Episode 5 The Real Hustle

This is the most successful scam show of all time.

A hit in 45 countries around the world.

The real hustlers have stolen cars.

Bye!

It's perfectly safe there.

Burgled houses.

Picked,

switched,

and ditched.

-A tenner for the whole lot!

-They've carried out close to 500 scams

and stolen over £1,000,000.

And now, they're back for an eleventh series.

With new recruits...

Their job?

To expose the tricks of the criminals' trade,

so that you don't get scammed.

On tonight's show, it's all Greek to one mark,

as he's left thousands of pounds out of pocket.

I can't take any more of it!

Jess turns water into gin.

I love a gin-and-tonic.

You're a very honest man.

And this mark's good deed,

leaves him with a very bad taste in his mouth.

I feel sad.

The hustlers have invited celebrity friends

to see if they can cut it as con artists.

But they'll have no clue what the scam is about

and there are no dress rehearsals. So this is sink or swim.

Today's guest hustler is star of Shameless

and Eastenders, Jody Latham.

I'd like to think that I've got what it takes to be a good hustler.

So we'll see. People who hustle for a living are real hustlers.

They must be crazy - it's so nerve-racking.

Every day not knowing what's going to happen.

It's a scary life.

Feel like the new member of Ocean's Twelve! It's great.

Argh!

Jody has been sent to some disused wasteland to meet a man about to scam.

-Welcome to The Real Hustle. What do you think?

-Scary.

-It's quite scary.

-Got a couple of questions for you, quite important.

-OK.

-First one is do you play poker?

-A little.

-Well, now you play a lot.

-OK.

The other question is how do you think you can take someone for a lot of money

by letting them win a lot more?

-I've got no idea!

-We're going to let someone win thousands.

-Are we?

-But you're the secret.

-OK.

All right? I'll teach you everything you need to know.

-Sounds good.

-Come on, I'll give you a few lessons on poker.

Usually have to start playing for as much money as you have

-and I'll be hoping to take that from you.

-OK!

-This is The Mad Greek.

It's weekday lunchtime in this bar.

I think these are the two guys.

These guys are both regular poker players, but this guy

in particular is carrying lots of cash, making him the mark.

Good to meet you, how are you? Have a seat. Stuart, nice to meet you.

-Have a seat.

-Lee, how are you doing? You all right?

Jody's first role is to put the mark at ease and draw him into the scam.

I told you about the game tonight and you boys are up for that?

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

Nick is coming over just to say hello and meet you,

he's the guy that runs the game.

He's a bit mental, he bets on anything.

He'll bet on two flies landing on sugar, I'm serious.

He's that guy. But he throws it around, he can afford it.

-It's a fun night if you're up for it.

-Yeah.

-Good.

And here's the man himself, poker organiser Nick the mad Greek,

in a flashy new Merc.

Yeah, that's a new car. He got a new car three months ago.

-He's nuts, this guy.

-You've met him once.

-Briefly.

-I'll bet you he doesn't remember you.

-Do you reckon? How much?

£1.

It's actually Alex in his Saturday Night Fever disco suit.

He's a gambler who likes expensive cars and even more expensive women.

-Nick, this is Jim.

-Have we met before?

-Yeah.

-See, I nearly lost a pound!

-This is Susie, everybody.

That will be Jess, playing Nick the Greek's long-suffering girlfriend.

-I said there were spaces tonight. You wanted to do the game tonight.

-Fine, you bring money, you can play.

-Has he told you, we bet on anything?

-I bet on something, he bets on anything.

I bet, because I'm Greek, you know? We bet on things.

-I tell you what, the guy there on the phone.

-The hoodie?

-Yeah.

-The bet is which way he goes when he finishes his phonecall.

-The poker's not for hours,

but Alex is already gambling. He wants to bet on which a stranger will walk down the road.

-Everything you have in your pocket.

-Anything I've got in my pocket?

-There's a couple of hundred there.

-How much you got?

I've got you covered. No, no, I'll cover you.

HE SPEAKS IN GREEK

-I'm not going to lose it - take it off!

-No!

-Nah, come on.

-You know I'm good for my word. Come on, take it off.

-Hang on!

This is from her parents or something.

The Greek shows he's completely barking

by using Jess' priceless family heirloom to cover his £500 bet.

OK, we're covered. All right, we're covered. We shake.

-What are you looking for? It's real!

-If I had a fake necklace...

-I know that thing around your neck is fake.

-Ah, he has to go that way. That way.

So, if the guy in the hoodie goes left, then Paul wins the bet.

If he goes right, Alex makes £500.

Are you sure you don't want any action?

The mark's staying out of this bet.

Just as well, as that random stranger is really Jazz.

He's actually on the phone to Jess listening in

to the conversation in the pub and waiting for his moment to walk away.

Whoa, hold on, there he goes.

-Turn you

-BLEEP.

-Turn.

Wait, wait, wait. Which way?

Oh, mamma mia!

Mamma Mia!

It's a bet!

The whole scene was staged to convince the mark

that Alex is 24-carat crazy.

Listen, tonight though, tonight we are going to play pockets.

This is the game I love.

It is my favourite, because it's a pure gambling game.

So, I see you tonight.

Before Alex heads off,

he reminds Paul that he wants to play pockets later on.

It's another crazy gambling game and it's clearly his favourite.

-You will lose more money to me tonight.

-Absolutely. OK?

Yia mas.

Pockets which is the stupidest game in the world,

I've told him that he has a tell.

Right. And that if he puts something in his left or right pocket,

I always know where it is.

A tell is a gambler's unwitting giveaway sign.

He can't figure out what his tell is.

His tell is that somebody just tells me which pocket it is. Right?

That's the tell!

Paul must now persuade the mark to play a little trick on Alex.

He wants him to cheat when they're playing pockets later on.

All it is, is that if he puts it in his right pocket,

you put any hand in any pocket.

Right. If there's no hand in the pocket...nothing.

All I need is, if one of you wouldn't mind,

just letting me know which pocket he puts something in.

So...

I'll reach for my mobile phone if it's in the right...

Sounds like he's up for a spot of light cheating, by signalling

to Paul which pocket Alex is hiding an object in later tonight.

You do it as well? You can do it.

Jody also agrees to make the mark feel like it's no big deal.

They say their goodbyes and agree to meet up later at the card club

-for an evening of wild gambling.

-Take care, guys.

-See you later.

Still to come... the mark plays a game of poker he'll never forget...

If you beat me, I give you the car.

-And pockets the biggest win of his life.

-Come on.

Double or nothing. Double or nothing!

When hustlers go out, they don't take money.

They take prop bets.

The proposition bet has only one rule

and that's that the hustler always wins.

The question is how many drops of water

from this glass, using this straw, do you think

I can get on the penny before it all spills over.

-Six.

-Six drops? Before it spills over?

So if I say, if I get more than six, then you buy us a round of drinks?

Three drinks? That sounds nice, doesn't it?

If I get six or below, I'll buy you all a drink.

-OK.

-Sound good? Yes? OK? Shake on it.

So, the bet is, if Jess can't fit six or more drops

onto the 1p piece, she has to buy a round of drinks.

One, two, three,

four, five, six...

First drink! Let's carry on.

seven, eight, nine, ten,

11, 12, 13,

14, 15, 16, 17

18, 19, 20, 21, 22,

23, 24... 24!

Turns out you can fit a lot of drops on a 1p piece!

I think you owe us all a drink! I'd love a gin and tonic, please!

It's a rainy day in Edinburgh.

But the weather isn't putting people off from sitting outside

this city centre cafe.

Here come a couple of all-weather hustlers.

-Sorry. Hi!

-It's Alex and Polly

who take a seat next to a friendly looking chap at the next table.

He's now the mark.

-Do you want to move your table?

-Yeah, we'll just move it a little.

Thank you. I got so many bags!

So that's the ice well and truly broken. One thing's for sure -

the hustlers won't be buying anyone's lunch in...

Feel really embarrassed, you know.

-Asking to borrow some money and stuff.

-It's OK.

-It's not a problem. I can lend you the money. I've brought 500.

-That's fine. Perfect.

Sounds like Polly's short of money and Alex is helping her out.

They're trying hard to draw the mark's attention to the envelope

-and the cash.

-100...

But he's so engrossed in conversation with his mate

that he doesn't even notice.

500.

Do you know what, I'm going to give you my new number

and put it on the envelope so if there's any problems...

-You got a pen?

-Um...

That's not going to work for this scam.

Polly makes sure she gets the mark's attention.

-Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. You don't have a pen I could borrow?

-I don't, actually.

-Actually, no, no, I've got one.

-Boom!

He's clocked the big wad of cash.

-I am going to put it in here.

-OK.

Alex makes a big deal of writing his mobile number on the envelope,

-talking loud enough to ensure the mark overhears.

-Don't lose that.

-There's 500 quid in there.

-I'm not going to lose that money.

Being a strong believer in not littering,

Polly takes a moment to throw away the coffee cup.

And the hustlers are gone, leaving the mark to enjoy his lunch.

A few minutes later, someone else arrives at the cafe.

He looks and smells like he hasn't had a shower for weeks.

Seems like he's found something.

The mark notices the tramp is holding a brown envelope,

but this is no ordinary down-and-out.

It's Paul, moving in for phase two of this scam.

Is this yours?

Sorry?

A lady put it in there with money in it?

Is that her number?

This isn't what Paul wants to hear.

It's not right, though, is it? Can you call that?

He's going to have to work a little harder.

Just... I don't want to get into trouble. Can you call that?

After a bit more persuasion, he gets him to call

the number on the envelope, knowing full well it belongs to Alex.

Oh, no!

Have you got it?

Oh. Has he opened it?

Good.

There's £500 in there for rent money for my colleague

who's with me. I'm going to send her back,

but I'm not able to get back for 20 minutes.

Maybe if you could give him £20 and when the lady comes

she can give it back.

That would be fantastic.

Is there money in there?

Can we say 40 quid? Don't know how much is here.

He's pushing his luck.

Keeps me out of the rain.

Thank you.

There's 40 quid.

-Say 50?

-Why not?

-Thank you.

-50's even better!

-Thank you.

Thank you. You are too. I appreciate that.

Thank you very much.

So that's a good deed all-round and everyone's happy.

Pleased with his good work the mark calls the number

on the envelope again to let Alex know he gave the tramp 50 quid.

But the phone just rings out.

PHONE RINGS

Looks like he'll just have to sit tight

until the nice lady arrives to collect her envelope.

So he waits,

and waits.

20 minutes later and there's still no sign of her.

Eventually, curiosity gets the better of him and he sneaks a peak.

Instead of 500 quid in cash,

the envelope is stuffed with shreds of newspaper.

So what happened to all that cash?

Here's what really happened.

Earlier, when Polly dropped her coffee cup into the bin

she made sure the mark saw her. When Paul appeared posing as

a tramp, he dropped a brown envelope behind the bin,

identical to the one Alex gave Polly, making it look

as if he'd just found it.

This one didn't have any cash in it, just ripped up pieces of paper.

Playing the honesty card, Paul encouraged the mark to call the number on the envelope.

Has he opened it?

Paul knew Alex would pick up straight away, after all,

he and Polly were parked just around the corner

waiting for the phone to ring.

There's £500 in there for rent money.

Thinking the sealed envelope was full of cash, the mark

had no problem giving the tramp a finder's fee from his own pocket.

Maybe you could give him £20.

When the lady comes she can give it back to you.

Can I say 50?

Being the hustler he is, Paul even negotiated the money up

to 50 quid, plus a compliment for such outstanding honesty!

Once he had the cash, the tramp walked around the corner

to the van where Alex and Polly were waiting.

-What did you roll the window open for?

-Because you stink! Oh!

I feel sad.

I've been humbled probably,

and we just have to get on with life.

Never hand over money for something that appears to be of greater value

unless you know who you're dealing with.

An envelope full of newspaper isn't going to be worth very much

when you take it down to the bank.

Earlier today, shameless star Jody Latham helped the hustlers

convince this mark to get involved in a poker game being run

by Nick the Mad Greek, a wealthy high-roller

known for his wild gambling habit.

Full house!

A game called pockets is also on the cards

and the mark has agreed to help Paul win in...

It's the biggest bet you've ever made in your life.

The mark arrives at the casino for tonight's poker game.

The Mad Greek's Mercedes AMG is parked right outside,

so it's game on.

Can we have £500.

Everybody buy in. We can settle up at the end. No problem.

I trust you guys.

The cards start flying

as the hustlers set about gaining the mark's confidence.

Give me my full house, baby! Yes! Full house!

Alex starts out winning.

125, I raise another hundred.

But as the game goes on, Alex's plays get more and more reckless.

I don't like mine. Have it. Take it.

The Greek starts losing his chips left, right and centre.

All in.

-Call.

-And before long, Alex is almost broke.

Ah, you have me! You have me.

Put him out of his misery.

I cut you for everything.

-But Alex isn't done playing.

-If you beat me, I give you the car.

Having run out of money,

Alex is now playing with the key to his £30,000 Mercedes.

The mark looks on in awe.

You don't have to give me the chip back. I can buy it.

The bet's off, to everyone's relief.

OK, take a break.

Do you want to come downstairs, boys?

So the Greek is out.

He's spent enough on poker but he hasn't run out of cash yet.

-He's saving some for his favourite game, Pocket.

-I'm ready.

Paul turns his back,

while Alex puts his car key into one of his jacket pockets.

Right or left.

All Paul has to do, is guess which pocket the key is in.

Simple.

Left.

BLEEP!

How you do this now? You've never got it right.

How many? Five times in a row.

Every time, you've got a tell.

-I have a tell?

-These guys already know what it is.

No way.

Do you know what his tell is?

His tell is that somebody tells me which pocket it is.

That's the tell.

-I do it with you.

-No, no, no.

-I do with you, £1,000, I do with you. £1,000.

-I'll do it for 1,000.

I'm going to the toilet, I do £1,000 with him.

With the help of Jody and the mark, Paul can't lose.

Alex refuses to play him any more.

He now wants to play the mark.

If you lose, I'll give you the money.

Christmas came early, right?

The mark finally agrees to play Alex at Pockets.

Paul is guaranteeing the bet, so he's got nothing to lose.

Remember, right in the pocket, left out the pocket.

If he puts it in his right pocket, you put any hand in any pocket.

If there's no hand in the pocket, nothing.

Are you ready?

-He's going to do it.

-Don't be scared.

-Look away.

-Yes, look away.

It's now down to Jody.

He has two signal to the mark, which pocket Alex has put the key in.

If this goes wrong, the scam is off.

The key is in Alex's right pocket.

Jody's signal is to put his hands in his pockets.

This is for a grand.

Left or right?

-In my right pocket?

-BLEEP!

The mark gets it correct. He's just won £1,000.

-Double or nothing. Double or nothing. Come on.

-You're crazy.

Double or nothing.

You've nothing to lose, play.

Alex puts the objects in his right pocket again,

so Jody, once again, puts his hands in his pockets for the signal.

You can turn around.

For 2,000. Left or right?

They're now playing for two grand.

Be honest.

Oh, my days.

-I told you.

-I can't take any more of this.

Double or nothing. Double or nothing. Look away.

The Mad Greek just won't accept defeat,

so, it's double or nothing again.

-You all right?

-No.

This time, it's left, so Jody's hands are out of his pockets.

This is 4,000 I owe him.

Four grand is on the line here.

BLEEP!

The mark's now £4,000 up on the game.

Double or nothing, one more time. One more time.

Paul advises the mark to take the massive eight-grand bet.

He knows he can't lose, but he's still nervous.

-Are you ready?

-Yes.

The hands are out of the pocket and the signals are in place.

-This isn't my night.

-£8,000.

Won in just a few seconds.

-A chance to get my money. Last one.

-You've 16,000 with you?

I have the car. £30,000.

That's a brand-new Mercedes AMG worth more than 30 grand.

Alex is now using the car as collateral.

-Ready?

-I'm ready.

Hands in and that means the right pocket.

-It is the biggest bet you've ever made in your life.

-Come on.

Oh, my God!

16 grand. That's way more than the mark has ever won.

-Enough, no more.

-Finally, enough.

Nick, the Greek, says enough.

I can give it to you Monday.

Tonight, we're good for 16,000.

On Monday, you tend to forget a little.

Listen, you want something, you can take the car.

£30,000, you can have the car. You give me 16,000, we're square.

You don't have 16,000 on you either.

Alex is happy to use the car as collateral,

but it's worth far more than the £16,000 he owes the mark.

Have a look at the car.

But this is worth 30,000. OK, we're clear?

Let me speak to them.

-Let's take a walk.

-Have a look at the car.

Go outside to calm down and have a good look at the car.

Oh, my days.

You can't have it, surely. He's not going to give you his car.

Alex won't release the car for the 16 grand though.

-Maybe there's a compromise.

-You owe him 16.

-I owe him 16 which I'm going to pay.

-Gives you 6,000.

-That makes up to 22.

-22,000 is a good price for that car.

In your game, that's a good price.

Paul's suggesting giving Alex a few grand

to make up the cost of the car and the mark can then keep it.

-OK, deal.

-The mark will pay just six grand for a £30,000 car.

-Where is the cash?

-Oh, yes, give him the cash.

-There go an awful lot of £50 notes.

-Deal?

-You've got yourself a car.

-You're happy?

-It's not sunk in.

-What do you want to drink, Stuart?

Miller.

Get him a Miller.

He's only going to have one beer though.

After all, he's got a brand-new car to drive home.

Go upstairs, sit down, I'll get Jackie.

The mark heads upstairs, while the hustlers go to buy drinks.

There's no sign of the hustlers or those beers.

What's the hold-up?

Eventually, the Mark gets suspicious

and goes back downstairs to find his new friends.

There's no sign of them at the bar, so he heads outside.

But they're not out here and there's no Mercedes either.

Go upstairs, sit down, I'll get Jackie.

The hustlers weren't getting the drinks in after all.

Alex wasn't handing over the real key to that sports car.

How else could he return it to the rental company

that hired it out to them for the day?

Watching it all fit into place, you're thinking, wow, wow, wow!.

You're getting more and more excited

and more and more keen to do it, to have someone off.

The reality of it is, it confirmed what I already knew,

and that is, it's very easy to get hustled.

We all love a bargain,

but the casino is the wrong place to think about buying a motorcar.

Make sure the person is offering you something

that really has the right to sell it.

Be challenging about it. A car key on its own is worth nothing.

If you want to know more about how this show is made,

go to bbc.co.uk/realhustle.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd