employment. He recounts his initial steps into check fraud, discovering how easily he could supplement his income as long as he maintained a convincing facade.

What happens when a clever mind is faced with desperation? Witness the genesis of a master illusionist as he recounts his first steps into the world of deception, leveraging charm and ingenuity to navigate life on the streets of Manhattan.

Inspired by a chance encounter, Frank recounts the bold and unexpected way he began his most infamous role: impersonating an airline pilot. He details his clever strategy to acquire a uniform and the initial reactions that validated his audacious plan.

Prepare for a daring leap into the world of aviation… without a license! Hear the incredible tale of how Frank Abagnale Jr. conceived his audacious plan to become an airline pilot, revealing the surprising steps he took to acquire his uniform and embrace the skies. Will he take flight?

Frank delves into the mechanics of forging official airline ID cards using surprisingly simple tools, and how he used his adopted pilot persona to travel extensively, passing fake checks across multiple airlines and countries.

Discover how far sheer nerve and meticulous forgery can take you! Frank Abagnale reveals the astonishing ease with which he perfected his pilot impersonation, leveraging fake IDs and exploiting trust to travel the world undetected, turning every stop into a new opportunity.

Frank reflects on his life's path, emphasizing the value of family and the importance of having parents who are present. He shares heartwarming anecdotes about his own children and underscores how becoming a husband and father truly changed his life, bringing him peace and contentment.

Beyond the thrilling chases and clever cons, lies a profound story of redemption and the enduring power of love. Frank Abagnale shares his heartfelt reflections on fatherhood and the priceless impact his family had on him, revealing the ultimate journey from a troubled past to a life filled with purpose and connection.