Final answer:
Con artists exploit the human impulse of the desire for financial gain to defraud people, convincing them to engage in precarious schemes with the promise of wealth. Individuals may participate in fraud if they perceive the benefits to exceed the risks, as suggested by economic theories on crime and decision-making. Education on identifying these impulses is crucial for fraud prevention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human impulses that con artists exploit to defraud people include: the desire for financial gain, the temptation to bypass the law, a sense of obligation to help others, and the need to show off financial successes. However, the most powerful is often the desire for financial gain, which is clearly articulated in the provided excerpts. For example, the illusion of a get-rich-quick scheme presented by the infamous displaced Nigerian prince preys on this particular human impulse. The email's promise of wealth can be exceptionally enticing, leading the gullible and financial gain-seeking individuals towards unfortunate outcomes. Economic theories treat crime as a logical decision where individuals conduct a cost-benefit analysis. This decision-making process explains why individuals may choose to engage in fraudulent activities if they perceive the potential rewards to outweigh the risks involved. Understanding and identifying these impulses can help in creating strategies to prevent fraud and educate individuals on the risks associated with such deceptive offers.