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82 Deception at Work

ACHIEVEMENT LIES

These lies, which are an integral part of most frauds, hit you when you least expect them. The
liar chooses the time, the circumstances and the weapons: everything is in his favour but he
will usually assess his chances of success and decide whether or not to engage in what is effec-
tively a fight with the victim. If the fraudster believes the balance is not in his favour, he will
deflect to another victim, to another time, place or another method. Thus, a deep awareness
of your risks and the circumstances in which you may be deceived is a great defence. That is
why this book should be carried with you at all times. Also the personal manifesto (Chapter
[xref]) should ensure that you do not become the victim of achievement lies. They are always
preventable if you ask the right questions at the right time.

For every credibility gap, there is a gullibility fill.
If it looks too good to be true, it is

EXCULPATORY LIES: PERMANENTLY REMOVING SUSPICION

Objective

Totally stopping an investigation and removing himself from suspicion is an ideal outcome for
the liar and he has two options, based on the ‘fight, flight or appeasement’ decision discussed
in Chapter 2, page [xref].

Attack

The option to attack will be used if the liar believes it will achieve his objectives.

AN ATTACK: THE SWORD OF TRUTH

‘If it has fallen to my destiny to start the fight ‘A few weeks later, there was a moment of
to cut out the cancer of bent and twisted absolute stillness in the court as Jonathan
journalism in our country with the simple Aitken, once dubbed the tallest, handsomest
sword of truth and the trusty shield of British man in British politics, bent over to study the
fair play, so be it. I am ready for the fight.’ documents that had just been placed in his
hands. They revealed that the testimony he
Jonathan Aitken, former Defence Minister, had recently given on oath had been a lie.’
author of the book Nixon: A Life, and later
The Guardian
jailed for perjury

The attack may include:

• Challenging:
– the motives, authority, skill or independence of the victim or the interviewer,
– the evidence.

• Threatening or using:
– violence,
– legal action,
– any other action that could damage the victim, including blackmail.

• Interfering with the evidence:
– destroying records,