“Technology breeds crime. It always has, and always will.”

So says reformed con artist, Frank Abagnale, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the StevenSpielberg movie, “Catch Me if You Can,” based on his memoir. Ifthere is one person who knows about fraud, it is Abagnale,sometimes referred to as “the ultimate fraudster.”

It is a title well earned. Between the ages of 15-21, Abagnale amassed$2.5 million by assuming no fewer than eight identities. He connedhis way through life as an airline pilot, a lawyer, a U.S. Bureauof Prisons agent, and as a doctor. “Becoming” a lawyer involvedforging a Harvard University law degree transcript, “passing” theLouisiana bar exam, and getting a job at the Louisiana StateAttorney General's office at the age of nineteen. Abagnale eludedthe authorities for years, twice escaping from police custodybefore the age of 21.

After being apprehended in 1970 and spending five years inFrench, Swedish, and American prisons, Abagnale has since gonestraight and was released on the condition that he would assistfederal law enforcement agencies in combatting fraud. To that endhe has built a career as a security consultant for federal lawenforcement and public and private institutions for the past fourdecades. His fraud prevention programs have been adopted by morethan 14,000institutions.

He is nothing if not gracious. “I owe a debt to my country 800times greater than I could ever repay. That’s why I’m still withthe FBI, and will be there until I can’t do anything anylonger.”

Abagnale is no stranger to insurance. Eleven years ago theNational Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) named him anofficial spokesperson for a consumer-awareness campaign to addressscams relating to fraudulent insurance sales on health plan policesnot approved by state regulators.

Today Abagnale is concerned about the steep rise in cybercrime.He notes technological advances and social media sites make it mucheasier to create false identities and commit acts of fraud. As hesays, “What I did 50 years ago as a teenage boy is 4,000 timeseasier to do today because of technology.”

Last year Abagnale had a role in the investigation into the bigJPMorgan hack. He notes that despite massive spending incybersecurity software, human beings remain the weakest link.

“You need to teach your employees that whether you’re thereceptionist on the phone or you’re the officer of the company,”everyone’s a target for fraud.

Since going straight, Abagnale has developed into one of theworld's most regarded authorities on forgery, embezzlement, andsecure documents. In this endeavor, he has written books, consultedwith numerous institutions on combatting fraud and helped createsecurity software.

Catch him if you can at the upcoming Enservio Property InnovationSummit, April 27-29, in Cambridge, Mass.

Scott Lacourse is a director at Enservio, a provider ofsoftware and services for contents claimprocessing