The scams may change platforms, but the playbook hasn’t changed much since 1911
This post began as a response to my students’ questions. As part of my psychology classes, we explore pseudoscience in the context of science and critical thinking—and how, for example, even modern tools like TikTok can be used to deceive. Spoiler: the tricks aren’t new, but the delivery system sure is.
It started with a mechanical banjo.
In 1911, a curious visitor walked into a gaudy little storefront with a flashing electric sign reading “Paris by Night.” What followed was a surreal descent into illusion, peer pressure, and emotional manipulation—all designed to separate people from their hard-earned wages. I translated this account a few years ago from a German book on modern swindles, and I was stunned at how familiar it all felt.
The lights. The bait-and-switch. The cleverly staged testimonials. The ever-increasing cost to see “just one more room.” The fake fortune-teller with a line of eager (but fake) believers priming the mark.
It felt exactly like being on TikTok.
🌮 1911: The Fortune-Teller Scam
Step into the world of Paris by Night, and you find yourself lured by cheap entertainment (1 cent for music or photos) and a promise of titillating wonders for those who dare. Once inside, patrons are ushered through a series of escalating rooms:
- Illusions like “The Statue Turning to Life” and “The Floating Head in the Casket”
- A fortune-teller reading palms and making vague predictions
- Confederates who ooh, aah, and pay up willingly to encourage others to do the same
- A final upsell: a belly-dance show for 50 cents
Total cost: over $2.35 in 1911—a full week’s wages for many workers. For a series of rooms full of illusions, empty promises, and pressure to pay up, “just to see what’s next.”
Sound familiar?
👾 2025: The TikTok Psychic Swindle
Today, the “amusement gallery” lives on in apps, influencer videos, and click funnels.
- You scroll past a TikTok that says: *”Pick a card and I’ll tell you your soulmate’s initials.”
- A few comments say: “You were SPOT ON. How did you know about my dog?”
- You’re invited to DM the psychic. They felt “a strong message just for you.”
- A small fee ($25) gets you a personalized voice memo.
- Then comes the real pitch: a manifestation group, spiritual coaching, or access to “exclusive readings” for $97/month.
The structure hasn’t changed. It’s still:
- Enticing first step
- Emotional bait
- Social proof
- Escalating costs
- Manipulation disguised as magic
💡 Why It Works (And Keeps Working)
Whether it’s a stage magician or a TikTok oracle, the strategies rely on timeless human tendencies:
- We want to believe in mystery and magic.
- We trust others’ enthusiasm more than our own doubts.
- We feel pressured not to look foolish by backing out after paying.
- We fear missing out on something powerful, special, or secret.
The tech changes. The hooks remain.
📖 From 1911 to Today: What We Can Learn
Here’s the feedforward lesson (not just what not to do, but how to move forward smarter):
| Red Flag | Then (1911) | Now (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Too good to be true | Magical shows for pennies | Instant soulmate info in 15 seconds |
| Hidden costs | “Just one more room…” | Unlock next tier of spiritual access |
| Fake social proof | Actors playing believers | Sock puppet accounts and planted comments |
| Emotional bait | “You’re destined for riches!” | “Spirit says you’re chosen!” |
| Peer pressure | “Just pay the woman!” | “Everyone in the comments says it worked!” |
✨ Wrapping Up
Swindles evolve with the times, but the emotional triggers stay the same. One of the most powerful tools we can cultivate is pattern recognition. When you see these setups repeated again and again, you build immunity. You begin to spot the manipulation behind the magic.
And hey—if you ever see a mechanical banjo? Maybe keep walking.
Want to see more historic scams compared with modern trickery? Drop me a note! I’m thinking about developing a series of these that pull from the translation of that 1911 book that I worked on with Dr. Loren Pankratz. You won’t believe how many of them are still around—just dressed up in pixels instead of petticoats.
This piece was developed in collaboration with my AI writing partner. I bring the spark and lived experience; the AI helps me shape and polish ideas so they land clearly.