Episode 10 The Real Hustle

This is The Real Hustle: New Recruits.

The hustlers are back and this time they've brought in two new faces

to help them with their scams.

New recruits Polly and Jazz...

..join original hustlers Paul, Jess and Alex.

Working together as a team, they'll carry out scams

that are more cunning and devious than ever before.

On tonight's show,

can Adele Silva and the hustlers really sell this guy

the Forth Railway Bridge?

I don't know who you guys are. I don't know these girls.

So I can't do it.

And Alex challenges someone that's a bit too smart.

Right, you're fired, thank you.

The hustlers have invited celebrity friends

to help them with their scams.

They'll be thrown in at the deep end. No training and no practice.

Just straight in.

Today's celebrity guest hustler is an actress who's

appeared in Emmerdale, EastEnders and Hell's Kitchen, Adele Silva.

I really haven't got a clue what to expect.

I'm actually quite nervous.

I keep expecting, like, someone to pop out,

or, like, an explosion or something.

How am I going to feel about taking someone's money? Oh, I don't know.

I don't like that.

But I suppose we give it back to them so it's not too bad.

Adele knows nothing about today's scam.

She's just been told to take a short walk along a pier.

-Nice to meet you.

-I'm Paul. How are you?

-Good, thank you.

Why do you think you're here?

-I haven't got a clue.

-Well, a little history lesson.

There was a conman called Count Victor Lustig about 100 years ago.

He sold the Eiffel Tower to six businessmen for scrap.

He was actually copying a scam by a guy called

George C Parker, who was the first guy to sell the Brooklyn Bridge.

So, any guesses why we're here?

-We're going to try and sell that?

-We're going to sell that.

-Not all of it. We'll just sell a little piece.

-OK, cool.

How much do you think they can get for two grand?

-I don't know.

-About this much.

Adele will play an essential role in one of the hustlers'

biggest scams in 'A Bridge Too Far'.

It's a beautiful sunny day on the waterfront,

but it's going to turn more gloomy, especially for this guy,

who's about to become the mark.

He enters a bar near the Forth Railway Bridge.

Unfortunately, he chooses a seat that's within scamming range of a hustler.

Hello? I was just texting you. Are you nearly here?

Excuse me. Do you know what this road is called?

I think it's Edinburgh Road. Are you nearly here?

All right then, hun. Bye. Bye. Do you live round here?

Where? Earshire?

It's your accent. Sorry.

Come and sit here so I can speak to you.

My friend's a little bit late so I need someone to talk to anyway.

That's a bit more cosy.

The ice is broken and Jess pumps the mark for some local knowledge.

I'm investing in some of the bridge, the Forth Bridge.

So is it quite a popular bridge then?

Is it? I'm buying, like, I don't really know,

I'm having a meeting later, buying part of it.

Like, yeah. Like, investing in it.

So I said well I want to, obviously, come up and see it.

It's time for Adele to make her entrance to apply a double charm offensive.

It's a wee bit chilly along that front.

Hello, did you find your sharpener?

-Yeah, I did. Are you all right?

-Yes, good, thanks. How are you?

I'm just finding out... This is my cousin Katie.

-So what are your names?

-I'm Scott. This is Matt.

-Scott and Matt.

Katie, Susie.

I was telling them about the bridge because

we're both doing it and it's just really exciting

because I don't really know much about the bridge. Where was it?

Oh, where was that whatsit?

Oh, it was in that thing, like, the little prospectus.

The hotel had it.

-Was it in that newspaper?

-Erm, in that paper, yeah. Erm...

Adele's job is to bring up an article in the local paper

that will explain the event the girls are here to attend.

What's your local paper?

-Is it, like, a... not like a Star, a Gazette?

-Yeah, yeah!

Do you have a Star?

-Oh, thank you.

-Is there one up there?

Being a true gent, the mark tries to track down today's paper.

He's in luck. There's a copy on the bar.

Oh, there we go.

Thank you. Is there a supplement in there?

This is the bridge thing we're talking about.

Sure enough, in the supplement, there's an article

all about the Forth Bridge and its exclusive owners' club.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-But that authentic looking article isn't all that it seems.

-Would you two like a drink?

Because, whilst Jess was chatting up the mark,

it was time for a bit of Jazz.

JAZZ MUSIC

He planted the supplement in a copy of the paper whilst all

the attention was on his fellow hustlers.

An article in a local paper is a powerful convincer,

even if it's completely faked by the hustlers.

Whilst Jess gets the drinks in,

Adele explains more about the Forth Bridge Owners' Club.

Susie's mum and dad, um, were approached about it.

But you have to be invited.

So it's quite exclusive. And you get, like, a plaque and, like...

Oh my God!

So Adele and Jess have been selected to become bridge owners.

They're here for a boat trip to find out more.

Before they've even finished their drinks,

here comes the man from the Bridge Trust to pick up the girls.

It's Alex.

-Susie?

-Hello.

-And Katie?

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Hello, are you good?

-Yeah, good, thank you.

Good, good. Sorry, are these your guests as well?

I thought these were your guests that you...

What are you two doing this afternoon?

-Fancy a champagne boat trip?

-Would you like to come? My parents actually dropped out.

We're going to have a drink by the pier,

and a little bite to eat and then we'll hop on the boat.

-Yeah, you're absolutely fine.

-Shall we just drink up?

-Sure.

I think we're ready to go. Excellent.

A boat trip and a free champagne lunch with two beautiful girls.

How could he possibly say no?

Alex leads the mark and the girls out of the hotel to a waiting car

to chauffeur them for their afternoon of excitement.

This guy can't believe his luck.

They arrive at a restaurant to be met by Polly, who introduces them

to Rob Marks, head of the Forth Bridge Trust.

-Hi. Hello.

-Take a seat anywhere.

-How are you? I'm Rob. Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-And you're Susie?

-Yeah.

Paul welcomes his unexpected guests.

-I'm Scott. Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-I'm Matt.

-Rob.

How are you? Have a seat.

But sadly no-one is going out to sea today.

So, erm, I have to start with some bad news.

-The boat journey just can't happen today.

-It's not happening?

-Yeah.

-Why not?

From my point of view,

I have the worst sea legs of anybody you've ever met.

The only thing worse is if I get the helicopter.

Shame. But they can still enjoy a meal with the ladies.

But first Paul wants to tell them more about how the bridge ownership works.

I know you know a little bit about it, but just so you fully understand

what you're getting into, there's an ancient deed on this property.

You couldn't have one owner.

And so one of the benefits of that is that we basically

have ownership of the bridge split between multiple people.

Obviously there is a large ownership which maintains the bridge.

So the bridge is divided into lots of small sections,

each one being owned by a different individual.

And every one of them earns an annual income from railway tolls.

The dividends that you get paid are usually in excess

-of £3,000 per year.

-Wow!

-So you, like, made it back, like, within a year?

-Instantly?

Within a year.

But because you're joining us now, and because the dividend is

paid regardless of how long you've been in the programme,

-you get it next month.

-Oh! Oh my God!

Even though Adele and Jess are only just buying in for £2,000 each,

they'll still receive this year's dividend of £3,000.

You make £1,000, but you've got to remember that

this is for your life, OK.

-You can't transfer it.

-Yeah.

-When you die, it gets passed on, we sell it to someone else.

But the club comes with very strict rules.

-And how long have you known each other?

-We're cousins.

-So you're related.

-Yeah.

-Why? Is that a problem?

-It is a little bit of a problem.

You can't have two members of the same family, direct family.

-We're cousins, though.

-It's not, like, immediate.

Technically, that would mean that only one of you can purchase.

Oh, no!

-I'm going to make a phone call.

-OK.

-Could you explain everything for me, please?

-Yes, I will do.

Paul leaves Alex to explain the problem.

The problem we have here is that there are very strict rules.

It's only owned by individuals.

So you being related is a major problem.

So between you, you have to decide who would buy

because only one of you can buy.

Only one of the cousins will be able to invest today.

The other is disqualified.

The other problem that we have is that

we have a press call in about an hour.

They're going to photograph the two new buyers.

We cannot stand up in front of them and say, "Well, we've only got one."

-Can we not just pretend?

-No.

We're talking about the national press here. We cannot just pretend.

The trust can't just sell the one section today.

It has to be both available sections or the deal is off. It's a disaster.

I need for you to find, or to come up with,

somebody to buy that second section of the bridge.

You can't come up with anyone?

Well, I'm going to go out and just have a word right now.

So I'm going to let you think about it. I'll be back in two minutes.

-Gentlemen, apologies.

-Yeah, that's OK.

The girls will only be able to salvage the deal

if they can find someone to buy the other section.

I don't know what to do.

No, absolutely no-one.

My heart's, like, going der-der-der-der-der!

He doesn't know anyone up here. No-one, no.

What about you?

Honestly, because if we can't get someone, this won't even happen for us.

He's not the mentally interested. This scam is going nowhere.

Paul and Alex return to ramp up the pressure.

I don't know anyone in Scotland. Apart from these two, that we just met.

No offence to you, it's not feasible unless... You live in Edinburgh?

It's all or nothing as Paul gives the hard sell.

From your point of view, if you were to take this up today,

it pays off for the rest of your life.

If you can get a hold of the money today and be there tonight,

then we'll sign the whole thing over to you.

That bridge will have your name on it next month.

Absolutely.

The mark goes outside to phone a family member for advice.

The chance to make £3,000 a year for life, for just £2,000, is surely too good to pass up.

The mark has made his decision.

Good.

Yeah.

And we don't know who you are.

Well, I understand that.

This is... I mean, listen, if it was possible for you to do it,

it would have been a real drop in the ocean for us, to be honest.

So that's that. They say their goodbyes.

The hustlers tell the mark about the new investors' meeting later,

in case he changes his mind.

But, right now, it's mark one, hustlers nil.

When hustlers go out, they don't bring money, they bring prop bets.

The proposition bet only has one rule

and that's that the hustler always wins.

Polly is out on the town and she's not planning to buy the drinks.

So, basically, I've got a challenge for you, OK.

I want you to try and get that 5p from under the glass without

touching the glass or pushing it over or moving the glass at all.

-If you can do it, I'll buy each one of you a drink.

-Right, OK.

-If you can't, you've got to buy me a drink.

-OK.

-So, you up for the challenge?

-ALL: Yeah.

So, there are two 2p coins supporting a glass.

Polly's friends need to remove the 5p piece

lying right in the middle, but there's no moving and no touching.

No chance!

-Can't touch the glass and I can't knock it over?

-Yeah.

That's impossible! I'm thinking, take the 2ps out.

-Do you want to give it a whirl?

-Right, OK.

-Try and get that 5p out.

You moved the glass!

-I have no idea.

-No idea. What about you, Ben?

-Erm...

-Just go crazy!

-Just go crazy?

-The glass is moving.

-Yeah, the glass is moving.

-Do you want another go?

-No.

-So do you give up?

-Give up.

OK, so if I can get that 5p out from under the glass, without

moving the glass or knocking it over, you're going to buy me a drink, yeah?

Unfortunately, yeah!

CLEARS THROAT OK.

-LAUGHTER

-No!

Here we go!

I was close!

5p's out!

The secret is in the napkin. Polly scratches the fabric near the glass.

This makes the 5p coin move about

and limbo-dance its way to freedom.

And that means one free drink.

-The drinks are on us then.

-I'll have a gin and tonic, please, boys.

Earlier today, Adele Silva and Jess convinced this mark

that a section of the Forth Railway Bridge is for sale.

Yeah, I was just telling them about the bridge because we're both doing it.

The hustlers did everything they could to convince him to invest.

What about you?

We'll sign the whole thing over to you. That bridge will have your name on it.

But he was too suspicious.

And we don't know who you are.

Could this scam already be over in 'A Bridge Too Far', part two.

It's several hours after the lunch meeting and the hustlers

are waiting patiently in a function room of the waterfront hotel.

Alex and Paul have got suitably dressed for this auspicious occasion,

but it could all be for nothing without a mark.

Against all odds, the mark and his friend have returned,

but that doesn't mean he'll have changed his mind about investing in the bridge.

Polly is waiting for them in reception and leads them

upstairs to the meeting room.

Everyone's up here.

We'll send you a copy. We'll send you a copy. Ah, gentlemen, come in.

We have dressed for the occasion. Come in, have a seat.

Hi, Scott, how are you? You're still nervous, aren't you?

Have a seat.

By the look on the mark's face,

he's still not sure the deal is genuine.

Mm-hm.

Well, look, we've got all night to talk about it, OK.

What we need to do is, we need to do this part first.

I can't hold the press much longer so I think we've got about ten, 15 minutes

and that gives us enough time to do the paperwork.

They're all being held in a conference room next door.

So there's a room full of press waiting to photograph

the new owners of the bridge.

The pressure is making the mark feel even more uncomfortable.

Yeah, absolutely.

We totally understand and we also totally appreciate

your time and also your consideration right now,

because we totally understand that this has been sprung on you.

Let's have a nice evening, put your money in the safe. You'll meet some interesting people tonight.

Adele does her part by handing over £2,000 in cash.

She's the other investor in the bridge today.

Alex counts out the cash, making sure the mark gets a good look.

There are two sections available here.

There's section number 583 and there's section number 347.

-OK.

-Ah, bless you.

OK, 347 or 583?

-347, yeah.

-347.

Adele signs the title deeds and Alex shows her

a photograph of her very own piece of the Forth Bridge.

This is for you to keep now. That's the actual section that you have.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

-Do you actually know?

-It's actually on the third part over there.

-Oh, wow!

That means you have 583. That is actually going to go up on the bridge

with your name here, in the centre.

Seeing the shiny plaque brings home to the mark what he could soon own.

Paul seizes on the moment to put on the pressure.

Basically, what this says is... it states that you've purchased

the rights to this deed for the period of your lifetime.

But will the mark go for it?

-Yep.

-Bingo!

Despite all his misgivings,

the mark gets out £2,000 in crisp Scottish banknotes.

If I could ask you to...

Alex counts out the cash as the mark signs the paperwork.

He's now the proud owner of section 583 of the Forth Railway Bridge.

Now for the press conference.

The mark wasn't expecting to have his photograph taken so Polly suggests a wardrobe change.

I'm going to get you a jacket, is that OK?

Just so you look a little smart.

Rob, we really must go. We really must.

-If you guys wait here, I'm going to go and get your jackets.

-OK.

-We'll do the ladies first, but you obviously need to be in the picture as you're the big boss.

-OK.

Alex is keen to take Adele to meet the press first.

Just going to start the photographs.

Right, ladies, if you let me do the talking and...uh, very good.

Hello, there. How are you?

CAMERAS CLICK

VOICES CALL OUT

The mark can hear the noisy press pack outside.

But he's still not sure about what's just happened.

After all, he's just handed £2,000 to people he's only just met.

Here we go. You'll look nice and smart.

I'll just put them here for you.

Polly returns with the smart jackets.

She leaves the mark and his mate to spruce themselves up.

Try them on for size. I'll be back in two secs.

Before long, the mark is getting anxious.

He can't take it any longer and heads off to find the hustlers

and all those journalists.

They can hear the press scrum, but bizarrely, there's nobody there.

There are no journalists, and the hustlers are long gone.

The mark's been left two grand out of pocket and all he has to

show for it is a sick feeling in his stomach and a second-hand jacket.

Here's what the mark didn't see.

Jazz was waiting on the stairs outside the room for his cue.

As soon as Paul led the girls out, he pressed play on a tape deck

with press noises the hustlers had recorded themselves.

A couple of flashes from Jazz's camera completed the illusion

and the tape was left running as the hustlers made their getaway.

And, of course, all those certificates and plaques

were just knocked up by the hustlers

to make the Forth Bridge Trust seem believable.

I was suspicious the whole time. I was, to be honest.

I'm quite gutted that I didn't stick to my gut instinct, to be honest.

These guys disappear into the night and you never see them ever again.

Well, it went really well, but I just felt so sorry for him.

Obviously the part of me is thinking, "Come on", for the show,

but then the other part of me is thinking, like, "No, don't!"

So I kind of have come out of it with mixed feelings, thinking,

"Oh, I feel really sorry for him."

Offering somebody a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

is a very effective way to hook a mark.

Who wouldn't want to own a piece of an iconic landmark and

receive a guaranteed income from it for the rest of their lives?

You should never feel pressured into investing money before you've had a chance

to check out who you're dealing with and what you're buying.

If the offer is genuine, then the sellers won't mind waiting for you to do your research

and this could save you a whole lot of grief and money.

So that's another series of backbreaking scamming completed.

After all that hard work, the hustlers deserve to put their feet up.

Alex, you've got lovely legs from here!

Because, if they don't get their rest, things start going wrong.

Simple things, like opening doors.

Awesome(!)

Fabulous(!) We're on the television and nothing is working.

-Can you hear me?

-Opening shirts.

-Can you help me undo this, please?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Or closing the lift doors during a high-speed getaway.

Jess pushes close.

Jess pushes open.

Alex pushes close.

Jess pushes open.

Alex pushes open.

Jess holds open.

PA: Doors opening.

And finally!

Even hustlers lose their way.

Erm, do you know where Piccadilly Circus is?

-Yeah, it's about 600 miles south of here.

-Oh, OK, I'll start walking!

-I'm looking for Carlton Road.

-Carlton Road?

-Yeah.

And, sometimes, even the most nimble fingers get caught.

Is it? I mean, we're here, aren't we?

-All right, don't even bother, mate, you

-BLEEP BLEEP.

Polly and Jazz are the new recruits, nothing if not stylish and slick.

I need to transfer all that data onto this USB stick. Your nails look nice, by the way.

Thanks.

That was smooth.

# I'm a hustler, baby! #

Guys, ready when you are.

-Put the stick in.

-Put the stick in.

-OK, give me one sec. This is quite a little fiddly

-BLEEP.

-Oh my God!

-It's like a fish.

-His hands are so sweaty.

Polly also has a tiny hustling dog.

-They're going to be here in two seconds, OK?

-OK, mm-hm.

Are you ready, Coco, to do your acting role? Are you ready, gorgeous?

The hustlers are happy to work with animals, children and celebrities.

The celeb guests are the very essence of sophistication.

Each celebrity has their own tactics, coming on the show.

Joe Swash, for example, came with an open mind.

I haven't got any stratessy, stratessy, er, stratesy. Any stratest...

-I haven't, what's the...

-Strategy.

-Stratessy. Strat...

-Have you got a plan?

-I haven't got any plans for today, no.

Yeah, I think I've done some blags in my day.

Got extras here.

When it comes to handing out hustling advice,

it's probably best to leave it to the professionals.

OK, fellas, and three, two, one.

This scam works because people tie camera... They don't tie them. They hang them.

When the mark then goes over to help Polly,

he feels obliged to return the... the... to return the...

This scam works because people hang a camera around their neck and forget about it.

CREW LAUGH

Favour?

Let's just forget about it. Yeah, let's forget about it.

This is a scam that happened to a friend of ours, who knew nothing.

Start again.

-I'd run out of air.

-Just shut the door and... Just shut the door.

Just shut the door, send them on their way and then say...

Open the door, say "Go away" and then shut it.

And sometimes, even the hustlers are outsmarted.

You've got to get the coins to switch places,

without the bottle falling over, and you can't touch the bottle.

That's very good. A round of...

A round of drinks for Katie.

Right, you're fired, thank you.

The hustlers will be back, but for now,

if you want to know more about how the show is made, go to...

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