National / International News

How horrified commuters witnessed boy's fatal attack

Who's your favorite movie scam artist? This weekend on Marketplace Money, we are speaking with a few brave souls about the times when they were scammed out of some money. In a few cases, quite a lot of money. Guest host David Lazarus, consumer columnist at the L.A. Times, will be discussing the scams we fall for -- from robocalls to Ponzi schemes.

Whether it's the hustler on the street or the fake emails we receive from abroad, all of us have had an encounter with a con artist -- and while they make terrible people to know in real life, they are fascinating to watch on film.

In movies, many scammers are portrayed as seductive sociopaths with hearts of gold. But as you’ll hear on Marketplace Money this weekend, most victims of scams never see the cash they were conned out of again. We chose a sampling of some of our favorite schemers -- including the mother-daughter duo of con artists in the film “Heartbreakers” and the streetwise slickster Johnny in “Mo’ Money,” to feature in our slideshow.

Hold onto your wallets and click through to see some of our favorite swindlers from the big screen. Then, take our poll and tell us who you think the most memorable movie scam artist is. If you don't see your favorite con artist on the list, leave a comment and add your own.

Stay safe out there, folks.

Disabled cyclists on Cadair Idris

Bolivia is taking Chile to the International Court of Justice to reclaim access to the Pacific Ocean it lost in a war more than 100 years ago.

Host Michel Martin continues the conversation about how Muslims are responding to the Boston bombings and handling backlash from the events.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

In today's economy, many people in search of work can only find part-time jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds the number of 'involuntary' part-time workers has doubled since 2006. Host Michel Martin talks about what this means for the workplace and the economy, with The Wall Street Journal's Sudeep Reddy.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The committee responsible for overseeing Qatar's 2022 World Cup says a new "workers' charter" will ensure worker welfare standards in the Gulf state.

A game reserve in South Africa's Western Cape is using some rather unusual methods to conserve the local rhino population and ensure its cheetahs reproduce.

Scottish author Iain Banks says messages of support he has had from people since announcing he is suffering from terminal cancer, are "astounding".

A broadband bill sent to a deceased man by Virgin Media has gone viral on social media after his son-in-law complained.

In what sounds like a plot from The Wire, authorities say one gang has basically been running things at the Baltimore City Detention Center. The ring leader is accused of not only running his gang from the jail, but also of having sexual relations with female guards. Twenty five people face charges.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The announcement of the military exercises comes as China and Japan square off over disputed islands in the East China Sea.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The minaret of Syria's famous 12th-Century Umayyad Mosque in the northern city of Aleppo is destroyed as rebels clash with government troops.

The planned sale of 631 UK bank branches by Lloyds Banking Group to the Co-op group falls through.

A man who murdered his 17-year-old New Zealander girlfriend loses an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

A man murdered the 23-month-old daughter of his girlfriend by "forcibly and repeatedly" punching the girl, Manchester Crown Court hears.

Centre-left politician Enrico Letta appears set to become Italy's prime minister, after being asked to form a new government to end the political paralysis.

Concerns about the flu have intensified as the cases and fatalities mount. Transmission of the virus between birds and humans appears to happen fairly easily. It's unclear whether it can spread from one person to another.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Authorities say the killings happened in Manchester, Ill., north of St. Louis. A suspect is reportedly in custody. One other person, said to be a child, was injured.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Staff at the Department for Education in England are set to stage fresh strike action in a dispute over jobs and office closures.