Hundreds of people in Moscow claim that hypnotist street criminals have seduced them out of their cash. These crooks must be masters of neuro-linguistic programming. From a Los Angeles Times article quoting Alexei Skrypnikov, a retired police colonel and former psychology researcher at the Scientific Research Institute of the federal police:
"I can absolutely say that people who are of totally sound mind, and not doped up, are being manipulated into handing over their money and valuables to people who vanish into thin air."
Skrypnikov said the techniques were simple, yet effective.
"The essence of the technique is, form replaces content. Our brain is built so it can process only so much information over a certain period of time. … In cases where the flow of information is either too powerful and fast, or on the other hand, too slow … the brain slows down, and the person's level of vigilance drops," he said.
