The truth, however, is far less nefarious and far more interesting:
Today, when Frank Abagnale walks into a lecture hall at the University of Arizona, he introduces himself with the same line he has used for decades: “Good afternoon. I’m Frank Abagnale. For the first 21 years of my life, I was one of the world’s most successful confidence men. For the last 40 years, I’ve been helping the government catch people just like me.” frank abagnale university of arizona
The University of Arizona’s has collaborated with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) —an organization Abagnale has worked with for over 30 years. Through this indirect channel, Abagnale’s curriculum and case studies have been integrated into UArizona’s continuing education courses for accountants, auditors, and law enforcement officials. Why the University of Arizona? Proximity and Pragmatism There’s a practical reason Abagnale’s ties to UArizona are stronger than to other universities. For much of his post-convict career, Abagnale has resided in Tucson, Arizona , where the university is located. He is a longtime Southern Arizona resident. His local presence made it natural for the university to call upon him as a community expert. He has served on advisory panels for the university’s Information Security Office and has been a recurring voice in the Arizona Cyber Warfare Range , a UArizona-affiliated training facility. The Takeaway: From Fugitive to Faculty (Without the Diploma) Frank Abagnale’s relationship with the University of Arizona is a perfect metaphor for his entire post-crime life: He gained access not through forgery, but through expertise. He didn’t need a degree from UArizona because his experience—once the evidence of his crimes—became his credential. The truth, however, is far less nefarious and