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The Real Hustle: 1 · The Street Scam 2 · The Long Con 3 · The Digital Trap 4 · Caught in the Act

The Real Hustle · Lesson 2 of 4

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview

Series

The Real Hustle — Lesson 2 of 4. Anna continues her investigation. In Lesson 1 she exposed a street scam. Now she follows a more complex operation: the long con.

This lesson

Lesson 2 — The Long Con. Anna has been following a team of professional con artists for three weeks. They build trust over days or weeks before striking. Their latest victim is Robert — a retired teacher who has lost his entire savings.

Level

B1–B2

Duration

90 minutes

Skills

Reading · Listening · Speaking · Writing (+ Vocabulary + Grammar)

Grammar

Present Perfect — what has happened up to now; Anna's investigation so far
Present Perfect Progressive — ongoing activities that started in the past
Must — logical deduction and strong obligation
Future Simple (will) — predictions and decisions about the future

Vocabulary

10 words (B1–B2): con artist · trust · persuade · scheme · lure · accomplice · fraud · negotiate · identity · motive

Materials

Student Handouts 1–6 (printed); whiteboard; this plan

Key Grammar — Teaching Notes

Present Perfect — connection to now

Present Perfect connects a past event to the present moment. In investigation language: what Anna has found, what the con artists have done, what Robert has lost.
Anna has been following this team for three weeks. → still happening now
Robert has lost his entire savings. → past event, still relevant and painful
The con artists have built a fake identity. → result still exists
Have you ever been tricked by someone you trusted?

Present Perfect Progressive — ongoing emphasis

PPP emphasises the duration and ongoing nature of an activity:
Anna has been investigating this group for three weeks. (still investigating)
They have been planning this con for months. (long, deliberate preparation)
Robert has been waiting for his money to return ever since.
KEY CONTRAST: "She has written the report." (PP — finished) vs "She has been writing the report." (PPP — still in progress)

Must — deduction and obligation

Two uses — teach both:
Deduction: He must be part of the team — he knew too much. / She must have known about the scam all along.
Obligation: The police must investigate this immediately. / You must report fraud to the authorities.
Note: must not = prohibition; don't have to = no obligation. These are different — contrast briefly.

Future Simple — predictions and spontaneous decisions

The con artists will move to a new city once Anna publishes her story. (prediction)
Robert says he will never trust a stranger again. (decision / promise)
The police will arrest them — it's only a matter of time. (prediction)
Contrast with going to (planned) when appropriate at B2 level.

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–6 min

Lead-in

Speaking

Review Lesson 1: "What did Anna discover last week?" Introduce the long con: "A scammer builds your trust over weeks — then takes everything." Ask: "Who do you trust with money?"

Recall Lesson 1. Discuss trust. Predict what a "long con" might involve.

6–15 min

Vocabulary

—

10 B1-B2 words. Concept-check con artist, scheme, lure. Part B gap-fill.

Part A: read + self-test. Part B: gap-fill.

15–44 min

Grammar

—

PP vs PPP contrast → Must (deduction vs obligation) → Future Simple → exercises 1–5.

Study cards. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check.

44–56 min

Reading

Gist: "What has Anna found? What happened to Robert?" Find PP + PPP structures. Tasks 1–2.

Read Anna's report. Questions. T/F/NG.

56–68 min

Listening

Context: "Anna interviews Robert about the long con." Read TWICE.

MCQ. Notes. Find grammar structures.

68–80 min

Speaking

Role-play + debate. Monitor PP/PPP distinction + Must.

Interview Robert / Anna. Debate. Discussion.

80–90 min

Writing

80–100 words. Investigation update or victim statement. All 4 structures.

Write the report. Self-check.

Listening Script — 'I Trusted Him Completely'

Read aloud twice at a clear B1–B2 pace. Do not show to students during the tasks.

Anna:

Robert, thank you for speaking to me. I know this has been a very difficult time.

Robert:

It has. I've lost everything I saved over thirty years. I still can't believe it.

Anna:

Can you tell me how it started?

Robert:

A man called George approached me at my regular café six weeks ago. We talked about investments. He seemed very knowledgeable. Over the next three weeks, we met several times. I've been thinking about it ever since — he must have been planning this from the very beginning. Every conversation was designed to build my trust.

Anna:

When did you first suspect something was wrong?

Robert:

When the money didn't arrive. George said I would receive returns within two weeks. I've been waiting for six weeks now. He has completely disappeared. His phone number doesn't work. The office address he gave me doesn't exist. He must have used a false identity from the start.

Anna:

Have the police been helpful?

Robert:

They've opened an investigation. But they say this type of fraud is very difficult to prosecute — the con artists have been operating under different names for years. They will move to another city soon, I expect. They always do.

Anna:

What will you do now?

Robert:

I will never trust a stranger with my money again. But I know that won't bring it back. Someone must be held responsible for this. The law must change — this has been happening for too long.

Grammar in the script:
· PP: I've lost / I've been thinking / has completely disappeared / They've opened / have been operating / he has used
· PPP: I've been thinking about it ever since / I've been waiting for six weeks / have been operating under different names / this has been happening for too long
· Must: he must have been planning / he must have used / someone must be held responsible / the law must change
· Will: I would receive returns / they will move / I will never trust / that won't bring it back

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary

1. con artist 2. trust 3. persuade 4. scheme 5. lure 6. accomplice 7. fraud 8. negotiate 9. identity 10. motive

Handout 2 — Grammar

Ex 1 (PP or PPP?): 1. PP 2. PPP 3. PP 4. PPP 5. PP 6. PPP 7. PP 8. PPP

Ex 2 (complete): 1. has been investigating (PPP) 2. has lost (PP) 3. have been planning (PPP) 4. must be (must/deduction) 5. will never trust (Future) 6. must report (must/obligation) 7. has disappeared (PP) 8. will move (Future) 9. have been operating (PPP) 10. must have used (must+perfect)

Ex 3 (must — deduction or obligation?): 1. deduction 2. obligation 3. deduction 4. obligation 5. deduction

Ex 4 (PP vs PPP): 1. has written (PP — finished) 2. has been writing (PPP — still in progress) 3. has investigated (PP — result) 4. have been investigating (PPP — ongoing) 5. has disappeared (PP — result, complete)

Ex 5 (errors): 1. has lost (PP — not 'lost' bare) 2. have been planning (PPP) 3. must be (deduction — not 'must to be') 4. will arrive (Future Simple — not 'will arriving') 5. has been waiting (PPP — 'for six weeks' signals duration)

Handouts 3 + 4

Reading T/F/NG: 1 T 2 F (the office address was fake — the meetings were at a café) 3 T 4 NG 5 T

Listening Task 1: 1-C 2-A 3-B

Task 2: (1) six weeks / thirty years (2) must have been planning / build trust (3) have been waiting / six weeks (4) must have used / false identity (5) will move / will never trust

The Real Hustle · Lesson 2 of 4

The Long Con

Student Handouts

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Word

What it means

con artist

a person who tricks others using clever schemes — usually over a long period of time

trust

the belief that someone is honest and reliable — con artists exploit the trust of their victims

persuade

to make someone agree to do something through argument or charm

scheme

a secret or dishonest plan — the con artists had been running their scheme for years

lure

to attract someone into a dangerous or dishonest situation — the promise of high returns lured the victim in

accomplice

a person who helps another commit a crime — George had an accomplice who played the role of a satisfied investor

fraud

the crime of deceiving someone to gain money or advantage — investment fraud costs billions each year

negotiate

to discuss terms in order to reach an agreement — the victim tried to negotiate for the return of his money

identity

who a person is — the con artist used a false identity and a fake business address

motive

the reason someone does something — greed is the most common motive in financial crime

Part B — Fill in the Gaps

1.A skilled __________________ can build your trust over weeks before taking everything you have.

2.The foundation of every long con is __________________ — the victim must believe the criminal completely.

3.George __________________ Robert to invest his entire savings by promising guaranteed returns of 30%.

4.Anna has been following the __________________ for three weeks and has documented every meeting.

5.The promise of easy money is used to __________________ victims into the trap.

6.George's __________________ played the role of a "satisfied investor" who claimed to have already made a fortune.

7.Investment __________________ is one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute because the money is transferred voluntarily.

8.Robert tried to __________________ with George to get some of the money back — but George had already disappeared.

9.The con artist used a false __________________ — a fake name, fake business cards and a fake office address.

10.The police say the __________________ is clear — money — but proving intent in a court of law is much harder.

Handout 2

Grammar

Four Structures — The Language of Investigation

PRESENT PERFECT
A past event with a connection to the present — result, experience, or recent news.
Anna has discovered a new scam. (result — she knows now)
Robert has lost his entire savings. (still affects him now)
Have you ever been tricked by someone you trusted? (experience)
Time words: already · just · yet · ever · never · recently · for · since

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
An activity that started in the past and is still continuing — emphasises duration.
Anna has been investigating this group for three weeks. (still investigating)
They have been planning this con for months. (long preparation)
Robert has been waiting for his money ever since. (still waiting)
KEY: PP = finished action / PPP = activity still in progress
"She has written the report." ← done · "She has been writing it." ← still going

MUST
Two uses — deduction and obligation.
Deduction: He must be part of the team — he knew too much.
She must have known about the scam from the start. (past deduction)
Obligation: The police must investigate immediately.
You must report any suspicious financial contact.
Note: must not = forbidden · don't have to = not necessary

FUTURE SIMPLE (WILL)
Predictions, promises and spontaneous decisions.
The con artists will move to a new city soon. (prediction)
I will never trust a stranger with my money again. (promise / decision)
The police will catch them — eventually. (confident prediction)
Negative: won't · Question: Will they be caught?

Exercise 1 — Present Perfect or PPP?

Write PP or PPP for each sentence. Ask: is the action finished or still in progress?

1.Anna has published three articles about the con artist gang. [ ]

2.She has been following them for three weeks and hasn't stopped yet. [ ]

3.The police have opened a formal investigation into the scheme. [ ]

4.Robert has been waiting for the money to return for over six weeks. [ ]

5.The con artists have used at least four false identities. [ ]

6.They have been operating this scheme in different cities for years. [ ]

7.George has completely disappeared — no one has seen him since Tuesday. [ ]

8.The victim has been trying to contact the police every day this week. [ ]

Exercise 2 — Complete the Sentences

Use: Present Perfect · PPP · Must · Future Simple.

1.Anna __________________ (investigate) this group since the beginning of the month. [PPP]

2.Robert __________________ (lose) everything he saved over thirty years. [PP]

3.They __________________ (plan) this con for months before they approached Robert. [PPP]

4.He knew exactly which questions to ask — he __________________ (be) part of the team. [Must — deduction]

5.I __________________ (never / trust) a stranger with my money again. [Future]

6.You __________________ (report) any suspicious investment offer to the police immediately. [Must — obligation]

7.George __________________ (disappear) completely — no one has seen him for weeks. [PP]

8.They __________________ (move) to another city as soon as they know Anna is watching. [Future]

9.This gang __________________ (operate) under different names for at least five years. [PPP]

10.He __________________ (use) a false identity — the address he gave doesn't exist. [Must — deduction]

Exercise 3 — Must: Deduction or Obligation?

Write D (deduction) or O (obligation) for each sentence.

1.He knew Robert's daily routine — he must have been watching him for weeks. [ ]

2.The police must act before the gang moves to another city. [ ]

3.George used a different name in every city — he must have a large collection of false documents. [ ]

4.Victims must report investment fraud within thirty days to qualify for legal assistance. [ ]

5.She agreed to invest without checking the company — she must have been completely convinced. [ ]

Exercise 4 — Present Perfect or PPP?

Choose the correct form. Think: is the action finished or still in progress?

1.Anna __________________ (write / has written / has been writing) the report. It was sent to the editor this morning.

2.She __________________ (write / has written / has been writing) the report all morning — it's still not finished.

3.The police __________________ (investigate / has investigated / have investigated) three similar cases this year — all closed now.

4.They __________________ (have been investigating / investigated / investigate) the gang for months and haven't stopped yet.

5.George __________________ (disappear / has disappeared / has been disappearing) — nobody has seen him since Tuesday.

Exercise 5 — Find and Correct the Error

Each sentence has ONE mistake.

1. "Robert lost his savings and still feels the impact today."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

2. "They have planned this con for months before they approached him."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

3. "He knew too much — he must to be part of the team."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

4. "The con artists will moving to a new city as soon as they find out."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

5. "Robert has waited for six weeks — the money has not arrived."

Corrected: ___________________________________________________________________

Handout 3

Reading

Anna's Report — The Investment That Never Existed

The set-up

Anna has been following a team of professional con artists for three weeks. In that time, she has documented six meetings between the team's leader — a man called George — and his latest victim, Robert, a retired teacher. Robert has invested his entire life savings: thirty-two thousand euros. He has received nothing in return. George has completely disappeared.

The method

The long con is different from the street scam. It requires patience. The con artist must build trust over days or even weeks before asking for money. George met Robert at his regular café and gradually introduced the idea of an "exclusive investment opportunity." An accomplice played the role of a satisfied client who had already made a fortune. Robert must have felt completely certain — he told friends the investment was "the opportunity of a lifetime."

The future

The police have opened a formal investigation. But they warn it will take time. This team has been operating across three countries for at least five years, using different identities. They will almost certainly move to a new location once they become aware of Anna's investigation. Robert says he will never invest in anything again without independent legal advice. He has been waiting for justice for six weeks. It will not come quickly.

After reading: Find three examples of Present Perfect and two examples of PPP. Write them here and explain which tense each is and why.

Task 1 — Answer the Questions

Write full sentences.

1.How long has Anna been following the gang and what has she documented?