Frank Abagnale: From Con Artist to FBI Security Consultant

You probably know Frank Abagnale from the movie Catch Me If You Can, where Leonardo DiCaprio plays a charming young con artist who forges checks and impersonates a pilot. But the real story is less about the glamour and more about an unexpected friendship — between the fugitive and the FBI agent who put him behind bars.

Age: 77 (born April 27, 1948) ·
Known for: Con artist, impersonator, check forger; later FBI security consultant ·
FBI affiliation: Security consultant since 1974

Seven key facts about Frank Abagnale, one pattern: the distance between his criminal past and his trusted advisory role is staggering but real.

Is Frank Abagnale still with the FBI?

• Abagnale has worked as a security consultant for the FBI since 1974 (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• He is not an FBI agent but a contractor who advises on fraud and identity theft (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• He lectures at the FBI Academy and field offices (GBH (public broadcasting))

His own website states he has been “associated with the FBI for over four decades.” (Abagnale.com (personal website)) The arrangement began when the bureau offered him a chance to put his skills to legal use after his release from prison. He did not become an agent — he became a teacher.

The implication: His role is consultative, not operational — but his longevity points to a unique degree of trust between him and the bureau.

Where is Frank Abagnale today?

• He lives in the United States and runs Abagnale and Associates (Abagnale.com (personal website))
• He speaks at corporate events, universities, and government agencies (WSB Speakers (speakers bureau))
• He continues to consult for the FBI and lecture at the FBI Academy (Biography.com (authoritative biography))

His day-to-day involves advising Fortune 500 companies on fraud prevention, writing, and giving keynotes. The FBI connection remains central — he is a regular contributor to their training programs.

The pattern: Abagnale has turned his former life into a lucrative, legitimate career. The consulting firm, the speaking tours, and the books all rely on the same narrative that made him infamous — but now, the story serves a different purpose.

How rich is Frank Abagnale?

• His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• He reportedly paid back the entire $2.5 million he swindled (IMDb (movie database))
• His income comes from consulting, book royalties, and speaking fees (WSB Speakers (speakers bureau))

GBH references about $2.5 million in forged checks across 26 countries over five years. (GBH (public broadcasting)) He did not profit from his crimes in the long run; the money went to his victims. Today, his wealth comes from legitimate work.

Why this matters: Unlike many convicted fraudsters, Abagnale rebuilt his finances through legal channels. The $10 million net worth estimated by some sources is not independently verified, but the trajectory is notable.

Who was the FBI agent that caught Frank Abagnale?

• FBI agent Joseph “Joe” Shea arrested Abagnale in 1968 (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• Shea is portrayed as Carl Hanratty in Catch Me If You Can (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• After Abagnale’s release, Shea supported his transition to FBI consultant (Biography.com (authoritative biography))

Shea did not play the cat-and-mouse game depicted in the movie. In reality, the arrest came after a simple tip-off in Louisiana. But the relationship that followed was anything but simple.

The catch: The film needed a dramatic chase. The truth is more mundane — and more remarkable. Two men on opposite sides of the law became lifelong friends.

Why did Frank Abagnale Sr. lose his money?

• Abagnale’s father lost his business due to tax issues and financial mismanagement (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• Frank Jr. turned to crime partly to help his family financially (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• His parents divorced when he was a teenager (Biography.com (authoritative biography))

The financial pressure on Frank Sr. was a driving force. Abagnale has said in interviews that he felt compelled to provide for his family after his father’s collapse. The con artistry began as a teenager’s desperate response.

The trade-off: A son’s attempt to save his family led to a life of crime that eventually brought him back to legitimacy — but not before leaving a trail of victims.

Did Frank and Hanratty become friends?

• Yes, Abagnale and Joe Shea became friends after Abagnale’s release (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))
• Shea helped Abagnale get his FBI consultant role (Biography.com (authoritative biography))
• They remained friends until Shea’s death (Britannica (encyclopedic biography))

The movie compresses their relationship into a few scenes. The real bond developed over decades. Shea became a mentor and a friend, even attending Abagnale’s wedding.

The implication: This is perhaps the most extraordinary chapter of the Abagnale story. A man who was once her country’s most wanted criminal ended up as a trusted colleague of the agent who arrested him.

Timeline of Frank Abagnale’s Life

Six milestones that trace the arc from fraudster to FBI consultant.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Unclear

The story of Frank Abagnale is not just about a brilliant con man who turned honest. It’s about the redemption arc that the FBI agent Joe Shea helped write. For those who still see him through the lens of Leonardo DiCaprio’s charm, the real picture is more complicated — and more instructive.

Frequently asked questions