Bruce's plan was very simple, pretend to be rich to deceive the rich, eventually becoming genuinely wealthy.
This can't really be called an act or a scam because Bruce and Oliver are already some of the world's richest individuals. Just because they've lost their wealth in this world doesn't mean they've erased their past as tycoons.
Both of them had received elite education from prominent families. They understood how high society worked more than anyone else. Those protocols and etiquette that seem mysterious and tedious to an average person were as ordinary to them as eating and drinking. They didn't even need to pretend, they just had to be themselves.
Diana was an artist, with expertise in art appreciation, cultural history, religious theology, and more. What's more, having lived for so long, she had encountered many people and experiences. No matter the person or situation, she could keep her composure. After all, the most important quality for a scam artist is mental toughness.
Clark and Arthur were small-town boys whose exposure to the world was practically nothing compared to the others. Still, they had one inherent advantage - they were incredibly handsome.
Let's say, if Clark were to tell locals at a party that he was an actor from Hollywood looking forward to Mexico, the mesmerized Mexicans would curse Hollywood for missing out on such talent.
Being a superficial species, humans are more inclined to listen to attractive individuals. Being a charming decoration at a party isn't bereft of benefits. People might be so captivated by your appearance that they disregard any slips of the tongue, finding you beautiful even in your foolishness. The focal point is always the beauty.
From this perspective, Hal might not have any notable characteristics for being a con-man, but there's an aspect of his personality that's not well-known to the public. Hal is a playboy; being the Green Lantern has never hindered his romancing.
One might argue, Bruce Wayne is even more of a playboy, and Oliver probably has had his fair share of romances, but bear in mind, both of them are incredibly wealthy. They seldom need to make the first move as they're constantly surrounded by admiring individuals.
This makes Hal's success rate surprisingly high. He isn't the wealthiest, nor the most handsome, but his emotional intelligence and unique sense of humor are his secret weapons.
Overall, everyone in this team is knowledgeable and appealing in character. It wouldn't be hard for them to integrate into high society and maintain their status.
Additionally, they all originated from America. Mexican high society tends to view Americans differently. If you had financial clout or fame in America, you'd often catch the attention of local tycoons in Mexico, who'd line up to pay you a visit.
Take note, Mexico is not necessarily poverty-ridden; it's the average citizens that struggle. Their golden age hasn't faded entirely, and there are still plenty of wealthy people within high society.
This is an inverse application of the principle of crime stronghold regions. As Bruce stated, there are countless fools in Mexico. They amassed fortunes by capitalizing on the temperate climate yet attributed it to their abilities. They couldn't wait to display their prowess on the international stage, believing that a simple investment could yield enough money for several lifetimes.
Moreover, most of them had ties to the criminal underworld. Their money came easy and fast, so they took it for granted. Some of them had just climbed out of poverty and made a name for themselves, yearning for the whole world to see their newfound prosperity. They're extravagant spenders with a vengeance, recklessly squandering wealth.
There are also officials and party members who have received dirty money. They have considerable wealth but keep a low profile because of its illicit origins. They also want to secretly invest their assets overseas. Still, they were cautious about large-scale investments, fearful that any leaks might jeopardize their careers. Losses were swallowed discreetly.
Looking back at history, people often gasped at the sheer number of quirky scammers that could surface during an era. Those on the sidelines questioned the intelligence of the victims – how could they fall for such ludicrous scams?
However, the reality proved that each generation birthed its own crop of gullible victims. During this era of rapid economic ascent and descent, many amassed wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Eventually, this wealth finds its way back into deserving hands.
In short, every country in the world right now is saturated with fools and short on con artists.
When Bruce had finished elaborating on his plan, everyone was utterly amazed. They all sang praises for Bruce, the exceptional graduate, and jokingly told him he's learned enough.
However, this indeed was the best solution to their current predicament, so Bruce's team was transformed overnight into a gang.
Having so many people part of one setup seemed rather wasteful, so they each positioned themselves according to their individual personas, and specialized in different fields.
First off were Clark and Arthur, the more attractive ones. Clark was the beloved poster-boy, who would elicit exclamations of surprise wherever he went.
Arthur's looks were particularly popular in the South American region because the aesthetics here valued sensuality over straightforward attractiveness, especially for men. Many Latin guys exuded a wild, sexy charm, which Arthur embodied perfectly.
Arthur grew up in a small seaside town. His skin, tanned from years of fishing by the sea, coupled with free-flowing hair and a robust build contrasted by a slightly coarse skin, gave him the hearty look of a manual laborer. Clad in a suit, Arthur was like a wildlife trapped in cage and upon making an appearance in Guadalajara's social circle, he instantly fetched a basketful of invitations from high society ladies.
And Oliver was that typical rich white man. His tanned skin from lounging in Mexico didn't seem odd at all. For long periods, darker-skinned Americans were seen as wealthy, because only those with time and money could go sunbathing on the beach. A bronze complexion was a symbol of old money.
The debuts of Clark and Arthur successfully paved the way for them to make a name in Guadalajara. Now the locals knew that a wealthy investor came to invest in Mexico. He was from the West Coast of America, had numerous connections with producers and investors in Hollywood, and even brought along two actors.
Then came the main protagonist, Oliver, playing the role of a rich man coming to inspect the investment climate.
Oliver portrayed himself as extremely savvy in business; for several days, he was constantly busy visiting various green development projects, palm oil factories, headquarters of cross-border trade companies, and so forth, all while maintaining a low profile.
Soon enough, both sides had made a series of acquaintances. The people Oliver met were mostly local wealthy businessmen and government officials looking for investment, while Bruce rubbed shoulders with second or third generation of wealthy families, some of whom were subsequently revealed to be important individuals in Mexican politics.
Clark and Arthur successfully infiltrated the local arts scene, gaining the attention of several Mexican actors hoping to pick up some inside information about potential Hollywood investors.
The most challenging step faced them when the setup was underway; they had to produce something tangible. But this was for normal fraudsters.
But, as previously stated, Bruce's gang wasn't actually swindling. Everything they said was true.
For instance, Oliver, while playing golf with local businessmen on a weekend, casually brought up his views on the investment climate in South America and trade between the United States and Latin America. He also shared some of his past investment mistakes. His hosts were fascinated by his stories, never doubting their authenticity.
Why was that? Were they too naive? Not at all. It's because everything Oliver said was true.
Even if he was a good-for-nothing heir before being stranded on an deserted island, the billions his family spent on developing his skills still surpass what these urban businessmen can fathom.
Diana mingled within a circle of socialites, which was right in her wheelhouse. As the Amazon Princess, her job was to circulate in high society to promote awareness of the Amazon and its tourism industry.
This was also why she chose to work in the arts. The affluent women she socialized with only focused on shopping globally for items such as luxury goods, famous paintings, antiques, and modern works of art. Anything that showed off their wealth and taste would be collected.
Diana had lived for many years, and if she spent her time learning about these things as human beings would, she'd far outdo the average art worker. Thus, with her unique opinions on appreciation and recommendation, she quickly gained fame within the circle.
This was a time when the leftist party was still in power in Mexico. Unfortunately, the Mexican Revolutionary Party's credibility was faltering, and they faced strong competition in the upcoming election.
Despite ruling Mexico for many years, they did not wish to yield power. They strove to get international support, yet their strongest rivals, the liberals, were backed by their powerful neighbor, the United States. They were already losing hope.
However, during a gathering of political figures in Guadalajara, Oliver casually mentioned a meeting with a high-ranking official from the Soviet Union. This piqued the interest of a particular politician.