Catch Me If You Can is the story of how Frank Abagnale, one of the most famous con-artists in history, faked over eight identities, several professions, and cashed over $2.5 million of forged checks in the 1960s until the police finally caught him at age 21.

As played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in the 2002 movie adaptation, Catch Me If You Can depicts the life of Frank William Abagnale Jr. with wit, accuracy, and excitement.

When his parents' marriage, family life, and father's successful business broke apart at age 16, Frank ran away from home, deciding to venture out on his own.

For the next five years, he lived a life most people wouldn't even dare to dream of, faking his identity to embody a pilot and many other incongruous roles.

Here's the story of the most famous con-man in the world - so you can learn from his skills but also his mistakes.