Robert Kerbeck on making a career out of lying

How can lying earn you millions? If you’re an actor and good at impersonating people, then the answer is that you become a corporate spy.

That’s the unexpected career path followed by my guest Robert Kerbeck, whose memoir ‘Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street!’ tells the story of how it happened. And on this episode, he joins me to talk about some of the behavioural dynamics behind his fascinating life.

Robert didn’t grow up wanting to become a spy. He just wanted out of the family car business. An Ivy League education in his back pocket, he had a more noble profession in mind—to be an actor. But to support himself, he needed a survival job. And before he knew it, while his acting peers were waiting tables, he was beginning his apprenticeship as a corporate spy.

In our discussion, we explore:

• The world of corporate espionage and the common nature of the activity is;
  
  
• The techniques used by Robert to gain access to privileged information, including 'ruse calls’ and social engineering;
  
  
• How the growth of compliance functions played a role in Robert’s infiltration strategies;
  
  
• The methods Robert used to gain trust and information as a researcher;
  
  
• The very human reason that drove Robert to give up his role as a spy;
  
  
• The challenges posed by AI and deep-fake technology;
  
  
• What organisations and individuals can do to protect themsevels from ruse calls