I am disgusted by the snooty indifference the hotel management gave McGinn when he tried to warn them they had a con man trying to steal from hotel guests!
Wow. When giving out a key card, how about asking for ID and verifying the room registration with the ID ? I can’t believe they give a key to just ANYONE ! That’s insane!
I thought it was mind-blowing to just how irresponsible that they wouldn't double-check to make sure the person is who they say they are before they give them the key .
That’s why con is short for confidence. They put you at ease and you drop your guard. And again, since he looked like a rich guy who belonged there, and he obviously showed no nervousness, they didn’t question his intentions.
Its not that simple, pay attention, he's hanging out there all the time, talking to everyone and the staff included. A lot of people who stay at hotels do this. Most people are drones anyway, so they're always happy to help, especially if they're used to a face/charmer. You definitely have gotten conned before.
The best part is that they cannot work out how he managed to get off the island when there was only a main bridge that joins with the mainland. He has no ID documents, no money, yet turns up in Ireland.
When I was in my 20's I was very unwell and had at times needed urgent access to a bathroom. I learned how to walk into any hotel as a guest and walk confidently past receptionist to where the bathroom was. I learnt how to find hotel bathrooms by instinct. The only thing I used was some toilet paper, for which I was very grateful.
My goodness, what a hardened criminal you were… I hope you are doing much better now. The lack of public restrooms are a real problem in so many cities.
Using public toilets in a hotel is nothing underhand. I walked into the Plaza hotel in NYC to use the rest rooms - its no biggie. Hotels are open to the public because of their restaurants and are common meeting places for people. Anyone can go to a hotel bar and have a drink. Sneaking into someones room is a whole different thing.
This guy is not brilliant. All the people he encountered are stupid. You just walk up to the receptionist and ask for the room card - receptionist is stupid. You walk out of a prison to go to a dental appointment - oh so many stupid people here. First of all the people who designed this process where prisoners can walk to their appointments (LOL). They allow him to leave the prison alone. Hoping that he would return. What kind of prison is this?
Hotel security is much better now. If someone asks for a key, their picture shows up on the front desk computer screen. But this guy took advantage of the system that existed at that time.
No only a couple hotels do that. Most large chains do not have that feature. IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Choice, Radisson do not have that feature. I have worked in them all over 12 years in hotels. However I will always double check the last name and room number match. Actually the clip when he walks up you can see her screen that system is still used for IHG, Hilton and Radisson properties same thing.
@@grim789 I have worked many hotels as front desk and concierge. You would be surprised by how many luxury hotels are running Windows XP. Yeah, it's that bad. Hotels only spend money where the guests 'can see it.'
@@grim789 : In most cases he already knew the names for the corresponding room numbers; so without bothering to ask for identification; you could also have been easily conned
@sheilareza2188 ironically the same place that is curiously known for its bad teeth... Evidence: th-cam.com/video/JBHKVAs85Ko/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p-dVrPTSjvtNNye1
the experts that they dredge up for these shows really do present the most banal rubbish as groundbreaking knowledge. "when he tells the staff that he's a guest, then the staff are under the impression he's a guest." i can't even begin to imagine how much time it took him to come up with that one.
@@chipbuttytime3396 He might have in the late 90's early 2000's. You also have to remember that he is a con man. You and I may not have been able to get the security guy to open the safe, but conning people is not our stock and trade.
The Irish detective was very smart and was a few steps ahead of Juan. Obviously Juan has a gift for stealing from the luxury hotels. Certainly he enjoyed doing that but Juan did not think further than to steal things and enjoy life a bit. This is so typical of criminals. Why not invest that money into something meaningful and legitimate? Instead they spend the money they stole and then have to go and steal some more and then they get caught.
I was wondering where he actually lived; where he actually slept at night. What a life to always be on the move; I don't consider that "freedom" at all.
You are right! Even when criminals have lots of money they go and commit another crime. They are addicted to the thrill of stealing. They also fail to invest their money into an honest business so that they will never steal again. This is especially true of drug kings. Even when they make $1 MILLION a day they never retire.
It's strange how this documentary makers assume our short term memory is nonexistent, and they have to repeat everything several times. Brian, the detective was really amazing! 👍
What's even stranger is that many viewers like you can't seem to grasp why the premise gets repeated multiple times. There's a (very obvious) reason for it, and it's not the documentary maker's fault if it's not clear to you/everyone smh
This documentary - I assume - originally aired on TV, with commercial breaks and everything. Those "reminders" were when they returned from commercial to quickly refresh the viewers memory. Obviously when the commercials are removed and it's just one continuous video, those reminders seem unnecessary.
@@killjoyxvi the reminders can be very easily removed! And you're not very observant. You should have noticed that I was only sarcastic. But, never mind.
Nope. . . and they still don't. If they recognize you from earlier, and you say you're terribly sorry to bother then but you've locked yourself out of your room, then they will give you a key. I've done this multiple times within the past couple of years (to get back into my own room, of course) It is a bit disconcerting how easy it is to get my key when the desk clerk isn't even the person who checked me in. Only one time was I asked for ID, and then she just gave me a key without ID anyway when I said "oh, I'm so happy you are doing your job well for my own protection. Unfortunately my ID is in my room that is locked" (which was true.)
They do ask for identification now. Last month I was just downstairs in a hotel for having breakfast. Just had my phone on me, was in casual clothes. I was escorted to my room by a guard to present my ID to him. He asked on the way to my room to describe my luggage or what he would see in my room. I told him, so he could verify at the open door it was as I told him. Then I took my purse and showed my ID. Later I thought it was clever from him to ask what was in my room. They must prepare their guards for guests who lie and run away or even attack the guards. Chamber maids don't open the rooms ever. This only works on movies.
@@doroparker1702 Yeah, that's not how it goes in a high-end one, though. The insistence on personalized service in those places is a permanent thing. Modernized versions of this would and do still work today.
Successful people don't become that way overnight. What most people see at a glance- wealth, a great career, purpose-is the result of hard work and hustle over time. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life..
I've been a concierge for 15 plus years and a Les Clefd’Or member; how have the staff not asked each other if they know this guy to be a confirmed paying guest? He's prayed on stupidity, nothing else.
@@zogzog1063 I'm willing to bet that he was a pretty good tipper. Not necessarily a big tipper, but a good tipper. Most likely tipping $10 for directions, or breaking a $100 at the front desk and tipping $10. Making them think that money was unimportant to him. If you only order one overpriced drink at the bar, let's say it costs $10 and you leave a $20 you will look like a big tipper.
Why didn't the staff ask him for identification before giving him a card? In many ways, it's the staff's fault that people lost their belongings, & they let him rip off the people by quoting their names, not good enough.
@@em84c Yes, you might be right on that, the security was probably really lax, & the dude somehow conned his way into the place, some people are good at talking, & he is obviously one of those people who can charm the birds out of the trees, thanks for bringing your thought to my attention.
How hard would it be for the UK Police to send a photograph to every 5* hotel throughout the country with a BOLO and a brief description so the staff are aware?
You have to remember, this was at a time when you could fly without having to show any Identification. Hotel security back then was like being a mall cop. There big concern was a guest might have too much to drink in the bar and need help finding their room.
@@r6854 Lol, I had forgotten about that. In the early 90's a classmate at school and I once swapped plane tickets because we had changed when we needed to fly home and so we each wanted the other person's flight. I actually gave my own name instead of her name (which was on the ticket) when talking to the agent checking my bag. But, when the airline agent looked confused, I quickly corrected myself and carried on with checking my bag like nothing weird had happened, and then I went through security and onto the flight with no problems at all.
Never trust anyone. It's not that they're always after you and your money. It's just that all people, including myself, are fallible. And it's not really easy to tell who's a psychopath or a sociopath among us.
@@hughbarr8408 Well, I guess recognition was rather important for him, even in a negative way... Imagine... should he have used his intellectual capacity for something that was legal. Could have made a lot more more and reached pension. 🙂
@@hughbarr8408 I really made my own system over my 57 years. Never conventional, I had one boss after my first uni. I wish I knew how he grew up, he must have been hurt a lot. He may have not seen any 'normal' life. Who knows? Life's a mystery and other clichés apply. I don't think he was/is a bad person at heart.
I was thinking something similar. Didn't more people notice the obtuseness of calling his acts "immoral" when in such close proximity to extreme wealth?
@@taraalan1131 I just searched and it says he was found dead at home 13/4/2011 From the Irish independent ; Sgt McGlinn had complained of headaches after striking his head while attending the Leinster rugby game at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday. He was discovered by his wife on Sunday evening after she returned from a trip to Cork
I work for 5star hotel and the policy is: Always ask hotel for ID, if the doesnt have it with him, send porter with him upstairs to the room, open door and wait for varification. You dont do another room card just like that.
He did not escape from prison. He was allowed to go meet a dentist without police protection. Which conman in his right mind will ever return back to the prison after his dental appointment ?
I still don't think that guy could con me because even if he was trying to act charming and hypnotic ... sorry ... how hard is it to ask someone to prove they are who they claim they are when they are trying to get the key .
@@gardensofthegods Maybe not, but have you ever worked in the service industry, especially in one that expects elite service? With people you bend over backward for, in order to keep your job and in hopes of a good tip? Especially if you've been busy doing your job and not having just watched a documentary on the topic?
As a Hotelier this has so many red flags just in the beginning, 1st of all any guest with no luggage is already reason for suspicion,(potential skipper), 2nd anytime someone asks for a room key always confirm the name of the guest in the system.🗣️! S.O.Ps are set to prevent a lot of scenarios. 🤷🏽♂️ Don't follow procedure and you might pay the ultimate price.🙄
Probably made in the format of an hour program, with breaks for commercial ads. Then they start the story anew after every break. Lots of TH-cam shows are like that, because of the template they were made for.
I’m so glad he was caught in USA In USA he will get a lot harder and long punishment unlike in UK the justice system seems very lenient and that’s the result of these criminals to get away with murder. I’m a million percent sure that he’s laughing at UK, PARIS, CANADA JAPAN about getting away with his crimes. I hope that he pays the crime he committed by staying longer in his hotel jail cell.
It depends on the state. In some states these types of property crimes are not taken seriously at all. The biggest problem he has was the state he got caught in and that he was stealing from rich people because clearly our police exist to protest the wealthy and their property . . . if he was duping the staff of the Red Roof Inn or Motel 6, then he'd be back on the streets the same day as his arrest.
I'm certainly no security expert and don't stay at swanky 5 star hotels. But my word, are these hotels so dim that they allow service employees to give someone a key card to guests' rooms only because they've seen him around and THINK he's one of their guests? And I'm sure there are many ways, without insulting anyone, for hotels to figure out how to keep guests & their valuables more secure.
I wonder how the cons affected the deceived employees. They are never mentioned as victims on this shows, and I am quite sure they are the ones who really suffer the consequences.
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?"
It’s not only about physical hurting it’s about damaging their victims in so many other terrible ways…emotionally and economically …sometimes elderly people never recover of being scammed.
Im sorry having worked in 5 star hotels all my life, I would never give a guest a new key card without any Typ of identification that is a ground for u to lose your job straight away, it’s just not worth it no matter how charming! If he was loitering round the bar or in the reception area, that would be a red flag and we would try to find out if he had a room. I cannot understand how he got away with it 🤷♀️
In my career I’ve met lots of conmen/ women. I spot them in minutes, the reality is most people can’t, they take people at face value. Like you, it blows my mind as it’s obvious, basic due diligence will flush them out.
@@jaylove3487 Because you mentioned your career and that it made you face lots of cons I went to have a look at your profile - vehicles, right? It must be a con magnet, that and real estate. I learned from my age and from my job aswell to put things in written and to see actual garantees. Other than that, you can be the most charming loving person, or even show a nobility title, I just don't care.
When you escape jail by not returning from your unescorted dentist visit, im not sure the qualifies you as an escape artist. And with how seriously the UK takes crimes, im sure he will do all of 18 months and be back out on the street.
He was released in 2021 and now lives in Mexico with his "boyfriend". He claims to be retired but left the door open for more scams. He gave an interview to Colombian media with english subtitles it's on youtube.
I think there are too many different "expert commentators" in this. And Kerry Daynes is absolutely indispensable to the context. At least this man IS something, - he is interesting enough to make a documentary about. I think that her feature serves to always tell a moral about what others should THINK of the person, but that goes without saying for the vast majority of viewers.....
This is a clear case of hotel and staff incompetence NOT the fault of a poor Colombian scammer. No reports here of the bridge of security these hotels have.
There are missing parts to this story. How can a homeless teenager from Colombia acquire the necessary skills to appear to be part of the upper crust? What about language skills to navigate the luxury hotels in different cities/countries? His own native Spanish must be quite deficient in view of the fact that he had very little schooling. I suspect he acquired a mentor at some point, possibly in Miami, his first stop.
So many of these con people. Sad just the few get caught. I'd love to see all the Indian phone scammers get caught. Even worse nobody ever gets paid back...
I know it’s just illustration but it’s amusing to hear all the “5 star hotel” talk while seeing a 3 star (at best) hotel. Also those thin bundles of ten pound notes. I mean TENS? Who carries bundles of bank notes, anyways?
Funny how these "exclusive" hotels are not named (and shamed) for their failures. If they invested better in their staff, and not suck up to the well-heeled much.
In Switzerland, a 5 star hotel member of staff ended up inviting people to breakfast with her and putting it on our room bill. We found out on check-out but refused to pay it. We already had breakfast pre-paid each morning and we used what we paid for. She obviously thought we wouldn't notice when we left.
This guy, and others like him, evidently get away with their crimes because these hotels haven't bothered to change how they operate and have put their guests at risk. They're fortunate that he only wanted to steal money and jewels and that he wasn't a rapist or murderer lying in wait for unsuspecting guests in their room. Terrorists forced airlines and airports to change their security and the hotels should have had the same attitude instead of turning a blind eye. This guy didn't seem to ever change how he executed his con so they would have only needed to change how they reacted in order to thwart his efforts. If someone asks for a new room key, why not verify their identity or at the least speak with the registered guests of that room before handing over a key? If someone asks to be let into a safe in a room, why not call the front desk first to ask if any person recently asked for a new key to that same room and/or ask the person to produce their identity and prove they are the registered guest for that room? It's not that hard to implement extra layer of security instead of making assumptions or allowing charm to be your guide.
It’s funny how that Greg seccer geezers trading advertisements always appear when I’m watching anything on TH-cam to do with finance stocks and trades conmen and fraud 😂
I used to do the same thing. I would come downstairs from my five star hotel room each morning and get three hundred dollars from the cashier with a rubber check, on a closed checking account for days until I went on to another hotel. I worked the Essex House Hotel on Central Park South in New York, Manhattan.
Yes, and you also get as much drugs as you want (they call it Meds here ) and you never do even half the time you were supposed to. The only crimes that get you a minimum of 10 years, is murder. And if you beat someone to death with your bare hands and boots, they give you a permanent hospitalisation order, with all the benefits, and out on parole in no time at all. Yes, England is a wonderful place for criminals. You just have to check which crimes get heavier penalties and avoid those......free Board and Lodging. TVs, computers, therapy, also Open University and the best in Human Rights. What a lovely place, don't you think ?
System is pretty Dumb when they let him go for Dentist Appointment and never returned? Or asking for Hotel Key without asking for ID? It call Dumb and Dumber PERIOD!!!! Doesn't get any more Stupid than this....
These folks didn't even do basic research. With Latino names, the first part is the father's family name, the second, the mother's. With the last name of Guzman-Betancourt, he should be referred to as Guzman, not Betancourt. Wikipedia knows this, but these "experts" don't!
I am disgusted by the snooty indifference the hotel management gave McGinn when he tried to warn them they had a con man trying to steal from hotel guests!
I wonder how many security and hotel personnel this guy got fired... 🤔
Well thought,yes indeed
Many because hotels will not accept accoutability
Wow. When giving out a key card, how about asking for ID and verifying the room registration with the ID ? I can’t believe they give a key to just ANYONE ! That’s insane!
oh do give over mrs pattison, for gawd sake
I thought it was mind-blowing to just how irresponsible that they wouldn't double-check to make sure the person is who they say they are before they give them the key .
@@gardensofthegodsthe cons know how to choose their mark, and know how to smooz
That’s why con is short for confidence. They put you at ease and you drop your guard. And again, since he looked like a rich guy who belonged there, and he obviously showed no nervousness, they didn’t question his intentions.
Its not that simple, pay attention, he's hanging out there all the time, talking to everyone and the staff included. A lot of people who stay at hotels do this. Most people are drones anyway, so they're always happy to help, especially if they're used to a face/charmer. You definitely have gotten conned before.
I love it how he walks the streets leaving the jail going to his doctor's appointment.
The best part is that they cannot work out how he managed to get off the island when there was only a main bridge that joins with the mainland. He has no ID documents, no money, yet turns up in Ireland.
You smite criminals… 🙄
He’s stealing…. A simpleton
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉
When I was in my 20's I was very unwell and had at times needed urgent access to a bathroom. I learned how to walk into any hotel as a guest and walk confidently past receptionist to where the bathroom was. I learnt how to find hotel bathrooms by instinct. The only thing I used was some toilet paper, for which I was very grateful.
My goodness, what a hardened criminal you were… I hope you are doing much better now.
The lack of public restrooms are a real problem in so many cities.
Now no way u can do that because all 5 star hotels hv super tight security n CCTV everywhere 😀🙏
Using public toilets in a hotel is nothing underhand. I walked into the Plaza hotel in NYC to use the rest rooms - its no biggie. Hotels are open to the public because of their restaurants and are common meeting places for people. Anyone can go to a hotel bar and have a drink. Sneaking into someones room is a whole different thing.
As a NYer most of us as youth used this same tactic.
Master criminal!!!
The incompetence of so many here is mind blowing.
Among all the most competent was the Cleaner.
There are good snakes in the snake pit
I can’t believe the UK allows prisoners to leave the prison by themselves for a “dentist appointment’. I mean WTF?
Thanks for the step-by-step instructions for a successful hotel scam.
Noe all you need is a time machine to go back to 2006
This guy is not brilliant. All the people he encountered are stupid. You just walk up to the receptionist and ask for the room card - receptionist is stupid. You walk out of a prison to go to a dental appointment - oh so many stupid people here. First of all the people who designed this process where prisoners can walk to their appointments (LOL). They allow him to leave the prison alone. Hoping that he would return. What kind of prison is this?
Agree completely. Brits dropped the ball AGAIN!! No one is surprised
Hotel security is much better now. If someone asks for a key, their picture shows up on the front desk computer screen. But this guy took advantage of the system that existed at that time.
No only a couple hotels do that. Most large chains do not have that feature. IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Choice, Radisson do not have that feature. I have worked in them all over 12 years in hotels. However I will always double check the last name and room number match. Actually the clip when he walks up you can see her screen that system is still used for IHG, Hilton and Radisson properties same thing.
@@grim789 I have worked many hotels as front desk and concierge. You would be surprised by how many luxury hotels are running Windows XP. Yeah, it's that bad. Hotels only spend money where the guests 'can see it.'
@@grim789 : In most cases he already knew the names for the corresponding room numbers; so without bothering to ask for identification; you could also have been easily conned
@@giuseppenero110 The Irish Garda were the best. Anybody thinking they can outrun them, is a fool.
@@grim789
Thank you for informing the public
Imagine him and Anna Delvey together 😂
I know...mind-boggling
Exactly what I just said😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
where in the world would a cinvict ask for a dental appointment and be let to go alone
Same place where that convict actually does go to get dental work done 😁
@sheilareza2188 ironically the same place that is curiously known for its bad teeth...
Evidence: th-cam.com/video/JBHKVAs85Ko/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p-dVrPTSjvtNNye1
Ireland.
the experts that they dredge up for these shows really do present the most banal rubbish as groundbreaking knowledge. "when he tells the staff that he's a guest, then the staff are under the impression he's a guest." i can't even begin to imagine how much time it took him to come up with that one.
uniquely stunning insight.
The audacious. Usually make the notorious
I never thought of that..I'd be arrested for holding the place up ..genius...next time I'll say I work here
😂😂😂
Clearly you don't dress correctly and stay at high end hotels. It's that easy...
3 and half years, no supervision for dentist, for a super con man, he should have done a minimum of 15 yrs.
I do feel sorry for the hotel staff who were surely blamed for the thefts at first.
This is a load of tosh, having worked in hotels he would not get access to a safe without id, this programme is a joke
@@chipbuttytime3396 He might have in the late 90's early 2000's. You also have to remember that he is a con man. You and I may not have been able to get the security guy to open the safe, but conning people is not our stock and trade.
It blows my mind how people keep describing him as debonair .
Unfortunately, there are many people like him even in the real world, where they take ordinary people to the cleaners.
@@chipbuttytime3396 that's the point.....its an Art
I hate thieves and conpeople. They have no idea the hurt and inconvenience they cause.
They don't give a crap
What about politicians ? They are conman and thieves too, living a lavish life-style at the tax payers cost!
I agree, they're the worst!
They are psychopaths, they enjoy it.
Just like a lot of big Companies out there today! Legalized cons!
Well... at least he didn't clean out the mini bar food. That will be very frustrating for the luxury hotel guests 😂
Hahahahahahahahaha
All the hotels should be charged with criminal negligence for allowing a stranger into a room; full stop!
The Irish detective was very smart and was a few steps ahead of Juan. Obviously Juan has a gift for stealing from the luxury hotels. Certainly he enjoyed doing that but Juan did not think further than to steal things and enjoy life a bit. This is so typical of criminals. Why not invest that money into something meaningful and legitimate? Instead they spend the money they stole and then have to go and steal some more and then they get caught.
I was wondering where he actually lived; where he actually slept at night. What a life to always be on the move; I don't consider that "freedom" at all.
You are right! Even when criminals have lots of money they go and commit another crime. They are addicted to the thrill of stealing. They also fail to invest their money into an honest business so that they will never steal again. This is especially true of drug kings. Even when they make $1 MILLION a day they never retire.
Nope. This one escaped after getting caught.
Twas the Irish that got ‘im!👍🇮🇪
It's strange how this documentary makers assume our short term memory is nonexistent, and they have to repeat everything several times.
Brian, the detective was really amazing! 👍
I thought the same thing! I didn’t know it was possible to keep saying the same thing over and over and call it a documentary lol
What's even stranger is that many viewers like you can't seem to grasp why the premise gets repeated multiple times. There's a (very obvious) reason for it, and it's not the documentary maker's fault if it's not clear to you/everyone smh
@@killjoyxvi haha it is your documentary isn’t it. Give it up and get a job in Walmart ya flog.
This documentary - I assume - originally aired on TV, with commercial breaks and everything. Those "reminders" were when they returned from commercial to quickly refresh the viewers memory. Obviously when the commercials are removed and it's just one continuous video, those reminders seem unnecessary.
@@killjoyxvi the reminders can be very easily removed! And you're not very observant. You should have noticed that I was only sarcastic. But, never mind.
I remember the story of the “13 year old stowaway” at Miami Airport. I am just now hearing the rest of the story.
Columbia has princes? Who knew.
British Columbia has a King as head of state.
@@JuanMartinez-fs6gu Juan said he was a prince in Colombia the country, not some Canadian district.
@@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim
LOL!
some canadian territory
He should've been an undercover agent for the FBI or something.
Who knows . ? Maybe they have recognised his talent and recruited him...
Blech. Waste of a life. 👎
That’s stupid. The hotel clerk doesn’t ask for identification for a key replacement? Duh
Nope. . . and they still don't. If they recognize you from earlier, and you say you're terribly sorry to bother then but you've locked yourself out of your room, then they will give you a key. I've done this multiple times within the past couple of years (to get back into my own room, of course) It is a bit disconcerting how easy it is to get my key when the desk clerk isn't even the person who checked me in. Only one time was I asked for ID, and then she just gave me a key without ID anyway when I said "oh, I'm so happy you are doing your job well for my own protection. Unfortunately my ID is in my room that is locked" (which was true.)
They do ask for identification now.
Last month I was just downstairs in a hotel for having breakfast. Just had my phone on me, was in casual clothes.
I was escorted to my room by a guard to present my ID to him.
He asked on the way to my room to describe my luggage or what he would see in my room.
I told him, so he could verify at the open door it was as I told him.
Then I took my purse and showed my ID.
Later I thought it was clever from him to ask what was in my room.
They must prepare their guards for guests who lie and run away or even attack the guards.
Chamber maids don't open the rooms ever. This only works on movies.
@@doroparker1702 Yeah, that's not how it goes in a high-end one, though.
The insistence on personalized service in those places is a permanent thing.
Modernized versions of this would and do still work today.
Security has became So Much More since 2003 or 2006…. You are Not going to get by with something so “cheesy” nowadays! 😅💙
I’ve lost my hotel keycard and asked front desk for a new one w/o a problem.
this entire conman series is thrilling
Successful people don't become that way overnight. What most people see at a glance- wealth, a great career, purpose-is the result of hard work and hustle over time. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life..
@Pierre Dubois You're right, Investing in bitcoin now is the best thing to do especially with the current rise in the market
people are really making a lot of money from it... . .
please I have been hearing about this Mr Aitor Lorenzo from my colleagues at work. How do I easily contact him
@@jameswest416 info 👇
+13
I've been a concierge for 15 plus years and a Les Clefd’Or member; how have the staff not asked each other if they know this guy to be a confirmed paying guest? He's prayed on stupidity, nothing else.
Preyed*
That's what I'm saying.. Who is that stupid?
They might have, but he is a con man, all he had to do was convince one of them. He basically used the technique of explore and exploit.
I wonder if he was a tipper. 'Customer' gives you a tenner and that will help oil the hinges.
@@zogzog1063 I'm willing to bet that he was a pretty good tipper. Not necessarily a big tipper, but a good tipper. Most likely tipping $10 for directions, or breaking a $100 at the front desk and tipping $10. Making them think that money was unimportant to him. If you only order one overpriced drink at the bar, let's say it costs $10 and you leave a $20 you will look like a big tipper.
Why didn't the staff ask him for identification before giving him a card? In many ways, it's the staff's fault that people lost their belongings, & they let him rip off the people by quoting their names, not good enough.
maybe they did but he came up with an excuse that it's in his room and they just accepted it.
@@em84c Yes, you might be right on that, the security was probably really lax, & the dude somehow conned his way into the place, some people are good at talking, & he is obviously one of those people who can charm the birds out of the trees, thanks for bringing your thought to my attention.
I love watching stuff like this ..
So do I! I'm currently addicted to conartists documentaries and any other types of frauds.
I do
Me too!
It's such a shame that all the people who like the same things as me are so far away from me
I prefer these any day to the horrible murder ones which so often I will skip .
If this criminal is a hypnotic man 👨 I’ve no words. He’s no Adonis 😂
Selena Selena He looks devilish to me & I don't mean that in a good way, either.
I was actually waiting for them to show this God amongst men. Still waiting 🤣
Thank you from the very beginning I thought I can't believe these people are calling him debonair and charming ... really ?
Isn't he a bit scruffy-looking?
He’s gorgeous!
How hard would it be for the UK Police to send a photograph to every 5* hotel throughout the country with a BOLO and a brief description so the staff are aware?
Right? “Latin man with a mole on the forehead” was all they needed to know.
@@peterpaul9644 😂
I know right? What the heck!
You have to remember, this was at a time when you could fly without having to show any Identification. Hotel security back then was like being a mall cop. There big concern was a guest might have too much to drink in the bar and need help finding their room.
@@r6854 Lol, I had forgotten about that. In the early 90's a classmate at school and I once swapped plane tickets because we had changed when we needed to fly home and so we each wanted the other person's flight. I actually gave my own name instead of her name (which was on the ticket) when talking to the agent checking my bag. But, when the airline agent looked confused, I quickly corrected myself and carried on with checking my bag like nothing weird had happened, and then I went through security and onto the flight with no problems at all.
Never trust anyone. It's not that they're always after you and your money. It's just that all people, including myself, are fallible. And it's not really easy to tell who's a psychopath or a sociopath among us.
The failure of values?
@@AidaShawJ.D. What? That doesn't even make sense?
The Irish detective worth more than the whole Police Force in the UK.
Yeah lol
😀😀😀👍
@@hughbarr8408 Jaysus suffering Christ I will not marry again. Ever. Too old anyway. 🙂
@@hughbarr8408 Well, I guess recognition was rather important for him, even in a negative way... Imagine... should he have used his intellectual capacity for something that was legal. Could have made a lot more more and reached pension. 🙂
@@hughbarr8408 I really made my own system over my 57 years. Never conventional, I had one boss after my first uni. I wish I knew how he grew up, he must have been hurt a lot. He may have not seen any 'normal' life. Who knows? Life's a mystery and other clichés apply. I don't think he was/is a bad person at heart.
What a man! Can you imagine how many lives he would have destroyed had he entered the world of politics?
Trump didn't have even half his cham
Just ask Joe Biden
@@hunter6719 😂
Yes, he’d be a trump clone and devotee🥸
Yes, he’d be a trump clone and devotee🥸
How about a documentary about how the rich "victims" obtained their ill gotten gains ?
Absolutely,, that's why so many never report thefts from themselves 😮
I was thinking something similar. Didn't more people notice the obtuseness of calling his acts "immoral" when in such close proximity to extreme wealth?
Ahh yea, the poor people always assuming everybody that are rich must have gotten them by some criminal act^^
@@GrgAProduction not always,, just most of the time
@@andyb.1026So majority of rich people are criminals, might even say career criminals? I’m assuming you’re saying this with nothing to back it up.
Well done for catching him, hopefully he can serve his time owed to all those countries. RIP Sergeant McGlinn
Never was so much owed to the rich by a homeless Columbia child, my hear weeps for them (the fancy hotel people I mean)
What happened to Sergeant McGlinn ?
@@taraalan1131 I just searched and it says he was found dead at home 13/4/2011
From the Irish independent ;
Sgt McGlinn had complained of headaches after striking his head while attending the Leinster rugby game at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday. He was discovered by his wife on Sunday evening after she returned from a trip to Cork
@@annedalton289 Wow , that is so SAD . I feel so bad for Sgt. McGlinn ... and his wife coming home finding him dead . Rest in peace , dear man .
He's not caught. No one knows where he is now.
lmmfao - the staff at these hotels 🤦♀️
I work for 5star hotel and the policy is: Always ask hotel for ID, if the doesnt have it with him, send porter with him upstairs to the room, open door and wait for varification. You dont do another room card just like that.
He did not escape from prison. He was allowed to go meet a dentist without police protection. Which conman in his right mind will ever return back to the prison after his dental appointment ?
Both the actor and the real con man are not that “hypnotic” charming.
In cases of many con people, it isn't their appearance necessarily that makes them charming. It's usually their behaviour.
"Charming" is a description of one's personality, not their looks.
You would be duped by them considering how superficial your estimation of "charming" is. That dude has a long history of success.
I still don't think that guy could con me because even if he was trying to act charming and hypnotic ... sorry ... how hard is it to ask someone to prove they are who they claim they are when they are trying to get the key .
@@gardensofthegods Maybe not, but have you ever worked in the service industry, especially in one that expects elite service? With people you bend over backward for, in order to keep your job and in hopes of a good tip? Especially if you've been busy doing your job and not having just watched a documentary on the topic?
As a Hotelier this has so many red flags just in the beginning, 1st of all any guest with no luggage is already reason for suspicion,(potential skipper), 2nd anytime someone asks for a room key always confirm the name of the guest in the system.🗣️! S.O.Ps are set to prevent a lot of scenarios. 🤷🏽♂️ Don't follow procedure and you might pay the ultimate price.🙄
How to make a 20 min program 45 minutes by adding redundant commentary
👋 laquacious indeed🤦
This is the same technique used by "multi-marketing" cons as they watch the old magazine racks & ficus on business mag readers.
annoying indeed, thought same. also with the footage
Probably made in the format of an hour program, with breaks for commercial ads. Then they start the story anew after every break. Lots of TH-cam shows are like that, because of the template they were made for.
@@vicj9256 Absolutely. Gets annoying to see this comment all the time …. Jeeesh people, click them 2 brain cells you have left, together…. 😅💙
Good to know how to do this, great idea! I bet this will increase theft 10 fold.
Short prison sentences do nothing for conmen, once out they'll be at it again. Make the pay (in money) for what they conned!
What money?
How could hotel staff change the password code without checking the ID?
That stowaway claptrap is not 'hard to believe' - it is absolutely impossible. His survival would be a matter of minutes.
Thats quite clever . Naughty but clever
So naughty!
Unlucky of the timing🙄 now he would be free to go undetected over the border and be put in a hotel by the city council😤
I’m so glad he was caught in USA In USA he will get a lot harder and long punishment unlike in UK the justice system seems very lenient and that’s the result of these criminals to get away with murder. I’m a million percent sure that he’s laughing at UK, PARIS, CANADA JAPAN about getting away with his crimes. I hope that he pays the crime he committed by staying longer in his hotel jail cell.
It depends on the state. In some states these types of property crimes are not taken seriously at all. The biggest problem he has was the state he got caught in and that he was stealing from rich people because clearly our police exist to protest the wealthy and their property . . . if he was duping the staff of the Red Roof Inn or Motel 6, then he'd be back on the streets the same day as his arrest.
Exactly, their sentences are a joke. Evidence of his repeat offenses should have been brought up and he should be sentenced as a habitual criminal.
Nope. Untrue. He got a mere 2.5 years.
And now, no one knows where he is.
Such a handsome young man. If only he had known to use his intelligence for something constructive.
Reminds me of the story of Frank Abignale
Frank's story.... complete fake. Proven.
I hate documentaries who play music it's very destructive you can't always hear what they are saying.
I'm certainly no security expert and don't stay at swanky 5 star hotels. But my word, are these hotels so dim that they allow service employees to give someone a key card to guests' rooms only because they've seen him around and THINK he's one of their guests? And I'm sure there are many ways, without insulting anyone, for hotels to figure out how to keep guests & their valuables more secure.
Ah, see at the end he is convicted in the US and got 10 years, in the UK he would have gotten bail or a custodial term of maybe 3 years.
In the UK, he'd be punished with 2 days probation and the justice system would apologize for the inconveniences.
Yeah, but this 10 years is for crossing the border illegally while 3 years is for theft. You can't compare the punishment for two different offences.
He should have jumped the southern border. No questions asked and free stuff once you arrive!
The way this is presented is too much crap. He was a sneak thief.
Blows my mind how they keep describing him as charming and debonair ... stupid people who thought he was hypnotic ... ?
@@gardensofthegodsIf he wasn’t charming, then he wouldn’t have succeeded, multiple times.
Hypnotic charm?? How does that manifest? Cons, heists and scams fascinate me.
I wonder how the cons affected the deceived employees. They are never mentioned as victims on this shows, and I am quite sure they are the ones who really suffer the consequences.
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !"
Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam."
Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!"
Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..."
Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!"
Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky."
Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction."
Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?"
Love it 😂 can you believe there was only ever 12 episodes made ! And remember the sign was a different anagram each episode
@@annedalton289 FATTY OWLS
Great series 😁
@@wolfparade5978 WE HAVE MEAT HERE IN ZE HOTEL !
Allbatros,
I love the confidence of con men as long as they don't physically hurt anyone. My favourite tv series are Hustle, Leverage and Good Behaviour.
It’s not only about physical hurting it’s about damaging their victims in so many other terrible ways…emotionally and economically …sometimes elderly people never recover of being scammed.
And the mentalist.
@@jaguar5455 I will need to check that out.
A sad sociopath who's empty, no soul, no money, no nothing. Easy comes, easy goes
One of the women giving commentary here, a court reporter named Sarah O’Connor has absolutely the most perfect pair of lips I’ve seen in a long time!
Im sorry having worked in 5 star hotels all my life, I would never give a guest a new key card without any Typ of identification that is a ground for u to lose your job straight away, it’s just not worth it no matter how charming! If he was loitering round the bar or in the reception area, that would be a red flag and we would try to find out if he had a room. I cannot understand how he got away with it 🤷♀️
Yes
In my career I’ve met lots of conmen/ women. I spot them in minutes, the reality is most people can’t, they take people at face value. Like you, it blows my mind as it’s obvious, basic due diligence will flush them out.
@@jaylove3487 Because you mentioned your career and that it made you face lots of cons I went to have a look at your profile - vehicles, right? It must be a con magnet, that and real estate. I learned from my age and from my job aswell to put things in written and to see actual garantees. Other than that, you can be the most charming loving person, or even show a nobility title, I just don't care.
All your life? Since birth?? 😂😂😂
@@AidaShawJ.D. oh God it seemed like at the time 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍
When you escape jail by not returning from your unescorted dentist visit, im not sure the qualifies you as an escape artist.
And with how seriously the UK takes crimes, im sure he will do all of 18 months and be back out on the street.
What hotels advertise themselves as a 2-star or a 3-star rating?
Well done the Irish detective for snagging him, but why did they not hold him until he was extradited?
He was arrested in Vermont in 2014, but I can't find out anything about him after that.
He was released in 2021 and now lives in Mexico with his "boyfriend". He claims to be retired but left the door open for more scams. He gave an interview to Colombian media with english subtitles it's on youtube.
@@Johnny-Utah-91 Thanks.
I will give it to him, he cleans up nicely lol 😆
I think there are too many different "expert commentators" in this. And Kerry Daynes is absolutely indispensable to the context. At least this man IS something, - he is interesting enough to make a documentary about. I think that her feature serves to always tell a moral about what others should THINK of the person, but that goes without saying for the vast majority of viewers.....
Delighted to see that Jacquie Haimes made detective, I remember her as a WPC on Crimewatch! Wow, this guy was so brazen?
I miss Crimewatch
The con doesn’t make sense. Since staff change, isn’t the first thing a receptionist would ask is for the person’s ID before handing over a key card?
Police bail ?????????
For someone who has no address in the country,admitting he was really a Spanish citizen ???????????
This is a clear case of hotel and staff incompetence NOT the fault of a poor Colombian scammer. No reports here of the bridge of security these hotels have.
If the producers tried, they could come up with more than one pic of the guy. That is if he's so famous. Laziness
Seriously and footage of him in the so callled fancy hotels
This is simply amazing that a con can really make people believe that he is a guest and don’t ask for identification.
I remember the case of him and the airport when he was 13.
This video is a class on how to ….
To give a key without ID is freak’s scary as f**k.
Some people don’t want to settle down or stop running.
snakes are beautiful too, but they still need to show ID before you pet them.
There are missing parts to this story. How can a homeless teenager from Colombia acquire the necessary skills to appear to be part of the upper crust? What about language skills to navigate the luxury hotels in different cities/countries? His own native Spanish must be quite deficient in view of the fact that he had very little schooling. I suspect he acquired a mentor at some point, possibly in Miami, his first stop.
So many of these con people. Sad just the few get caught. I'd love to see all the Indian phone scammers get caught. Even worse nobody ever gets paid back...
They are scoundrels
Dont give $ to men you have never met 🙄
What a concept!! Stupidity
I’ve already had 2 calls and it’s only 7.09am both Asian accents , unusual names too Brian and Hazel 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤷♀️
I know it’s just illustration but it’s amusing to hear all the “5 star hotel” talk while seeing a 3 star (at best) hotel.
Also those thin bundles of ten pound notes. I mean TENS? Who carries bundles of bank notes, anyways?
Funny how these "exclusive" hotels are not named (and shamed) for their failures. If they invested better in their staff, and not suck up to the well-heeled much.
In Switzerland, a 5 star hotel member of staff ended up inviting people to breakfast with her and putting it on our room bill. We found out on check-out but refused to pay it. We already had breakfast pre-paid each morning and we used what we paid for. She obviously thought we wouldn't notice when we left.
Best part 46:35
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Es un "genio" por el lado obscuro de la vida... Que pena!!
Never had a chance in life
They definitely had him on security videos. Strange, that did not catch him earlier.
The segment keeps referring to him as handsome. He isn't.
Whew the lawsuits these hotels must have faced
This guy, and others like him, evidently get away with their crimes because these hotels haven't bothered to change how they operate and have put their guests at risk. They're fortunate that he only wanted to steal money and jewels and that he wasn't a rapist or murderer lying in wait for unsuspecting guests in their room. Terrorists forced airlines and airports to change their security and the hotels should have had the same attitude instead of turning a blind eye. This guy didn't seem to ever change how he executed his con so they would have only needed to change how they reacted in order to thwart his efforts. If someone asks for a new room key, why not verify their identity or at the least speak with the registered guests of that room before handing over a key? If someone asks to be let into a safe in a room, why not call the front desk first to ask if any person recently asked for a new key to that same room and/or ask the person to produce their identity and prove they are the registered guest for that room? It's not that hard to implement extra layer of security instead of making assumptions or allowing charm to be your guide.
This guy has not helped his country's bad image(already).
You are right.. Colombians have a bad rep as faking documents...
@@celestecarrera2963 only faking documents?😂😂😂
Least of his worries if he was homeless living in an old plane
Yeah, one guy did a thing, so a whole country is blamed.
Don't quit your day job to start using your brain for a living, OK champ? 🤦♂
It’s funny how that Greg seccer geezers trading advertisements always appear when I’m watching anything on TH-cam to do with finance stocks and trades conmen and fraud 😂
At 2:49 they show "Sarah O'Connor" and her name is written in the Terminator font!
How do you get 3 years for 70k theft?
I realize more and more..I live a boring, conservative, honest , hard working life 😊
Then you have a clear conscience! 😊
I used to do the same thing. I would come downstairs from my five star hotel room each morning and get three hundred dollars from the cashier with a rubber check, on a closed checking account for days until I went on to another hotel. I worked the Essex House Hotel on Central Park South in New York, Manhattan.
So he told them he has a dental appointment and they opened the prison door for him!!! Did i effin hear that right!!!!
Yes, and you also get as much drugs as you want (they call it Meds here ) and you never do even half the time you were supposed to.
The only crimes that get you a minimum of 10 years, is murder.
And if you beat someone to death with your bare hands and boots, they give you a permanent hospitalisation order, with all the benefits, and out on parole in no time at all. Yes, England is a wonderful place for criminals. You just have to check which crimes get heavier penalties and avoid those......free Board and Lodging.
TVs, computers, therapy, also Open University and the best in Human Rights.
What a lovely place, don't you think ?
Yeah.....Sums up British police.
😂😂😂 fantastically true
Dirty filthy disgusting low life thieves should be locked up for life!
System is pretty Dumb when they let him go for Dentist Appointment and never returned? Or asking for Hotel Key without asking for ID? It call Dumb and Dumber PERIOD!!!! Doesn't get any more Stupid than this....
The Irish will get you!
Not if you are female and go missing around Wicklow. Six to date, I believe....
Not if you're Sophan Toscan du Plantier's murderer.... what a garda balls up that was.
@@davidjma7226 Larry Murphy. but can't be proved.
These folks didn't even do basic research. With Latino names, the first part is the father's family name, the second, the mother's. With the last name of Guzman-Betancourt, he should be referred to as Guzman, not Betancourt. Wikipedia knows this, but these "experts" don't!
These Hotels need to cop on 😮