VIRGINIA BEACH — Frank W. Abagnale, the man portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 movie “Catch Me If You Can,” is coming here.
Abagnale will be the keynote speaker at an AARP Fraud Watch Network event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center July 28. He will discuss his life as a con man, his transformation into a renowned expert on fraud prevention, provide tips on how to protect yourself from the latest scams, and take questions from the audience.
Abagnale will include information on fraud perpetuated against military members and veterans.
In more than four decades, Abagnale has advised the FBI on how to outsmart con artists to help people learn how to spot and avoid scams, according to AARP Virginia.
“As one of the world’s most respected authorities on forgery, embezzlement and secure documents, Abagnale has joined forces with the AARP Fraud Watch Network and AARP Virginia,” AAA wrote in a news release.
Between the ages of 16 and 21, Abagnale successfully posed as an airline pilot, an attorney, and a doctor, cashing millions in fraudulent checks. Today, Abagnale is an expert on the subject of identity theft, has written three books on the subject, and served as a consultant to some of the largest companies in the world on the subject of cybercrime, AARP says.
A free public screening of “Catch Me If You Can” will be at 11 a.m. on June 26 at Beach Cinema Alehouse, 941 Laskin Road. The film is provided free, courtesy of AARP Virginia. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Registration is required by calling 877-926-8300 or you can register online.
Here’s the agenda for the event:
WHAT: Join the AARP Fraud Watch Network and AARP Virginia for a presentation by Frank W. Abagnale on protecting yourself and your family from identity theft. The event is free.
WHO: Frank W. Abagnale, one of the world’s leading con artist experts.
WHERE: Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.
WHEN: Saturday, July 28, 2018
- 2:30-5:30 p.m.: Shred truck on site in the Convention Center parking lot for free, secure document shredding. Please limit your documents to two boxes.
- 4 p.m.: Convention Center Exhibit Hall A doors open to the public.
- 4-6:30 p.m. exhibits offering tools and resources to prevent fraud and identity theft will be set up outside Ballroom A. Food will be available for purchase from the convention center concession stand.
- 4-7 p.m. Virginia Beach Police Department Drug Take Back program will be on hand to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs.
- 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Abagnale presentation in Ballroom A.
